Havdalah dinner brings Sydney communities together
Last Saturday, 13 June, nearly 200 people from Sydney’s Jewish and broader communities gathered for a Havdalah dinner aimed at strengthening connection, dialogue and social cohesion.
The “Havdalah Dinner: A Celebration of Unity” was jointly organised by B’nai B’rith NSW and Allies for a Strong Australia, bringing together Jewish, Christian and other Australians for an evening of shared traditions, food, music and conversation.
Denise Archie, Dr Hemani Chaturvedi, Mark Leach (CEO of Allies for a Strong Australia), John Szabo (President B’nai B’rith NSW), Janine
Zimbler (President B’nai B’rith ANZ), Col Michael Scott CSC (photo: Jacob Doman)
The event marked the conclusion of Shabbat through the Havdalah ceremony before guests shared a meal and discussed challenges facing Australia.
Guests also took part in hora dancing, with music by Chutney, and organisers said many remarked on the warm and inclusive atmosphere.
John Szabo, president of B’nai B’rith NSW, said the Havdalah ceremony carried a message that was especially relevant at a time of social division.
“The Havdalah ceremony marks the transition from one week to the next and reminds us of the importance of bringing light, hope and purpose into our daily lives,” Szabo said.
“We wanted to create an event that celebrated not only our shared traditions but also the strength that comes from coming together as one community.”
Margo Leach, Rabbi Yossi Friedman reciting the Havdalah ceremony (photo: Jacob Doman)
Among those attending were Federal MP Matt Thistlethwaite, Greens councillor Fabiano Ludovico and Colonel Michael Scott CSC, with organisers saying their presence reflected the evening’s message that mutual understanding can cross political and professional boundaries.
Cr Ludovico said, “The music, the dancing and the singing was amazing.”
Organisers said that while the event centred on the Havdalah ritual, its broader purpose was to build relationships, encourage dialogue and promote a sense of communal responsibility.
Mark Leach, co-founder and CEO of Allies for a Strong Australia, said the evening showed the importance of bringing different communities together around shared values.
“We had a wonderful evening bringing Jewish, Christian and other Australians together to celebrate our shared values and traditions,” Leach said.
“There’s nothing like good food, music, and laughter to bring encouragement and joy to a community!”
Following the strong turnout, organisers said they are exploring further opportunities for similar community events in coming months.
B’nai B’rith NSW said the dinner formed part of its ongoing work to support an inclusive and connected Jewish Australian community grounded in shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to collective wellbeing.
B’nai B’rith NSW is a pluralistic Jewish organisation based in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. It runs community programs across arts, culture, events, social justice activism and advocacy, and is part of B’nai B’rith International.
