A farbrengen in honor of the 18th of Elul took place in Sydney, Australia on Monday, with Shliach Rabbi Pinchas Feldman.

A Chai Elul Hakhel Farbrengen took place in the Yeshiva Centre - Chabad Headquarters in Sydney, Australia, Monday evening.

The Farbrengen was in honor of the auspicious day of Chai Elul which is the Birthday of Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement 113 years ago and Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi founder of the Chabad Lubavitch movement and author of the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch Harav.

Over a three course meal and L'Chaims, Rabbi Pinchus Feldman, Spiritual dean of the Yeshiva Centre and Head Shliach of the Rebbe to NSW, Australia, told amazing stories about the Baal shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe.

A special thank you was said to Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Feldman, Menahel and Mashpia of the Yeshiva Gedola Sydney, for organizing the extremly inspiring Farbrengen and the financing of the meal.

Rabbi Yosef Feldman blessed the community and mentioned that the Farbrengen is also a "Seudas Hodoah" thanksgiving meal, to thank Hashem for the continued miracles He has done to keep the Yeshiva Centre running, in a manner which is above nature, including the latest miracle, the purchasing of a new building in a central location in Bondi by our Cheder Chabad Lubavitch for the girls school and the preschool.

Rabbi Daniel Kaye mentioned the importance of using out the last days of this Hakhel year to make Hakhel gatherings in one's home, preparing for the new year 5770, a very special year for all of Lubavitch and friends of Chabad.

All the above was interspersed with heartfelt chassidic song and dance.

Following the grace after meals and the conclusion of the formal part of the farbrengen, the community then formed little groups of farbrengens which continued until the small hours of the morning.