Halakha
A serious commitment to Jewish law remains the frame for communal life and ritual practice.
About Shira
A community shaped by halakha, song and social action.
Learn about Shira's approach to prayer, participation, leadership, inclusion and community care.
Who we are
A community rooted in halakha and shaped by song.
Shira is an inclusive Orthodox community in Melbourne committed to Jewish law, social action and serious communal participation. Community life is grounded in halakha and built around shared participation.
Women are able to participate and lead in the areas of liturgical life that Shira has identified within traditional sources. Torah reading, drashot, shared learning and lay leadership are part of the ordinary culture of the shul.
Music is central to prayer at Shira and part of what gives the community its character.
Victor Majzner, Holding onto Heaven (2009).
Commitments
Four commitments at the heart of Shira.
Inclusion
Shira works to widen dignity, access and participation in communal life.
Song
Prayer at Shira is musical, thoughtful and warm.
Tikkun olam
Social action is part of Shira’s religious and communal life.
Leadership
Board and community contacts
Board members
Raf Dascalu, Ilana Faivel, David Goldman, Nathan Levy, Rachel Sacks Davis, Penelle Stern.
Community admin
Rachel Karyak — admin@shira.org.au
Pastoral care
Rabbanit Ellyse Borghi
Pastoral care and lifecycle guidance are an important part of community life at Shira.
pastoralcare@shira.org.auWelcome and participation
Community statement
Read the page that sets out Shira's commitment to dignity, participation and communal care.
Open the community statementDocuments
Community resources
Policies, participation guides and family documents are grouped together in the resources section.
Browse resources