Rabbi Menachem Sabbach
Rabbi Menachem Sabbach, originally from Melbourne, received his foundational rabbinic training at the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand, where he completed a Diploma of Talmudical Studies. He later continued his advanced Talmudic education at the Central Rabbinical College of America, where he was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Rabbinic Studies. Rabbi Sabbach received rabbinic ordination from leading Ashkenazi and Sephardi authorities, including Rabbi Z. N. Goldberg zt”l, former Av Beth Din of the Jerusalem Beth Din. He subsequently earned formal certification in Shechita (ritual slaughter) and has developed particular expertise across multiple areas of Halacha (Jewish law). From 2011, Rabbi Sabbach served the Sephardi community in Melbourne. During this period, he continued advanced learning at the Melbourne Kollel, where he completed a Diploma in Practical Rabbinics, and later undertook further advanced rabbinic studies in Israel. In 2015, Rabbi Sabbach was granted the qualification of Dayan, entitling him to sit as a judge on a Jewish Religious Court.
As Rabbi of the North Eastern Jewish Centre, Rabbi Sabbach provides spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and educational direction to the community. He is closely involved in the daily life of the synagogue, supports individuals and families across all stages of life, and is accessible for guidance on both personal and halachic matters.
A central element of Rabbi Sabbach’s leadership at NEJC is his weekly in-depth Halacha Shiur, which explores a broad range of contemporary and classical issues in Jewish law. The shiur engages with practical questions relevant to modern Jewish living, examines underlying halachic principles from primary sources, and reflects the community’s commitment to serious Torah learning alongside everyday observance. Rabbi Sabbach is also known for his inspiring and passionate Shabbat sermons, which combine Torah insight with thoughtful reflection on contemporary life and community values, and are a central feature of the Shabbat experience at NEJC.
In addition to his role as Rabbi of the North Eastern Jewish Centre, Rabbi Sabbach plays a significant role within the wider Melbourne Jewish community. He serves as Senior Rabbinic Coordinator at Kosher Australia, overseeing kosher certification standards and managing a team of roving rabbis responsible for supervising foodservice establishments, including restaurants and caterers. Rabbi Sabbach also holds a senior leadership position at the Melbourne Beth Din, where he serves as a Dayan and Menahal, with responsibility for rabbinic adjudication, policy oversight, and the administration of the marriage registry.
He serves as Co-Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria.
Rabbi Sabbach is deeply involved in Jewish education and public engagement beyond the synagogue. He regularly participates in interfaith panels, maintains strong relationships with local council representatives and Members of Parliament, and represents the Jewish community in broader civic and inter-communal forums. He conducts guided synagogue tours for school groups and adults, providing education about Judaism, Jewish life, and Jewish values to people of all backgrounds. Rabbi Sabbach regularly writes for the Australian Jewish News and for halachic and rabbinic publications, and is frequently consulted on practical halachic questions by individuals and institutions.
Rebbetzin Bassie Sabbach
Originally from Manchester, England, Rebbetzin Bassie Sabbach has been involved in Jewish outreach and education across several countries, including the United States, England, and Australia. Her experience includes teaching in Hebrew schools, organising youth and teen programs, and coordinating summer camps. Rebbetzin Bassie is widely respected for her warmth, approachability, and genuine care for individuals and families within the community.
Contribution of our Rabbi and Rebbetzin to our centre
Rabbi Sabbach and Rebbetzin Bassie joined the North Eastern Jewish Centre in March 2018. Together, they have fostered a welcoming, inclusive, and engaged community that balances contemporary life with fidelity to Torah values. Their leadership emphasises personal connection, meaningful education, and communal responsibility. They are deeply committed to strengthening Jewish identity, encouraging lifelong Jewish learning, and nurturing a strong relationship with the State of Israel. Rabbi Sabbach and Rebbetzin Bassie are actively involved in supporting individuals through both religious and personal life events, offering guidance with sensitivity, discretion, and care. The Sabbachs live in Doncaster with their five children.
Rabbi Menachem Sabbach
Rabbi Menachem Sabbach, originally from Melbourne, received his foundational rabbinic training at the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand, where he completed a Diploma of Talmudical Studies. He later continued his advanced Talmudic education at the Central Rabbinical College of America, where he was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Rabbinic Studies. Rabbi Sabbach received rabbinic ordination from leading Ashkenazi and Sephardi authorities, including Rabbi Z. N. Goldberg zt”l, former Av Beth Din of the Jerusalem Beth Din. He subsequently earned formal certification in Shechita (ritual slaughter) and has developed particular expertise across multiple areas of Halacha (Jewish law).
From 2011, Rabbi Sabbach served the Sephardi community in Melbourne. During this period, he continued advanced learning at the Melbourne Kollel, where he completed a Diploma in Practical Rabbinics, and later undertook further advanced rabbinic studies in Israel. In 2015, Rabbi Sabbach was granted the qualification of Dayan, entitling him to sit as a judge on a Jewish Religious Court.
As Rabbi of the North Eastern Jewish Centre, Rabbi Sabbach provides spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and educational direction to the community. He is closely involved in the daily life of the synagogue, supports individuals and families across all stages of life, and is accessible for guidance on both personal and halachic matters.
A central element of Rabbi Sabbach’s leadership at NEJC is his weekly in-depth Halacha Shiur, which explores a broad range of contemporary and classical issues in Jewish law. The shiur engages with practical questions relevant to modern Jewish living, examines underlying halachic principles from primary sources, and reflects the community’s commitment to serious Torah learning alongside everyday observance. Rabbi Sabbach is also known for his inspiring and passionate Shabbat sermons, which combine Torah insight with thoughtful reflection on contemporary life and community values, and are a central feature of the Shabbat experience at NEJC.
In addition to his role as Rabbi of the North Eastern Jewish Centre, Rabbi Sabbach plays a significant role within the wider Melbourne Jewish community. He serves as Senior Rabbinic Coordinator at Kosher Australia, overseeing kosher certification standards and managing a team of roving rabbis responsible for supervising foodservice establishments, including restaurants and caterers. Rabbi Sabbach also holds a senior leadership position at the Melbourne Beth Din, where he serves as a Dayan and Menahal, with responsibility for rabbinic adjudication, policy oversight, and the administration of the marriage registry.
He serves as Co-Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria.
Rabbi Sabbach is deeply involved in Jewish education and public engagement beyond the synagogue. He regularly participates in interfaith panels, maintains strong relationships with local council representatives and Members of Parliament, and represents the Jewish community in broader civic and inter-communal forums. He conducts guided synagogue tours for school groups and adults, providing education about Judaism, Jewish life, and Jewish values to people of all backgrounds. Rabbi Sabbach regularly writes for the Australian Jewish News and for halachic and rabbinic publications, and is frequently consulted on practical halachic questions by individuals and institutions.
Rebbetzin Bassie Sabbach
Originally from Manchester, England, Rebbetzin Bassie Sabbach has been involved in Jewish outreach and education across several countries, including the United States, England, and Australia. Her experience includes teaching in Hebrew schools, organising youth and teen programs, and coordinating summer camps. Rebbetzin Bassie is widely respected for her warmth, approachability, and genuine care for individuals and families within the community.
Contribution of our Rabbi and Rebbetzin to our centre
Rabbi Sabbach and Rebbetzin Bassie joined the North Eastern Jewish Centre in March 2018. Together, they have fostered a welcoming, inclusive, and engaged community that balances contemporary life with fidelity to Torah values. Their leadership emphasises personal connection, meaningful education, and communal responsibility. They are deeply committed to strengthening Jewish identity, encouraging lifelong Jewish learning, and nurturing a strong relationship with the State of Israel. Rabbi Sabbach and Rebbetzin Bassie are actively involved in supporting individuals through both religious and personal life events, offering guidance with sensitivity, discretion, and care. The Sabbachs live in Doncaster with their five children.