ZulaRoo Surf House
The ZulaRoo Surf House is an accommodation for Israeli backpackers along the stunning Great Ocean Road in Apollo Bay, Australia. Our aim is to extend God’s love and comfort in the name of Yeshua to Israelis exploring Australia. Israeli research suggests that 40,000 young Israelis travel the world for an average of six months following their mandatory army service before they begin college or their careers.
Thus, inspired by faith, we created this haven by God’s provision. ZulaRoo (combining “Zula”, Israeli slang for a safe place, and “Roo” for Australia’s kangaroos), is managed by a loving family of believers, the Boltons, demonstrating Yeshua’s hospitality and love to our guests.
The Surf House is a seven bedroom home, with a fully self-contained apartment on the first floor, outdoor bungalow, and two caravans parked in the backyard. Many of our guests have just completed their military service or are honeymooning in Australia. During their stay, guests can enjoy walking to the beach and even learning how to surf! The Boltons also host weekly Shabbat dinners for the guests and celebrate each Jewish holiday together. Plans are currently underway to make the kitchen more kosher-friendly to accommodate orthodox Israelis.
We are especially committed to comforting God’s people during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict – nachamu, nachamu ami. Some have come to us after seeing some difficult things during this conflict. All of them come to us personally knowing someone who was taken hostage, wounded, or killed on October 7. In this way, the ZulaRoo Surf House offers a safe, peaceful haven for Israelis exploring Australia, connecting them with the God of Israel as they process their grief from recent events.
Message from Rabbi Lawrence Hirsch
“Comfort, Comfort My People,” says the Lord your God – Isaiah 40:1
Celebrate Messiah has taken a leap of faith by acquiring a home on the stunning Great Ocean Road in Apollo Bay. This home will serve as a place of refuge for young Israelis as they journey to Australia.
This endeavour is an opportunity to extend God’s love and comfort to His people in the name of Yeshua. Our conviction and unwavering faith led us to prepare a haven for Israeli backpackers, and every step of the way, God has guided and provided for us. What’s truly remarkable is the timing of it all – our offer for this beautiful 7-bedroom home in Apollo Bay was accepted during the first week of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
As I compose this appeal, Israel is still facing the challenges of war, and this dire situation may persist for some time. We believe that God is calling us to create a “place of comfort,” a “Zula,” a sanctuary right here in Australia for young Israelis as they embark on their journeys after their military service.
Now, more than ever, as the distressing conflict in Israel persists and in its aftermath, Israel needs our love and support. We are answering God’s call to “comfort His people” – nachamu, nachamu ami.
We kindly request your support to help us finance and prepare this Zula, a welcoming and secure space for Israelis as they revisit our shores. Undoubtedly, they will be traumatized and in need of a warm and welcoming embrace. Let us express our love through the hospitality of Australian Yeshua-believers. We’ve aptly named this home “ZulaRoo” – a comfortable place in Australia.
Amid the resurgence of anti-Semitism worldwide, we are confident that Australia will become a preferred destination for Israeli backpackers, knowing that believers in our country are ready to welcome them through the Host Israelis Network and the ZulaRoo guest house in Apollo Bay.
God’s call to comfort His people extends to us here in Australia. We humbly ask for your support in this journey of faith and obedience and invite you to partner with us in Project ZulaRoo – a mission to comfort and care for God’s people (Isaiah 40:1).
Our goal is to raise $1.4 million to acquire this property fully. We invite you to join us in this leap of faith.
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'” (Matthew 25:40, ESV)
With a heart for the Kingdom and the salvation of Israel,
Lawrence Hirsch
Executive Director, Celebrate Messiah Australia
Become a ZulaRoo Partner
We request your support to help finance the complete cost for the ZulaRoo property. The property cost $1.4 million, and our goal is to fully pay off this amount by the end of 2024. We invite fellow believers in Yeshua to join us in this mission to comfort and care for God’s people (Isaiah 40:1), showing young Israelis the love of Yeshua, who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).
Will you join us?
Our ZulaRoo Surf House
Our Hosts, the Boltons
In 2019, God called the Boltons away from Australia to serve in Israel, where they formed meaningful friendships as they shared Yeshua (Jesus) to their local community. After several years, they felt called back to Australia to continue His plan. In 2023, Corey and Sarah reached out to the Hirsch family to enquire if there were any plans to establish a guest house for Israeli backpackers in Australia — an absolute God moment as the Hirsches had been praying for a potential host family!
The Boltons have joined Celebrate Messiah to run the ZulaRoo Surf House in Apollo Bay, Victoria. The Lord has used the Boltons’ love of the Israeli people, their Hebrew skills and understanding of Israeli culture, and love of the Australian surf to be the ideal hosts for ZulaRoo.
We invite support for the Boltons through prayer and donations as they offer hospitality, hope, and the Gospel message to these young travelers.
Our ZulaRoo Guests
Israelis can book accommodation at ZulaRoo through the app, Planet Zula. It is a free global hospitality network for Israeli travellers, covering countries all over the world. All the hosts on our network are Christians who love Israel and enjoy opening their hearts and homes to Israeli travellers. Israelis can download the app on their phones for more information. They must be over 18 years old and have an Israeli passport.
Our ZulaRoo Surf House is capable of accommodating a large number of Israelis on their Australian journey. However, we are also in need of hosts in other parts of Australia to host one or two Israelis in their homes. Should you be willing to open not just your home but also your heart, you can extend invitations to Israelis for brief stays, becoming an integral part of this movement. Your open-hearted hospitality holds the power to be transformative and thought-provoking, serving as a testament to the love and salvation of Yeshua—bringing scripture to life (Romans 11:11).
Want to support ZulaRoo?
Get in Touch
For questions regarding our ZulaRoo Surf House and appeal, please submit a form below or call our office at + 61 3 9563 5544.