Archive for October, 2018

From The Rabbi – Parshat Vayera 5779

This evening we look forward to our annual Shabbat Project Community Shabbat dinner, which will be held following the service in the Brisbane Synagogue Memorial Hall. We extend a huge thank you to Eddy Berkowitz, Leah Philips, and Sharryn Goldman for their generous contribution of time, energy and culinary skills towards the preparation of the Dinner and to Denise Shulman, Rosemary Solomon, Michael Arenson and Pamela Balsatagui for their great contributions. 

Three angels walk into an inn and ask for a drink. This sounds like the beginning of a joke. But that is how our week’s Torah portion starts—except that they did not ask for a drink. It was offered to them by the innkeeper, Abraham. So anxious was he to host people that Abraham sat outside looking for people to wine and dine.

We all can take a lesson from Abraham. We don’t need to wait for people to come begging. Get out there and offer. When it comes to kindness, even a little proactivity can go a very long way.

Shabbat Shalom and we look forward to see you at Shul

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

From The Rabbi – Parshat Lech Lecha 5779

We are once again gearing up for an exciting and uplifting Shabbat next week, as we prepare for the international Shabbat Project with a variety of activities on offer for all the family. Please see information below in this regard.

Jerusalem is again a hot topic on the political agenda, and it never seizes to amaze me how often we we see world events reflected in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion), in which Jerusalem is first referenced as Ir Shalem (city of Peace) .

Later, the word Yireh, meaning ‘vision’ or ‘awe’ was added by Avraham, making it Yerushalayim, meaning complete awe, or visionary peace.

It is ironic that a city with such a magnificent and awe inspiring name, one chosen by G-d Himself to serve as the gate to heaven – the bridge and interface between the divine and mundane should be the Centre of so much controversy and debate.

May we very soon merit the time when the world will stand in reverence and awe, and all of humanity will experience complete and everlasting peace.

Shabbat Shalom and we look forward to see you at Shul

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe