Archive for May, 2019

From The Rabbi – Parshat Acharei Mot 5779

Last Shabbat, following the Yizkor (memorial) service, special prayers were recited at the Brisbane Synagogue for the victims of the tragic Sri Lanka attacks. Little did we know that after Shabbat we would learn of yet another tragic attack on US soil, directed towards members of our own community in Poway San Diego, which has devastated us all.

The murder of an innocent woman and the wounding of several others who were celebrating their faith in the synagogue, on Pesach, the Festival of our freedom, is appalling and heartbreaking.

We extend heartfelt sympathy to the family of Lori Gilbert-Kaye upon their terrible loss. and extend our prayers for a speedy recovery to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Almog Peretz and nine-year-old Noya Dahan, who were viciously injured by the shooter.

“This Shabbat, several thousand synagogues around the globe will throw open their doors to hundreds of thousands of Jews who will show, through presence and solidarity, “am yisrael chai.” were the powerful and inspirational words of Rabbi Goldstein to the world media immediately following the attack. With the terrorist on the loose, emergency services on the way, and his own hands in disrepair, the rabbi told his people, “the Jewish nation lives!”

Amid the overwhelming communal support and the flowers lining the Center’s periphery, a grassroots effort to honor Lori’s memory and the synagogue she loved dearly went viral, fast. #ShareShabbat is more than a hashtag. It’s a call from Goldstein to fill sanctuaries and show the world that the Jewish nation will not be cowed.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught, the response to darkness is more light. Together with Chabad of Poway, we’re asking Jews from around the world to perform extra Mitzvot for Poway. Before Shabbat, light candles at 4.57pm this evening for Lori Kaye and put on tefillin for the recovery of Rabbi Goldstein and the others injured.

Chabad of Poway is leading the movement with an open Friday night service and kiddush on the patio. 

Please see information below regarding special prayers and a vigil to be held this evening at the Brisbane Synagogue in this regard. 

Please see information below regarding Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration this Sunday, Yom Hazikaron this Tuesday,  and other upcoming communal events, including our transformative JLI course, ‘Soul Maps’, which commences next Thursday and the following Monday, May 13. Please click here to view course trailer: https://we.tl/t-0OXXs6h6eD

We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the Yeshivah Bachurim (boys) who have kindly and energetically assisted us in leading the services over pesach.   

This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim Iyar, which blesses the incoming healing month of Iyar, as in previous months, we will gather earlier at Shul, prior to the service at 7.30am tomorrow morning, for the recital of the book of Psalms, to which you are welcome to join.

Following the service we will enjoy a scrumptious Cholent Kiddush in honour of Shabbat Mevarchim.

With the upcoming elections almost upon us, let me please tell you how to vote, vote early, and don’t vote on Shabbat. Either apply for a postal vote or visit an early voting station.  

May we merit the ultimate blessing of true and lasting peace, and the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies mentioned in the special Haftarah reading of last Shabbat, with the coming of Moshiach NOW!

We wish you and your family Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov and may we share good news

Am Yisrael Chai!

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe