Archive for October, 2019

From The Rabbi – Parshat Bereishit 5780

This Shabbat, in synagogues all over the world, Jews will read Parshat Bereshit – the first portion of the Book of Genesis, where we read how G-d created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, concluding with the familiar words of the Friday night Kiddush.  Just as G-d it necessary to take a break after seven days, we too follow His example and do the same.

Please consider joining us for the upcoming Shabbat Project, which will take place 15 & 16, as an opportunity to observe a complete Shabbat experience. The Shabbat Project is part of a growing global effort to encourage Jewish people to observe Shabbat as a  a wonderful spiritually charged and meaningful experience. Watch this space for more details and please join us in ma king Shabbat an island in time, and you’ll find tranquility and peace that’s been waiting for you since the beginning of time. Please see more informatio n below in this regard.

As we come to the conclusion of our busy and uplifting Yom Tov (festive) season, and prepare for Shabbat Bereshit, the first Parsha (Torah portion) in the annual Parsha cycle, we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the many board members and volunteers, including our dedicated CSG and ‘Dad’s army,’ who have worked unstintingly over the past few weeks to ensure the smooth running of our services and events. We are indeed blessed to have so many of these wonderful communal members in our midst.

Our Simchat Torah evening celebration was quite well-attended, and the atmosphere in the Shul and the subsequent buffet dinner was filled with excitement by the many children and their families. Our special thanks are extended to the families of the UBHE Cheder, in particular to Sandra Fried and Craig Waner for their valuable contributions.

Our Mazal Tov wishes are extended to Aron and Zel Goldman and their family, for their respective Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereshit roles, and the lovely Simchat Torah Kiddush which they generously sponsored. The beautiful and scrumptious kiddush was graciously prepared by Janine Arenson, Anette Fine, Peta Briner, and Gail Paratz and was enjoyed by all amid the happy and convivial communal atmosphere which pervaded the day.

Now the work begins to ensure that we can hold on to our festival experience. Each in our own way we have to unpack and use the gifts we received during this month. Whether it is attending a new class, doing a new Mitzvah or strengthening our relationships, we all need to find something tangible with which to take this month’s inspiration with us.

According to the great chassidic masters, “Vi mir Shtelt Zich avek Shabbos Bereshis azoy geit der gantzer yor”, – ” the way we establish ourselves on Shabbat Bereshit, sets the tone for the whole year,” therefore, let’s make the most of this special Shabbat.

Please consider joining us for our upcoming inspiring and life-enhancing JLI course, ‘Worrier to Warrior’, which commences next Wednesday, Nov 6, 2020.

For those wishing to join us early tomorrow morning prior to the service to recite the book of Tehillim (psalms), we will gather from 7.30am.

Shabbat Shalom 

Rabbi Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

From The Rabbi – Shabbat Sukkot – Shemini Atzeret – Simchat Torah 5780

What a nachas – pleasure it was this morning to listen to the sweet melodious sound of our Sinai College students davening -praying in the beautiful Communal Centre Sukkah, which is being shared between Sinai and the Jewish Retirement village. It is indeed a wonderful blessing for our community to have such wonderful facilities and how fortunate are we to be able to educate our children in such a wholesome Jewish atmosphere, coupled with a high level of general education.

The intermediate days of Chol HaMoed have been busy! From the communal Sukkat Party to the moving Vigil, organized last night by the QJBD at the Brisbane Synagogue, in support of German Jewry and standing together against antisemitism, which was attended by a broad cross-section of the Jewish, non-Jewish and German communities. And now, we are gearing up for Shabbat and then Sunday night it’s Yom Tov again with Shmini Atzeret and the Grand Finale of Simchat Torah on Monday evening and Tuesday. Please see information below in this regard.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Rabbi Binyamin Tanne, who ably assisted in leading services over the first days of Sukkot and to Tony Gariano for preparing the delicious Sukkot Kiddush, which was thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended the Synagogue services.

Welcome and thank you Rabbi Binyamin and Chana Serebryanski, who will be assisting at the Brisbane Synagogue over this Shabbat. Please make an effort to attend services over Shabbat and the last days of Yom Tov next week, as we were unfortunately short of people to make up Minyan numbers over the fist days of Sukkot.

On Shemini Atzeret we will recite the Tefillat Geshem – Prayer for rain, and we look forward to receiving much needed rain for our farmers and all Australians.

Please see information below regarding Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach

Rabbi Levi and Dvorah Jaffe