The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for September, 2020

With immense gratitude to Hashem we are pleased to report that our Rosh Hashanah services at the Brisbane Synagogue, albeit conducted under various restrictions, were well attended and enjoyed by all. Due to Covid, many of of our family members and friends were unable to join us however, this enabled us to accommodate others, as we were restricted with the number of people permitted to attend.

The atmosphere at Shul was warm and uplifting and it was particularly encouraging to experience the congregation joining in with the popular songs and getting into the spirit of the prayers. We were extremely blessed to receive the special Priestly blessings (Birchat Kohanim) on the second day by a man from Melbourne, Yechezkel, who moved to Brisbane at the onset of Covid. Shkoyach Kohen! Thank you, Kohen!

Our sincere thanks are extended to Phillip Zavelsky, for his great assistance on the Bimah, announcing the notes for the Shofar blowing, announcing the page numbers, and sharing selected explanations about the service, and to all those who have a assisted with the smooth running of the services.

It was especially gratifying to welcome so many children in Shul over Rosh Hashanah and we extend our sincere thanks to Dvorah, Toba, and Shternie Jaffe, who conducted a wonderful kids program.

A delicious communal dinner was held in the Memorial Hall on the first of Rosh Hashanah, graciously prepared by Odelia Fitzpatrick, and kindly and ably assisted by Cindy and Louis Grigolo, which was attended and enjoyed immensely by the limited number of people who were able to attend, enabling them to enjoy the company of each other, while observing the various traditions of the night. Kol Hakavod to all concerned.

It was extremely heartwarming to witness the commitment of those members of our community who were unable to attend the Shul service to hear the Shofar, by attending the various outdoor Shofar blowings, which took place in and around the city on Sunday afternoon.

This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Shuva, as it is the Shabbat in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and we read a special Haftarah, beginning with the words ‘Shuva Yisrael‘ ‘Return oh Israel to Hashem, your G-d’.

One of the ways in which we Jews relate to our festivals is that, rather than referring to them as having passed, relegating them to the recesses of our minds and to history, we rather view them as another spiritual experience that we have absorbed and internalized into our lives, thus enriching us with ever growing  meaning and a sense of purpose.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the above awe-filled experience with you over Yom Kippur, this  Sunday evening and Monday. Please see information below in this regard, along with information regarding Succot and Simchat Torah. 

If you wish to attend the Synagogue for Yom kippur and you have not yet registered, please register TODAY.

As we have now commenced the new Jewish year of 5781, may all the challenges associated with the past Jewish year, be transformed into blessings and opportunities for growth, materially and spiritually.

Shabbat Shalom and

חתימה טובה  גמר– May you to be sealed for a good and sweet New Year & well over the fast.

As we prepare ourselves for Rosh Hashanah this evening for a fresh New Year, many of us will not be celebrating in quite the same manner that we usually do, with more intimate festival meals, without the company of extended family and friends. We are however thankful to Hashem that we are at least able to attend Shul, unlike many in Australia and around the world, who are not even permitted to attend Synagogue services.

In a recent conversation with one of our members, we were discussing how, with all its challenges, the past few months has provided many of us with the opportunity to gear up for the High Holiday spirit of  Cheshbon Hanefesh, spiritual stocktaking, as we reflect internally on our most personal inventories.

These Days of Awe are designed to jolt us out of the tedious treadmill of the everyday. They compel us to think about our mission in life, as individuals and as part of the larger community, and to make amends for the past and prepare for the future, improving on our relationships with G-d and our fellow humans.

It has been gratifying and heartwarming to witness the amazing and enthusiastic spirit of so many within our congregation and community, who are actively reaching out to each other and committing themselves to help create more vibrancy and work towards a brighter and more meaningful future for ourselves and our children.

It is our sincere hope and prayer that, as we celebrate the New Year, that we all emerge soon from this current challenging Covid era, as better people and better Jews, more refined and spiritually sensitive

May the coming year be filled with much good health, happiness, nachas and prosperity, and Shalom in Israel and throughout the world.

We look forward to see you at Shul over Yom Tov. If for whatever reason you are not able to make it to Shul on Sunday to hear the Shofar, please see information below regarding alternative options to hear the Shofar in the afternoon in East Brisbane or the City.

בברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה, לשנה טובה ומתוקה​​​​​​​​​​​​​
May you to be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet new year.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe