The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for October, 2021

Due the easing of restrictions in Brisbane last Friday, it was a Mechaye (pleasure) for us to be able to enjoy our Synagogue services unmasked, and we are pleased that our Southern friends in Sydney are now able to return to their beloved Shuls. We hope and pray that all of Australia will re-open soon and that everyone will be healthy and well.

This week begins the epic journey of the Jewish people with the very first Jew, Avram, being instructed by Hashem to leave his land, his birthplace and his father’s house to an unknown destination, revealed later as the land of Canaan, which would become the Holy land of Israel.

This journey into the unknown was among a series of ten tests with which Avram was presented throughout his life, culminating with the most challenging test of all, to take up his beloved son Yitzchak upon the mountain and offer him up on the Alter. Following this supreme test, Avram’s unique relationship with Hashem becomes profoundly deepened and  eternally cemented, through his children, until this very day.

Our sages teach that the personal lives of Avram and Sarah, the first Jewish couple, are reflected in the journey of our people throughout history and the many tests and challenges we have, and continue to endure along the way serve to strengthen our bond and relationship with Hashem and with each other.

If you have not registered, please consider signing up to our upcoming JLI course, Outsmarting Antisemitism, as we confront this topic with purpose, positivity and pride.

Please see information below regarding the upcoming Shabbat Project next week, and please consider joining us for what promises to be a wonderful and uplifting experience for all ages.

May we continue to share good news and good health.

Shabbat Shalom 

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

Yesterday morning it was heart warming for us to be able to facilitate a virtual Shiva Minyan for a gentleman named Eli in Melbourne, who recently lost his mother and was unable to join his community for the Shiva services, due the lockdown. Eli was most appreciative of the opportunity to participate in our services and to be afforded the opportunity to answer Amen to Kaddish and receive condolences from us. Although we have never met Eli and he does not know any of us, the warmth, care and compassion shared  was truly uplifting and inspiring for Eli and for all of us. Kol Hakavod to our dedicated early morning ‘Minyanaires’ for your dedication and commitment.

Surfing is a popular Queensland sport and it always amazes to watch how these young, and sometimes not so young people hop onto their surfboards and ride the waves with such apparent ease.

Contained within all stories in the Torah are timeless lessons to help guide us as we navigate our way through life.  This week we read the epic story of the great flood, known as the ‘Waters of Noach’, in which the entire universe became submerged in water with Noach and his family being the soul human survivors, along with the animals, in the safe haven of the Ark.

Our sages point out that the Hebrew word for Ark – Teva, also means ‘word’, which protect us from the raging waters if life. We are constantly battling the waves which the sea of life sends our way. As soon as one wave washes ashore, the second one is not far behind, threatening to capsize us unless we skillfully navigate our way over its rising crest and ride the waves. Indeed, the daily financial pressures and vicissitudes of life which are dubbed by King Solomon the “mighty waters” which threaten to drown us.

We are able to survive the floods which threaten to engulf our lives, through engrossing ourselves in the holy “words” of Torah and prayer. As we awake in the morning and devote our first hours to earnest prayer and some short words of Torah before commencing our day, this effectively insulates us against life’s storms and enables us to surf the waves of life with confidence and trust in the Infinite power and soothing blessings of Hashem. Indeed, throughout our long and turbulent history, it has been our commitment to these Tevot – words of Torah and prayer which have enabled us to survive and thrive.

We are pleased, and indeed blessed, to be able to once again participate in the International Shabbat Project, whioch is taking place across the world, in two weeks time, for which we are once again organising a complete Shabbat program, which promises to be an amazing experience for all the family. Please consider joining us for the entire Shabbat in the City, as we have negotiated special rates with the recently renovated Royal on the Park Hotel, just around the corner from the Shul. Please see information below in this regard.

Due the easing of restrictions from 4pm this afternoon in Qld., provided that we remain socially distanced at one person per two square metres, we will no longer be required to wear masks while seated in Shul. May we continue to share good news and good health.

Shabbat Shalom and happy surfing 🙂

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe