The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for April, 2022

This week we read the Torah portion – Acharei – which discusses the response to the tragic passing of the two sons of Aaron the High Priest, and the Yom Kippur service, which is followed next week by Kedoshim  – Sanctity.

As we commemorate Yom Hashoah today, Acharie Mot – “following the passing’ of the Six Million Holy Martyrs – Kedoshim, who perished during one of the darkest and most horrific chapter in Jewish history, we reflect on the importance of Jewish continuity and and hallowing the memory of the Kedoshim, by keeping the Jewish spirit and traditions alive and well within our community.

As usual, our community will gather together this coming Sunday at the the Mt Gravatt Jewish Cemetery to commemorate Yom Hashoah, as fewer and fewer of our own communal survivors who were witness to those unspeakable atrocities remain physically with us, it becomes our sacred responsibility to perpetuate their memory and carry the torch of their legacy.

It has been uplifting and particularly refreshing to have the various Yeshivah students, especially former Brisbane boys, Yehudah Frazer & Yehudah Meyers, who have done an outstanding job leading the services over Pesach, and to whom we extend our sincere thanks and deep appreciation.

Please consider joining us this Shabbat for the service and special Cholent Kiddush, following the Shabbat morning service, which is being generously sponsored by JNF Qld to honour ANZAC and the charge of the ANZAC Light Horse at Beersheva.

Please consider joining our enlightening upcoming JLI Course, ‘Beyond Right’ –  the Values that Shape Judaism’s Civil Code, commencing next Thursday or the following Monday.

As we are about to enter the new month of Iyar, which is associated with healing, may Hashem grant much healing on a personal, communal and global level and may we all be blessed with a Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

This evening commences the last days of the Festival of Pesach – Passover, the Festival of our Liberation. While the first days of Pesach focus on, and celebrate, our Exodus from Egypt, the last days are associated with our yearning for, and anticipation towards the ultimate future redemption, a time when all our suffering and challenges will be transformed into revealed good, happiness and enduring peace.

We extend our deep thanks and sincere appreciation to the four Melbourne Yeshivah students, Yosef Bondar, Yehudah Frazer, Yehudah Meyers, & Shaz Morosow. who have done an outstanding job leading the services for the first two days of Pesach, including two uplifting Communal Sedarim (Seders), which were attended by people from all walks of life and nationalities. The delicious food which was enjoyed immensely by all those who attended was graciously prepared by our very own executive Chef, Richard (Reb Chaim) Pearce, to whom we extend our sincere thanks and deep appreciation.

Yehudah and Shaz, have returned to Melbourne and we are pleased to welcome Mendel New and Yudi Gutnick, who have assisted in conducting Pesach programs on the Central Coast of NSW and Coffs Harbour, respectively, and they will be joining our congregation for the last days of Pesach. 

Please see information below regarding Pesach services and events and, being that the first day of Yom Tov – the Festival falls on Friday, please remember to conduct the Eruv Tavshilin, a special ceremony, which enables one to cook on Friday for Shabbat, as we are not usually permitted to cook from one day of Yom Tov – the Festival, for another.

Please make an effort to attend services, as we are sure that they will be enjoyable and uplifting, as were the first two days of Pesach.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kasher Vesameach –  wishing you and happy and Kosher Pesach.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe