The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for July, 2022

This Shabbat  we commence ‘The Three Weeks’, a sad period in the Jewish calendar, which commemorates the destruction of both Batey Mikdash – ancient Holy Temples in Jerusalem.

Although the three weeks commence with the fast of Tammuz and conclude with the fast of Tisha B’Av – the Ninth or Av, this year, being that these days fall out on Shabbat, on which we are not permitted to fast, the fast days are postponed until after Shabbat. Thus we commence the Three Weeks with the transformative power that the Holiness of Shabbat has to transform a day of sadness and fasting to a day of joy and feasting.

This too is the theme of this weeks Parsha – the Torah portion of Balak, in which we read the story of the heathen prophet and avid antisemite, Bilam, who was hired to curse the Jews and, instead of curses emanating from his mouth, some of the most beautiful blessings of all time were showered from the mountaintops upon the Jewish n ation.

Transformation begins within ourselves, and by constantly increasing our acts of goodness and kindness, and behaving in an exemplary manner, this will cause a ripple effect and lead to the transformation of all negativity and bring salvation to all of humanity.

May we experience the ultimate transformation of all negativity, sickness and challenge, into revealed blessings of positivity, healing and growth, materially and spiritually.

Mazal Tov Maroons on their striking victory last night!

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom in good health.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

There is a foundational Jewish idea, expressed as ‘Yeridah Letzorech Aliya‘ – ‘we go down in order to go higher’ , which plays out on so many levels, personally. globally, historically etc. and seeing our beautiful Historic Brisbane Synagogue this morning as it appears below reminded me about this concept.

We extend our deep thanks and sincere appreciation to those dedicated members of our congregation, who are overseeing the current repairs and renovations of our precious Synagogue, which will, please G-d, end up leaving us with an even more beautiful spiritual edifice for our community.

In addition, we were excited to receive the news this past week, of the Brisbane City Council granting an approval for the development behind the Synagogue to go ahead which, although this will see the demolition of our current Memorial Hall and Cheder rooms, these will be replaced by a brand new modern building, with additional floors to please G-d facilitate the expansion of our activities and assist us in building a brighter, stronger and more vibrant Jewish future for our children and grandchildren.

This coming Monday and Tuesday, the 12th & 13th of Tammuz, are known as the Chag Hageulah – Festival of Liberation, which celebrates the anniversary of the release of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe from communist imprisonment in 1927, where he was incarcerated for spreading and strengthening Yiddishkeit (Judaism).

Following his miraculous release, the previous Rebbe eventually made his way through the jaws of Nazi Europe to the safe shores of the USA, from where he expanded his activities and positive influence throughout the world, through the many dedicated emissaries he sent, including to Australia. In the late 1930’s, the previous Rebbe sent the late Rabbi Azriel Zelig Slonim z”l ‘down under’, where he visited various communities, including Brisbane. He was apparently instrumental in building the first Mikveh here in a private home. If you are able to provide any more information about this, we will appreciate it greatly.if you could please share it with us.

We express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the many of you who kindly extended your well-wishes and blessings to us during our recent Covid illness. We feel truly blessed to be part of such a kind and caring community and may Hashem reciprocate His infinite blessings to you all for good health, happiness and prosperity.

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach in good health.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe