The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for October, 2022

With the devastating floods which are once again literally taking certain areas of Australia ‘by storm’, this coming Monday, on Shemini Atzeret, we will include Tefillas Geshem – a prayer for rain, for Gishmei Brachah – ‘rain of blessing’, which will please G-d, be a source of life, security and prosperity for our community in Australia, for Israel, and throughout the world.

The festival of Sukkot and, this Shabbat in particular when many observe the custom of reading the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes, known in Hebrew as Kohelet. This book of wisdom, authored by the wisest of men, King Solomon, reminds us of our human frailty and vulnerability and asks fundamental questions, such as; what brings happiness? and what is our mission in life?

As we approach the last few days of this spiritually saturated season, we will go out with a bang, as we dance away the joyous festivals of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, from this coming Sunday evening until Tuesday.

We will also recite Yizkor f(Memorial) prayer or the second time during this festive season, and once again pray for the souls of our dear departed parents and other beloved family members, who no doubt take great pride in ‘seeing’ us at Shul and continuing their Jewish legacy.

We extend our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to Yossi White for conducting services in our absence, as we are spending  quality time with our children, who have come up from Melbourne to spend the Chag with us.

We look forward to seeing everyone, both young and old, as we celebrate the final most joyous days of the Chagim – festivals.

We wish you and your family Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach       

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

As we have now emerged from the solemn and introspective period of the Yamim Noroim High Holidays, which were well attended and uplifting at the Brisbane Synagogue, we are now about to enter the joyful festivals of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.

Kol Hakavod to the many individuals, who continue to voluntarily and lovingly give of themselves to ensure that our community and Synagogue services are maintained. We are truly blessed to have many such people in our midst and to whom we express our deep thanks and sincere appreciation.

It was particularly gratifying to welcome so many children in Shul and we extend our sincere thanks to Dr Michael Briner OAM, David Paratz AM and Naomi Miller who conducted our annual wonderful Yom Kippur kids program.

We were once again privileged to receive the special Birchat Kohanim (Priestly blessings) from our dedicated Kohen, Jarrod Kaplan, who was accompanied by a fellow South African visting Kohen, Ryan Maron. Shkoyach Kohenim! Thank you, Kohanim!

We express our special thanks to Daniel Island, currently living in Melbourne, who kindly sponsored refreshments, which were served in the Memorial Hall, following the fast. This was a particularly kind and thoughtful gesture on his part as was the mystery person, who kindly and inconspicuously put out the various items, which were enjoyed immensely by our members and friends. Leshana Habah BiYerushalyim – Next Year in Jerusalem!

Our sages emphasize that, over the upcoming joyous festivals, we have the ability to draw down many great blessings and, what we may not have accomplished by serious prayer and introspection over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we can achieve through joy and happy celebration of the upcoming festivals.

It is therefore appropriate that we read the ‘Song of Moshe’, the poetic and prophetic song, which comprises the majority of this week’s Parsha (Torah portion) Ha’azinu this Shabbat, which will be enhanced by a special Cholent Kiddush, to honour the recent birth of Harriet Rose – Hadassah Reizel Price, daughter of Ariana (Kertesz) and Adam Price.

We express our sincere thanks to Edward and Janis Harris of Yandina for their generous supply of Schach (Sukkah coverage), and to Natan and Gilian Brisblat from Eureka furniture for organising transport.

We extend our congratulations to Dr Michael Briner OAM and his wife Linda, for the completion of his magnificent project, the publishing of ‘Margaret St. Memoirs’, which includes the personal memoirs of sixty members and friends, documenting the past sixty years of the history of our congregation, the Cheder and other Brisbane communal organizations. Please contact Dr Briner on 0407169002 if you are interested to obtain a copy of the book.

We wish you and your family Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach       

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe