The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for March, 2023

It was a real nachat – pleasure to witness so many children with their parents, participating in and enjoying our Purim celebrations in the Memorial Hall, the Cheder rooms, and the Megillah reading in the Synagogue.

Kol hakavod to the many parents for bringing your children to experience the joy and excitement of celebrating our traditions, which will surely leave an indelible impression in the minds and hearts of our future generation of communal members and leaders.

The name of our Parsha this week, Ki Tisa, meaning ‘When you lift up’, took on a special meaning for those of us who attended the early morning service today, as we were anxiously waiting for our tenth man to make the Minyan, in walked one of our semi-regulars, who later related that he had received a phone call from one of our Thursday regulars, Binyamin, late last night from Thailand, requesting of him to please make a special effort to come along as, in his absence, we may be struggling with the numbers.

As we have just emerged from our Purim celebrations, the above inspirational story demonstrates to us that the true unity of the Jewish people is alive and well, and that the Haman’s of the world will in no way be able to overcome our faith and communal commitment.

We were certainly uplifted by this experience, as we are constantly uplifted and blessed by the many dedicated individuals in our community who give of themselves so lovingly and selflessly for the sake of others,in true community spirit. Ashrenu Ma Tov Chelkenu – ‘How fortunate we are and how good is our lot’.

In the lead up to Pesach – Passover, please consider the circumstances of those who may not have a place to join a Seder, by inviting them along to join a private or communal Seder, or consider calling or paying a visit to some of our elderly or home-bound members and friends who are more isolated from the community, and bring them some Yom Tov cheer and encouragement, in the spirit of Ki Tisa and Pesach – Passover.

Wishing  you and your family an uplifting and meaningful Shabbat Shalom    

Rabbi Levi & Dvorah Jaffe

This past week, it was a pleasure to catch up with one of our distinguished senior members, Judith Benjamin, who has been extremely active in the past communal life of our congregation and community.

Judith, who has been following the news about the impending demolition of our beloved Memorial Hall, the building of which she remembers well, and of which she fondly reminisced about the many successful functions and events held there over the past six decades. Judith’s tells us that her late father in law, Les Benjamin OBM, was among those who were responsible for constructing the Memorial Hall, all those years ago.

Judith expressed her enthusiastic approval and excitement about the forthcoming development and the proposed new five-story complex, which will replace the current building, which will please G-d serve to propel our community into the future, with increasing strength and vigor.

The delightful painting below of our beautiful Synagogue, by late Leah Werner OBM, adorns the wall overlooking Judith’s dining room table.

Perhaps some of our older members may recognize the Rabbi, the young Bar Mitzvah boy, or some of the congregants?

This Shabbat, before Purim, is the second in the series of four special Shabbatot, in the lead up to Pesach – Passover, known as Parshat Zachor – ‘Remember’, and we will remove an additional Torah from the Aron Kodesh – Ark for the special reading, relating to the first infamous hateful nation of Amalek, who were the ancestors of Haman, the villain from the Purim story, who tried to annihilate the entire Jewish nation.

We encourage you to please join the Purim festivities on Monday evening and Tuesday, as we celebrate the happiest festival in the Jewish calendar.

Wishing  you and your family an uplifting and meaningful Shabbat Shalom and a happy Purim       .    

Rabbi Levi & Dvorah Jaffe