The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for September, 2023

This Shabbat we will be ushering in a New Year, as we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, 5784.

Just in time for this special time of year, we have this week concluded our meaningful JLI course, “With All My Heart” – the Jewish art of Prayer and Spiritual Experience, which was attended by a healthy group of community members, both in person and via zoom, highlighting for us all the wonderful gift and opportunity afforded to us all to engage in meaningful relationship building with Hashem, the Creator of heaven and earth. In the words of one of our members “I have found this course very thought -provoking and I am delighted to have been able to join the group to share in learning about such a meaningful subject.”

Kol Hakavod to the many participants who joined and we look forward to the next fascinating JLI course, after the Chagim – Festivals, on Kabbalah – Revealing how it’s mystical secrets relate to you.

One of the most well-known and beloved prayers of the Yamim Noraim – High Holidays is the familiar Avinu Malkeinu – Our Father Our King prayer, which reminds us of the unique relationship we have with Hashem, as our father and king and, while we approach Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Yom Hadin – Day of Judgment, with a degree of trepidation and solemness, we also celebrate the Festival with a quiet confidence that, although Hashem is our King, with whom we relate with a sense of awe, He is also our loving father, who is eagerly awaiting our sincere prayers and Shofar blowing, to which He will respond in kind, blessing us all, along with our families and community for a blessed year, filled with much good health, happiness, prosperity and Nachas!

We are pleased to be welcoming Dovi Jaffe, who will be joining us over the High Holidays, to assist in leading the services.

We look forward to seeing you at Shul and sharing good news and Simchot in the coming year.

ברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה, לשנה טובה ומתוקה – May you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet new year. 

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom, Shana Tova Umetuka and well over the fast.

Rabbi Levi & Dvorah Jaffe

Being the Shabbat before the new month of Tishrei, we would ordinarily bless the incoming month, however we are taught that this month is blessed by Hashem himself and, it is from this blessing that we draw the strength to bless all the subsequent months which follow in the coming year.

This blessing is drawn also from the double Parsha – Torah portion, which we read this Shabbat, of Nitzavim – Vayelech,, with the opening words “”You are standing today, all of you, from the heads of your tribes…to the wood choppers and the water drawers before Hashem your G-d, which emphasizes the importance of communal unity, which is a source of all blessings.

On this note, we wish to acknowledge and salute the many wonderful members of our community, who give so selflessly of themselves for the needs of our congregation and various other communal organizations. We punch way above our weight in terms of the level of commitment demonstrated by so many of our members and friends who are always ready and make themselves available to serve and support when called upon. We stand in awe of this wonderful selfless dedication. This includes the many regulars who give of themselves to attend services, during the week and on Shabbat and Chagim – Festivals. Kol Hakavod to you all, as you are a real Bracha – blessing to our community!

We look forward to greeting everyone at Shul over the Yamim Norayim –  High Holidays in the true spirit of unity and Shalom.

With Rosh Hashanah commencing next Friday evening, we remind you to please register your attendance for the High Holiday services and we look forward to seeing you over this special time.

ברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה, לשנה טובה ומתוקה – May you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet new year. 

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom 

Rabbi Levi & Dvorah Jaffe