The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for September, 2023

Last week, following the distribution of our weekly newsletter, we received the following email from our dear distinguished member, Pamela Huppert, who has graciously allowed us to share with our readers.

“Many thanks dear Rabbi for your very informative newsletter as always. I was blown away by your first section re our Universe and the Indian Moon landing. The reason  being, yesterday we had a friend visit and we discussed this very subject . My comments…Can you believe our planet  is but a speck of sand in the vast Universe AND just look at what is happening for good and evil !!!!!! by so many inhabitants in so many countries that make up our planet. My question, why? What are we doing wrong to have lost our way to such an enormous extent? Is it just greed !? Or is it something else !! because evil in humans seems to be overpowering the good, I guess this question is a difficult one however I suppose it is a lesson of some kind from G-d to wake up to our ways or else maybe something more dramatic will have to be carried out to bring us all to our senses because now it is not only men and women but also many young boys and girls who are all playing havoc to our planet. As you know Rabbi I am not negative by nature however as I am reaching my 89 th year in April, I do have this nagging  worry about what state the world  will be in for my great grandchildren.”

Firstly, thank you Pamela for your feedback, which is appreciated greatly. Secondly, for allowing us to share your sentiments, as we feel that they may very well be others whinin our community who share similar views and concerns.

The following was our response to Pamela, which we hope may be of assistance to others, particularly as we find ourselves on the threshold a New Jewish Year, for which we are praying for much good health, happiness and prosperity, not just personally, but for our community, country, and indeed the whole world.

“There is no question that there are many things going on in the world today of great concern, but by and large we are living in a much better world today than we have ever lived! Less war, less hunger, more cooperation between nations, peace between Israel and many of their Arab neighbors, and the list goes on. Unfortunately, due to the world we live in today which is so technologically connected, the media , which often feeds off negativity, is more intrusive in our lives, and literally at the tips of our fingers.

Our advice to you is, please try to keep the TV off, less scrolling your mobile phone and spend more time “smelling the roses”. Moshiach is on the way and the future for your grandchildren and their children will, with the help of Hashem, be a positive one.”

With Rosh Hashanah just over two weeks away, 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