The Brisbane Synagogue

Author Archive

We are currently in the redemptive Jewish month of Nissan, between the joyous festival of Purim and the liberating festival of Pesach – Passover. Both of these Festivals celebrate the miraculous savior of the Jewish people from those who sought to destroy us.

As we have again witnessed the miraculous protection of Israel and the Jewish people over the past couple of days, for which we express our deep gratitude to Hashem, may we continue to witness the ever watchful Eye of Hashem presiding over Eretz Yisrael, and may we merit the ultimate blessing of enduring peace throughout the world, with the celebration of Pesach THIS year in Jerusalem, with the complete revelation of Moshiach – the Messiah NOW!

As we approach the holiday of Pesach – Passover, we think of all the laws, customs and traditions associated with the holiday, and what this holiday represents to us personally, and as a People.

Please take advantage of our Pesach-related activities, as advertised below.

Due to the high demand of Pesach products this year, Coles Westfield Carindale have completely sold out of Matzah and other Pesach products and many members of the community are frantically trying to locate Matzah and other products. We have been informed of the following outlets, which Matzah and other Pesach items in stock: Coco’s Annerly, Harris Farm West End, Harris farm Clayfield, Penisi Cuisine Wooloongabba, & Swiss Gourmet Deli in West End. If you know of other locations stocking Pesach supplies, please let us know so that we may share this information with others.

As in previous years, it is our pleasure and honour to present you and your family with complimentary hand-baked Shmurah Matzah for your Pesach Seder table, which is now available at the following locations around Brisbane and South East Queensland.

We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the following wonderful and efficient Matzah packing team: Esther Leah and Mordechai Betzalel Culhane, Naomi and Eliana Hale, Basya and Dovi Jaffe, Virginia and Michael Markus, and Ariella Schneider.

Please feel free to call your local depot to arrange to pick up your Matzah, as per the list of locations below.

Ashgrove – Carlos – 0414447743
Beenleigh – Dovi – 0405181606
Bundaberg – Menachem – 0413365770
Capalaba – Michael – 0418615682
Chapel Hill – Howard – 0424335969
Carindale – Levi – 0419136451
Caboolture – Uriel – 0404310223
Ferney Hills – Shon – 0403446441
Harvey Bay – Menachem – 0413365770
Milton – Edith – 0411880077
Newstead – Bernie – 0419652441
Northlakes – Ma’ayan – 0410126868
Sunshine Coast – Rabbi Oshy – 0497301321
Toowoomba – Yariv – 0448583226
Toowong – Eric – 0490109927
West End – Tamar – 0405779226

Our JLI Pesach – Passover handbook has been printed and is currently in the post. Please let us know if do not receive it by Wednesday and, if you wish to receive a copy, we will be happy to post one out to you.

Please see information about Pesach – Passover below.

Wishing you and your family a Kosher and Happy Pesach – Passover,

Rabbi Levi & Dvorah Jaffe

Dear Daniel,

In recent conversation with our dear former President of the BHC, John Goldman, who now resides in Melbourne with his wife Sharryn and family, we were discussing about one of the differences between the Brisbane and Melbourne Jewish communities, namely that due to the relatively limited resources we have up here, we witness a greater proportion of our members volunteering their services to help support our communal organizations, which is truly heartwarming and a beautiful feature of our relatively small, but growing community.
We have now entered the joyous and redemptive month of Nissan, in which we celebrate the wonderful and uplifting Chag – Festival of Pesach – Passover, which reminds us of the unique relationship that the Jewish nation has enjoyed, since our inception as a people, with Hashem creator of the universe, who miraculously freed the Jewish people from ancient Egypt, in a story the likes of which no nation on earth has ever experienced in the annals of its history.
One of the most powerful sentences in the Hagaddah is the following “In every generation, each individual is obligated to see themselves, as if one is personally coming out from Egypt”. Our sages point out that the word Mitzrayim – Egypt comes from the same word as Meitzarim – limitations, or constraints, meaning that we must rise above those negative thoughts and feelings, which may pull us down and constrain our spirit.
As Israel and the Jewish people are currently going through challenging times, it is critical that we remain strong in our faith and confidence in the knowledge that, as we read in the Hagaddah, “in every generation they stand up to destroy us, yet the Holy One Blessed be He saves us from their clutches”. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us all to strengthen one another, and to ensure that we prepare ourselves for Pesach with optimism and joy, with prayerful wishes that although, on the surface circumstances may indeed seem to be quite perturbing, may we once again witness open miracles and the transformation of all captives to freedom, and darkness to light.
In the Hagaddah on the Seder night, we discuss about four different characters who are present, let us not forget about the fifth child who, for various reasons may not attend, or may not even be aware that it is Pesach, and ensure that no Jew will be without a place to celebrate. Please see information below about the communal Sedarim (seders) being held at the Brisbane Synagogue, and please share the Holiday observances and spirit with your family and friends.
Since Simchat Torah, over six months ago, we have witnessed a great revival of the Jewish spirit and faith, and an arousal of Jewish people around the world to stand up and be counted as Jews and return to their roots. we invite you to choose one small additional Mitzvah in honour of the safe return of the remaining hostages, and for them to sit with their families by the Seder table, THIS year in Jerusalem!
Wishing you and your family Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kasher Vesameach – A Happy and Kosher Passover.

Rabbi Levi & Dvorah Jaffe