The Brisbane Synagogue

This morning, following our Shacharit service, attended by a dedicated and enthusiastic group of people, it was heartwarming and uplifting to witness the spirit and the conviviality, as everyone enjoyed a friendly shmooze over coffee and refreshments following the service. One of the attendees commented that it was a shame that more of our members and friends don’t come along and take advantage of the wonderful and friendly atmosphere of our Shabbat and weekday services, at which we are afforded the opportunity to catch up with old and new friends, and meet many interstate and overseas visitors, who frequent our beautiful Synagogue. Kol hakavod to all of our regular attendees, and we invite others to come along and join our uplifting and meaningful services.

This week, in the weekly Parsha – Torah portion of Yitro, we read of how Yitro, following his extensive research into all the various idol-worshiping religions of his day, eventually became aware of Hashem and came to the recognition “That Hashem is greater than all the false deities”, and embraced the Jewish religion, leaving behind the material comforts of his home, traveling into the desert to join the Jewish people and their destiny.

The story of Yitro is followed by the revelation of Hashem on Mt Sinai and the receiving of the Ten Commandments, which have positively influenced mankind more than any other doctrine, as the famous non-Jewish scholar and writer, Thomas Cahill author of ‘The Gifts of the Jews’, writes, “the Ten Commandments not only provided moral guidelines but also profoundly influenced human thought, language, and the very concept of history itself. Their impact extends far beyond religious boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on civilization”.

According to Jewish tradition, the Torah contains the very blueprint and DNA of creation, hence it serves as a meaningful guide in all areas of life, not just the Synagogue and religious observance.

Our upcoming JLI course ‘Advice to Life’, commencing this Monday evening, will explore an authentic Torah-based guide to navigate through life, and infuse it with meaning and purpose. Please consider joining this course and, if you wish, you are welcome to attend the first lesson as a no-obligation free trial. Please respond to this email, if you would like to trial the first lesson, or register online for the entire course.

Click here to watch the course promo video: https://youtu.be/01a0znn9D7o?si=ObUx-Tqe1hTblTjz

This Shabbat we will bless the incoming joyous month of Adar Rishon – Adar 1, as our sages teach us, Mishenichnas Adar Marbim Besimcha – ‘When the month of Adar arrives we increase in joy’ , and this year, being a Jewish leap year, we will enjoy a double dose of real true joy, with Adar 1 and Adar 2.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov, 

We were overwhelmed and deeply touched by the many kind and thoughtful messages and blessings we have received over the past week, since we discovered last Friday that we had contracted Covid and were unable to come into the city to attend and lead the Synagogue services. We feel truly blessed to be part of such a thoughtful and caring congregation and community, and heartily reciprocate our blessings to you all for good health, happiness, prosperity and Nachas.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Noga Erlbaum and Phillip Zavelsky, who stepped up, at short notice, to lead the services and conduct the reading of the Torah.

When speaking with one of our elderly members this past week, we were reminded that we do have a number of dear members and friends, who are more isolated from the congregation and community as, for various reasons,they are unable to participate in community programs and services in person, as this individual commented “Thank you for the call, lately, I am starting to feel like I am becoming invisible”. In light of the above, we are appealing to our readers to think of possible lonely, or elderly fellow community members, who may be experiencing similar feelings of loneliness and isolation, and to reach out to them with a phone call or a visit, so that they know that someone is looking out for them. A simple phone call can make the world of a difference in uplifting the lives of such individuals, particularly if they are elderly and without close family to care for them.

With the juicy taste and atmosphere of Tu Bishvat – New Year for the trees still in the air, we are reminded of the great gift of trees and the vital lessons we derive from them, such as the importance of continual growth, materially and spiritually, and to maintain strong roots, so that we remain firm and steadfast in the face of the stormy winds of challenge and adversity.

The above message of the trees, is reinforced by the central theme of this week’s Parsha, and Shabbat Shirah – namely, the miraculous splitting of the Reed Sea, before the advancing ancient Egyptian army, and the salvation of the Jewish people, followed by jubilant song and dance, led by Moses and his sister Miriam.

In our current modern era, when we are being faced with many challenges which threaten to engulf us, the above message, provides much added strength, fortitude and optimism, to enable us to withstand and overcome these trials and tribulations.

Just as the Jewish people were miraculously saved from their impossible situation, so too, with the help Hashem, we will witness the ultimate salvation and transformation of all darkness into light with the long-awaited arrival of Moshiach! 

If you have not registered, please consider joining our upcoming course, which is a ‘Jewish Self-Help’ guide, to assist in navigating through life, and infusing it with meaning and purpose. If you wish, you are welcome to attend the first lesson, as a no-obligation free trial. Please respond to this email, if you would like to trial the first lesson, or register online for the entire course.

Click here to watch the promo video of this life-changing and uplifting course: https://youtu.be/01a0znn9D7o?si=ObUx-Tqe1hTblTjz

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,