The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for November, 2019

While speaking with a dear member of our community, this past week, who is undergoing some challenging medical treatment, he mentioned to me that he that, as a child of survivors of the Shoa, he was encouraged by the sense of courage, motivation and optimism demonstrated by his parents and the many survivors who, after experiencing the most tragic and devastating loss of their families and communities, were able to pick themselves up, literally out of the ashes, to build new lives, producing loving families of their own and contributing to society and the Jewish community.

We have vivid memories of the late Reb Tzvi Hirch (George) Frey, of blessed memory, describing with a broken heart, the scenes he witnessed as a child of Kristallnacht, and the burning of their beloved Synagogue in his home-town of Gleiwitz, on the that fateful night of November 9, 1939.

As we commemorate Kristallnacht, and the memory of the six million sacred souls who perished during that most horrific period of human history, we pay tribute to those who miraculously survived and thrived, many of whom have played a huge part in the growth and strengthening of our community, who had the drive, the spirit and tenacity to rebuild that shattered world and make their unique and valuable contribution to their families and community.

The above concept is expressed in the beginning of this week begins the journey of the Jewish people, which the Divine instruction to Avram, “Lech Lecha”, “Go to yourself”, to leave his land, his birthplace, and his father’s house to the land that G-d would show him. A powerful message was being to conveyed to Avram, and by extension to all of us, that in order to progress and move forward in life, we are required to go out of our comfort zones. Not necessarily geographically, but rather psychologically, to dig deeper into ourselves to discover the inner resources that we posses to grow and confront life’s challenges, materially and spiritually.

Let’s all come together next Shabbat to commemorate, and to celebrate Jewish continuity, the most powerful victory over those who wishes to annihilate us.

Please see information below regarding our communal Kristallnacht commemoration next Friday evening, and the Shabbat Project, which will be proceeded by a  Communal Challah bake for the women on Thursday Nov. 14.

Please see information below regarding Remembrance Day, this coming Monday and ourAnnual Pilgrimage to the Lutwyche Cemetery this Sunday , November 10, at 11.00 am. We extend our deep thanks and sincere appreciation to Loris Roubin, President of QAJEX (Qld Association of Ex-servicemen and women), for his ongoing efforts to perpetuate the memory of our ex-servicemen and women.

PLEASE NOTE THAT, DUE TO REPAIR WORK CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE IN THE SYNAGOGUE SANCTUARY, THIS SHABBAT WE WILL BE HOLDING SYNAGOGUE SERVICES THIS SHABBAT IN THE CHEDER ROOMS ABOVE THE MEMORIAL HALL.

Shabbat Shalom 

Rabbi Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

With the current concern regarding global financial markets, maybe our economists could learn from the Parsha this week and take a page out of Noach’s life story. After all, he floated a company while the whole world was in liquidation!

Jokes aside, according to a deeper understanding, the story of the flood is the story of our lives, how we are flooded with all kinds of worries, anxiety and concerns, which bombard us like the raging waters of the flood, and in today’s world this has become accentuated by the internet and modern technology 24/6. The Hebrew word for ‘Ark’ is ‘Teiva’, which is also translated as “word.” In other words, when we find ourselves overwhelmed by worry and emotional turmoil, which threaten to drown us, we need to enter the safe haven and tranquil atmosphere of the ‘Teiva’, the soothing and uplifting words of Torah and Prayer to keep us afloat and overcome the challenges of life and remain positively motivated.

On this note, please consider joining us for our transformational upcoming JLI course, commencing this Wednesday, entitled Worrier to Warrior – Jewish Secrets for developing positive emotions, as we access important tools to deal with life’s challenges. As the saying goes, “we can’t control the wind, but we can certainly learn how to adjust the sails”. Please see information and booking details below regarding the course.

Please see also below information regarding the international Shabbat Project which will take place in 2 weeks’ time over Shabbat Parshat Vayeira, November 15 & 16, preceded by a Communal Challah bake for the women on Thursday Nov. 14.

We extend our deep thanks and sincere appreciation to Dr Michael Briner, our honorary Heritage Officer, for his ongoing service to our congregation, and in particular, for initiating and overseeing the important repair work to the vestry and back walls of the Synagogue sanctuary, due to rising damp. Please see information below in this regard.

We thank Hashem for His merciful blessings of Gishmei Brachah – much needed rain for our region and pray that it continues to bring much needed respite for our farmers and abundant agricultural blessings for our country.

Shabbat Shalom 

Rabbi Levi and Dvorah Jaffe