Archive for December, 2019

From The Rabbi – Parshat Miketz 5780 (Chanukah and Rosh Chodesh).

This Shabbat coincides with Rosh Chodesh (New month) and Chanukah hence, it will be one of those rare occasions when we read from three Torah scrolls. In Judaism the number three represents strength so, may we draw much strength and may we be blessed with much needed added gishmei Bracha – rainfall, and cooler weather conditions for our suffering farmers and rural fellow Australians.

‘Chanukah in the City’, last Sunday was once a gain a great success, thanks to the great efforts of so many volunteer communal members, among whom many are members of our congregation. It is always so heartwarming and uplifting to witness the amazing generosity of time and energy of so many, who always give so much of themselves with such amazing spirit and heart.

We were hounured to have long-standing board member, past president, and current Heritage Officer of the Brisbane Hebrew Congregation, Dr Michael Briner, honour us with the lighting of the giant Menorah.

A couple of days after Chanukah in the City, we received the following email from our good friends and members, Sally and Graham Osbourne, in Boonah, 100 Kms South West of Brisbane. “We awoke this morning to find 30mm of rain in our rain gauge. Your’s and the community prayer at Chanukah  in the city has been partly answered BH! We need much more to restore aquifers and fill dams but this is a start eh?. We thought you and  the community should know.” The Osbournes have Baruch Hashem since received more rain.

This week we read the incredible story of Yosef (Josef) and his brothers, among the most exciting stories of the Torah and there is so much we can learn from this story, among them is the importance of having good dreams and a vision for the future, and to remain focussed on achieving one’s dreams, however far-fetched they may seem to appear.

Many of us tend to question our ability to achieve success and the fulfillment of our dreams, however the Chanuakh lights serve as a poignant reminder that if we take each day at a time, continually increasing the light and goodness we generate within ourselves and our surroundings, we have the ability to literally transform the world.

Please join us this evening for the lighting of the Menorah, Shul service and donuts in the hall following the sercvice, generously donated by John and Susie Ray.

Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov and Happy Chanukah

Rabbi Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

From The Rabbi – Parshat Vayeshev 5780

We are thrilled to report that the Brisbane City Council, in celebration of Chanukah in the City, have decided to project David Asher Brook’s artwork ‘Tzitzit’ onto the William Jolly Bridge from December 18 – 22, from 5:30 – 10pm nightly, within close proximity to our beautiful 6-Metre Menorah, which stand proudly and majestically on display in Reddacliff Place.

The Brisbane City Council website includes the following information in this regard “David Asher Brook is a visual artist working in painting, video art and sculpture. Tzitzit by Brook is a visual representation of a fragment of the male garb worn by those who identify with and practice the Jewish faith. The word Tzitzit translates to fringe, and in this image, Brooks uses an abstracted grid to visually communicate a flattened image of the textile Tzitzit.”

Please see below image.

Chanukah is all about lighting up the outside and the darkness of the world, as expressed by the lighting of the Menorah by the window or doorways of our homes at night, and we are grateful to the Brisbane City Council for assisting us in spreading the message of Chanukah and Jewish traditions. We are indeed privileged and blessed to live in such a wonderful and supportive city and country.

This week we read the famous story of Yossef (Josef) who, as opposed to his brothers who were shepherds living a fairly reclusive life, made his mark on the world, miraculously becoming the second most powerful individual in the civilized world, all the while maintaining  integrity and spiritual heritage. It is for this reason we refer to him as Yosef Hatzadik (Josef the righteous), because one of the great challenges that we face the open society of today’s world, is to maintain our values and traditions and to spread the light of Torah into the world around us, as encapsulated in the story and celebration of Chanukah.

Chanukah in the City will take place this Sunday afternoon, Dec 22, from 4pm at Reddacliff Place (top end of the Queen St. Mall) with the lighting of the Menorah live music, food, rides and community stalls.Please see information below regarding Chanukah events around town, including the lighting of the Menorah at the Brisbane Synagogue next Friday evening.

Due to the ongoing extremely challenging circumstances for many fellow Australians, who are still struggling with the bushfires around Qld and Australia, we will include a special prayer tomorrow in Shul for rain and protection of all who are being affected by fire & drought, and for the firefighters, and those who have lost their lives in these devastating circumstances..

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah

Rabbi Levi and Dvorah Jaffe