Rabbi's Message

Dear <~~First~~>,

While overseas we experienced the tremendous vibrancy of modern Orthtodox Jewish life which I hope to share with you at a later stage. For now, let me just say that it has filled me with new enthusiasm and given me ideas for future programmes and activities. That notwithstanding, I can assure you that our congregation has nothing to be ashamed of. We are a beehive of activity which would be the envy of many overseas communities. As such it gives me pleasure to inform you of two events that are taking place this very Shabbos. 

1. My family is delighted to welcome and host the over one hundred participants at our first Shabbos Singles Dinner for those in the 40/50 age group. There is a pressing need for functions of this nature in our community and we are proud to be associated with it. A very special thank you to Debbie Katz and Karen Fried for the tremendous effort that they put into organizing this function.

I have no doubt that it will be the first of many successful evenings. With appropriate support from the community we hope to expand to other age groups as well.

2. In Shule tomorrow morning it will be my pleasure to welcome a man of international distinction to speak from my pulpit. Rabbi Shimon Fogel is widely recognized for his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Canada-Israel Committee – the consolidated pro-Israel lobby in Canada.

His talk on "The Jew in Israel & Israel in the Jew" will be an exploration of how the Land of Israel gives definition to and anchors one's Jewish identity - even within the context of the unique challenges of life in the Diaspora.

Rabbi Fogel is visting Australia for the first time as keynote speaker for BINA's Tenth Anniversary celebration. I take this opportunity of wishing Rabbi Michoel Gourarie and BINA continued success and growth.

And now a thought for the week:

Tree in the Field

The Torah tells us that “Man is like the Tree of the Field” and on this basis our holy rabbis have expounded upon the many similarities that exist in both Tree and Man.

Among my favorites is the following: It is only possible to ignite a large piece of wood by first getting the fire going with small branches and chips. So too, explain our rabbis, the teachers of the generation depend for their inspiration on their students. It is the constant questioning and probing of students which enables their teachers, rabbis and professors to achieve the clarity they require for new discoveries. Or as our rabbis have so succinctly put it: “I have learnt much from my teachers, even more from colleagues, but from my students, most of all”.

In this regard, it is worth quoting one of the most famous physicists of our time - John Wheeler.

A journalist once approached Wheeler with the following question:

You have educated many leading physicists, both in nuclear physics and in general relativity, at Princeton. Do you have some thoughts about educating students?

Wheeler: Shouldn’t you rephrase your question? After all, I’m sure that it is really the students who educate me! We all know that the real reason universities have students is to educate the professors. But, in order to be educated by the students, one has to put good questions to them. You try out your questions on the students. If there are questions that the students get interested in, then they start to tell you new things and keep you asking more new questions. Pretty soon you have learned a great deal.

On behalf of Rebbetzen Henya and all of us at South Head best wishes for a Good Shabbos.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM 

Hey there everyone! 30 Mothers and daughters attended the monthly Time-Out, where they studied interesting Jewish birthday texts and played an interesting game. The highlight of the event was the creative cake decorating activity where each participant got to decorate their very own cake. The next event is planned for Sunday Oct. 19th, stay tuned for more details. _____ The popular Hands-on Shofar factory will be coming to South Head on Sun. Sep. 14th 4:00 – 5:00 PM more details to follow. Please book your spot now!  _____ Birthday club for children having their birthdays in the months of Av and Elul is scheduled for Sep. 19th please keep your eyes on the post for your personal invite. _____ Jewish Birthdays: Any child who is having their Jewish birthday during the Hebrew Month of Elul, please email us a picture of yourself. _____ Save the Date 1: Laser zone – Bowling – Art project Excursion to the new M9 centre in Darling Harbour! Tuesday Oct. 7th 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Cost $ 30 Professional transportation, Lunch, Snacks & drinks provided. Bookings essential! Save the Date 2: Sukkot with the farm @ South Head Featuring: Mobile-petting farm with dozens of real live animals, Jumping castle, Sukkot Sand art, Your own picture in the Sukkah, Lulav & Etrog, and Much more! Sunday Oct. 19th 10:30-12:30 For children aged 0–10, their parents & grandparents. Save the Date 3: Simchat Torah Extravaganza! Dance all night and laugh with all your might at the Simchat Torah extravaganza! Tues. October 21st - Simchat Torah @ 6:00 PM _____ Childrens' Services: featuring Tefillah, Torah study, games, and snacks, Every Friday night at 5:45 pm and Shabbat day at 10:30 am. Please look at the signs in the foyer for the correct locations for your child _____    For more information about youth programs, contact Rabbi Yossi or Rivky Shuchat at 9371-7300 ext 3, or 0425-323-770  or email Youth@southhead.org Good Shabbos from Rabbi Yossi and Rivky Shuchat

Friday the Rabbi Laughed!

The Front Row

Issy was part of a group being shown around the latest theater in Tel Aviv by the owner. The theatre was enormous – the size of at least two soccer pitches.

Issy couldn't help noticing that it had only four rows of seats right at the front. So Issy asked the owner, "Why are there only four rows of seats? You could have got thousands of seats into this place?"

The owner replied, "If the Jews here can't sit in the front four rows, they won't come to the show."

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