Rabbi's Message

Dear <~~First~~>,

This week saw the passing of Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner OBM.

Isi Leibler once exclaimed - "without Rabbi Groner there would be no Australian Jewry". Now Leibler himself is no small fry. He is described in the Encylopedia Judaica as "unquestionably the dominant Jewish lay leader in Australia during the previous quarter century", having served as President of the ECAJ for almost eighteen years. I believe that his description of Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner was not far off. The impact that he had on me, and many of my colleagues and contemporaries who occupy positions of leadership, was nothing short of amazing. 

I have known Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner for almost 48 years - since I was five years old. Although twenty-eight of those have been in Sydney, I don't recall a trip to Melbourne when my wife and I did not visit Rabbi Groner. It is indeed a source of great comfort that my last visit less than a month ago gave me the opportunity to spend a relatively long time in conversation with him. 

As with so many others, I am deeply indebted to Rabbi Groner. In my youth, he assisted me greatly, and as I matured he never ceased to be a source of support. He was my Rabbi and mentor - and although I tried not to bother him unnecessarily, I knew that when I needed him he was only a phone call away. I put my own she'elos to him and often consulted him regarding the she'elos of my baalei batim.  Most of all, however, Rabbi Groner was for me the living example of what a Rabbi ought to be. Although I am still far from reaching this goal - there are many aspects of my Rabbinic life that I have attempted to model after Rabbi Groner's example. Most of all, halevai that I would have the warmth and the Ahavat Yisroel, that were the very essence of his being.

In an attempt to describe something of the impact of his larger than life personality, let me share with you a small episode that I heard for the first time this week.

On Monday evening there was a celebratory Graduation Dinner for all those who completed either or both of the past two JLI Adult Education courses at South Head. It was extraordinarily difficult for me to chair this very joyous event as I had heard the terrible news of Rabbi Groner's passing just minutes before. Nevertheless, knowing that this was part of our shlichus and most certainly what Rabbi Groner would have wanted, I of course did so. I announced that  the Divrei Torah of the evening would be dedicated to the honour and memory of Rabbi Groner.

After the speeches and ceremony, one of the participants - an ex-New Zealander - came over to me and told me how said she was deeply saddened to hear of Rabbi Groner's passing. Robyn explained that well over thirty years ago Rabbi Groner had visited the Wellington Jewish Community and a special evening was held for the forty or so young marrieds. Rabbi Groner's entire emphasis on that occasion  was that the young parents had a responsibility to make it absolutely impossible for their children to marry out. And how could they do that? By ensuring that their children had nothing less than a full day school education!

The impact of Rabbi Groner's words was so great, she told me, that the parents then and there decided to form a Jewish Day School. The school was successful for a number of years, but when the parents realized that due to the lack of numbers it would never be truly viable, most, if not all, of the parents decided to move to Australia. Once here they not only sent their children to Jewish Day Schools but themselves contributed enormously to our Jewish community, and to my delight, many became members of South Head.
 
I have of course been well aware of the contribution of the New Zealanders both back in New Zealand and later to our community. It was, however, only this week that I became aware how much of this was due to Rabbi Groner's influence, and the power and warmth of his words. 

How truly amazing that the words of one man could so profoundly influence an entire generation of such highly intelligent young adults!  But that was Rabbi Groner. A big man whose words were spoken with all the sincerity of his big warm heart. 
The Lubavitcher Rebbe created a diary called HaYom Yom with inspirational sayings for each day of the Jewish year. 

This is the saying for Tammuz 4, the day of Rabbi Groner's passing:
 
One single chassid or student who devotes his heart, mind and soul to Torah and to bolstering Torah, can effect wonders in a large city, in all that city's affairs - in a supernatural manner. He is able to do this in the merit of our Patriarchs, the "Fathers of the World."

Although Rabbi Groner's primary focus was on Melbourne, it certainly was not limited to that city. As you can see from the story above, there are people around the world who have felt his impact. Zechuso Yagen Aleynu! May his merit protect us!

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

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM 

JLI 5768 Graduation BBQ & Debate

South Head Synagogue completed its first year of Jewish Learning Institute courses with a hugely successful Graduation Dinner on Monday evening July 7th.

Over 90 graduates and their spouses enjoyed a fabulous BBQ and participated in spirited debates on issues studied during the courses which are part of the world-wide Jewish Learning Institute comprising 250 centres around the world.


Click here for lots of great pics from night!
_____

JLI 5769 Courses 4, 5 & 6 ~ Registration has opened ~ contact Helen 9371 7300 ext 4 or email 

Hey there everyone! Please note that Children's services will be in recess for July 12th and July 19th Camp Shalom this year was the biggest ever with a total of over 200 children KA"H in attendance. It was really nice to see the many happy faces as the children went home after a fun packed day filled with exciting excursions, fun activities, and Jewish workshops.  Next Birthday Shabbos is Friday August 1st for all children who had their birthdays during the Hebrew months of Sivan and Tamuz. Please RSVP by fax or email to the Shul by no later than July 28th. Bless the Kids will be Shabbos day August 2 for all kids aged 0 - 8. Make sure you're in shul by 10.30 so you can be called up to the Bimah where you will be blessed by Rabbi and receive a small treat. Don't miss out on being part of South Head's newest tradition. Children's 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.Please note that Children's services will be in recess for July 12th and July 19th _____ Jewish Birthdays: Any child who is having their Jewish birthday during the Hebrew Month of Tammuz, please email us a picture of yourself. _____    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!

Medicine

An Israeli doctor says, 'Medicine in my country is so advanced that we can take a kidney out of one man, put it in another, and have him looking for work in six weeks.'

A German doctor says, 'That is nothing, we can take a lung out of one person, put it in another, and have him looking for work in four weeks.

A Russian doctor says, 'In my country, medicine is so advanced that we can take half a heart out of one person, put it in another, and have them both looking for work in two weeks.'

The Texas doctor, not to be outdone, says, 'You guys are way behind, we recently took a man with no brains out of Texas, put him in the White House for eight years, and now half the country is looking for work!

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