A few of our recent innovations:
South Head Web Site:
I hope by now you have all had a chance to log into www.southhead.org. Our fantastic and recently renovated website combines the unique flavour of our shule with additional access to really useful resources and global Jewish learning.
You can read all about simchas and functions at the shule, you can be inspired (hopefully…) by my articles, you can see photo albums of shule events, and much more. In short, everything you would expect to see on a community website, but thanks to the efforts of Jonathan Anstey, Anthony Milner and Lauren Briggs – our site is far more user-friendly and professional than most.
In addition to the local content, and due to the invaluable assistance of Rabbi Meir Simcha Kogan – one of our very first Youth Leaders here at South Head and now Director of chabad.org (one of the leading Jewish websites in the world) – we have been able to make available under our very own South Head brand a complete treasury of Jewish resources. You can look at our new on-line calendar to find everything that’s happening at South Head well into the future. You can easily calculate the date of a Jewish birthday or a Yahrzeit. You can find Shabbat and Festival times no matter where you are in the world.
And the amount of online Jewish learning on our site is just incredible. If you haven’t already, try it out by going to http://www.content.southhead.org/library. You will find material there for all interests and for all ages – from the young to the old and everyone in between. You will, for example, find the text of the entire Bible with Rashi’s commentary on the one hand, and comics and live cartoons on the other. I would not be exaggerating were I to say that it would take weeks to explore our site so as to take full advantage of it.
Encyclopaedia Judaica
Literally as we speak, we are preparing yet another innovation. Due to the generosity of a number of benefactors in our community, the entire Encyclopaedia Judaica is being made available on-line and free of charge to anyone who is a member of the South Head community. Those of you who know the encyclopaedia will be aware of what a valuable resource this is. It will assist anyone from students at school, to adults interested in knowing more about Jewish history, heritage and experience. In order to gain access to the encyclopaedia you will need to apply to my PA, Helen Meyer who will give you the password. You will however need to commit in writing not to give this password to anyone else. The encyclopaedia should be available within the next month, so please stay tuned as we will inform you of this in our weekly South Head News.
The New South Head News
This brings me to another important point – if you haven’t already, I urge you to subscribe to our recently revamped South Head News. It is both attractively set out and easy to use. Most important of all, it is THE source of news and info at South Head. Although we do send out items in the mail, over time we are doing so less and less. So if you want to be up on what’s happening in our community, South Head News is what you have to read. If you are not already subscribed, please contact Helen at secretary@southhead.org. At this time I would like to pay tribute to Helen for her diligence in keeping our website, online calendar and South Head News up-to-date and ready to use – in addition of course to her many other responsibilities.
Guest Speakers
If you are a regular reader of South Head News, you will have had a lot of advance notice of the inspiring speakers that have graced our shule over the past few months. In February there was the truly great scholar, talmid chacham and mesmerizing speaker, Rabbi Feitel Levin, who spoke on the occasion of the shloshim of the Rebbetzen’s grandmother – the matriarch of a family which at the time of her passing numbered 733 descendents.
We then had our special “Shabbat HaGadol Comes Early” where on Friday night we heard Rabbi Yossi Goldman, spiritual leader of one of South Africa’s largest congregations and a close friend of many at South Head, speak on the importance of Jewish religious leadership. And on Shabbat day, we heard the dynamic, effervescent and always interesting Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, speak on the Jewish Family.
Finally just this past week, we were blessed with the presence of one of the leading Religious Zionist Rabbis, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat, who spoke on great modern Jewish martyrs on the one hand and of the deep reservoirs of Jewish faith possessed by every single Jew on the other – a reservoir which, as the Rabbi explained, it is the responsibility of each and everyone of us – not just the rabbis – to tap and nurture.
At this time, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our Social/Cultural Committee who have worked very hard to ensure that the above events were so tastefully catered. So to Gail Bachmann, Bernice Charif, Marianne Stern, Les Kraus and Garry Lavan – thank you very, very much on behalf of all of us.
I would also like to extend a special thank you to the Social Committee for the fantastic L’Chaims they have put on every Shabbos where there was no Kiddush. These L’Chaims have greatly added to the cameraderie amongst South Head members on those Shabbosim.
Brian Rosmarin
And here I should also give a big thank you to Brian Rosmarin, our newly appointed Chief Operating Officer. Brian has only been with us a short while, but already there is a marked increase in the level of professionalism in the shule – and as Brian settles into his new position, we can expect to see further efficiencies and even greater professionalism. Brian has had a huge impact on the camaraderie amongst staff in the office and all are working together at a much higher level than previously – which of course impacts significantly on the manner that the office is able to serve the community. Things that have until now fallen between the cracks, are being dealt with thoughtfully and reliably. The shule both looks better and functions better than before.
At the same time. I would also like to thank Karen Fried, our Admin Assistant, who stood in as acting General Manager until Brian’s appointment early this year and has done a sterling job; Jennifer Herman our ever-efficient and meticulous bookkeeper; our devoted Shamas Reuven Bouskila and our cleaners Tony and Rosa Coto. They all contribute enormously to the smooth running of our organization.
Computer System
Adding to the professionalism of the shule is the necessity to have a modern, flexible computer system that can be tailored to the unique nature of our organization. When I first came to the shule, I was faced with a situation where there was no database (or anything else that could be called modern technology) so I made it my business to bring the administration into the late twentieth century. Doing this involved a lot of personal learning, including basic computer programming, so that I could create the indespensible database that we required. Although this database has, in all its permutations, served us well for many years, it is really getting long in the tooth. We now need something much, much better to meet the needs of our vibrant congregation – and to ensure that nothing and no one falls between the cracks. To this end, I approached one of our members who gave a very substantial sum towards the creation of a new computer system. This system is currently in the process of development, which I am overseeing, and should be fully operational before the end of the year.
New Youth Rabbi
The next two innovations are by far the most profound, and I have therefore kept them until last. You will be hearing a lot more about each of them in the course of the year; individually and together they will have a very significant impact on our kehilla for many years to come.
It has long been my view that one of the most important contributions that can be made by a shule is in the establishment of programmes and activities for children and youth. For this reason, youth related issues have always been very high on my list of priorities. For many years, South Head ran the most successful synagogue youth organization in Sydney – we were literally the talk of the town. These activities were in the main led by the students of Yeshiva’s Rabbinical College who Malcolm and I hired and directed. Most of the bochurim did a fantastic job and we were, and are, deeply grateful for their work over many years. There are now a number of young leaders in the Sydney Jewish community whose first contact with Torah-Judaism came through South Head Youth, something of which we are very proud indeed.
Nevertheless, it became clear to Malcolm and I that what worked so well in the past would, for a variety of reasons, not be sufficient as we moved forward. We were no longer the only really active synagogue youth group in Sydney and would have to lift our game if we were to continue to attract our youth. We therefore took the decision to move youth up to another level.
With this in mind, we appointed Shmuli Kraus as Youth Leader. In the relatively short time that he has been with us, Shmuli endeared himself to many of the regular children who really took to him. However, at the beginning of this year, Shmuli informed us that although he would have liked to further develop South Head Youth, he had decided that for the benefit of his family and his future, it was far more important that he return to full-time university study. I take this opportunity of thanking Shmuli and his wife Dina for their warmth and devotion during the short time that they were with us and wish them well for the future.
At the same time I also express our appreciation to all our part-time South Head Youth leaders: Danny Bachmann, Lauren Bornstein and Brookie Milecki for their devotion to their young charges week in and week out.
With Shmuli’s departure, it became clear that we could no longer limit our search to what was available locally. A part-time youth leader with other calls on his time would no longer do. We had been very impressed by one of the last Rabbinical students – Yossi Shuchat. The manner in which he had run our programmes during the two years he was with us was highly professional and innovative – most importantly he put together a team of leaders who drew record numbers of youth to our shule. We approached Yossi, now living in New York and married to his equally capable and dynamic wife Rivkie, and asked him if they would consider coming to Australia for extended interviews with the Board of Management. They spent a week with us prior to Purim and made a fantastic impression on all those who met with them. We have since negotiated a three year contract with them – and eagerly anticipate their arrival before Rosh HaShana, visas permitting. We are confident that together they will take the shule to another level entirely. Soon South Head will have a full time and fully focused Youth Rabbi ably assisted by his very capable wife.
Of course, the appointment of a couple from overseas has the potential to put much financial pressure on our shule – so it was imperative that other sources of funding be found. I am pleased to inform the kehilla that a very generous benefactor has come forward and has committed to giving the shule a substantial sum each year for the next three years to bridge the short-fall. His generosity is noted and deeply appreciated. I believe that the nachas that he will have from the impact that Yossi and Rivkie will make on our shule will be true payment for our benefactor’s generosity, in addition to the great nachas that we wish him from his own family.
Mikvah
The final and most important innovation of the past year, has been our decision to build a mikvah next to the shule. The importance of mikvah cannot be overstated. According to Jewish law, the building of a mikvah is the obligation of the entire community and takes precedence over both the purchase of a shule and a Sefer Torah (as explained by the Chofetz Chaim and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein). Even where there is already a mikvah in the city, but it is not within easy walking distance on Shabbat, Rabbi Feinstein writes that a new mikvah should be built.
It is also of utmost importance that the mikvah be constructed to the highest aesthetic standards, be tastefully decorated, and kept immaculately clean, so that all women will want to use it.
It is easily understood that building a mikvah to this standard requires a very serious financial commitment – not something that the shule could have done on it’s own. Thank G-d, here again two very generous benefactors have come forward and have committed to covering the cost of this most important project. May they and their families be blessed with all the kedusha and tahara – with all the purity and holiness – that the building of the mikvah will engender in our community.
I would also like to express our deep appreciation to our honorary architect Mr Richard Seidman for the tremendous effort that he has put into the mikvah and many other projects at the shule. His professional approach to everything he does really inspires confidence in our ability to move forward.
The plans for the mikvah have now passed through Council without objections so it should not be long before building work commences.
Thanks and Appreciation
At this point I should like to express my deepest appreciation to the President of South Head, Mr Malcolm Kofsky, who is retiring this year. During his tenure as president, Malcolm has added zest and youthfulness to the shule – the positive vibe that he has engendered has been felt throughout our organization. Under Malcolm’s presidency the level of co-operation at all levels has reached unprecedented heights – the clergy, executive, board and staff work as a united team with mutual respect. And there have been tangible and very positive financial results as well, as can be seen from the Treasurer’s report. All of which means that Malcolm is leaving the shule in excellent shape, and with a very strong foundation, for the incoming President and Board.
Most of all however I would like to thank Malcolm for his loyalty. I have worked together with Malcolm for more than a decade now, with special emphasis on youth. Our very strong mutual relationship has enabled us to get through some pretty tough challenges in the past, and I hope to continue working with Malcolm in his capacity as Youth Chairman well into the future. Indeed, with the arrival of our new Youth Rabbi, it could be said that our work is only just beginning.
I have noted our strong financial position – something that is necessary for the continuation of all our activities. I would here like to express our deepest appreciation to Mr Ian Charif, our retiring treasurer, who for the past three years has devoted himself well beyond the call of duty in ensuring the financial integrity of the shule. The shule has never been in better financial shape – and this inspires confidence and good-will all around. May Hashem repay Ian and his family measure for measure. Of course, Ian was able to achieve these great results with the support and active participation of the Finance Committee – a very big vote of thanks to Les Kraus, Lonn Miller, Harold Milner and members of the Executive for your efforts in this vitally important area.
Our Executive and Finance Committee are in turn well-supported by an active and involved Board of Management. I would like to personally thank Sander Becker, James Hochroth, Evan Koseff, Garry Lavan, Manfred Holzman, Richard Seidman and Marianne Stern. The shule has a very special place in each of their hearts and they each give substantially of themselves to the shule in their specialized area. The shule is a better place because of them.
I should especially like to express appreciation to our Vice-President and incoming President Mr William Maynard for the exemplary and diligent manner in which he organizes and co-ordinates services. I look forward to working even more closely with William in the year ahead.
On both a personal and communal level, I would like to thank Mr Harold Milner for his well-considered and balanced advice – especially at times of potential crisis. He is a good friend not only to me, but to the shule and community as a whole, whose interests he has foremost at heart.
Rabbi Sebban continues to endear himself to the congregation with his warmth and sincerity. I greatly value his support. And Chazan Yehoshua Niasoff continues to enthrall us with his chazonus. Yasher Koach to him and to his wife Nissa for their outstanding development of the South Head choir, the members of which the President has thanked individually, and to whom I too express our appreciation. I also express our deep appreciation to the donor who quietly, but generously, sponsors the choir, year in, year out.
Through this report I have noted the generosity of donors to the shule’s major projects. In fact, our community as a whole is extraordinarily generous – whether it be through donations on the Bima, during our Kol Nidrei appeal, or when personally approached by me for major or minor shule projects. And all this in addition to the extraordinary response that our Simchas Yom Tov appeal for families in need elicits before Pesach and Rosh HaShana. It truly humbles me to know that I am part of such an actively generous community with such a warm Jewish heart. May Hashem bless you all.
Financial generosity is not the only kind we have at South Head. Quite a number of people help in many other equally important ways. Here I should especially like to thank those who host shiurim in their homes and offices. So a big thank you to Errol and Cynthia Weinberg, Lonn and Mandy Miller, Simon and Lauren Briggs, Harold Shapiro of Shaw Stockbroking and Paul Heilig of Kingsbridge Eagle. I hope others will take their example and follow suit as shiurim in private homes and offices is a wonderful way to build both Torah learning and the all-important closeness and affinity between the rabbi and his congregants.
And finally to my partner, best friend, and greatest support – the Rebbetzen. The manner in which she opens our home and the enormous amount of time and effort that Henya puts into caring for and looking after congregants and those in need, is awesome. May Hashem bless her and repay her with the fulfillment of her heart’s deepest desire – true nachas from all our children and grandchildren.
Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM
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In view of the unstable state of the entire world at this time, I urge everyone to recite the following prayers, which according to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of blessed memory, have the ability to steady a shaky world
At the beginning of the day, the following should be recited:
Behold I accept upon myself the positive commandment, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
One should say these next verses after one's prayers every day. Or if, for some reason one doesn't pray, then at least these verses should be recited:
Do not fear sudden terror, nor the destruction of the wicked when it comes. Contrive a scheme, but it will be foiled; conspire a plot, but it will not materialize, for G-d is with us. To your old age I am [with you]; to your hoary years I will sustain you; I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you. Indeed, the righteous will extol Your Name; the upright will dwell securely in Your presence.
Click here for the hebrew and transliteration of these Special Prayers
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Mazal Tov to Larry & Nicole Uria on the birth of a son on 22 Cheshvan / Nov 19th.
Mazal Tov to Rolly & Margaret Nagel on the birth of a grandson on 16 Cheshvan / Nov 14th. Mazal Tov to parents Barry & Michelle Meskin.
Mazal Tov to Jack & Rosa Rosenstraus on the birth of grandson Yoel Chaim on 12 Cheshvan / Nov 10th. Mazal Tov to parents Ben & Karen Kresner and also to great grandmother Elwira Rosenstraus.
Mazal Tov to Gary Perl on the birth of grandson Netaniel Daniel on Nov 4th in America. Mazal Tov to parents Michael & Gisela Perl.
Mazal Tov to Kuba & Kitty Enoch on the birth of great grand-daughter Amber on Oct 19th. Mazal Tov to parents Yaniv & Rebecca Ben Dor.
Mazal Tov to Isadore Gadd on the birth of grandson Asher Matan on Oct 19th in America. Mazal Tov to parents Sean & Toni Gadd.
Please visit our Births Page for full listing |
Mazal Tov to Earl Abraham & Rebecca Pollak on the Aufruf at South Head on Dec 13th.
Mazal Tov to David Diamond & Janine Smith who will marry on January 11th.
Mazal Tov to Rabbi Yossi Friedman & Chana Raizel Leuchter who will marry on January 27th.
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