May 24, 2014 - humility.â God urges us to be âopen to all sources ... kedushah can ignite. But because the ... shoul
KOL YISRAEL
Weekly
SHABBAT 23 - 24 MAY 2014 / 24 IYAR 5774
The President, Robert Hershan, on behalf of the Board and staff of Temple Beth Israel welcomes you to our community.
EREV SHABBAT
SHABBAT SHACHARIT
Board members: Rob Sward Shammash: Debra Starr Music: Sarah Edelstein and Josh Nezon
Board members: Robert Hershan, Rob Sward, Joanne Loewy Irons and Rhys Roberts Shammashim: Mervyn Cohen and Denise Joyner Music: Rhondda Hall with TBI Choir accompanied by Joe Stupel Torah readers: Shannyn Gelbart, Evi Morawetz and Jeremy Zivin Bar mitzvah: Jeremy Zivin Aufruf: Zohar Spatz and Rick Gifford Kiddush: Kindly co-sponsored by David and Debbie Zivin and Leah Kaye and Mark Spatz
MAIN SANCTUARY 10am Shabbat Shacharit
MAIN SANCTUARY 6.15pm Kabbalat Shabbat service
SHABBAT PARASHAH BECHUKOTAI
Parashah: Numbers 3:40 - 51 (page 1041) Numbers 2:5-17 Maftir Numbers 4:17-20 Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-7, 16-22 (page 1252) (shortened)
SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2.30pm
Tickets: $35 adult, $30 concession, $10 children under 18 years
Sacred Music Concert AN IN T ERFAI T H CELEBR AT ION
Tickets 03 9510 1488 and tbi.org.au 76-82 Alma Rd, St Kilda Supported by the Progressive Jewish Cultural Fund
PARASHAT BECHUKOTAI
by Rabbi Gary J Robuck, North Shore Temple Emanuel In the book of Bamidbar the sages ask two questions: what is significant about the desert in which the Torah is revealed and in which the people are forged into a nation? More specifically: what is meant by the Hebrew word “hefkeir” (unclaimed or ownerless) that is used to refer to Sinai? Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson responds to the question: “Why was the Torah revealed to the Jewish people in the desert-a remote, barren and lifeless place” by saying: “God spoke from the wilderness of Sinai to remind us of the need for humility.” God urges us to be “open to all sources of wisdom and knowledge.” Revealing Torah in the wilderness, (a place that is “hefkeir”) is, a reminder that “we must serve all of humanity and work for the redemption of the entire world” (and not just the redemption of our own people). Issachar bar Ashkenazi taught: “Hefkeir” (refers not to a place but to human beings and) means to be “meek and modest”. He goes on to say that “a human being must have these qualities in order to learn from all people and to teach others.” Neither “Kabbalat Hatorah”; the receiving of Torah at Sinai nor the
years of wandering in the desert ever was about the individual welfare and personal concerns of the desert generation. Instead the Sinai experience was entirely occupied with the unity of the Jewish people and the creation of a single national purpose and spirit that would sustain us for thousands of years. The relative emptiness of the desert, its “hefkeiricity”, its few distractions, allowed our ancestors the opportunity they required to focus upon their collective lives and fortunes, about their past and their future as a nation. This should also be the function of the synagogue. Rabbi Murray Ezring, compares Sinai, the “midbar”, with the cultural wilderness we live in today and finds them oddly similar. “Foul language, violence, a vanishing morality, and lack of ethics confront us every day”, he writes. “The lure of the American (Australian) dream, seems to place wealth, sports, music and the mall above the strength of Jewish culture, ritual life and community. Our generation, like the generation of the wilderness, he contends, is struggling to rediscover the beauty and spiritual fulfilment that Judaism and Torah have to offer. Our hunger
leads us away from kashrut. Our thirst leads us to artificial means of feeling good in our world. Our desire to assimilate leads us to abandon our rituals, holy days, and covenant. As our ancestors feared they would perish in the wilderness, we listen to reports prophesying the disappearance of contemporary Jewry and the shrinking of our number.” It needn’t be so. This Shabbat’s parashah, set in the Sinai desert, teaches us - urges us - to find places in our lives that are “hefkeir”; special spots that allow for contemplation, religious growth, that inspire united action, that foster fellowship and peace.The synagogue is one of the last remaining places in which the spark of spirituality and kedushah can ignite. But because the desert grew toxic at the time of the Golden Calf as a result of dissension and pettiness, we must be careful that there never abide in our shules condescension, animosity, unfair or unhelpful criticism. We should rather be a place that is “hefkeir” open and supportive, marked by cooperation, unity and kindness. Only in such a place can Jewish life blossom and grow.
WHAT’S ON TBI FILM CLUB SUNDAY 25 MAY 6PM
Join us on opening night with Gene Wilder and a very young Harrison Ford as we take a trip back to 1979, when a bank robber and a Polish Rabbi tried to make their way to San Francisco.
SUNDAY LIMMUD SUNDAY 25 MAY & 1 JUNE 10.30AM
Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks” and refers to the Jewish festival
marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest, and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest in ancient times. Today, it is a celebration of the Torah, education, and actively choosing to participate in Jewish life. Join Rabbi Lazarow for a two part series exploring the Texts in session 1 and Traditions in session 2 of Shavuot.
CALENDAR Please see WHAT’S ON for related listings below
Monday 26 May 10am Holocaust Survivors - Jewish Care
DROP IN AND CHAT/KNITTING GROUP WEDNESDAY 28 MAY 10.30-12.30
ROSH CHODESH SUNDAY 1 JUNE 7.30PM
Members of the community 60 & over are welcome to join this low key relaxed group. To sit and chat, knit, & play word games. Experience Shavuot through tastes and memories, hosted by Rabbi Kim Ettlinger at TBI. For more information please contact Aliza Factor 9510 1488.
STAN MARK’S SCHMOOZE TUESDAY 3 JUNE 12.30PM
Join journalist and author Stan Marks for a discussion session about local, national and international news on a diversity of topics.
Sunday 25 May 10.30am Limmud on Sunday 3.30pm Kabbalah Meditation (private home) 6pm Film Club 7.30pm Kabbalah Meditation (in main sanctuary)
Tuesday 27 May 4pm TBI Tamid 7.30pm Introduction to Judaism 7.30pm Parashat Ha’shavua Wednesday 28 May 10.30am Drop in and Chat
Thursday 29 May 10am Holocaust Survivors Russian Speaking - Jewish Care 6pm Ruach rehearsal 8pm Concert Choir rehearsal
SHAVUOT PROGRAM TUESDAY 3 JUNE 4PM
Friday 30 May NEXT SHABBAT 2 Sivan 5774 6.15pm Kabbalat Shabbat in Main Sanctuary
We also have our cheesecake competition and tasting beginning at 8.30pm If you would like to enter please contact Sue Silver by 1 June 03 9510 1488.
Our Shavuot program begins at 4pm. It includes an evening service commencing at 6.15pm in addition to various teaching topics.
Saturday 31 May 10am Shabbat Shacharit Bamidbar in Main Sanctuary Gesher Service in Friedlander Bar mitzvah Adrian Rosenwax
REMEMBRANCE SHLOSHIM • Paul Baxter Husband of Norma, father of Marian Steele • Boris Beilin Husband of Maria • Victor Boyarsky Husband of Tatayna, father of Natalya • Myer Brott Father of Karen, Katarina and Trevor • Jill Cantor Mother of David and Peter • Sylvia Finch Mother and mother in law of Max and Pat Fink and John Finch and partner Sue • Taisa Hornowicz Mother of Dana • Magda Kluger Aunt of Vera Kluger • Ibolya Levin Husband of Keith, mother of Jennifer and Stephen • Grete Pearce Mother of Gerald • Dola Silberberg Mother of Adela Kohn and Suzanne Adler
• Lorraine Topol Daughter of Joy Waller, mother & mother in law of Sheryl and Paul Rosen and sister of Renee Super and Ian Slome • Edith Vasserman Mother of Anne Segal
YAHRZEITS OBSERVED THIS SHABBAT • Peb Benjamin • Ron Blashki • Betty Dreyfus • Margery Elton • Betty Evans • Judy Fremder • Maurice Gold • Neville Harrison • Rosa Hoffman • Lolo Jackson • Barbara Koadlow • Alice Koranyi • Erwin Paul Kraus • Mara Freudenthal Krauss • Efraim Meierowitz • Robert Metter • Eric Pearce • Michael Mathias Perl • Moishe Piterman • Ruben Potts • Gerda Schiftan • Ethel Sharp • Shulim Shmukler • Chaim Simon • Ilse Sinclair • Alma Slawik • John Teleki • Rebecca Wright
In the event of a bereavement please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda Nirens on 9883 6237 or 0438 464 909 This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. MISSION: Temple Beth Israel is a kehilla kedosha (spiritual community) bringing innovation and creativity to Jewish traditions. We provide multiple pathways for our members and friends to enjoy an engagement with Progressive Judaism that enhances their lives through spiritual enrichment, learning and community. We are guided by principles of egalitarianism and respect for others. We are inspired to continually develop and grow and to provide a spiritual home for all who wish to embrace our values. Temple Beth Israel acknowledges that we are assembled on land whose traditional custodians are the people of the Kulin Nation.
Contact TBI Ph: 613 9510 1488 Fax: 613 9521 1229 PO Box 128 / 76-82 Alma Rd, St Kilda Vic 3182
tbi.org.au
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