STOP PRESS: Friday Night Guest Speaker
Rabbi Chagai Batzri, son of Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Speaking on "Pleasure Without Regret"

Rabbi's Message
A New Vision for South Head

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Dear [first_name],

This past Sunday we had our first Board Meeting. This is my opening address to the Board in which I enunciate critical elements of our vision for South Head. Below you will find a message from President James Hochroth who will, G-d Willing, be a regular contributor to South Head’s eNews.

Firstly, I would like to thank you all for being here today and for joining our Board of Management. In so doing you demonstrate your support of our Shule, our President and myself. The last two weeks have been difficult – I would say unnecessarily difficult – as a result of the unwelcome publicity in the AJN, but I believe that is behind us. I would like to say at the outset that James and our treasurer Jack have been extraordinarily supportive of me personally. Through that support they have unleashed an energy that I haven’t felt in years. Let’s say it how it is: everyone needs support. Even Moses needed support. When he had the support of the people, he ascended in greatness, when he didn’t, he descended. As of today, we turn over a new constructive leaf. We take the first steps in making our shule – South Head – all that it can be, the most vibrant shule in Sydney.

The President has asked that I deliver a Devar Torah encapsulating the critical elements of our vision for the shule. I will commence with four explanations of the first verses of this week’s parasha, and then explain their relevance to South Head.

The parasha commences with בהעלותך– the Mitzvah to light the Menorah every day in the Temple.

The Rabbis ask a simple question? Does G-d require light? Isn’t He THE Light?  Read More

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President's Message
We Are Family

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I spoke in shule then wrote to you last week about myself, the challenges and opportunities facing our kehillah, and my view of our rabbi. I plan to write to you, my fellow congregants, regularly (for now, I will try to make it weekly). In my view, it is important that we become more like one big family, a mishpochah writ large. Fortunately, Rabbi Milecki shares this vision – to be honest, it is through knowing him and working with him over time and especially over the past few months that my ideas have crystallised. Here I spell out some of the dimensions of us becoming or transforming ourselves into a big family. 

Getting to know one another
It is hard to feel like a family if you do not know the other persons in the supposed family. We plan to introduce several measures to promote familiarity and friendship.  Read More

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Bat Mitzvah Experience
Loaves of Love

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Together with their mothers and grandmothers our Bat Mitzvah girls joined to make Challah this past Sunday. The laws and customs of Challah were taught by our Bat Mitzvah teacher, Shternie Althaus, and then the Rebbetzin taught everyone how to make a six-braid Challah! The girls, their mum's and granny's all had a lot of fun mixing, kneading and shaping the Challah dough. Everyone also prayed for their loved ones after making the blessing on separating the Challah.

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Youth Crew
We're Here For You!

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Camp Shalom Winter Day Camp is almost booked out. There are only a few limited spaces left so click here to register so you don't miss out.

Wishing you and your family Shabbat Shalom!

Tzemach, Roli & Yeruchum

For all information on upcoming youth events please contact us on 9371 7300 ext 3 or 0412 482 770 or youth@southhead.org

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The Show Must Go On
Mrs. Leah Gniwisch

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A week before our trip we went to see the Rebbe while he was distributing dollars for charity, and I took this opportunity to tell him about our travel plans, and to ask him for a blessing for a safe trip. The Rebbe said, “Israel is the safest place in the world. It is the place ‘the eyes of the L-rd are upon from the beginning of the year until the end.’ Therefore, there is no reason to worry.” In addition to that, he gave us all an extra dollar to give to charity in Israel. Read More

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Parasha Sheet
Parashat Beha'alotecha

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Q. At the conclusion of Parashat Behalotecha we read how Miriam, Moshe’s sister, had to live outside of Israel’s tent encampment for seven days. During this time, the Jewish nation did not travel. Two million people with all their leaders, prophets, judges and sages delayed their travels for just one woman! What was so special about Miriam that the Jewish people delayed their travels until Miriam was purified and allowed to rejoin the Jewish camp?

A. Amram, the father of Aharon, Miriam and Moshe was the leader of the Jewish people prior to the Exodus of Egypt. When Pharaoh decreed that all baby boys be thrown into the nile, Amram divorced his wife. He declared that it was useless for the Jewish people to continue having children if they were going to be killed by Pharaoh. As Amram was the leader of the generation, all the Jewish men followed his example, and so, they too divorced their wives.  Read More

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Recommended Library Reading
Meditation And Kabbalah

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MEDITATION AND KABBALAH, by Aryeh Kaplan.

Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan was a multi- faceted, prolific writer of Jewish thought. He was skilled in both Kabbalah and Jewish law, as well as the natural sciences such as physics. He died at the early age of 48.

There has been so much misinformation written about kabbalah. The author felt that it was imperative that an authentic account of the kabbalah was published. This is the first book published in any language to reveal the methodology of the ancient Kabbalists and also to stress the meditative techniques that were essential to the study of kabbalah.

Shabbat Shalom
Sylvia Tuback, Librarian

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Communal Events
Support The Community!

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