Since the beginning of the year, I have been giving a short, sharp shiur of about fifteen minutes duration after the Kiddush on Shabbat mornings. Attendance has been excellent - far better than I anticipated, with between twenty and thirty people participating each week. The shiur comprises brief textual study associated with the week's parasha or festival.
This week's topic will be Self-Esteem - An Antidote to Sin. If you haven't been attending, now is a good time to start!
As an example of what we discuss here are a few points from our recent classes on Gratitude and Empathy:
Empathy
The definining aspect of Moshe was that he felt the pain of others
The Hebrew word for Peace (connectedness) shares the same root as the Hebrew word for Perfection
Without Peace there can be no Perfection!
A lack of empathy demonstrates a lack of true peace (connectedness) and hence a lack of perfection
G-d only rests in a place of perfection
Hence one can only truly acquire Torah if one is empathetic
A person who is empathetic knows that another person's sins affect him as much as his own
Hence the defining aspect of Moshiach is his empathy - he feels the pain of others
Gratitude:
Although Moshe had many names, the one which stuck was Moshe, given to him by Pharaoh's daughter - in gratitude that she saved him.
One must remain cognisant of the past good a person has done you, even if he later doesn't live up to your expectations.
Moshe did not bring the plague of blood or frogs on the Nile - because the Nile protected him when he was cast in it.
It is not possible to be grateful to G-d if one is ungrateful to human beings who have assisted you.
Don't cast rocks into a well from which you have drunk!
All Aboard!
This week I flew to Melbourne to spend a couple of days with my dad and mum. It's amazing how much you can do on a short plane trip, especially when the flight is delayed - without telephone, internet or any other form of interruption!
What did I use the time for? Some preliminary preparation for the coming week's new JLI, of course!
What should I tell you? It's an absolutely amazing course - and one which I feel really passionate about. It is profoundly deep - while at the same time interesting and entertaining! I can see that I am going to really enjoy teaching this class - and I think you will enjoy attending it!
If you are interested in Talmud, if you are interested in Kabbalah, or just plain interested in Life's Big Questions, or in overcoming Life's Big Difficulties - then this is the course for you! Here are some of the subjects that we will discuss:
• Is it ever alright to judge another human being?
• Do some people really have it easier than others?
• Is there more than one path to the truth?
• Is there really any point in pain, or should we solely strive for pleasure?
• Is life a never-ending journey, or do we one day reach our destination?
• Why do people engage in self-destructive behaviours?
If you are interested in participating, please be sure to call Helen no later than Monday morning 02 9371 7300 Ext 4
On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, wishing you and your family a Good Shabbos.
Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM
Thank You
To all South Head Members and Friends,
During this past week sitting Shiva for the loss of my dear father, I was deeply touched and humbled by the incredible outpouring of love and support from the community. The multitude of visitors, phone calls & messages touched my heart and offered tremendous comfort.
I would like to also take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Rabbi & Rebbetzin, President, Board of Management & Office staff, for their ongoing support throughout these past few difficult months.
May we merit to meet together again for Simchas & Happy occasions in the future.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Yehoshua Niasoff
Brookie Reports
We are really looking forward to what promises to be a very special evening tomorrow at the BatMitzvah Discovery Group Shabbat dinner here at Shul.
It's been a fantastic journey towards the girls' BatMitzvahs and we are all looking forward to enjoying a beautiful Friday night together.
Looking forward to seeing you in Shule and wishing you a good Shabbos
Mummy & Me Term 2 begins soon
Spend your Thursday mornings in a wonderfully warm Jewish atmosphere where you and your toddler can enjoy arts & crafts, music and movement, Shabbos parties, and a whole lot more.
Children aged between 18 months and 31/2 years get to learn beautiful aspects of Jewish life in a multi sensory experience which stimulates emerging language, motor development and socialisation.
Term 2 begins May 2nd. Register now! Contact Brookie on 0404-055-643 or email youth@southhead.org
Shavuot is Nearly Here Save the Date
Come celebrate Shavuot with South Head Youth where learning is always fun!
Hear the 10 Commandments, make your own edible Har Sinai, and be astonished by the amazing Balloon Entertainment! Every child will receive their very own balloon sculpture and of course Ice Cream!!
Join us Shavuot First Day - Wednesday May 15th at 10.15am
For all info contact Brookie on 0404 055 643 or email
Parasha Sheet Achrei Mot-Kedoshim
The Parasha in a nutshell:
* The Avodah service of Yom Kippur is discussed.
* We are commanded to be a holy nation.
* Laws prohibiting us from eating the blood of an animal, tattooing our bodies and laws teaching us to behave in a moral way are discussed.
* The importance of the Mitzvah of Ahavat Yisrael is learnt from this week's Parasha.
To learn about the Parasha in more detail, download our Parasha sheet!
Please share our Parasha sheet around your Shabbat table and let your family and friends explore the Parasha of the week together with you.
WANT TO ADVERTISE HERE? Contact Helen: 9371 7300 x 4 or email secretary@southhead.org
Thursday, April 25: (Iyyar 15)
PUBLIC HOLIDAY
8:00a Shacharis
9:09a Latest Shema
5:25p Mincha
5:47p Earliest Shema
Erev Shabbos, April 26: (Iyyar 16)
Bat Mitzvah:
Jackie Small, Mia Port
6:45a Shacharis
9:09a Latest Shema
5:02p Candle Lighting
5:20p Mincha
5:45p Kabbalat Shabbat
Mazeltovs /
Announcements
Wednesday
Mazal Tov to Dr Peter & Shirley Kalish on the upcoming wedding of their daughter Stacey & Nick Karno in the USA; & to Howard & Julie Karno.
Happy Jewish Birthday to...
Friday
Dalia Gencher
Jackie Small
Sara Lavan
Tessa Eskin
Shabbos
Anne Melkman
Aviva Fox
Cody Berkowitz
Micaela Blank
Nicola Silverman
Shirley Leibowitz
Tanya Bartfeld
Taryn Frank
Sunday
Ella Grossberg
Lance Finkelstein
Monday
Ally Jankelowitz
Amelia Belle Ungar
Candice Burg
Eden Rubenstein
Gabriella Solomon
Keith Masnick
Nicole Santer
Robert Miller
Shamara Lurie
Tamara Sarif
Toni-Lee Selby
Tuesday
Charlene Green
Hayley Mayer
Ilana Akres
Melissa Miller
Michele Goldman
Ryan Watson
Sydney Ryan
Wednesday
Anna Guth
Ariella Tracton
Eliyahu Sebban
Jason Berger
Sacha Gross
Thursday
Adrian Shine
Carly Seskin
Colin Krost
Dale Hurwitz
Hannah Balkin
Hessie Grossberg
We wish "long life" to...
Friday
Allan Spiro for grandmother Faiga Spiro
Chanan Mowszowski for father Chaim Mowszowski
Peter Kalish for father Joseph Kalish
Zalman Mowszowski for father Chaim Mowszowski
Shabbos
Meredith Benda for father Ben Adler
Robbie Blau for grandfather Hirsch Blau
Sunday
Allan Bermeister for brother Irwin Bermeister
Andrea Gordon for father Aaron Woolf
Deborah Levy for grandmother Rebecca Schwartz
Graeme Katz for father John Katz
Monday
Aaron Rodfeld for father-in-law Yasha Zatz
Brian Levinstein for mother Beba Levinstein
Joel Tuch for father Louis Tuch
Shirley Kalish for father Louis Tuch
Tuesday
Barbara Mann for grandmother Lily Leibowitz
Sharon Goldberg for mother Jennie Frankel
Wednesday
Des Miller for father Louis Miller
Ian Schmaman for mother Rachel Schmaman
Michael Vollmer for father Henry Vollmer
Robbie Blau for mother Kara Blau
Thursday
Anthony Masnick for mother Helen Masnick
Denise Dinner for mother Yettah Goldman
Ilana Dubb for father Phillip Rubenstein
Keith Masnick for mother Helen Masnick
Malcolm Kofsky for aunty Annette Baker
Shelley Watson for aunty Edith Stein
G W Property Group
(NZ) Limited
Developers of Queenstown (NZ) Most Prestigious Office and Retail Buildings
251 Oxford Street
Bondi Junction
NSW 2022
666 Old South Head Rd
Rose Bay, NSW 2029
(02) 9371 7300
Self Esteem
Brookie Reports
Shavuot is Nearly Here
