Do You Need a Blessing?

Next Monday night and Tuesday marks 19 years since the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. 

I use the word "passing" because I cannot find another. However in the case of a Tzaddik who has no sense of ego or self, and whose entire life is one of devotion and love for G-d and his fellow human beings, the absence of a physical body does not entail a true passing on from this world. On the contrary, the Holy Zohar teaches us that when a Tzaddik passes on, he is to be found in this world MORE than when he was alive. No longer under the constraints of a physical body, yet still deeply caring for his people whose concerns he always put before his own, the Rebbe is now able to give us unlimited strength and vitality.

The Rebbe's manifesto was to reach out to all Jews, and indeed to non-Jews, to bring them closer to G-d and His Torah. Nevertheless, while empowering us while he was alive, and infinitely more so since his passing, he always emphasised that he could not do the job for us. "I can show you the match, but you must light the candle," he once said to Israeli Ambassador Yehuda Avner.

Gimmel Tammuz is a day to rededicate ourselves to the Rebbe's life mission of making this world a "Dwelling Place for G-d". This, the Rebbe taught us, is achieved through realizing the infinite potential for good that exists within us, within others and within the world. It is a challenge to which we must all rise. Shortly before his passing the Rebbe said, "I have done everything that I could, now you must do everything you can, to bring Moshiach down to the world".

On that holy day:

May G-d grant us the strength to rise above the pettiness that fills so much of our lives. May our days be filled with thoughts, words and actions of true and everlasting significance. May we be blessed with the clarity of vision to see that anything of true value that we receive from life is in direct proportion to what we give.

To help us on our mission, and to gain some appreciation of who the Rebbe is, what he achieved and what he wants us to achieve, please click http://www.chabad.org/therebbe/default_cdo/jewish/The-Rebbe.htm

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I am traveling to New York today to participate in the Annual JLI Conference next week which is always held, appropriately, on the week of the Rebbe's yahrzeit - the third of Tammuz.

JLI gives practical application to the Rebbe's desire for the dissemination of Torah to all Jews. It is rich in its subject matter and broad in in its appeal so that it touches all - from the very knowledgeable to those who are not even sure why they should be interested.

With Hashem's help, and the Rebbe's blessing, hundreds of people have been touched by the breadth of Torah learning expressed by JLI in our own community, as they have been in communities around the world.  I have no doubt that as the Rebbe looks down upon what has been achieved in our shul and our community, he is deriving an enormous amount of nachas - the strengthening of Orthodox Judaism at South Head was extremely important to the Rebbe, as he openly and forcefully expressed.  Still, there is so much more to do and TOGETHER we can achieve it!

The Rebbetzen and I will of course be visiting the Rebbe's grave. If anyone would like us to ask for a blessing on their behalf, or on behalf of their loved ones, please send us an email to rabbi@me.com.

On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, I wish you a Good and Peaceful Shabbos, and an inspiring Gimmel Tammuz,

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

PS JLI  also has recently revamped their extraordinarily engaging JLI Teens programme - which as you can imagine is specifically oriented to teens. I will be examining this while in NY with a view to implementing it here at South Head.

South Head Mikvah
Now Open

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JLI Concludes 18th Course

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Students learned about the uniquely Jewish perspective on personal development and its importance in Jewish tradition. " If you are the same today as you were yesterday, what right do you have to consume G-d's good earth today" –– Rabbi Mendel of Kotzk.

JLI will be back in November for its seventh year of Jewish Learning with a brand new Course on modern medical ethics.history.

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Brookie Reports

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Bless the Kids had a huge turnout last Shabbos. Everyone loved making their own edible tzitzit as well as being blessed by the Rabbi in shule, and of course receiving a special treat from the Rabbi.

Birthday Club Friday June 21st sees our next Birthday Club for children aged 3 to Bar/Bat Mitzvah who celebrate their jewish birthdays in the months of Nisan, Iyar and Sivan. Watch your letterbox this week for an invitation. 

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Camp Shalom
Book Now!

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Places are filling quickly. Register now to avoid disappointment. 

Early bird discount ends next Sunday (June 16th).

 

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BatMitzvah Discovery Course
Graduates

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Time flew over the past three months as the  Discovery Course took its students through 12 lessons on what it means to go from girlhood to womanhood; all in an atmosphere of fun and encouragement.

We are really looking forward to our next Course commencing in Term 3. If you would like to join us please contact me on 0404 055 643 or 8115 9273.

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Mummy and Me
Expands

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Mummy & Me is now starting a Wednesday morning class in addition to Thursdays. Please let us know if you would like to join either the Wednesday or Thursday class. Mums, grannys, nannys and aunts are all welcome to bring their child, grandchild, ??, niece/nephew.

Click here for lots more great pics of our beautiful children.

Looking forward to seeing you in Shule and wishing you a Good Shabbat.

Brookie and the Youth Crew

 

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Parasha Sheet
Korach

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* Moshe's cousin, Korach is jealous that he was not chosen to be Kohen Gadol so he spreads rumours about Moshe and Aharon.

* Korach is swallowed up by the ground. His followers are consumed by a fire sent down from heaven.

* A plague breaks out and 15 000 Jewish people die.

* The Jewish people realise that it was Hashem Who chose Moshe to be the Jewlish Leader and Aharon to be the Kohen Gadol. 

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. 

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TO ADVERTISE HERE CONTACT HELEN
9371-7300 X 4 OR EMAIL secretary@southhead.org
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Communal Events

 

 

 

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