NYC
A City Transformed

I'm on the No. 3 train traveling from Crown Heights to Manhattan with the Rebbetzen. "What's so remarkable about that?" you may ask.  And without historical context, you'd have a point.

I used to ride this train as a young Yeshiva bochur in the seventies. At that time it was akin to taking your life in your hands, especially if you travelled after dark. Of course we did it anyway - we were young and there was no other efficient way to get around town - but let's not understate the danger. Several of my friends were mugged, and one bochur who, had he lived would have become my brother-in-law's brother, was murdered.

In those days passengers stared straight ahead stone-faced, and if they were carrying anything of value, they would conceal it. New York was not a friendly city.

And yet here I am, on the same train 35 years later, writing an article on my iPad!

But there's more. An Afro-American lady in her twenties, sitting near me, stood up and offered her seat to a Caucasian woman just a few years her senior! And a few minutes later this second lady stood up and offered the seat to an older man who had just entered the train!

It's almost impossible to believe that it's the same New York. Today New York is a good city, a friendly city, a city transformed!

I had another uplifting experience on the bus as we returned from the JLI seminar. By the time I boarded, all seats were taken. I didn't think of it as a big deal as the bus ride was only forty-five minutes - I have stood for longer. Within a minute, a young rabbi  in his early thirties who I didn't know, got up and offered me his seat. I told him that I was not yet a Chassidic Elder, and was really OK standing. "But you're older than me!" he responded, as he quickly moved to the back of the bus.

Neither of the above were world shattering events. But in an era when we hear of so much disrespect and selfishness, I found it uplifting to see these displays of respect and selflessness. And on a more global level, it demonstrates that even a city can be transformed.

A city and community are only as good as its individual citizens and members. At a time of year when we mourn the destruction of the Temple and pray for the transformation of the world , it's good to remember that it's the accumulation of each of our small acts of personal transformation that will lead to the coming of Moshiach!

Tisha B'Av
From Small Acts, Greatness

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Make a date to be at South Head on Monday evening July 15th.

Our powerful Tisha B'Av line-up will include a) Choice by Choice - A Journey to Redemption: inspiring talks from the Chafetz Chaim Foundation and Rabbi Yossi Jacobson and b) an award winning documentary on acceptance and closure after the Holocaust.

From NYC the Rebbetzin and I send warm greetings for a Good & Peaceful Shabbos.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

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My Story

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Prime Minister Menachem Begin met with the Rebbe to receive his blessing prior to meeting with newly elected US President, Jimmy Carter. 

Click here to to see what transpired before and after that meeting.

 

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Brookie Reports

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We are all really looking forward to seeing all our Birthday children in Shul this Friday night. There are wonderful things planned for all of you: Each children's service will have its own birthday party with balloons, party hats, streamers and of course, chocolate cake. In Shul all the birthday children will receive a blessing and a special birthday gift!  

Looking forward to seeing you all in Shul and wishing you a Good Shabbos.

Brookie and the Youth Crew.

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Camp Shalom

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Camp Shalom only has a few spaces left on the Wednesday and Friday but you will have to be very quick!

For info call on 0404 055 643. To register go online. Click here.

 

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Mummy and Me
Term ends Next Week

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As part of our arts n' crafts program at Mummy and Me, over the past few weeks our children have been making their own siddurim.

 Things are really starting to come together as each week the children learn more and more about davening and all the beautiful things that Jewish children do each day. 

Like washing hands and giving tzeddakah.

Next week is the last session for this Term and we will certainly miss the beautiful sounds coming from the Braham Hall on Thursday mornings. Contact Brookie if you would like to register for Term 3 which will commence with the new school term.

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Parasha Sheet
Balak

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The wicked King Balak of Moab wants to destroy the Jewish people. He hires the false prophet, Bilam to curse the Jewish people. 

* Bilam tries to curse the Jewish people three times. However, each time he tries to curse them, Hashem makes a blessing come out from his mouth instead.

* A number of Jewish men sin with the women of Moab and Midiyan, and they are punished for their actions. 

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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Want to Advertise Here?
Contact Helen: 9371 7300 ext 4 or secretary@southhead.org

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Embody and to celebrate the "brit" (covenant) 

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Communal Events

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Embody and to celebrate the "brit" (covenant) between God and the Jewish people as originally revealed in the Torah andas it has evolved through our his

 

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