Our member Dale Carr has been forging tremendous inroads in the world of IT. Having spent close to a decade in the digital and mobile marketing industry, Dale foresaw the explosion of mobile apps. We are delighted to see his journey recently recognised at the 2013 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Eastern Region awards where he was recognised as Best in the category of Technology.

As an entrepreneur, Dale plays a vital role in creating jobs and bolstering the economy. His company LeadBolt  now employs 50 staff in Australia and the US. Just three years old, it is the third most-used mobile advertising solution by app developers on the Android system, serving five billion ads a month in 100 different countries across 40,000 apps and growing. These achievements have also been recognised by telco giant Telstra who honoured LeadBolt with a Start-Up Award in their NSW Business Awards.

We are really looking forward to welcoming Dale back to South Head and hearing how he maintains his orthodox Jewish lifestyle whilst living in the IT fast lane. Dale will address the congregation on Shabbos morning. 

Chanukah Q & A

Last night we lit the first Chanukah candle and so I have prepared a Q & A about why we do what we do and how we should be doing it. Please feel free to email me if you have any other queries.

Q. How are the candles lit?

A. On the first night we light the candle on the extreme right of the Chanukah Menorah.  The next night we insert a new candle to the left of the first. We light the new candle first and then the old one. Similarly on each night of Chanukah we light the new candle first and then proceed from left to right. 

The Lesson: Left symbolizes the forces of evil; right the forces of good. It doesn’t matter if we are on the left, as long as we are proceeding towards the right! Please note: NO political connotations here!)

Q. When are the candles lit?

A. Unlike Shabbat candles which must be lit before sunset, the Chanukah candles should preferably be lit after sunset (7.55pm this week) and remain alight for at least half an hour after nightfall - i.e. until 8.52pm. The exceptions to this are: Friday evening when they must be lit before the Shabbat Candles but no earlier than 6.25pm; Saturday night, this year the 4th night of Chanukah, when the candles are lit after Havdalah (8.33pm) and must remain alight for half an hour.

The Lesson: Chanukah reminds us of our responsibility to not only brighten up the day but also the night. It is important to constantly add brightness to our lives (no matter how bright they may already be!) We must however not forget our responsibility to brighten the dark lives of those around us.

Q. Where should the candles be placed?

A. The candles should be placed either near a window facing the street or in the left hand side of a doorway opposite the Mezuzah. 

The Lesson: The street and the left hand side (in Jewish thought, the Satan is often called, Sma'al, the "lefty") represent darkness and evil respectively, reminding us once again to light up the spiritual darkness of the world. We are also reminded, by the presence of the Mezuzah on the right and the Menorah on the left to endeavour to constantly surround ourselves with Mitzvot.

The noted Sefardi authority, the Ben Ish Chai gives a different and fascinating explanation:  He explains that when walking through the doorway on Chanukah, while wearing tzitzit, one is in fact calling for Moshiach to come. The Midrash (Shochar Tov Proverbs 19) tells us that Messiah’s name is Tzemach: Tz of tzitzit; M of mezuzah, and Ch of Chanukah 

Q. What may be used as candles?

A. One may use either wax candles or oil. If possible it is best to use olive oil as it was with olive oil that the miracle of Chanukah occurred. A small quantity of oil burns much longer than a similar quantity of wax making it easier to ensure that the candles remain alight for the required period. This is especially important on Friday night when one must light the candles earlier, or when lighting early so that young children can see them.

The Lesson:  Oil floats above water; it is a lubricant. A Jew must lubricate – influence – his environment yet at the same time float above – not be influenced by it himself. Of course one may and should utilize all the good advances in science and technology for the service of G-d. But as everyone knows, there is much in our environment which we would be better off without

Q. Is work permitted during Chanukah?

A. Jewish women have a custom not to do housework while the Chanukah candles are lit. Great salvation has come through our women during the time of Chanukah, the time of Purim and the time of Pesach. It has always been the women who have been at the forefront of our nation’s salvation. 

The Lesson: The fate of our nation today also rests on our women. It is they who are called the Akeret HaBayt – the pillar of the Jewish home. And it is the women who are promised a greater portion of the World to Come as it says in Talmud, “The promise of the Holy One, Blessed be He, to women concerning the World to Come is greater than His promise to men” – Brachot 17b

Looking forward to seeing you in Shule

On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, wishing you and all of your family a Good Shabbos and a Happy & Bright Chanukah.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM 

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JLI: Life in the Balance
Final Honours

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Lesson 5 looked at autopsy and anatomical dissection: ethics of using unclaimed 

Lesson 5 looked at autopsy and anatomical dissection: ethics of using unclaimed bodies and need for cadavers in medical research; whether "desecrating" a corpse is permitted in order to save a life; what rights a family has when it comes to coroner's inquests; and why respect for the body of the deceased is an integral teaching of Judaism.

 

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Brookie Reports

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Have you registered for Camp Shalom yet? Better hurry! Early Bird discount only has a week to go and places are filling fast. Click here to go to info and registration.

Our Youth Crew is so excited to see you all tomorrow night for our Chanukah extravaganza. You have to see Chanukah on Fire to believe the amazing stuff these people do! We start at 6.00 so don't be late!

CELEBRATE CHANUKAH IN A HUMMER!!
Exclusively for Bar Mitzvah boys and post Bat Mitzvah girls in year 7. Sat night, 4th night Chanukah - 30th Nov from 9:15-11pm. Call me for more info! 0404 055 6043

 

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Teens Shabbaton

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We had the best time getting to know each other and celebrating Shabbat as only a lively group of guys in the bush can do! Can't wait for the next one!!

and as it has evolved through our history.

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Mummy & Me

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We're not sure who has more fun at Mummy & Me, the mums or the bubs! Come along and find out for yourself. There are just two sessions left for this year - Thursdays Dec 5th and 12th. Call Brookie 0404-055-643

and as it has evolved through our history.

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Parasha Sheet
Miketz

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Q. Is Chanukah still relevant today? For the first time in Jewish history, the vast majority of Jewish people live in countries where they can practice their religion freely without oppression. If this is the case, is it necessary for us to relive the Chanukah story and reinforce its message?

A. Chanukah celebrates two miracles. Firstly, the Maccabee's victory over the mighty Greek army. The Maccabees demonstrated that they would not allow anyone to dictate their relationship with Hashem. They were prepared to give up everything and anything in order to serve Hashem. The Maccabees had great Mesirat Nefesh (self sacrifice) and were willing to even give up their own lives for the sake of preserving their Judaism. The second miracle was the discovery of the flask of pure oil and its ability to burn for eight consecutive days. The core dynamics of this holiday have been repeated throughout Jewish history such as in the story of Purim, the Spanish Inquisition and the Holocaust. In all of these times, at great personal risk, the Jews succeeded in maintaining their beliefs against the attempts of others to forcibly change them. 

In general, when man is told not to do something, human nature dictates that he will get a kick out of doing that very thing which you know you are not supposed to do. It's natural to get a thrill from going against the odds and fighting for what one believes in. It is the same with Judaism. In Jewish history, Jewish people clung to Judaism when it was illegal. Therefore it is an even greater challenge for us today to cling to our faith because no one is opposing us or forcing us not to practice our beliefs. This is why we need Chanukah more than ever! Chanukah continues to inspire us to persevere and overcome great obstacles to living our Judaism. 

To learn all about the Parasha, 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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Communal News
The Ultimate Chanukah Gift

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Gift of Life Australia

Right now there are 5 Jewish Leukaemia patients including 2 young children who will die unless matching stem cells from an unrelated Jewish or partly so potential donor would be found for them as sadly, no one in their own family has been found to be a match.

Appointments are still available for Sunday 1 December in the afternoon and Sunday 8 December.
 
Anyone can at anytime register as a potential Stem cell donor while donating blood at any Red Cross Donor Centre / Mobile Unit . As special forms and test tubes are needed, an appointment is necessary. Call 13 14 95 
               www.giftoflifeaustralia.org.au