Like it, or hate it, Social Media plays a serious role in our lives. 

A  2010 Australian Psychological Society survey, shows that 97% of 18-30 year olds actively use Social Media.

But it’s not just young adults. 81% of people aged between 31-50 use Social Media. Of these, 51% log on several times a day, 30% spend over two hours a day on these sites and 2!% have formed a romantic relationship with someone they have met on a social networking site.

Older adults are also not immune with 64% actively using Social Media.

Social Media usage is pervasive. But how is it impacting real-life relationships? Is it enhancing or undermining our connectedness to real human beings?

Is Social Media good, bad or downright ugly?

To help us navigate this newest of modern media, I have invited Dr Adam Fraser to be our keynote speaker on Shavuot. Dr Fraser is a psychologist, researcher, well-known media personality and author. He is most notably known for his “The Third Space” and “Sugar Daddy”.

Most importantly, he is one of Australia’s most sought-after speakers. He has worked with  a wide spectrum of people including elite athletes, Special Forces soldiers and CEO’s of billion dollar companies.  A charismatic orator, Dr Fraser offers practical advice on Social Media: how to maximise its positive impact on relationships and minimise any fallout. Audiences regularly describe Adam as dynamic, funny and highly practical. According to a university study, his keynote addresses improve behaviour by 41%!

The issue of cyber-crime generally, and sexual predators in particular, is an area of serious worry for us all. Melissa Sevil of the Australian Federal Police’s High Tech Crime Operations, a dynamic speaker, has agreed to join us and will address “Staying Safe Online”.

Of particular concern to the Jewish community is the use of Social Media as a hate tool. AIJAC policy analyst, Daniel Meyerowitz-Katz, will speak on the prevalence of anti-semitism on the internet.

Finally, I will give the Jewish Perspective on the internet and social media. How does Torah view the internet? Should we abandon it or should we embrace it? Judaism has very specific  views on personal space, invasion of privacy and lashon hara - how are these affected by the internet and is there any way around them?

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Following “FaceBook or in Your Face”, I have invited Zionist Federation of Australia President and Immediate Past President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Dr Danny Lamm, to present on another topic of great current interest: "The New Anti-Semites? Fraser, Carr & Co.” 

Are these politicians an aberration or do they signify a shift in feeling towards Jews in Australia and across the world? We expect robust debate around this topic and invite your participation.

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And for those who are ready to remain awake a little longer, there will be a fascinating textual shiur: Secrets in Stone: Lessons and Inspirations from the Tablets of Stone.

All in all, it promises to be a fascinating evening. So please join us on Tuesday evening, June 3rd. Forum commences 8:15pm sharp. Please arrive by 8:00pm so we can commence without delay.

On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, best wishes for a Good & Peaceful Shabbos.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

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Yom Yerushalayim
G-d is With Me - I Shall Not Fear

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Jerusalem is known as Talpiot - literally the Mount of Mouths. It is the mountain towards which all mouths are directed.

As we read in this week's parasha - Bamidbar - the Jews were encamped in concentric circles. In the outer circle were the Twelve Tribes of Israel, further in were the Families of Levites, still closer were the Kohanim, then came the Temple, and at the very epicentre was the Holy of Holies containing the Ark of the Covenant.

Similarly, wherever Jews live in the world they turn towards Israel, when in Israel they turn towards Jerusalem, when in Jerusalem they turn towards the Temple Mount, and when on the Temple Mount, they turn towards the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies contains the Even HaShetiya - the Foundation Rock - "from which the Universe was hewed".

Forty-seven years ago, on the 28th of Iyar, we regained possession of the Temple Mount, the Holy of Holies and the Even HaShetiya - for the first time in almost two thousand years.

It was an event which struck a chord at the heart of every Jew. Not because it was a military, political or even national victory - but because it was a homecoming - a homecoming of the Jewish People to its very source, and a homecoming of the Temple to those who have been chosen by G-d to be its guardians: we the Jewish People, "a nation of priests and a holy nation".

Let us express thanksgiving and joy on this day, "This is the Day that G-d has made, we shall sing and celebrate on it" Let us resolve to never, ever let go of the greatest gift that G-d has bestowed upon us. Yes, there are countless pressures upon us and upon our leaders. By returning the Temple Mount to us, G-d has demonstrated that He is with us. So let us declare, in the words of the Hallel,
"G-d is with me, I shall not fear what a mere human (threatens) to do to me." 

On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, best wishes for a Good Shabbos and Yom Yerushalayim on Wednesday.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

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Brookie Reports

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Hey everyone!

We're all really looking forward to seeing Shule filled with children this Shabbos morning for Bless the Kids. We'll be making edible bonfires in honour of Lag B'Omer so don't miss out!  Most especially don't miss out on receiving a blessing and special treat from the Rabbi. Make sure you're in Shule by 10.15!

 

Celebrate Shavuot with us! We have a roving Puppeteria and soccer tournaments plus you'll get to make your very own edible ice-cream Mt Sinai! But make sure you're in time to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments first at 10.15 sharp. That's First Day Wednesday June 4th.

 

Mummy & Me  grows and grows with more families joining us each Term. Contact me to be part of the warmest early Jewish learning program for your child (or grandchild).  

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

Brookie & the Youth Crew

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Camp Shalom registration is open! Please visit our homepage

 

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Parasha Sheet
Bamidbar

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Q. Why was it necessary to take a census of the Jewish people? Surely Hashem should have known how many Jews there were in the Jewish nation!

A. Our Sages tell us that Hashem loves the Jewish people dearly and therefore He counts the Jewish nation all the time. It is like a rich man counting his gold; Hashem continually counts what is dearest to Him - the Jewish people.

Additionally, a census focuses on something that is particularly relevant regarding the Jewish people: their essential equality. For when Hashem commands that a census be taken, every Jew is counted equally. Those with the highest potentials and those on the lowest levels, are all regarded as equals. No one is given greater priority and no one is considered more important or greater than anyone else.

Furthermore, every Jew has a spark of G-dliness, a Neshama, inside of him. The Neshama is the essence of our being. At this level, we are all equal. Therefore, when taking a census, every one of us is counted equally.

Our Sages tells us that a census has been taken nine times in Jewish history. The tenth and final census will be taken at the time of the coming of Moshiach, at which time the Neshamot of every single Jew will flourish. Then we will be able to bring out the inner G-dly potential in every aspect of our lives.

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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Durable, Diverse & Detailed
After Kiddush Shabbat Shiur

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Join us in the Herbert Hall after Kiddush and discover three ways Judaism thrives.