Personal Stocktake - The Quest for Self Improvement
22/08/2014 10:24:02 AM
Aug22
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Summary
As the last month of the Jewish year, Elul is traditionally a time of introspection and stocktaking -- a time to review one's deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming "Days of Awe" of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
As the month of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness it is a most opportune time for teshuvah ("return" to G-d), prayer, charity, and increased Ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew) in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to G-d. Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi likens the month of Elul to a time when "the king is in the field" and, in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, "everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance and shows a smiling face to them all."
Specific Elul customs include the daily sounding of the shofar (ram's horn) as a call to repentance. The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul (Sunday) until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms).
Elul is also the time to have one's tephillin and mezuzahs checked by an accredited scribe to ensure that they are in good condition and fit for use. As tephillin and mezuzot provide protection for the wearer and for Jews everywhere, this is especially important this year when anti-Semitic and anti-Israel attacks have been on the increase. Should you wish to do so please contact Helen who will put you in touch with the scribe.
On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, wishing you a Good & Peaceful Shabbos.
Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM
PS.. As we go to press I've just heard that Ms Isabelle Shapiro has been elected Vice President of the NSW Board of Deputies. On behalf of all of us at South Head I would like to wish Isabelle Mazal Tov and Chazak in her new role. We are sure that she will bring the same dedication and innovation to this new position as she has so successfully achieved in her previous civic and communal roles.
JLI 5775 Curriculum Announced
Contact Helen to discuss our special Season Ticket rates. Phone 9371 7300 ext 4 or email secretary@southhead.org
The Chosen The South Head Connection
Join us on Wednesday September 3rd at the Shalom College Theatre for this very special production of the Chaim Potok's classic.
"As I prepare to play Reb Saunders in The Chosen, participating in the JLI Course, if only for a few hours, gave me a real sense of how vibrant and engaging it must be to be part of the fold. This is something I hope to take with me through rehearsal and into performance." Daniel Mitchell
Make sure you're in Shul no later than 10.15 this Shabbos morning so we know you're here to receive your very special blessing and treat from the Rabbi at this month's Bless the Kids Shabbat .. and we'll be making our own edible Tzeddakah boxes so don't miss out!
This week's BatMitzvah Experience was so great with the girls learning all about the very special women's mitzvot and getting to bake Challah in the Rebbetzin's own kitchen!
Our Mummy & Me families really started getting into the swing of YomTov this week, making their very own Tashlich craft after enjoying some wonderful free play time.
Parasha Sheet Shabbat Mevorchim Re'eh
This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevorchim Elul. Elul is the month immediately preceding the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The month of Elul is compared to a businessman who periodically takes inventory, balances his accounts and determines where he stands financially. How is this so? Read more..
Soviet Jewry Mr Isi Liebler
".. I travelled there several more times, becoming one of the major contact points for Soviet Jewry until I was arrested and expelled four years later. But during those four years, I was part of an extraordinary experience, watching the finger of G-d working in the Soviet Union.." Read more..
Something's Fishy After Kiddush Shabbat Shiur
Join us in the Herbert Hall straight after the Kiddush and learn the Animal Kingdom's Lessons in Character Development.
Mazal Tov to David & Mandy Manne & Sheila Morton on the marriage of their children Dr Lisa Manne & Ari Weintraub in Israel on Aug-18th; and to grandmother Marian Appel
Mazal Tov to Dr Roy & Diane Milunsky and Mario & Regina Ruiz on the marriage of their children Terri & Sebastian on Aug-24th;
and to grandparents Les Davimes, Dr Uri & Beryl Milunsky and Mario Skrvisky.
Mazal Tov to Daniel & Nicole Ungar on the birth of son Simcha Bunim (Dion Leo) on 16 Av / Aug-12th; to grandparents Gary & Michelle Ungar and Dr Brian & Andrea Ruttenberg; and to great grandparents Angel & Denise Mallach and Manny & June Morris
Mazal Tov to David & Janet Kessler and Ingrid Naumburger on the birth of grandson & great grandson Gidon Meir (Gidon Max) in the USA on Jun-25th; to parents Josh & Natalie Persky and grandparents Danny & Ann Persky.
Happy Jewish Birthday to...
Friday
Ann Dresdner
Cameron Englman
David Kaye
Jeffrey Rubenstein
Susie Wise
Shabbos
Allan Spiro
Heather Levy
Julie Levine
Michael Jaku
Norman Hacker
Sandi Meyerowitz
Sunday
Charles Gordon
Danny Meyer
Dean Nathanson
Geoff Druckman
James Silverton
Lia Swidler
Sheldon Mayer
Monday
Cheryl Kaftel
Harold Boas
Jacob Wolf
Leah Cohen
Raymond Berger
Rozanne Border
Saul Fine
Tuesday
Brian Super
Jonathan Sankey Berk
Ronnie Kessler
Wednesday
Adam Hochroth
Amy Lurie
Bradley Ellerine
Julian Levin
Kenzi Lily Rosmarin
Kerry Gottlieb
Linda Skorupa
Toby Levine-Evans
Thursday
Daniel Kawalsky
Emma Hill
Howard Bachmann
We wish "long life" to...
Shabbos
David Taitz for father Charles Taitz
Leonard Greis for grandmother Leiba Greis
Sunday
Beverley Tow for father Jack Levy
Gloria Levy for husband Jack Levy
Ingrid Jacobson for brother Ivan Jon Goldberg
Jeffrey Ichilcik for mother Bessie Ichilcik
Leonard Levy for father Jack Levy
Monday
Elaine Bolon for husband Stephen Bolon
Esmond Kilov for friend Stephen Bolon
Marcia Rosen for mother Janie Leah Karpelowsky
Michelle Mekler- Peled for father Elly Mekler
Simonne Mekler for father Elly Mekler
Tuesday
Cecil Albert for mother Miriam Albert
Des Miller for mother Rose Miller
Hazel Stein for father Ivan Greenberg
Rhona Clennar for father David Bobrow
Yvette Pillemer for mother Phylis Nagle
Wednesday
Alan Goldberg for mother Freda Goldberg
Elaine Bolon for father Gerald Sender
Rolene Berkowitz for mother Pauline Friedman
Sorrel Sher for brother Issy Bacher
Thursday
Darryl Mallach for mother Tamara Mallach
Mark Eisenberg for mother Esther Eisenberg
Ruth Bass for father Morris Nathan Saidman
Shani Diamond for grandfather Morris Cohen
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Brookie Reports
Join us in the Herbert Hall straight after the Kiddush and learn the Animal Kingdom's Lessons in Character Development.
