TELL May - July 2012 - Emanuel Synagogue

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Births Rabbi Jacobson’s address at the baby naming 36 www.emanuel.org.au How wonderful, dear Emily, it is to welcome you into our family. For the past six weeks, we have delighted in getting to know your gentle presence, your warmth, and your smiles, watching your big blue eyes absorb so much of the world around you. And as thrilling as it has been for us, we have also enjoyed watching your big sister Hannah Mae begin to love you too. This morning we have the opportunity to welcome you into our extended family. The sanctuary that we stand in is very special to all of us – it is where Mommy and Daddy got married, and where Hannah received her Hebrew name too. Today we pause to give thanks to God for your safe arrival, and to give you your Hebrew name, a name that will carry special meaning and be with you for the rest of your life. One of Daddy’s teachers when he was growing up always said that someone’s Hebrew name offers them a direct challenge from God – to live by the best attributes of their namesake. Emily, if this teaching is true, then you will surely have a good and engaging challenge ahead of you! When you were in the womb, we were deciding whether to name you Emily or Mikaela. Since Hannah was Mommy’s favourite girl’s name, we thought it would be only fair if Daddy were able to choose his favourite girl’s name – Emily. Because we both liked the name and the meaning of Mikaela, we thought that it would be an appropriate name for you. Mikaela is a feminine form of Michael, one of God’s ministering angels. Mi-cha-El is often translated into the question, “Who is like God?” And because nothing can compare to God’s greatness, the name Mi-cha-el, or in your case, Mi-cha-el-a, becomes a name of humility, a name dedicated to recognizing the brilliance of God’s presence in the world. It is also a name of protection and advocacy, for the angel Michael is seen in both the book of Daniel and many times in rabbinic tradition to show great support for the people of Israel. Midrash teaches that it was the angel Michael who helped Abraham escape from the fiery furnace in one of his ten trials, prevented the sacrifice of Isaac, and helped to save the Israelites from drowning in the Sea of Reeds. Each of these examples shows Michael’s dedication to others and to the world around him. We know that you, Mi-cha-el-a, with your presence, your compassion, your wit, and a hefty dose of girl-power, will share these values with our world. Additionally, you are named for some very special people. Your first name Emily is a combination of the names of Daddy’s great-grandmother Emma, and Mommy’s grandmother Lily. The latter, who only passed away less than a year and a half ago, was a woman deeply devoted to her children, family and community. She worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances to ensure that her children had opportunities to develop their talents and passions. Taking both of their names together, and making from them the name Emily is appropriate, for the meaning of the name Emily is “industrious,” or “hard-working,” qualities held by both women, and we are sure, qualities which you will demonstrate too, in your own special, unique way. Your middle name Sophia is to known to many people as a word meaning “wisdom,” and with this name we honour three of your ancestors, Daddy’s grandmothers Fay and Sylvia, and Mommy’s grandfather Sam. Fay was a woman who believed in the importance of quality education, and it was her foresight, drive, and dedication, working well into her seventies, which assisted Daddy and his brother Evan in attending top American universities. Sylvia, or Googy, as she was more commonly called, took great pride in the accomplishments of her grandchildren, and would have been so proud of you and your big sister Hannah. Sam, who was affectionately known as Poppy, was a man of intense character. Championing causes in the community and the wider world he always putting himself out there, and was not afraid to speak his mind or speak against those he felt were causing harm. Your middle name Sophia would certainly have made Poppy smile. One of the most important lessons he taught mummy and Aunty Vicki was that knowledge is something that can never be taken away from you. Teaching them world geography was a great priority to him and he would quiz mommy on countries and their capital cities. He always saved his favourite question till last and with a big grin on his face would ask us “And what is the capital of Bulgaria?” When mommy responded “Sofia” he would sit back in his chair, cross his arms, smile and say “Ah yes, Sofia.” To our daughter, Emily Sophia, known in the Jewish community as Mikaela, we hope that you will journey through life bringing the gifts of your heart and soul to the world. All our love Mommy and Daddy
Our B’nei Mitzvah NAME: Rebecca Epstein SCHOOL: Kambala HOBBIES:touch football, swimming and cooking DISLIKES: bananas, spiders ABOUT MYSELF: Favourite tv shows are Neighbours, Masterchef and The Brady Bunch. I would like to be a teacher when I am older. I play touch football, netball and soccer. I play the trumpet in the stage band and JGWO orchestra at school. I like science and art but do not like technology or history. SOCIAL JUSTICE: In year six I was a charity prefect so I helped to raise money for different charities for example The Starlight Foundation. REMEMBER PREPARING FOR BAT MITZVAH…. I will remember my parents helping me to learn all my Hebrew and making sure I do the best I can do. Also my Hebrew teacher Kim for helping me become a better person and also helping me with my Hebrew. NAME: Asher Klein NAME: Gabrielle (Gabi ) Stricker-Phelps www.emanuel.org.au NAME: Elijah Lazarus SCHOOL: Sydney Technical High School HOBBIES: Video games, reading, softball, fencing, swimming DISLIKES: homework, haters, war ABOUT MYSELF: My favourite TV show is Doctor Who. I’d like to be a world designer for the video game industry in my future career. I enjoy fencing and swimming. SOCIAL JUSTICE: I particpated in The World’s Greatest Shave and our household sponsors two children, one in Brazil and one in Swaziland (where my mum is from). In the future, I’d like to do work for the environment. REMEMBER PREPARING FOR BAR MITZVAH….What I’ll remember most about bar mitzvah prep: My awesome tutor, Sam Zwarenstein, and the frustration of actually getting it all done but realizing it’s all going to turn out ok in the end. SCHOOL: <strong>Emanuel</strong> HOBBIES: Making Movies, Basketball, Reading Books DISLIKES: Homework ABOUT MYSELF: I really enjoy watching movies and my favourite TV show is Modern Family. My idea of a future career is as an actor since I love acting and have appeared in several productions, in and out of school. My favourite sports are basketball and skiing. I play basketball for Maccabi and have done so for many years now. At school my favourite subjects are English and HSIE. But most of all I enjoy hanging out with my family. SOCIAL JUSTICE: I have been involved in the concept of giving students a voice and have been active in the <strong>Emanuel</strong> School SRC since Year 4 and intend to do more of this in the future.For the last 5 years, my family and I have sponsored two children through World Vision. Firstly we sponsored a young boy in Cambodia called Thai Thon and last year we started sponsoring a boy in China called Yuan Bao Li, who is 7. I would love to meet them one day and see up close the vastly different life they lead to us here in Australia. I hope to be more involved with charity projects as I get older. REMEMBER PREPARING FOR BAR MITZVAH…. I will remember waking up each morning to practice. And even though I didn’t like it at the time, it made me realise that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. SCHOOL: Ascham HOBBIES: dancing, singing, acting, kayaking, swimming, playing Wii. DISLIKES: going to bed early, fish and people who are not kind. ABOUT MYSELF: I love learning new things, being with my family and friends. I love to laugh but can be serious when necessary. I enjoy life. REMEMBER PREPARING FOR BAT MITZVAH…. I will remember setting my alarm every morning at 6am to practise for my Bat Mitzvah and I will remember the amazing feeling when I did my Bat Mitzvah in the synagogue and my family were proud of me. 37
Page 1 and 2: Tell May-July 2012 Iyar - Tammuz 57
Page 3 and 4: should say, ‘Who among us can go
Page 5 and 6: Rabbi Ninio A Gratitude Movement As
Page 7 and 8: Tallitot www.emanuel.org.au tallito
Page 9 and 10: Portrait no mind can understand Com
Page 11 and 12: Rabbi Triguboff Yesod - Foundation
Page 13 and 14: Obituary He was never interested in
Page 15 and 16: Redevelopment From the President ww
Page 17 and 18: Redevelopment www.emanuel.org.au Ou
Page 19 and 20: UPJ www.emanuel.org.au UPJ & ARZA e
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Page 25 and 26: CHAMSA These unique, one-off, hand
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Page 31 and 32: Community Notices Note: 10% discoun
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Page 39 and 40: Weddings Ashley Bierman & D’leann

TELL May - July 2012 - Emanuel Synagogue

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