SHABBAT BULLETIN - Emanuel Synagogue

SHABBAT
BULLETIN
18/19 May 2012 - 27 Iyar 5772 Shabbat Behar-Bechukotai
The Essence of Community
We close the reading of the book of Vayikra, Leviticus, with a combined
parashah, Behar/Bechukotai, that expresses the range of what it meant for our
ancestors to be part of a religious community and compels us to question just
what it means for us in the 21st century. In Behar, we hear many laws concerning
the redistribution of wealth that is at the heart of the Torah’s idealised
vision of community. The commentary in our Chumash, Etz Chayim states,
“This prevents the polarisation of society into two classes: wealthy, powerful
landowners on the one hand and permanently impoverished people on the
other. …The great 20th century rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook taught that the
purpose of the jubilee was primarily spiritual, not economic. It came to restore
that sense of unity [to the people.]”
In a sense, the two interpretations complement each other. That is, we find
that too much polarisation of power and wealth in any society tends to lead to
divisiveness and the break down of community. Each society, each community,
must make sure that there is a sense of mutual responsibility among
its members for there to be cohesion – not just in an economic sense, but
particularly in terms of shared values or “spiritual unity”.
Bechukotai presents a promise of blessing for those who follow the way of
God, and an extensive series of horrific curses for those who reject the word
of God (as presented by Moses at Mt. Sinai.) The worst of the curses is exile
from the land, the loss of community and a sense of belonging. I am not
among those who believe that blessings and curses, reward and punishment,
come from some external judge as one might infer from these passages.
However, when the social fabric – which is comprised of the relationships
people form through economic connection, daily discourse, common values
and purpose – breaks down, then a sense of dislocation follows. The ultimate
dislocation results in the fracturing of the society.
The Torah reminds us, at the beginning of Behar and at the end of Bechukotai,
that these teachings came from God to Moses at Mount Sinai, the Torah’s way
of emphasising their centrality to the life of the nation. We can read “the nation”
as not just the nation of Israel, but any nation, and indeed, any community, like
Emanuel Synagogue. It is incumbent upon us, now and always, while always
remaining aware of our needs, not to consider them to the exclusion or detriment
of others – whether members of our community now or those for the future.
MAZAL TOV
Alexander Morris Mikardo
on the occasion of his Bar
Mitzvah
TORAH
Vayikra (Leviticus)
25:1 - 27:34
Etz Chayim Chumash
pg. 738 - 757
HAFTARAH
Jeremiah 32:6 -27
Etz Chayim Chumash:
pg. 759
SERVICES
Monday & Thursday
6:45am
Erev Shabbat:
6:15pm (Shabbat Live Service
and Masorti Carlebach Service)
Shabbat Morning:
9:00am Masorti
10:00am Progressive
CANDLE LIGHTING
Friday 4:42pm
HAVDALAH
Saturday 5:40pm

Rabbi Jeffrey B. Kamins
Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio
Rabbi Paul Jacobson
Rabbi Dr Orna Triguboff
Ultimately self-centred behaviour will lead to the demise not just of the society or
community, but the individuals who have been part of that community. Conversely,
the sacrifice that seems to be at the heart of the teaching of Behar is actually that
which leads to the blessings adumbrated in Bechukotai, “You shall eat your fill of
bread and dwell securely in your land.” When we give to the other, we receive.
Rabbi Kamins
Shavuot
Shavuot Evening (Leyl Shavuot) Saturday 26 May, 6:15pm celebrate receiving
the Torah, and the first harvest in Israel. Service begins at 6:15pm and includes
traditional baby blessing. Straight after the service we begin our third annual
Festival of Dangerous Ideas – 10 minute presentations on controversial issues.
A light supper will be shared.
Shavuot Family Service Sunday 27 May, 10:00am A service for families
focusing on the themes of giving the Torah, stories, songs and ice-cream. Also
on Shavuot the Masorti service at 9:00am, and Jewish Renewal service
and meditation at 10am. This prayer service will include meditation, chant
accompanied by musical instruments, movement and discussion.
Emanuel Synagogue’s Davvener’s Club
Every Tuesday from 22 May to 26 June, 4:15 -5:45pm.
You’re invited you to our new seminar on:
“How to read Torah Trope” (traditional Ashkenazi cantilation
system) with our Shaliach Tzibbur Martin Yafe. Join us and
never need a CD with a Torah recording again! The course
will empower you, when called up to the Torah in Synagogue, to read the text
yourself, and also to be able to do Torah readings on behalf of the community.
Cost $50 (members) and $150 (non-members). Call office to book and pay.
Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day
Havtechot (Promises) 20 May, 4:00pm, in the Emanuel Hall
Join us for this special Yom Yerushalayim screening. With a
subtle mixture of patos and humour, this moving documentary
film tracks seven Israeli and Palestinian children who live in
Jerusalem and its surrounding areas. Released in in 2001, this
Oscar nominated and Emmy award winning film has lost none
of its relevance or timeliness.
BZDVO with ZCNSW presents: INSIDE ISRAEL - How a Small Nation Makes a
Big Difference. Sunday 20th May 2012, 6.00pm Entertainment Quarter - Hoyts
Cinema. Phone 9360 6300 or The Central Synagogue 9389 5622
BOARD MEMBERS HOSTING THIS WEEK
Shabbat Evening: (Progressive); Louise Thurgood Phillips
Shabbat Morning: (Progressive); Clare Sneddon

SPECIAL EVENTS
REDEVELOPMENT WITH THE RABBI
Rabbi Kamins and members of the Board will be
hosting any and all members of the congregation
to ask questions and hear more about our
Capital Campaign for the redevelopment of
Emanuel Synagogue. These sessions take place
every Thursday in May & June 2012, from
6:00pm - 7:00pm in the Boardroom. If you
have not yet attended a function, please RSVP
to redevelopment@emanuel.org.au or call 9328-7833 to let us know which night you
would wish to attend.
NETZER
JUNIOR AND MD YOM YERUSHALAYIM SLEEPOVER!
19th and 20th of May. 6:30 pm Start (19th) and 3:15pm pick up (20th).
If you’re a keen NETZERNIK or even someone who just wants to have LOADS
of fun, in years 3-8. Then COME ALONG to Netzer’s EPIC sleepover! For a
night of crazy activities, awesome games and not much sleep!!
Where: Years 3-6 @ North Shore Temple Emanuel.
Years 7-8 @ Emanuel Woolahra Synagogue
Cost $15. Contact: Maddi (years 3-6): maddi.aghion@netzer.org.au
Alice (years7-8): alice.chipkin@netzer.org.au
SHAVUOT SENIOR SLEEPOVER!
26th and 27th of May, 7pm Start. 6 pm pick-up (27th), NSTE, Cost $15.
Are you in years 9-12 and LOVE hanging out with your friends over the
weekend? Coinciding with the AWESOME festival of Shavuot we have an funfilled,
jam-packed night planned for some good memory-making material!
MACHANE
MIFLETZET - CAMP
MONSTER!!!
July 3rd- 8th
Registrations are
OPEN!
Contact Hannah: 0423
174 489
hannah.segal@netzer.
org.au
ONGOING EVENTS
Women’s Rosh Chodesh
Group
Wednesday 22 May, 8:00pm.
A spiritual celebration of the
new month (call the office for
details).
72 nd Emanuel Synagogue
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 29 May, 7:30pm
Our Jewish Story
on Monday Evenings
with Rabbi Kamins is in
RECESSS until July 2
My Play Space
(our playgroup for under 3’s)
is back. Friday mornings
from 9:30am - 11:30am .
Play and have fun together
with your children and
grandchildren.
Emanuel Synagogue’s
Website
In preparation for our brand
new and superbly wonderful
interactive membership
and information system, we
have started to include a lot
more information on our website
(www.emanuel.org.au)
about all of our programs and
events. Please vist the site
to see what’s on and what’s
coming up, and read about
the adventures at Emanuel
Synagogue.

IN MEMORY
Shiva: There are mourners in our community to whom we extend our sincerest sympathies on the death of
their loved ones: Robert Zabow, Janice Einfeld, Odette Caisley
Shloshim: We are in the period of Shloshim for: Warwick Robert Richards, Robert Tepper, Katharina Faltusz,
Ronald Clive Samuel (Shmuayl) Suttner, Iasha Friedman, Oscar Wolfgang, Dr John Indyk, Wilfred Stoloff,
Clara Barnett, Mina Churnin, Lidia Sirota.
THIS WEEK WE OBSERVE THE YAHRZEITS OF (observed by):
* Memorial Light
Matilda Angel (Mrs Valerie Newstead)
Cyril Asher (Mrs Denyse Bernstein)
Hyman Black (Mrs Edna Viner)
Nono Jack Bokey (Mr David Schlesinger)
Hyman Reuben Caplan (Mrs Lilian Finniston)
Ronald Leon Cohen (Mrs Wendy Cohen)
Norman Isadore Crown (Mr Allan Crown)
Brian Alfred Davis (Mrs Karen Pizem)
Mordechai Eisen (Mr Benjamin Isaacs)
Joshua Harry Ellis (Ms Suzanne Davidson)
Joyce Feller (Dr John Feller)
Elizabeth Fleischer (Mr John Fleischer)
Nicholas (Nick) Forbes (Mrs Erica Forbes)
Hana Frankel (Mrs Patricia Lieberman)
Leslie Henry Goldstein (Mrs Franciska
Shoolman & Mr Mark Shoolman)
Lewis Golomb (Mrs Marcia Scudder)
Leah Goodman (Mrs Jillian Mansell)
Peter Hidi (Ms Marianne Hidi)
Herbert Hill (Mr James Hill)
Charles Felix Hollander (Miss Shirley
Hollander)
Sadie Hollander (Miss Shirley Hollander)
Alice Huppert Reisz (Mrs Elizabeth Sharota)
Roy Innes (Ms Dianna Givorshner & Dr Gordon
Innes)
Tom Harry Kaplan (Dr Errol Kaplan)
Raymond King (Ms Jacqueline King)
Therese (Terry) Koval (Mr Simon Buchen &
Mrs Katherine Buchen)
Sharon Marion Lain (Mr Nicholas Jacobson)
Anne Landsman (Mrs Lily King)
Fanny Lash (Mr Gregory Cowan)
Eli Clement Levy (Ms Michal Levy)
* Eva Levy
* Sarah Lieberman
Moses (Max) Mangel (Mrs Karoline Brodaty
OAM & Mr Leon Mangel)
Sarah (Sally) Marks (Mrs Bettina Davis)
* Dora Meyers
Norman Mikardo (Mr David Mikardo)
* Jonas Mikler (Mr John Mikler)
Raymond Morris (Mrs Debora Morris)
Judith Ockrim (Mrs Magda Gesztesi)
Kenneth John Raphaely (Mr Kevin
Jankelowitz & Mrs Lynn Crown)
Suzanne Reber (Mr Brook Reber)
* Alina Schwarzbaum (Miss Jacheta
Schwarzbaum)
Stella Sedgman (Mr Peter Sedgman)
Hilde Selinger (Mr Robert Selinger)
Michail Sherman
Litzi Sima (Mr Alexander Sima)
Margaret Somlai (Mr George Fisher)
Ilana Strum (Dr John Strum, Ms Leah Werner &
Benjamin Strum)
Edward Moss Waxman OAM (Mrs Dianne
Lever & Mr Leon Waxman)
Anna Weber (Mr Andrew Weber & Mr Charles
Weber)
Klara Wolf (Mr Thomas Wolf)
Ethel Wolpert (Mrs Joy Bloch)
SHOAH REMEMBRANCE
Each week, as well as remembering members of our community or their loved ones, we add the name of one
person who perished in the Shoah. This week we remember Lion Gutstein born 1911 in Stanislawow,Poland
and died there in 1941.