True kindness ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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I had the distinct honour of addressing the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha's annual dinner last night. It's an exclusive dinner, attended only by the men and women who are involved in the sacred task of preparing the deceased of our Jewish Community for their final journey, by those who assist with the burial and those who are called upon to complete a Minyan at the graveside whenever needed. 120 men and women and some of their spouses participated in the dinner. The annual dinner is always held on the 7th of Adar, the Yahrtzeit (and birthday) of Moshe Rabeinu, Moses, who G-d Himself tended to after his passing. This auspicious day is marked by the members of the Chevra Kadisha fasting and reflecting on their work and responsibility, and ends with a celebratory dinner. While I knew or recognised most of the people in the room, I can honestly say that I had no idea that 95% of them are members of the Chevra and perform these sacred tasks on a frequent basis, day and night, before, during and after work, without fanfare or recognition. It's all hush-hush. It was truly an eye opening experience for me on a number of levels. The amount of people involved in this laudable organisation - who we just assume will be there in our time of need and sorrow, the absolute dedication and humility of the members, and the reminder that we really don't know know what people get up to in their spare (or not so spare) time, with so many doing such incredible things. Chesed Shel Emes is what the Chevra's work is called, Kindness of Truth, the ultimate kindness. Altruism. Knowing that what they do, the care, dignity and respect they show to the deceased as they perform their duties, can't and won't be reciprocated by the beneficiary. They are righteous people in every sense of the word. I'm sharing this because a) these individuals deserve our immense appreciation and gratitude and b) although most of us are not involved in this line of work, we can emulate these hallmark values and principals. Our life is enhanced and becomes more meaningful, when we think about others and are there for them in their time of need and when we are someone who can be counted on to respond with kindness, sensitivity and humility. Shabbat Shalom and a healthy week ahead!
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Shabbat Starts / Ends Friday, 11 March: Light Candles by 7:28pm Shabbat, 12 March: Shabbat ends at 8:23pm This week is Parshat Vayikra & Zachor - See synopsis below.
In-Shule Services - We'd love to see you! Fri Night 6:20pm - 7:00pm Shabbat morning 9:30am - 11:30am Sunday Morning 8:00am - 8:35am Mon - Fri Morning 6:45am - 7:20am Sun - Thur Mincha Maariv 7:30pm - 7:45pm
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Purim is this coming Thursday! Let's celebrate together! Wed, 16 March - Ta’anit Esther - Fast of Esther (learn more) Fast begins 5:56am and ends 8:05pm Mincha 7:20pm Maariv & Megillah reading at 8:00pm followed by L'chaim and Hamantashen!
Thurs, 17 March - Purim! (learn more) Shacharit & Megillah reading 6:45am 'Let's Fly!' Purim Celebration 5:30pm – As of today bookings have closed, we may reopen for limited bookings early next week. Please check www.elwoodshuel.org/fly on Monday.
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'The Therapeutic Parsha' Podcast. I have embarked on a new podcast journey with my colleague Rabbi Daniel Rabin. Please enjoy a weekly short discussion on well-being based on the Torah Portion of the week. Listen to our first episode on 'Mistakes' by clicking on the links below. Stay tuned for next week's episode. Listen HERE on Apple Podcasts | Listen HERE on Spotify.
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Hebrew School Purim Fun! The students made Hamantashen with Rivki! They checked the eggs for blood spots, poured and mixed the ingredients, shaped the dough into circles, filled them with a choice of three fillings and shaped them into triangles! Yum! Contact rabbishmuel@elwoodshule.org if you'd like more info about our Hebrew School.
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Calling all Grade 6 girls! Mum & Daughter Bat Mitzvah Challah Bake with Rivki Sun, 27 March, 7.30pm. RSVP to rivki@elwoodshule.org. East St Kilda address on booking.
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5 weeks to Pesach! Save the Date! Matzah Bakery for the kids - Sun, 10 April, 1pm Communal Second Seder night - Sat, 16 April, 6:45pm. Expressions of interest to office@elwoodshule.org.
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Please keep us in the loop by notifying us of your lifecycle events. Birth! Mazal Tov to Sarah & Zach Landy on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to the whole family! May the newborn be a source of Nachas and joy to her family.
Happy - Jewish - Birthday! We wish a very Happy Jewish Birthday to Jonathan Balbin, Mimi Cyprys, Henry Erlich, Paul Grinwald, Ashely Grupel, Daniel Halprin, Zoe Landy, Jake Mehl, Melvin Michael, Eden Michaels, Joey Procel, Slade Sherman, Ben Stein, Karl Vogel. We wish them good health till 120. Jewish birthday Calculator. Happy Anniversary! We wish a very Happy Anniversary to Max & Jordana Curtis, Marc & Emma Grant, Leon & Sue Grinwald, Lee & Sharon Kirshon, Zalman & Helena Livshiz, Brae & Natalie Lukav, Simon & Bianca Sokolski, Mark & Caroline Troski, Tom & Karin Zafir. To many more happy and healthy years! Condolences We extend our heartfelt condolences to Natalie Vogel and Jordanna Swiatlo on the passing of their father, Jack Zufi ob'm. We wish the whole family blessings of long life and good health.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to David Rotstein on the passing of his sister, Esther ob'm. We wish the whole family blessings of long life and good health. Yahrtzeits Sunday Abraham Holckner - Father of Eva Lawrence Rachel Esther Winter - Mother of Colin Monday Peter Orloff - Husband of Robyn, father of Damien & Nicole and Daniel, Andrew and Michelle Tuesday Doba Tsyskin - Mother of Rozana Kleiman Thursday Max Blaser - Father of Elissa and Michelle Shirley Harris - Wife Nathan
We wish the respective families blessings of long life and good health. |
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This week's PARSHA is Pekudei (Leviticus 1:1–5:26) G‑d calls to Moses from the Tent of Meeting, and communicates to him the laws of the korbanot, the animal and meal offerings brought in the Sanctuary. These include: The “ascending offering” (olah) that is wholly raised to G‑d by the fire atop the altar; Five varieties of “meal offering” (minchah) prepared with fine flour, olive oil and frankincense; The “peace offering” (shelamim), whose meat was eaten by the one bringing the offering, after parts are burned on the altar and parts are given to the kohanim (priests); The different types of “sin offering” (chatat) brought to atone for transgressions committed erroneously by the high priest, the entire community, the king or the ordinary Jew; The “guilt offering” (asham) brought by one who has misappropriated property of the Sanctuary, who is in doubt as to whether he transgressed a divine prohibition, or who has committed a “betrayal against G‑d” by swearing falsely to defraud a fellow man. Click here to explore Parsha insights and lessons. This being the Shabbat before Purim, on which we celebrate the foiling of Haman the Amalekite’s plot to destroy the Jewish people, the weekly Parshah is supplemented with the “Zachor” reading (Deuteronomy 25:17–19) in which we are commanded to remember the evil of Amalek and to eradicate it from the face of the earth. © Copyright, all rights reserved, Chabad.org. |
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