27 August 2015
Dear Friends,
The High Holy Days are fast approaching.
But this isn’t just any High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah always marks the beginning of
the next year from the world’s creation, whose anniversary we consider to be on
Rosh Hashanah. But this Rosh Hashanah concludes
the Shemitah year and marks the commencement of not just a New Year but the Jubilee
Year. For most of us, this is a once in
a lifetime opportunity; we invite you to join us to observe this momentous period
of celebration.
Every fiftieth year is the Yuvel, the Jubilee, when the Written
Torah demands of us that all servants be manumitted, debts forgiven, and all
property revert back to its original owner.
Much of this is not applicable in our day as reflecting the
disappearance of tribal lines and indentured servitude, and borrowing practice
(the Prosbul) that circumvents the remission of debts. But one aspect of the Jubilee is still
applicable: Each one will return to
his heritage and to his family. (Leviticus 25:10) The first ten days of every
year – the days that begin with Rosh Hashanah and end with Yom Kippur, known as
the Ten Days of Repentance – are to be dedicated to returning to one’s
heritage and family. In the Jubilee
Year, the entire year is so dedicated.
And many in the Jewish world believe most sincerely that this isn’t any
Jubilee. Counting the years of our
calendar and observing the world around us, there is a growing sense that Hevlei
Mashiach – the dawning of the time of our Redemption – is upon us. This adds further to the urgency of using our
time wisely to prepare our hearts for whatever the future holds in store.
Torah is often referred to as a precious heritage and indeed it
is. Torah informs us about virtually
every aspect of life: from civil law and
relations between a man and his neighbor, as well as relations within the
family. In the Torah’s worldview, it all
hinges on family. The family is the basic unit for creating a life in the Image
of G-d. This does not exclude those whose
families represent a mix of traditions; G-d created all of humanity in
His Image, and we are therefore all responsible for living in the Image
of G-d.
Sadly, today the family with an internal dynamic that is healthy and
constructive is more the exception than the rule. Equally sadly, relations in our
hyper-extended family – Am Yisrael, the People Israel – mirrors this
dysfunction. Each one of us can tell our
own story about how this dysfunction has hurt him or her directly.
I challenge each and every one of you, therefore, to make the repair of
our relations – within the nuclear family, the extended family, and the hyper-extended
family that is the People Israel – the focus of your energies in the year that
will begin with the sunset on Sunday, 13 September. Attend services for Rosh Hashanah – there are
a number of alternative possibilities in our area – and hear the jarring notes
of the Shofar. And let those jarring
sounds, envelope you in disquiet – so that you will see the imperative of
reclaiming our heritage and our family and drawing closer to G-d. Experience anew the rituals, but more
importantly let those rituals carry you into a sense of kavvanah, of
intentional action – that will make you an active force for healing and
reconciliation in all your circles of relationship in the coming year.
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Synagogues and other religious organisations
in our community have already promulgated – or will shortly promulgate – their
High Holy Day programmes. Jewish Journeys is an educational
outreach organization welcoming all Jews and those who seek a closer
relationship with G-d through Judaism.
We extend our warm invitation to you for the following available options
of your choice.
ROSH HASHANAH
First Evening Sunday 13
September, 6.00PM Rosh Hashanah Seder: full kosher
dinner
and blessings for the New Year in the
Sephardic/Mizrachi tradition.
$40 per person
suggested donation
First Day Monday,
14 September, 10.00AM Torah and Shofar Service.
$15 per person
suggested donation.
YOM KIPPUR
Evening Tuesday,
22 September, 7.00PM Kol Nidrei Service.
$15 per
person suggested donation.
Afternoon Wednesday,
23 September, 2.00PM Afternoon/Memorial/Closing Services.
$15
per person suggested donation.
All the above will take place at the Queensland Country Women’s
Association Hall, at the corner of Garden Street and Young Street,
Southport. There are limited free car
parks available in front of the building.
Additional car parks are available at the Council lot one block west, or
in the Australia Fair garage. At the
conclusion of the Yom Kippur afternoon sequence, there will be a kosher break-the-fast
at the Levy home, in Southport about ten minutes from the QCWA Hall. Directions will be available at the
service. $18 per person suggested
donation. Bookings are essential only
for the Rosh Hashanah Seder and the Break-the-fast, to assist us in planning
for the quantities of food. For all
other services, you are welcome to simply drop in. For bookings or additional information,
please contact Rabbi Levy at rabbidon@jewishjourneys.com.au or 0448 691
994.
With only best wishes for yontef renewal and inspiration, I am…
Yours truly,
Rabbi Don Levy
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