Central Synagogue Passover Journal 5775

JOURNAL THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE

PESACH 5775 / 2015

Passover Guide INSIDE: AN INSPIRING

REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST PP100001387

contents WELCOME Message from Our President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Message from Rabbi Levi Wolff . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Message from Rabbi David Freedman . . . . . . . . 8

PESACH CALENDAR AT THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE

Message from Our Schlichim . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Soulmarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 YOUR PASSOVER GUIDE Things To Do Before You Passover . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Passover Seder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 The Seder Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Foods of Freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 A Love Letter to My Wicked Son . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

FRIDAY 3 APRIL (PUBLIC HOLIDAY) EREV PESACH, 1ST NIGHT SEDER Fast Commences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:55am Shacharit and Siyum for First Born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30am Latest time for eating Chametz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:01am Latest time for disposing of Chametz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:00pm Mincha followed by Kabbalat Shabbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:00pm Candle lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:29pm

10 Shocking Facts about Passover . . . . . . . . . . .18 VOICES FROM OUR COMMUNITY Sanyi (Alex) Lowy: A Survivor . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 A Soldiers Seder on the Lebanese Border . . . . . 22 Experiences of Israel Study Tour (IST) . . . . . . . 24 The Day My Life Changed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 TRIBUTE FROM OUR COMMUNITY Marika Weinberger OAM: A Rich Legacy . . . . . . 28 Humans of My Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 COMMUNITY NEWS AND UPDATES Hineni Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Hineni Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Births . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Bar Mitzvahs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Bat Mitzvahs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Engagements & Weddings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Upcoming and Past Events at Central . . . . . . . .40 Passover Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Condolences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL PESACH 5775 / 2015 PUBLISHED BY

15 Bon Accord Avenue | Bondi Junction 2022 Sydney NSW Australia | +61 (02) 9355 4000 WWW.CENTRALSYNAGOGUE.COM.AU MANAGING EDITOR: LEIGH GOLOMBICK

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SATURDAY 4 APRIL – 1ST DAY PESACH, 2ND NIGHT SEDER Shacharit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:45am Mincha followed by Maariv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:25pm Candle lighting not before . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:26 pm SUNDAY 5 APRIL – 2ND DAY PESACH (Daylight Saving ends) Shacharit . . .

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MONDAY 6 APRIL – CHOL HA’MOED (PUBLIC HOLIDAY) Shacharit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8:00am Mincha followed by Maariv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:15pm TUESDAY 7 APRIL / WED. 8 APRIL – CHOL HA’MOED Shacharit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30am Mincha followed by Maariv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:15pm 2nd Maariv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30pm THURSDAY 9 APRIL – CHOL HA’MOED (EREV YOM TOV) Shacharit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30am Candle lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5:21pm Mincha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:30pm Maariv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:00pm FRIDAY 10 APRIL – 7 DAY PESACH Shacharit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:25am Mincha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:25pm Shabbat and Yomtov begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:20pm Kabbalat Shabbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00pm SATURDAY 11 – 8TH DAY PESACH Shacharit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Mincha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Seudat Moshiach. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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8:45am 10:30am 12:25pm .5:00pm . 6:15pm . 6:16pm

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

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s I reflect back on the last few months, I am saddened to see that yet again, Jewish people the world over are coming up against continued antiSemitism and extreme Islamist terror activities. Europe is currently seeing one of its largest exodus of Jews, mostly to Israel, who are moving to escape this growing epidemic.

It is not only Europe facing these issues, the Sydney siege back in mid-December rocked our nation too and sadly reminded us that this terrorism is present the world over.

We remember the lives of those lost during the siege and pray for their families.

Pesach is the perfect time to sit with your loved ones and reflect on these issues, as it reminds us that nothing much has changed over the years. We tell the story of the exodus to our children and note that even after years of slavery in Egypt, we were still able to start a new life as free people. It reminds us to remain united and to stay committed to the health and safety of the Sydney community and to our brothers and sisters in Israel.

The Central Synagogue takes this commitment to community and Jewish continuity very seriously. In the last six months we have been working tirelessly to raise the funds and obtain the approvals to begin work on the new Central Synagogue Youth Campus and Art Gallery. It is our commitment to the generations to come, that makes this project invaluable to the Synagogue and community. A huge Kol Hakavod to those families who have donated the much needed funds to make this dream a reality and a special mention to the Lederer family along with The Lowy and Triguboff families for their continued support and commitment.

The Central Synagogue prides itself on running a very interactive, educational and fun Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah academy programme, one that I have been so privileged to be a part of recently. Rabbi Levi and Chanie also run a fantastic wedding academy for those that are soon to walk down

PESACH 5775 / 2015

the aisle. To learn more, please contact the office.

On the second night of Pesach we are holding a communal Seder that will be led

by Rabbi Wolff. We hope that you are able to join us for this uplifting experience. There are often many families in need who do not have a seder to go to and cannot afford to attend our seder. If you are able to support a family or an individual please contact me or the office – your support is greatly appreciated!

There is one final matter I wanted to bring to your attention. Like many other Synagogues the world over, Shule membership is unfortunately on the decline.

The younger generations have so many competing financial demands that owning a seat for them and their families has often become financially unviable. The Board of Management wants to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be a part of a community such as ours. So we have decided to offer certain seats for sale at a special price.

Please contact either myself or the office, so that we can assist any family members or friends of the broader community to become members of our great Synagogue.

On behalf of my wife Dannielle, the Executive and Board of Management of The Central Synagogue I would like to extend to you and your families a happy and kosher Pesach.

See you all in Shule!

BY DANNY TAIBEL

PESACH IS THE PERFECT TIME TO SIT WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AND REFLECT ON THESE ISSUES, AS IT REMINDS US THAT NOTHING MUCH HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS....

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MESSAGE FROM OUR RABBI

JEWISH STRENGTH & JEWISH WEAKNESS DO WE SHARE A COMMON FATE AND DESTINY

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hat a whirlwind 6 months, how time has flown!

It feels like just yesterday we were standing in Shule listening to the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah.

BY RABBI LEVI WOLFF

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The first half of 5775 has given us a glimpse into some remarkable things about our community and people. We took such joy and nachat seeing the community rally together in support of the global Shabbat Project Initiative. Over 10,000 individuals across Sydney attended Synagogue services, baked Challah, sang and danced at Havdallah and even kept their mobile phones off for an entire Shabbat weekend ď Š, I look forward to spending many more together in the same way!

In early December it was my great privilege and honour to welcome Keisuke Sugihara, grandson of Chiune Sugihara to

Sydney. Chiune Sugihara was a Japanese diplomat who served as Vice-Consul for the Empire of Japan in Lithuania, during World War II. In acts of profound humanity and kindness Chiune was responsible for saving the lives of thousands of Jews by issuing travel visas that facilitated their escape from the Nazi’s. Many of our congregants are here today because of Chuine, including myself. For those of us who attanded Shule that weekend, it will be a Shabbes we will never forget!

Chanukah, the festival of lights, was just about to be upon us and sadly a darkness fell over Sydney. The Martin Place siege, a standstill moment in the Australian history, rocked the nation.

I wish I could say this tragedy ended here, but unfortunately extreme Islamist terror activities have struck the world over in recent months. From terrorist attacks at Jewish supermarkets and Synagogues, to threats at Jewish day schools, on buses and museums. Anti-Semitism is rife the world over, with Europe facing some of the worst uprisings in many many years.

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We shone a bright light this Chanukah for all those affected and had many moments of silence the world over in recognition of their bravery and struggles.

On a more positive note, over the last few months we have been blessed with a number of very exciting visitors here at The Central Synagogue. In February, the Founders and Leaders of The City of David, Rabbi Yehuda Maly and Doron Spielman joined us for a packed Community Shabbat Dinner. We all sat with abated breath as we listened to them retell the magic behind the worlds most prominent archeological digs.

Following their visit, the Chief Rabbi of South Africa, Rabbi Warren Goldstein, the Chief Rabbi of Efrat Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, and former head of The Mossad Ephraim Halevy all visited us here at Central. All the speakers made very educational addresses to the community that helped us further understand some of Israels and the world Jewry’s greatest challenges that lie ahead. My weekly Tuesday night class has gained good momentum, attracting crowds of all ages. I hope you and a friend will consider joining us too!

With Pesach now upon us, I think of that most talked about address in recent

PESACH 5775 / 2015

weeks — Netanyahu’s talk to the US Congress. A most powerful statement made this year … “I can only urge the leaders of the world not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Not to sacrifice the future for the present; not to ignore aggression in the hopes of gaining an illusory peace. But I can guarantee you this, the days when the Jewish people remained passive in the face of genocidal enemies, those days are over. We are no longer scattered among the nations, powerless to defend ourselves. We restored our sovereignty in our ancient home. And the soldiers who defend our home have boundless courage. For the first time in 100 generations, we, the Jewish people, can defend ourselves.”

His words echo a verse we read in the Haggadah ‫— ויהי שם לגוי גדול עצום ורב‬ “And they became a great nation in Egypt.”

Before the Jews came to Egypt, they were a fragmented group of individuals.

However, as the Midrash states, in Egypt the Jews were united by their shared suffering and came together to help each other. Our peoplehood was forged by our shared oppression.

A professor was teaching English grammar. After the first session, he asked the students to classify some common

“...IN EGYPT THE JEWS WERE UNITED BY THEIR SHARED SUFFERING AND CAME TOGETHER TO HELP EACH OTHER....”

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“SHE WENT TO JERUSALEM FOR A CONCERT WITH HER DAUGHTER, WHILE WAITING FOR IT TO BEGIN SOMEONE TOUCHED HER SHOULDER ... “

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nouns as ‘singular’ or ‘plural’. He asked, ‘shirt’? Students shouted ‘singular.’ He asked, ‘shoes?’ All shouted, ‘plural’. Then to stump the class he asked, “Is ‘pants’ singular or plural?” There was a silence. Then a student yelled out, “Sir, mine are plural at the bottom and singular at the top.”

This is actually a delightful definition of the Jewish people. Our lowest moments are times when Jews are fragmented. But on the top, at higher moments, when we realise we share the same fate and destiny, Jews unite.

That is what happened in Egypt. The Jewish people moved from plural to singular. Our stay in Egypt settled forever this question of Jewish grammar.

We are one people as long as we don’t get caught up in the bottom of our pants.

A few years ago, when the war in Gaza broke out, Sgt. Dvir Emanuel became the first Israeli casualty losing his life to a Hamas rocket as he entered Gaza. Dvir’s mother, Dahlia, tells of a moving experience she had a year later.

She went to Jerusalem for a concert with her daughter. While waiting for it to begin, someone touched her shoulder.

It was a little boy. Dahlia, a kindergarten teacher, was immediately drawn to the boy and started speaking to him. When the boy’s father saw what was happening, he called out to his son, “Eshel, why don’t you

come back and sit next to me and Dvir?”

Dahlia was surprised to hear that name and turned around and saw that the little boy’s father was holding a baby.

“What did you say your baby’s name is?” she asked the father.

The man responded, “Dvir.” She said, “I don’t mean to be intrusive but why did you name him Dvir?”

And the father explained that the first soldier killed in Gaza was named Dvir, and so they decided to name their new baby son after him.

Almost unable to speak, Dahlia said, “I’m that Dvir’s mother.”

Soon after, Dahlia met with the whole family and the baby’s mother. Observing the meeting of these two women, a reporter said to them, “This is an Israeli story par excellence.”

And both the women responded in unison, “No, it’s a Jewish story!”

We are one people. We are one family. We are singular, not plural. We were brought together in Egypt, and three thousand years later, in good times and bad, our bonds sustain us and give us the strength to overcome our adversaries.

May this Pesach bring real hope and true joy! L’Shana Haba B’Yerushelaim!

A Kosher and Frielachen Pesach!

Rabbi Levi, Chanie and the Wolff family

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The Central Synagogue

15 Bon Accord Ave. Bondi Junction, 2022

SEASON THREE 5775

For more information Call (02) 9355-4000 or centralsynagogue.com.au

1 APRIL 14

5 MAY 12

SOMETHING’S FISHY

CASH UP-FRONT

CRIPPLING INSECURITY

Always Consider the Source

Lessons from Contract Law

Never Doubt Yourself

We are taught not to shoot the messenger, but can we at least question his motives? Plenty of people seem to be wise and knowledgeable. Who can we trust? The rules of kosher fish tell us how to sort out the scholars from the swindlers.

When is a sale irrevocable?

When the buyer makes payment or when the goods are delivered? This engaging and lucid digest of Jewish sale-of-goods laws looks at everyday scenarios from a legal perspective—and, finally, from an unexpected spiritual perspective.

Do you ever worry about what people think about you?

Congratulations: You’re human. But we’ll see that low self-esteem has unforeseen consequences. It’s time to break old habits and begin to worry about what truly matters in life.

2 APRIL 21

6 MAY 19

IN DEFENSE OF CONSUMERISM

THE MORE THE MERRIER

THE JEWISH SPRING

Why Judaism Has 613 Commandments

How to Stage a Rebellion

The Benefits of Owning Lots of Stuff

9 JUNE 9

10 JUNE 16

613 is a very specific number. It is also the number of commandments that govern a Jew’s life. Our quest to understand the secret behind “613” takes us on a journey into the human body, the solar calendar, and the purpose of Jewish living.

If you’ve ever protested against power, this class is for you. Centuries ago, Moses was accused of nepotism and corruption. His response still rings true today. A refreshing look at what makes true leadership will reshape our view of our presidents and prime ministers.

3 APRIL 28

7 MAY 26

11 JUNE 23

WHEN NO MEANS GO

IN SEARCH OF THE EIGHTH NOTE

Minimalism? Bah! Live frugally? Not for me! Hold on to your possessions, because after this class, you’ll want to keep them even longer. A fresh perspective on ownership enables us to look at our iPads in a new light.

How Limits Help Us Go Further in Life

Lag BaOmer Class

TUESDAYS

8:00-9:00 p.m.

Shavuot Class

A Discussion on Music

JEWISH SPARKS What Happened When Moses Hit the Rock

Judaism would be a lot more popular if it didn’t have so many don’ts. Life itself is the same: Don’t eat so much; don’t drive so fast; don’t ignore bills.

But hidden in the ability to say “no” to some things is the privilege to say “yes” to others.

Go back in time to the great Levite choir and their enormous orchestra. Trace the development of Jewish music and its special place in history.

Learn about music’s tremendous power, and how we can make the most of its magic.

4 MAY 5

8 June 2

THE 49-STEP PROGRAM

STAND UP AND FIGHT

THE JOY OF JOY

Sefirah’s Seven-Week Plan for Personal Reform

Why Orthodoxy Is Not Complacency

The Wisdom of Balaam’s Donkey

Move over, Myers-Briggs.

There’s another detailed system for categorising our personalities and perceptions.

The sefirah method has been in use for millennia. Learn how to discover your sefirah type, how it affects you, and the best way to take advantage of it.

The allegation that Judaism demands unthinking, unquestioning obedience is false. Throughout history, we discover iconoclast Jews who challenged the religious status quo. Their spirit of Jewish creativity and initiative continues to this day.

This class is about happiness: not how to find it, but what it does for us. Life is filled with tasks that must get done. How we do them—passionately or begrudgingly—makes a world of difference. In fact, it is the secret to Jewish survival.

PESACH 5775 / 2015

When Moses hit a rock with a stick, he was punished by having his dreams destroyed.

Why? This exploration of Jewish justice soon leads into unexpected corners. We discover the one thing that G-d will never, ever tolerate—not even from Moses.

12 JUNE 30

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MESSAGE FROM RABBI DAVID FREEDMAN

FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM, FROM SUBSERVIENCE TO REDEMPTION

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n the Haggadah Shel Pesach just before we start reciting Hallel, we thank God for taking us from slavery to freedom (‫)מעבדות לחרות‬, from subservience to redemption (‫)משעבוד לגאולה‬.

BY RABBI DAVID FREEDMAN

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What, if any, is the difference between these two phrases?

Much earlier on in our Seder, at the end of avadim hayinu, we say that ‘had the Holy One Blessed be He, not brought our ancestors out of Egypt, then we, our children and our children’s children would still be enslaved to Pharaoh in Egypt’. But how so, since there is no Pharaoh in Egypt today, to whom are we referring when we suggest the possibility of our being eternally enslaved to Pharaoh in Egypt?!

Rabbi Shlomo Harkabi explains that had God not given us our freedom, but, instead, allowed Pharaoh to set us free — then we would forever have been indebted to Pharaoh!

We can use Rabbi Harkabi’s principle to understand that there are two stages in the attainment of freedom. The first and perhaps most obvious one is to be set free, which is the transition from slavery to freedom. However there is a more subtle second stage, which is to be completely freed from any connection to one’s previous situation, and instead be fully engaged with a new found sense of mission, purpose and commitment. This is what I understand to be the additional vital movement from ‘subservience’ to ‘redemption’.

In some ways, our modern world has brought us a type of freedom to which we are now enslaved. It has brought a ‘tyranny’ that is surprisingly controlling.

We have gone from slavery to freedom, but not yet moved from subservience to redemption!

I saw an article recently entitled The Tyranny of the Cell Phone, by Anthony N. DeMaria, MD. He related how he had just risen to speak, the audience was quiet, and his first slide was about to appear, when his mobile phone started to ring.

This immediately induced a laugh from the audience as he fumbled to get the phone out of his pocket and turn it off. In fact, so ingrained had the importance of the phone become that he instinctively peeked to identify the caller as he turned it off. As he apologised to the audience he wondered how this wireless communication as well as the internet had come to play such an important, and often controlling, part of his life.

Initially, he wrote, the mobile phone provided a sense of enormous freedom; just the ability to make or receive a call while in his car was an amazing experience and advantage. He felt reachable and connected in a way that he had never felt before.

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THE PENDULUM HAS OVER SWUNG, AND HAS GONE FROM MAKING ONE MORE EASILY REACHABLE TO TOO EASILY CONTACTABLE...

But he noticed, slowly but surely that he was spending more and more time talking on the telephone. Comments were increasingly made along the lines of — how had we ever lived without these devices?

Then came the smart phone. Now, one could carry not only one’s phone, calendar, and contact list, but also access the internet. Suddenly one could read e-mails and send and receive text messages wherever the cell phone was in range. One could almost instantaneously surf the web, access Google, and have most of the communication capabilities of one’s computer. The opportunity to be productive was unlimited.

But with this ‘freedom’ came a kind of enslavement. Its use has progressively encroached on daily life, resulting in an almost addictive state of needing to handle the phone at ever shorter intervals; waiting for the bus or train, walking along the street, driving the car, during commercial breaks on TV, between overs at the SCG, even when out for dinner with one’s partner! Clearly the role of the smart phone has, for many, gotten completely out of hand.

Certainly Joanna Lumley (of Absolutely Fabulous fame) thinks so, since she says that she will definitely not have a mobile phone because she does not want to feel like a servant summoned by a bell.

PESACH 5775 / 2015

And so, the mobile phone that started out to be such a wonderful and liberating development has now, sadly, become a scourge. The pendulum has over swung, and has gone from making one more easily reachable to too easily contactable. The e-mails that facilitated communication are now clogging it up. To a certain degree, the smart phone has gone from making life more effortless, to making it more stressful.

But the antidote is available to us, if we would but study Jewish sources. Holy days, like Shabbat and Yom Tov, demand that the phone be switched off; that when our husband, or wife, speaks to us, we listen; when our children crave our attention, we give it to them; and when God offers us the chance to pray to Him, we accept the offer without reservation, and most certainly without distraction.

Sometimes we imagine because Judaism was born thousands of years ago, that its ancient teachings are outdated and of little value – sitting round the Seder table, talking, singing, eating, laughing – communicating, proves that this is not the case. The old has become new again, the archaic has become seriously relevant.

May our respect for Jewish tradition, and our observance of Jewish ritual, help us on our modern day journey, not just from slavery to freedom but also from subservience to redemption!

With warmest wishes for a very happy, kosher, truly meaningful & inspiring Pesach.

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SCHLICHIM MESSAGE

SHALOM EVERYONE!

P

esach is a holiday of many names; one of them is the festival of liberty. In modern political and social philosophies liberties are usually associated with the individual, they are the freedoms and rights every man and woman has. Pesach provides a different approach to the idea of liberty, as it takes us all on a journey. Together.

BY SHACHAR AND AARON KALMAN

“MORE THAN 3300 YEARS AGO, LONG BEFORE THE MAYFLOWER, OUR PEOPLE LEFT EGYPT, AND EVERY JEW IN THE WORLD, WHEREVER HE IS, KNOWS WHAT DAY THEY LEFT...”

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The single person is important, but the collective experience of the family at the Seder Table and the nation all telling the story of the Exodus at the same time is great.

Since arriving at this wonderful Synagogue and warm community, we have tried to help connect everyone to this ongoing Jewish story. What started thousands of years ago when we left Egypt continues until today as Jews keep traditions alive and view Israel as the ultimate goal. It’s not a story that belongs to any individual – it’s a story that belongs, and shapes, all of us. It’s our story. The Jewish story.

Through the Kidz Club run every Friday night and Shabbat morning, we’ve had the privilege of teaching dozens and dozens of kids from the community. Our monthly SereTov Israeli Film Club has been running for over a year, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to gain a glimpse into contemporary Israeli society. Hineni’s activities and camps provide the opportunity for the next generation to take ownership of their Judaism and Zionism. When we teach at schools, Jewish and public, we educate hundreds of kids about our common heritage.

The classes, panels and community events that take place so often have allowed us to interact with many of you.

All these opportunities were (and continue to be) two-way streets, with us learning what it means to be Jewish and Zionist from everyone we encounter. For this we want to thank each and every one of you.

When David Ben Gurion was talking to the Peel Commission in 1936 about the pos-

sibility of creating a Jewish State in Israel, he said the following: “300 years ago, there came to the New World a boat, and its name was the Mayflower. The Mayflower’s landing on Plymouth Rock was one of the great historical events in the history of England and in the history of America. But I would like to ask any Englishman sitting here on the commission, what day did the Mayflower leave port? What date was it? I’d like to ask the Americans: do they know what date the Mayflower left port in England? How many people were on the boat? Who were their leaders? What kind of food did they eat on the boat?

“More than 3300 years ago, long before the Mayflower, our people left Egypt, and every Jew in the world, wherever he is, knows what day they left. And he knows what food they ate. And we still eat that food every anniversary. And we know who our leader was. And we sit down and tell the story to our children and grandchildren in order to guarantee that it will never be forgotten. And we say our two slogans: ‘Now we may be enslaved, but next year, we’ll be a free people.’ “... Now we are behind the Soviet Union and their prison. Now, we’re in Germany where Hitler is destroying us. Now we’re scattered throughout the world, but next year, we’ll be in Jerusalem. There’ll come a day that we’ll come home to Zion, to the Land of Israel. That is the nature of the Jewish people.”

Chag Kasher v’Same’ach – have a happy and Kosher holiday!

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SOULMARKET SYDNEY SNAPSHOT

THE MONTHS IN REVIEW ISRAELI ELECTIONS March 17 saw Israeli’s go to the polls for the 20th time in the country’s short history, after Benjamin Netanyahu decided to disband his government and the Knesset called for new elections. Almost 30 political parties competed for the public’s trust, debating issues of domestic economics, international diplomacy and quality of education. To everyone’s surprise Bibi Netenyahu roared back with 30 seats.

AUSTRALIA HOSTS WORLD CUP CRICKET TERROR STRIKES SYDNEY, THE FREE WORLD

The day before Jews around the world started celebrating Chanukah was a traumatic one for those living in Australia, when a gunman took people hostage at the Lindt Café at Martin Place. After a standoff that lasted for almost 24 hours, police stormed the place. Tragically, two hostages were killed in the attack.

The Sydney Siege, as it became known, highlighted the danger of extreme Islamist terror that has struck around the world in recent months. Symbols of freedom and liberty, as well as Jewish schools, shules and supermarkets, were the targets of terrorists in Paris, Copenhagen and Brussels.

SHABBAT PROJECT The last Shabbat of October, on which we read Parashat Noah, was one which Jewish people around the world will remember for a long time as hundreds of communities in dozens of countries joined forces to create the “Shabbat Project.” This initiative, started by South Africa’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Warren Goldstein, called about all Jews, of all backgrounds, to commemorate Shabbat together.

In Sydney, we had the honor of seeing multiple meals hosted in synagogues and on the streets; classes and talks given by a wide variety of speakers; and two massive events – a pre-Shabbat Challah baking evening and post-Shabbat Havdallah ceremony, each of which attracted thousands of people.

PESACH 5775 / 2015

The 2015 Cricket World Cup was hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with games played across both countries.

Here are some numbers to think about: 14 teams played 49 matches in 14 different venues, from Perth in the west to Christchurch in the east. In total, $10 million (USD) was divided among the teams, with the winner collecting just under $4 million!

ANCIENT GOLD FOUND OFF CAESAREA’S COAST February 2015 presented one of the most magnificent archeological finds in Israel’s history, when a group of six divers found a cache of 2,000 ancient gold coins (worth over $2 million USD!) on the seabed off the coast of Caesarea.

Dating as far back as 900CE, the coins were minted across the Mediterranean, and the find highlights that over 90% of the ancient complex of Caesarea has yet to be excavated. While many questions remain unanswered, one thing is clear: the divers who found the treasure acted not only legally but also morally, calling in the experts and making sure the treasure was treated properly.

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Passover Guide YOUR COMPREHENSIVE

The simple scoop Prepare your home— and your heart— with this handy guide of methods and meaning.

3–11 APRIL, 2015

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15–22 NISSAN, 5775

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THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU PASSOVER

CHAMETZ

All leavened foods that contain wheat, barley, oats, rye or spelt – are forbidden

by Torah law on Passover.

You’ll be surprised at where you can find chametz. So, look out for possible leavened products and isolate them in a designated “Chametz Closet.”

Rabbinic law allows one to sell the chametz (see next step).

Then clear the house of any possible remaining chametz: empty clothes’ pockets, vacuum cleaner bags, even the pet food goes into the Closet.

Since you’ll use a separate set of dishes for Passover, the chametz dishes get locked up too. Now stock up on Kosher-for-Passover items; for good leads on Passover foods check out www.ka.org.au

PREPARE TO CELEBRATE CHECKLIST

HOW TO SELL YOUR CHAMETZ

It is also forbidden to “own” chametz during Passover, hence, the annual sale of chametz. Sound complicated? It is, so ask your Rabbi to make the arrangements. Please contact the Shule office on (02) 93554000 for more information.

2/4 SEARCH FOR THE CHAMETZ

At nightfall begin the “formal search” of the house for chametz. Traditionally, we use a candle to light the way, a spoon (as a shovel), feather (as a broom) and a paper bag to collect any chametz found. After the search, place everything you found in a conspicuous place to be burned in the morning.

3/4 FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN

HAGGADAH

When G-d slew the firstborn of Egypt, he spared the firstborn sons of Israel.

Out of gratitude all firstborn sons fast on this day.

BITTER HERBS

BURNING OF THE CHAMETZ

MATZAH WINE

HARD BOILED EGG

In the morning burn all the chametz found during the previous night’s formal search.

ROASTED

MAKE IT LEGAL

CHAROSET

CHICKEN BONE

SALT WATER FESTIVE MEAL MENU

PESACH 5775 / 2015

After cleaning the house, and selling and burning the chametz, the head of the household says the appropriate prayers, verbally disowning any chametz that might have been overlooked.

READY TO

the 4 days of Chol Hamoed.

Considered Passover without the prohibition of work.

At sundown on 3/4 candles are lit. At nightfall the Seder begins. Be sure to eat Matzah and drink the four cups of wine.

9/4 THE SEVENTH DAY

SEDER 4/4 SEDER ROUND 2

Jews living outside of Israel hold a second Seder. Since the festival is already in full swing, the candles are lit after nightfall from a pre-existing flame.

On the second night of Passover we begin to count the Omer, which lasts for 49 days. What’s the Omer? In the Holy Temple the Omer was an offering of barley taken from the first grain of the new crop.

We count seven weeks, from the bringing of the first Omer offering (Passover) until the day we received the Torah (the Festival of Shavuot).

The 49 days between Passover and Shavuot represent the 49 steps of mystical self-purification and preparation our people went through between leaving egypt (Passover) and receiving the Torah (Shavuot).

6-9/4 CHOL HAMOED: FOUR “INTERMEDIATE DAYS”

In between the first two and last two days of Passover, are

At sundown light candles. This day marks the Miracle of the Splitting of the Sea and our total liberation from Egypt.

In commemoration, we stay up all night studying Torah.

10/4 THE LAST DAY

After nightfall light candles from a pre-existing flame.

This day, the final day of Passover, emphasizes an even higher level of freedom. It is dedicated to our imminent and Final Redemption.

11/4 FINAL HOURS

Yizkor memorial prayers are recited during services.

Following the custom of the Ba’al Shem Tov, Passover concludes with a “Feast of Moshiach”—a festive meal complete with Matzah and, yes, four cups of wine. It begins before sunset and is designed to greet Moshiach, offering us “a glimpse of the Messianic age.” Nightfall marks the official conclusion of Passover.

Wait an hour to give the Rabbi enough time to buy back your chametz and then, eat chametz to your heart’s content.

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Passover Seder The

JOIN OUR SEDER OR LEAD ONE AT HOME. EITHER WAY, LET IT BE THE MOST MEMORABLE AND MEANINGFUL PASSOVER EVER.

M

illennia before the Wii, an ancient desert tribe of mystics enacted the first multimedia educational experience. Beyond anything we have today, it reached deep into the human psyche in every way possible and all at once: Rich audio, dynamic visuals, spoken language and written text, even the visceral senses of taste, smell and touch.

It was intergenerational — involving all the family with something special for each one. It was customizable, adjustable to a spectrum of personalities. It was interactive, with role-playing and creative manipulation of materials. It was a whole-person experience, developing a sense of inner freedom within all who participated.

But its most fascinating aspect was that every detail was firmly grounded in the mystical teachings of an esoteric tradition. Each step had not just a body, but a soul as well — a simple meaning as well as a deep lesson towards higher consciousness.

Its success has been awe-inspiring. No ritual has survived so long and so true to its original form. No lesson has affected humankind with such impact, propagating the values of human dignity, liberty and the search for higher meaning to every society it has reached. To this day, in every corner of the world, Jewish families come together to reconstruct that original Passover Seder, again and again, year after year. And every year, there is more to learn. Join us or try it at home, either way, make this the most memorable and meaningful Passover ever.

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THE HAGGADAH: YOUR FRIENDLY GUIDE The Seder is a time to retell the story of the Exodus and the history of our nation’s birth, but also much more. The observances at the Seder table allow one to actually re-experience a modern day Exodus; facilitating one’s own spiritual rebirth and empowering each man, woman and child with a renewed sense of inner freedom and spiritual resolve.

The Passover Haggadah, which records the Seder’s narrative, says that in each generation man must see himself as if he had personally gone out of Egypt. Judaism teaches that Egypt and the nefarious Pharaoh symbolize the negative forces that constrict man. The slavery in Egypt represents the emotional and psychological shackles that confine and enslave the human spirit, constraining one’s ability to live up to his or her fullest spiritual potential. If there was ever a paradox it is this: that on Passover eve, the night that freedom was born, we experience freedom by following a sequence of fifteen defined and ordered steps. We call it the Seder or “Order.” As you relive slavery and liberation, the Haggadah will tell you exactly where you are, when, and why. Whether you’re a true believer, a diehard skeptic, an innocent bystander or the guy who doesn’t even notice anything out of the ordinary, the Haggadah speaks to you. It even speaks to kids (especially your inner child), filled with customs that make the Seder stimulating. You can download a copy at passover.net/haggadah.

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THE SEDER PLATE

ZEROAH (SHANKBONE):

MAROR (BITTER HERBS/ HORSERADISH):

The bitterness of suffering in Egypt is brought to the table with Maror.

The Paschal Lamb is represented by the Zeroah.

Mystical tradition replaces the shank bone with a roasted chicken neck that is not eaten, as a reminder that although we approach freedom during the Seder, our ultimate freedom is soon to come with the Final Redemption.

BEITZAH (EGG)

The egg symbolizes the Festival Offering made on Passover in the ancient Holy Temple.

THE THREE MATZOT THE BREAD OF FAITH

Our ancestors displayed the deepest levels of faith when they followed G-d into the desert with such haste that there wasn’t even time for the bread they had baked to rise.

The three matzot represent the entire Jewish people — the priests, the tribe of Levi, and the rest of Israel. In keeping with the mystical tradition, “Shmurah Matzah” is used.

Shmurah Matzah is made of flour that has been carefully isolated from any contact with water, from harvest through grinding and kneading, at controlled facilities, making it very kosher for Passover.

THE FOUR CUPS OF WINE

The cups represent four stages toward freedom: “I will release you… I will save you…

I will liberate you…

I will take you unto me as a nation” (Exodus 6:6-7).

FIRST CUP—physical removal from the land of Egypt (“I will release you”); SECOND CUP—liberation

from intellectual and spiritual slavery (“I will save you”);

THIRD CUP—creation of

a people forever immune to permanent slavery (“I will liberate you”);

KARPAS (VEGETABLE)

Egypt crushed our ancestors’ spirits with senseless, backbreaking drudgery. A vegetable, usually an onion, potato or parsley is dipped in saltwater and eaten so we may taste their tears of anguish.

PESACH 5775 / 2015

CHAZERET (ROMAINE LETTUCE):

The initial stages of exile were pleasant, yet soon the injustices of slavery became overwhelming.

So too, the first taste of chazeret is mild, but soon the taste of its bitter root becomes dominant.

CHAROSET (MIXTURE OF FRUITS & NUTS) As slaves we used mortar – symbolized

by Charoset – to make bricks that formed structures which we erected.

MOSAIC ARTWORK BY MICHOEL MUCHNIK

FOURTH CUP—G-d’s acceptance of Israel as His chosen people and the granting of the Torah at Sinai (“I will take you unto me as a nation”).

Also, the Children of Israel had four great merits even while in exile: (1) They did not change their Hebrew names; (2) they continued to speak their own language, Hebrew; (3) they remained highly moral; (4) they remained loyal to one another.

A FIFTH CUP of wine, a special

Cup of Elijah, is filled after the Seder’s blessing Grace After Meal. The soul of the spiritually immortal Elijah the Prophet visits every Jewish home on Seder night, and this one’s symbolically for him.

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Foods of Freedom

BY URI LAIO

O

n Pesach we are commanded not to eat any leavened bread or even to own any leaven (Shemos 12:15).

Some people don’t eat any processed food during Pesach for fear that a small amount of leaven might have inadvertently entered the food production process.

But what is leaven exactly? The leaven of Pesach is yesteryear’s yeast, or as Henry David Thoreau described it in Walden, “[T]he soul of bread, the spiritus which fills its cellular tissue.”

More accurately, leaven is yeast and bacteria in the form of a wet, bubbly mixture of flour and water used to make traditional leavened bread, or what we today refer to as sourdough. Coincidentally, the ancient Hebrew word for leaven is “se’or,” which sounds very similar to the word “sour.”

However, it is interesting that the yeast which ferments dough into leavened bread is basically the same yeast that turns grape juice into wine. Yet leavened bread is forbidden during Pesach, while fermented grape juice (i.e. wine) is an essential element of the Pesach Seder. (Indeed, the consequence of eating leavened bread during Pesach is spiritual excision, while drinking fermented grape juice at the Seder is a mitzvah from the Rabbis.)

As an avid fermentation hobbyist, having a deeper understanding of bread and wine helps me understand this difference.

Leaven is constantly bubbling as the yeast within it metabolizes the simple sugars in the mixture into carbon dioxide. Bread dough holds in these bubbles, and this is what causes bread to rise. On Pesach, we approach this air-filled bread as a metaphor for our own egos, while the flat matzah represents humility. There is a well-known phrase from the opening of Koheles (1:2): “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” In Hebrew, the word for vanity (hevel) also means breath or breeze, emphasizing the connection between vanity and airiness. On Passover, we try to rid ourselves completely of any self-serving ego.

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On the other hand, the winemaking process is a process of refinement. Yeast produces carbon dioxide bubbles during the wine fermentation process as well, but those bubbles escape. What remains is a cultured drink, much more complex and refined than the original grape juice. For this reason, our sages teach that the four glasses of wine we drink at the Pesach Seder are in memory of the four phrases of redemption that G-d used when taking us out of Egypt. Out of these four phrases, wine is

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love

A LETTER TO MY WICKED SON especially connected to the fourth when G-d said, “I will take you to Me as a People.” The fulfillment of this level of redemption only came about at the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, an event for which we had to prepare and refine ourselves.

Paradoxically, the same yeast affects both the bread and the wine, but engenders a totally different change. And perhaps this is the message.

Our sages teach that we have a powerful energy within us, which naturally pushes us in the direction it wishes to go. If we feed into it, we end up with a bloated ego.

If, on the other hand, we use this energy for our own self-refinement, THE SAME we develop fine character traits and we merit YEAST that the Torah should AFFECTS be given to each one of us personally.

BOTH THE This message is fitting when we look BREAD AND deeper into the role of THE WINE, BUT leavened bread and the chagim.

ENGENDERS If bread is bad and A TOTALLY represents an inflated ego, why does the Torah DIFFERENT require two loaves of leavened bread to be CHANGE... offered in the Temple in Jerusalem on Shavuos – only 50 days after Pesach? Because Shavuos commemorates the giving of the Torah, which corresponds to the fourth phrase of redemption, “I will take you to Me as a People.” On Shavuos, the bread is synonymous with self-refinement to the point that even the ego itself has been refined and is now used for holiness.

This Pesach, may we experience our own personal redemption from any and all parts of ourselves which hold us back from achieving our full potential. May our personal redemption lead to the full and final collective redemption of our people with the coming of Moshiach very soon.

PESACH 5775 / 2015

BY RABBI SHAIS TAUB

T

he Haggadah is a love story. Not just any love story, but the story of G-d finding His people. It’s our love story. And if you read the Haggadah like that, it takes on new meaning.

What’s a good romance without food? Especially a Jewish one.

At some point, we have to go out for a bite. So, as we tell our love story, we mention this detail, and there are various reactions.

The wicked son says, “What is this service to you?”

What is the “service” that he doesn’t feel like he’s part of?

The eating of the paschal lamb, the matzos, the bitter herbs, the four cups. He’s mocking this part of the story – the part where we go out for a meal. It seems so mundane to him that we would mention this detail.

In relationships its like the husband who enjoys the poetry and the big picture but can’t be bothered with the mundane details.

So, we “blunt his teeth.” We tell him, “What were teeth made for other than to go out for a bite with our Beloved?”

Relationships thrive on bite size acts. Small gestures and basic tasks.

And then, of course, we explain: “The only reason you mock this is because you think it’s not your love story, too! You think it only happened to us and not to you. So you’re bored hearing which restaurant we went to on our date. In Egypt, those who didn’t identify with

the love story stayed behind.

But in the coming redemption through Moshiach, everyone will eventually get it.”

Consider the numerical value of the Hebrew word for teeth “shinav” is 366. The Hebrew word for wicked is “Rasha” is 570. When you subtract the “Teeth” from the “Wicked” that is 366 subtracted from 570, you get 204, which is the numerical value of the hebrew word “tzadik” righteous.

In the future redemption our true innocence and righteousness will be apparent.

We will all know that this story is about us – not just the miracles and the wonders of the story, but even the little details, like the foods that we eat.

Indeed, as we read shortly after finishing this section about the Four Sons, the time for telling our story is when the matzah and maror foods are sitting in front us.

So this year, read the Haggadah as your story. A personal love letter from the creator of heaven and earth who personally comes to get you out of Pharaoh’s grip. You may find a lot of love in the small details.

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10

Shocking Facts about Passover

BY SHIRA GOLD

1

The taste of the Matzah. I’m always shocked that the family who prides themselves on their culinary skills will serve me a dry Matzah. Matzah is flat and tasteless. We don’t dress it up with spices.

But there is a reason why matzah isn’t about the flavor.

Because matzah is about commitment. That’s why it is the most important Passover item. We can talk all night and have a beautiful Seder, but if we don’t physically eat the matzah, then we’re like a husband who writes love poems to his wife... but won’t wash the dishes!

And you can’t just wash one dish as a symbolic gesture.

You have to wash all the dishes! We don’t take a nibble of matzah. We eat a full portion. It’s an act of commitment, and it’s the most important part of Passover.

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PASSOVER ALMOST DID NOT HAPPEN: MOSES’ BIRTH WAS VERY POSSIBLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN...

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G-d doesn’t call it Passover! G-d calls the holiday Chag Hamatzot, or Festival of Matzah because that’s what is notable to Him. When He thinks about this holiday, He thinks about how the Jews followed Him out into the desert with inadequate provisions. They just picked up and followed him. They showed pure trust. So if you ask G-d what the holiday is, He says it’s called Chag Hamatzot.

But if you ask Jews what the holiday is called, we say it’s called Pesach, which literally means Passover. Why? Because to us, the story is not about us or what we did.

It’s about what G-d did. How He passed over the Jewish homes when slaying the Egyptian firstborn. And we are still thankful for that.

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Passover almost did not happen. You see, the parents of Moses had been separated due to Pharaoh’s decree of “all newborn male babies shall be thrown into the Nile.” Moses’ birth was very possibly not going to happen. But the real shocker comes next.

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The Talmud records that the person who pursuaded Moses’ parents to get back together (allowing the leader of our people a chance to be born) was a little girl. You read that correctly.

Moses’ older sister, Miriam, was a child when she told her separated parents that “you are worse than Pharaoh who has decreed against the boys. You have decreed against the boys and the girls.” So they got back together and gave birth to Moses.

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Moses was raised by his own mother. Some people are surprised to find out that Moses wasn’t raised in Pharaoh’s house. Did I get you confused?

Didn’t you read that the daughter of Pharaoh pulled Moses from the water and raised him? Well, that’s true, but since Moses would not nurse from an Egyptian and “coincidently” his sister was nearby, she offered to find the perfect woman to nurse him. That perfect wet-nurse was his mother, and she actually raised Moses in her own home until he was a young boy.

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The Jews kept Shabbat in Egypt. Really? Yes, while still a young man in Pharaoh’s palace Moses told Pharaoh that slaves need a break or they will snap. Moses gave a great suggestion: Why not give them one day a week to rest, and how about Saturday?

Drum roll please... Pharaoh said: Fine!

PESACH 5775 / 2015

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Not all Jews were slaves in Egypt. The Levites were not enslaved, which explains how Moses and Aaron could walk in and out of Pharaoh’s office without having any slave duty to run back to.

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Nine of the ten plagues were for the Jews. Think about this: If G-d wanted to get the Jews out of Egypt, He could have started with the 10th plague of the death of firstborns. Pharaoh, being a firstborn himself, was ready to cooperate when it came to that one. So why the need for the nine earlier ones? That’s the shocker—the Jews were so convinced of the Egyptian power and way of life that G-d had to break Egypt in front of the Jews. It took nine plagues to prove to the Jews that G-d is the true source of their sustenance. Sometimes you need to get out of Egypt, and sometimes you need to get the Egypt out of you! Apparently the latter is nine times harder.

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Did you know that most Jews wanted to stay in Egypt? I was shocked to read that four out of five Jews chose the hardship of slavery over the unknown road to freedom.

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The Passover Seder commemorates an event that happened to our great-grandparents more than 3300 years ago. Can you name a single family anywhere that eats a specific food today because of an event that their grandparents participated in 3300 years ago? And it’s got to be the same food. Sometimes I’m shocked at the amazing survival of our people.

Like we read in the Haggadah: “In every generation they rise up against us, but G-d saves us from their hands.” So, this year while reading about the miracles in Egypt and at the Sea of Reeds, look around and think about how you reading about those miracles is in itself a miracle. Happy Passover.

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VOICES

A SURVIVOR

SANYI (ALEX) LOWY

BY ANTHONY, BOB, MICHAEL AND NICKY

S

anyi was born in the little village of Filakovo in Czechoslovakia on the 13th of October 1921, the eldest of four children born to Hugo and Ilona Lowy. Even though his family life was essentially very happy, life itself was tough from the very outset.

The family was extremely poor and devoutly religious. Many was the day that Sanyi returned home with a bloodied nose, a legacy of his Jewishness

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and the fact that he wore both cap and paiyes.

At the age of 12, Sanyi was sent alone to Nitra to the Yeshiva, where he

was to learn much about the Jewish religion and its customs. This knowledge remains with him to this very day, and he often expresses his very wise opinions as to the origins of certain festivals, customs and Jewish history. Regrettably, it was almost as if he was in training for what was to come a few years later, as at that early age, with no money, and no regular accommodation, he was often forced to fend for himself in terms of a warm bed, and something to eat. Boys of that age were given “eating days� at various different families during the week, but if the family were absent then that meant neither food nor accommodation for that particular night. Many a night was spent in the hay of a chicken coop.

Thus he became accustomed to coldness, hunger, and the loneliness of being away from his family.

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HE HAS BECOME THROUGH HIS HARD WORK, INDUSTRY, LOVE AND AFFECTION, THE PATRIARCH OF A HUGE AND GROWING FAMILY.

At the age of 16, Sanyi returned to the village where he had been born, and commenced the trade of a glazier. Within four years he was taken to Nazi labour camps where he endured extreme hardships and virtual starvation. He has often said that many people who were not accustomed to this Spartan life passed away very quickly.

In 1944 as if the labour camps were not bad enough, he was to spend the next 12 months in Matthausen, a living hell on earth, where the atrocities and cruelty that he witnessed were and remain beyond belief. Thankfully, he was rescued by the Americans on “the last day of my life”. Even though he was only 24 years of age he weighed only 50 kilos and his hair had turned completely white as a result of lack of nutrition.

Not only that, but he then proceeded

PESACH 5775 / 2015

to walk back to his home village from Austria, a distance of many hundreds of kilometres. Even as he endured this difficult walk home, he was nearly killed on numerous occasions by “friendly” Russian occupiers who had no greater love for Jews than the people they replaced.

In 1949, Sanyi came to Australia, and a whole new life unfolded. After years of financial struggle, Sanyi established an extremely successful shoe importing business and became as he describes as “an achiever”. He has become through his hard work, industry, love and affection, the patriarch of a huge and growing

family. He is the father of four children, Anthony, Bob, Michael and Nicky, and friend of Leonie. The grandfather of 9, and the great grandfather of 11. He is much loved and admired not only for his wisdom and his “never say die” attitude to life, but for the manner in which he approaches life. He is kind and compassionate, and has been a wonderful husband, brother, father and grandfather to the entire family.

We look forward to many more years together with him.

A true survivor in every sense.

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VOICES

A SOLDIER’S SEDER ON THE LEBANESE BORDER

BY AARON KALMAN

Originally published as a blog on The Times of Israel

W

e parked the jeeps at one of our usual spots, near Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, and took out our food. While we had eaten many of our meals along our patrol route in the weeks before, that night was different from all other nights.

It was the first night of Passover, and we — 12 Israeli soldiers — were preparing to conduct our Seder. Years later, that night remains one of the most thoughtful experiences I went through in the army.

The kitchen had worked extra hard to provide us with not only decent, but really good food for the occasion.

Though we had hoped to sit down for the festive dinner at our dining room on base, a decision made by the regional

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commander that day dictated that as many soldiers as possible be outside, protecting the Israeli villages and families living only metres away from the border fence.

So the food in the kitchen was packed into large, disposable aluminum trays and loaded onto the armoured jeeps. Along with the food were small, individual Seder-sets (provided by the IDF’s rabbinate), each containing a Hagada — the book from which the

story of Passover is recited — some grape juice and a miniature Seder plate; all the essentials needed to perform the rituals and customs of the holiday meal.

In full uniform, combat gear at hand and the radio low but audible, we were ready for a night that would answer the question “How is this night different from other nights?” without too much difficulty.

Then they turned to me. My soldiers looked at me, waiting — not because I was in command (the staff sergeant was there, in charge) but because of the 12 of us, I was the only one who wore a kippa and defined himself as religious. They wanted me to lead the Seder.

To me, the night of Passover is an inclusive one. It’s the night we read

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about the making of Israel as a nation during the exodus from Egypt. The Seder opens with an invitation to anyone who is hungry to “come eat with us.”

Toward the end of the meal we invite Eliyahu Hanavi — Elija the Prophet — to join us.

The holiday isn’t only about welcoming others, it’s also about tradition from within. Jews all over the world celebrate the holiday, each family has its own customs, people relate to different parts of the story, to the different messages and ideas.

I told them I’d read the parts no one else wanted to read -but that our Seder would be one where anyone who wanted to participate could do so; It would be an event of multiple traditions and ideas.

Before starting, I turned to the drivers of the armored jeeps, three Druze soldiers. It will take some time before we eat, I told them, suggesting that they put a plate together and enjoy the food while it was still hot.

I figured they weren’t Jewish and didn’t need to wait for dinner, reminding them that if, G-d forbid, something happened, we would be contacted and the meal postponed — possibly for hours.

“We’re here with you, we’ll eat with you and ask the four questions with you,” said one of the drivers — a man in his 30s who was in the IDF as a career soldier. It gave a new meaning to the parts of the Passover story in which we talk about the ger, the stranger who lives in our midst. So we started the Seder.

Twelve soldiers in the IDF — Jewish and Druze, new immigrants and Israeli-born, Ashkenazim and Sepharadim — turned the jeep’s searchlights toward the front of the vehicles and placed the packed food and drink on the engine’s hood.

We started reading from the Hagada, taking turns by going around in a circle.

At my request, whoever knew a tune for one of the passages or remembered something his family used to say or do

PESACH 5775 / 2015

Aaron in army operational gear (top left), and his official army portrait (above).

Soldiers enjoy matzot on base during Pesach (left).

IN FULL UNIFORM, COMBAT GEAR AT HAND AND THE RADIO LOW BUT AUDIBLE, WE WERE READY FOR A NIGHT THAT WOULD ANSWER THE QUESTION “HOW IS THIS NIGHT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER NIGHTS?”

at the Seder table would share it with the rest of us.

One shared a custom from his secular Kibbutz’s Seder, another told us of his grandfather’s Passovers celebrated in secret in the USSR. A tune from a soldier of Tunisian descent was sung, and then the same passage was sung to a different tune by a French immigrant.

After completing the longest part of the Seder and reading the Hagada (in a relatively short time) we moved on to eat.

The food wasn’t hot anymore, but it was still warm. Potatoes, meat, chicken, vegetables, salads and, of course Matza — there was an abundance of food, more

than enough to satisfy everyone’s large appetite.

It was inclusive, it was traditional and it was special. Also, it struck me in retrospect, it was something thousands of other soldiers probably went through over the years; it was an experience more “ours” than “mine.”

At the end of the night we reached the closing saying, “Next year in Jerusalem.” I thought of my family, at home, and of the fact that people from such different backgrounds had gathered together — around jeeps and a take-away IDF dinner, — in a partial fulfillment of that generation old statement.

23

VOICES FROM OUR

YOUTH

f o s e c n e i r Expe

l e a r Is o T y d u t S ISRAEL STUDY TOUR (IST)

I

WRITTEN BY BRAD KARNEY

n mid November 2014, the IST congregation, including 106 students and many mads and teachers took off on a life changing experience. From Sydney airport we made our way towards one of the darkest places any Jewish person should go.

After having one of the most emotional and intense weeks of my life in Poland, visiting places including concentration camps and child cemeteries, we finally made our way to the holiest land of them all: Israel.

An uplifting feeling tingled in every single person as the plane landed in Ben-Gurion airport. Learning and acquiring that strong Israeli culture, after 5 weeks of living in Israel we really felt that we are a part of something more than just the Jewish community of the eastern suburbs of Sydney. During these 5 incredible and memorable weeks, we visited many different areas and cities of Israel including Jerusalem, Eilat, Zefat, and the list goes on. Whether it was bike riding in the Hulla Valley or participating in water sports in Eilat, each place and activity was more exciting and enlightening then the last. The IST experience is a journey that I recommend to any person attending Moriah college and I feel that every student should be given the opportunity to experience and live it.

24

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

l r u To

SHABBOS IN ISRAEL WRITTEN BY HANNAH ROSMARIN FRIDAY

A

s soon as our feet landed on the cobble stone streets of Tsfat, the spiritual energy was palpable. We walked to an open landing that overlooked the Biriya. Here we were told the story of Tsfat’s incredible history, making us appreciate the importance of the city as a centre of Jewish thought and religious development.

We then split up into boys and girls. I can only tell you of the experience the girls had, however from what I have heard from the boys, they went to an artist who created shtenders, a stand much like a lecturn or bimah with numerous compartments and features.

They reported back about the experience with amazement, having thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Us girls went to a mikvah. We did not physically go into the mikvah and submerge ourselves in the purifying water, as we are not yet married women, however we had a talk and a tour of the mikvah building. Many of us found the story of Natalie, our speaker, very relatable.

She used to be a party girl who had multiple guy friends, however, she went on a trip to Brooklyn that changed her life. She had always enjoyed life but felt it was devoid of meaning, however after this trip, her eyes were opened to the culture of religiosity and spirituality. She very

PESACH 5775 / 2015

quickly became interested in learning about this more committed way of Judaism and after a few short months had become religious. She met her husband through a shidduch, and despite her unobservant past, refrained from having physical contact with him until the day of their wedding. Natalie is now a makeup artist and public speaker about women in Judaism.

Through sharing her story, she enlightened us about the concept of shomer negiah and the power it can have on sustaining a healthy marriage in the long run as well as sharing with us the ritual of the mikvah. Then we were taken on a tour of the mikvah before engaging in a meditation activity. I think I can speak on behalf of every single girl and say that hearing Natalie speak was one of the most interesting and special talks of our lives.

We then met back up as a whole group and

25

were given time to get some authentic Israeli food of falafel and shawarma! Most of us also took the time to walk around the markets and look at the beautiful jewellery and art that Tsfat had to offer.

After a long walk up a hill we found ourselves at our hotel with 2 hours to get ready for Shabbat (much to the excitement of most of the girls). The girls lit candles to welcome in the Shabbat before we all walked to shule.

Splitting up into two groups, we crammed into packed little shules to daven — this alone was an incredible and individual experience as most of us had never been in such full synagogues before. However, as we were so cramped, the whole group met up again in the middle of the Tsfat streets to daven maariv — another unique and unforgettable experience! The Jewish pride we felt was incomparable to anything I have ever felt. And as we danced in circles and sang

S

Shabbos songs together, we all imagined standing in the middle of Military road and praying.

But as unfathomable as that thought was, here we were standing in the middle of the main street in Tsfat praying!

After a beautiful Shabbat dinner, we sat down to hear one of the most inspiring rabbis speak, Rav Johnny! He shared the story of how he found religiosity and connected too many of us on a deep level when he revealed how he came to appreciate the laws of shomer negiah.

Every single person was completely engaged in his talk and I think that everyone walked away either inspired by his message or with a new found appreciation for touch.

The rest of the night was filled with talks to friends, madrichim or teachers. I think I can safely say that today was an unforgettably meaningful day and one of the most enjoyable days of our trip thus far.

SATURDAY

habbas morning, our one-day to have a longer sleep and a leisurely wake up followed by a scenic walk through the beautiful streets of Tsfat to get to shule.

We prayed with the locals in the Ari Hakadosh’s beautifully old shule where we were told of a miraculous story that took place on the very bimah of that shule! We then went up onto a roof top balcony that overlooked the new city of Tsfat. Walking back to the hotel to have Shabbat lunch followed by free time.

Many people engaged in optional shiurim and discussions with madrichim, Rabbi Jonny and Daliah, Rabbi Benji. Jonty and Abi. Many even babysat the adorably delightful children that joined us for Shabbat! Some people went on a stroll through the spiritually uplifting streets of Tsfat one last time before Shabbos came out.

We had seudat shlishit, followed by a gorgeous message shared by our special Shabbos guest Daliah! We broke out into a spontaneous tisch before saying goodbye to the Sabbath through

26

a ruach filled havdallah service.

We were all sad to say goodbye to our special Shabbos guests, Rabbi Jonny, Daliah and their beautiful children. However, as soon as Shabbos came out we headed out to a restaurant for dinner. There we had a delicious Italian meal of pizza, pasta, salads, and ice cream.

After exploring the waterfront of Tiberius, we then embarked on a boat on the Kineret.

With perfect crisp weather and music pumping, we erupted into song and dance, having an unbelievable post-Shabbos boat party filled with ruach fuelled by the spirit of the city of Tiberias. Having danced, partied, drummed on bongos and sang together, the boat pulled ashore and the most exciting evening drew to a close.

What a great way to end off our first of many Shabbatot in Israel!

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

VOICES

THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED

BY ADAM KOVKIN

O

n the 3rd of November 2012 I attended a Motorcycle Charity Event to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Foundation. Each year over 2000 participants gather in Thredbo NSW for a mass ride through the Snowy Mountains. This particular day conditions were ideal as I set off in the morning with my group.

I was riding along and enjoying the scenery when I entered a steep bend….

And that’s all I remember. I know now that I came off my bike at high speed, left the road and hit a tree. My life had just changed forever.

Along with two co-riders (which included my ever faithful mate), a third rider who was unknown to me stopped to render assistance. He placed me in the recovery position and established

PESACH 5775 / 2015

my breathing while waiting for medical help. He assisted for forty five minutes until the Care Flight Helicopter arrived and flew me to Canberra hospital. The medical crew in the helicopter said that if not for the quick actions of this man, I probably would have died at the scene.

I learned later that this divine hero was an off duty fireman who had completed first aid emergency trauma training just one week earlier.

In hospital, I was placed in a medically induced coma, in critical condition.

My wife left our three kids at home, my Melbourne family jumped on a plane from Melbourne, and all immediately came to Canberra. They did not leave my bedside for the duration of my hospital stay. All our wonderful family and close friends stepped into action (as our community does so well), caring for and organising the children.

A week after my accident, my sister-in-law contacted a very dear friend (a member of The Central Synagogue), regarding the mezuzah on my front door. He contacted his close friend, Rabbi Yehuda Niasoff as he felt Yehuda was the man for the job.

Yehuda immediately contacted Shlomo Israel (Sydney’s scribe / Sofer) and within hours they were in the car with my friend, driving around in search of mezuzot. After collecting what was required, a team of Rabbis were in my home fixing mezuzot and saying prayers.

Not long after, I opened my eyes for the first time.

Last year Yehuda’s father passed away and I was asked by my friend to attend the minyan with him. Upon completion of prayers, I sat with Yehuda and some of his closest family/friends to talk about life. What started out sad and sombre turned into a mood of hope, happiness and positivity. This was a special time for me.

After a long time of recovery, it was my son Riley’s Bar Mitzvah. Yehuda taught him his parsha, B’reishit and Rabbi Wolff welcomed all my family to his home for a beautiful family lunch.

The Bar Mitzvah day at Central was a highlight of my life. There I proudly stood a husband, father, son, brother and friend, fortunate enough to share this experience with The Central Synagogue community, who I consider family too.

A lot of people prayed for my recovery. I am grateful every day that I am here to thank them.

27

TRIBUTES

A RICH LEGACY

MARIKA WEINBERGER OAM

M

arika Weinberger OAM came to be widely recognised as the voice of the survivors within the Jewish community and beyond — her voice, their voice was clear and firm, courageous and unflinching, demanding justice and compassion.

She was shaped by circumstances that we hope never to see again.

Marika, our mother, was not yet seventeen when she was liberated from Malchow on 2 May 1945. She survived with her sister, Duci, and her maternal aunt Olga after they had watched, uncomprehending, as her mother and two grandmothers walked to the gas chambers after the trackside selection on arrival at Auschwitz in June 1944. On return to Kosice, the three found only one surviving relative, Marika’s paternal uncle, Peter; Marika’s beloved father had perished as had the entire extended family. Despite the loss of her home and family and the widespread loss of faith around her, Marika cleaved to her own sense of her G-d and attended Shabbat services on her own. That rock-steady faith was integral to her character all her days.

In Glowen a fellow prisoner, clearly a great optimist, once promised, “When we get out of here, I have a boy for you.”

She was as good as her word and correct in her assessment — Marika and Alex were married in March 1946. Their early marriage was beset with turmoil — the need to escape from communist rule in 28

Czechoslovakia, the subsequent sojourn in Paris as refugees and the close contact there with so many lost souls — but in April 1948 the arrival of their first child, a daughter, Kathy, set them on a course for stability, to reclaim their heritage for their child.

The values which our mother learned in her childhood home were intact — it had been a Jewish home solidly founded on religious observance, the practice of charity, an unshakeable belief in education both Jewish and secular, a strong sense of justice for all and a commitment to family and community.

On arrival in Australia, despite a serious lack of funds, they signalled their identity: they joined Margaret Street shule in Brisbane: they bought an elaborate silver candelabrum for their Shabbat table; and they made a significant donation to Israel. Together they undertook English classes, worked in their furniture business and participated in Jewish life: Alex taught in the Sunday school and joined B’nai B’rith, Marika joined WIZO. They became Australian citizens and consolidated

their status by producing an Australian daughter, Yvonne, in October 1954.

They believed absolutely that we must not betray those who perished but ensure that we never stop teaching and learning in order to be the best we can be as Jews and human beings. Their guidance extended beyond family; they felt keenly a sense of responsibility for the next generations — our father who served as Vice President in this very shul, taught post-Bar Mitzvah and adult education classes and further afield put much energy into the Jewish education of all who sought to gain from his prodigious Jewish knowledge, gained in yeshivah in Munkacs.

It was in 1985, together with many hitherto silent survivors, that they opened a new chapter of their lives when they joined the Survivors’ association. Together, driven by their passion

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

Marika Weinberger OAM and her husband Alex

for education, they worked tirelessly with others for the establishment of the Sydney Jewish Museum which opened its doors in November 1992.

In 1990, Marika was elected President of the Association. This was an unusual step for a woman who had always modelled her belief that the husband is the public figure, the wife his helpmeet, but in this position, which she held with distinction for nine years, she enjoyed Alex’s enthusiastic encouragement. He read with her, debated with her, challenged and advised her; he discussed policy and principle with her and he vetted every speech.

When Alex, our father, passed away in July 1994, our mother initially staggered under the burden, but bravely honoured her promise to him to continue her work; Alex was no longer at her side but the partnership contin-

PESACH 5775 / 2015

ued as she applied the values they had always shared and the principles they had set for themselves. People who worked with Marika will remember that she expected them to participate fully, be active beyond the meetings and to remember at all times their sense of purpose.

Her life was busy, but Shabbat and Yomtov were always celebrated; her flat was small, but her table was large, formal and elegantly set with love and care for all her family and friends, just as her own mother’s had been. Her love for Israel was expressed in the blue and white theme she invariably chose.

Family included her mechutonim and her niece, Vivienne, and her family. It was a table at which all discussion was tied to Jewish values, just as she and Alex had known at home. She was intimately involved with her grandchildren

as they grew to adulthood and beyond.

She was proud and overjoyed to become the great-grandmother of five but most reassured that they could look forward to growing up as full citizens in a free and just society — an opportunity denied her despite the great hopes for the newly emerged Republic of Czechoslovakia.

Marika’s love of Australia was unbounded; she was grateful for the refuge but she loved it for its opportunity and equality, its justice and decency.

When she was selected to carry the torch for the Sydney Paralympics in 2000 she took it so seriously that she even went for a practice run beforehand and was gratified but not surprised to have her grandchildren as her cheer squad. The following year, she was honoured to receive an OAM which she accepted on behalf of her constituents, the Survivors. The award ceremony was held only a few days short of the fifty-first anniversary of her own arrival in Sydney Harbour aboard the Surriento with Alex and Kathy.

It was immediately prior to major surgery in early 2011 that our mother decided to move into the Montefiore Home in Randwick. Despite her frailty she maintained her work as far as she was able but gradually relinquished her positions on the Boards of the Survivors’ Association and the Museum.

She passed away peacefully, aged 86 at St Vincent’s Hospital on 22 December 2014.

She left us, her family and community, a rich legacy. We will certainly not see her like again.

29

“HUMANS OF MY DAY” FROM RABBI LEVI WOLFF’S FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

As a Rabbi I meet many people, each with a unique story, each with a tale that carries rare inspiration. Much more than I can give, I receive in return. To capture these wonderful tales that I meet in my day, I started a Facebook post called “Humans of my Day.” These are the stories ...

KHIRA EISENBERG MERVYN LEVINE “I suffered a terrible stroke this year; it paralysed half my body (I couldn’t even hold my head upright). Yet each Friday afternoon my entire family (including the 9 granddaughters) would come to my hospital to wheel my wheelchair out to the garden. They sang the Kiddush to me, enjoyed a Shabbos meal with challah, Kippot and even more. Our weekly ritual helped me pull through, Rabbi, I believe that’s how I made it to here”.

Mervyn, I hope the Tefillin on your left arm will give your arm the extra strength it desperately needs. Thank you for being the special Human of My Day!

30

EMIL & SIGMUND STERN “King of the Egg Cream” Emil and Sigmund, two very humble AND very talented young men who have just finished producing and directing “King of the Egg Cream.” A delightful new audio production that captures the essence of Jewish Manhattan in the 20’s, not to mention the Great Depression and the Brooklyn Mob. With a cast of top actors, this 10 piece audio is sure to be a raging Success! Kol Hakavod to Emil and Sigmund for their AMAZING work and we look forward to seeing you next in E Magazine :).

You can start listening to King of the Egg Cream via Tablet Magazine!

This Shabbat we celebrate Khira’s Bat Mitzvah. Khira lives in Newcastle NSW, each Sunday for our Bat Mitzvah Club Khira would drive two and half hours each way, just to be part of our Bat Mitzvah Academy.

She has been preparing her Dvar torah and studying via Skype with her Bat Mitzvah tutor.

Khira is talented, strong headed and an avid reader. She has a strong sense of Jewish identity even though she does not live near a Jewish community.

Khira you are our Jewish ambassador to many in the wider community of Newcastle.

May your parents, grandparents and friends see years of Jewish Nachas from you! We look forward to hearing you in Shule tonight!

Mazeltov!

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

JONNAH’S STORY “I was taken from SatuMare, a famous Chassidic town in Romania (where the Satmer chasidim originate from) on the 5/5/1944. I spent a year in Auschwitz. I lost everyone. The brutality.

I was liberated on the very same day I was taken, 1 year later, 5/5/45. I fled to Palestine and fought in the Independence War in 1948. My wife and I arrived in Sydney in 1952. My wife passed away some years later and I met Sophia, who was from Moscow and we have been happily married ever since.

In a great turn of events, my son ended up marrying Sophia’s daughter — Sophia became not only his step-mother she now become his Mother-in-law! I guess G-d has His funny ways of running His world”.

ELI RABINOWITZ Eli was born in Cape Town, and has lived in Perth since 1986. Eli and Jill Rabinowitz were one of the first families we met in Perth when we lived there in 1998.

Eli is proactive in a wide range of Jewish communities such as filming events, genealogical research, and bringing the Memories of Muizenberg Exhibition to Australia, now on its way to Toronto and North America.

JOHNNY AMOILS A Real Mensch

ELI BEER Hatzolah’s Founder Saving lives that otherwise would not be saved “I grew up in Jerusalem, where I volunteered as an EMT in the ambulance services since I was 15, but whenever someone needed us, we never got there in time. The traffic was so bad and the distances too far. We got a call one day about a 7 year old child who was choking. It took us 20 minutes to get across town and we started CPR on the kid. But it was already too late… at that moment I understood that the child died for nothing. I realised that if a doctor who lived a just block away, had known about it – he could have saved the child’s life. So myself and a few of my friends decided there had to be a better way.

I used my Israeli chutzpah, bought police scanners and my friends and I — we listened. All the time, we listened. The very first day I heard of an emergency nearby, I rushed out to it, with no medical equipment, but managed to stop the man’s bleeding. At that moment, I knew this was my life mission.

Eli also writes KehilaLinks for JewishGen, the world’s largest Jewish genealogical organisation, based in New York.

He is an avid blogger and regularly posts on Jewish Life and Travel.

Today, 22 years later – we have Hatzolah.

We have 2,500 volunteers who are passionate about saving lives. Our average response time today has gone down to less than 3 minutes in Israel. You name it, we are there in 3 minutes. We don’t replace ambulances, we just replace the gap between when ambulances arrive. We are proud to report that Hatzolah is also now global, scanning many countries worldwide.

Kol Hakavod to Eli for his continued efforts of spreading Yiddishkeit the world over!

You can call us a lifesaving FLASH MOB – it really works!”

PESACH 5775 / 2015

Johnny Amoils lives in a small, sleepy holiday town in South Africa called Plettenberg Bay (Plett). It has a population of no more than 5000 people and less than 70 Jews.

It is situated on a beautiful stretch of coast called The Garden Route. It is internationally famous as the summer holiday destination of choice for many visitors from all over the world over the holiday season.

Outside of running a small business, Johnny is the President of a wonderful Synagogue in Plett. Whilst at times challenging, Johnny manages to get a small Minyan every Friday night, and come sun, rain or hail Johnny and his group of 6 other local Jewish men ALWAYS open the Shule in Plett on Saturday mornings for service.

They start davening at 9am and finish with a small little Kiddush by 10:30am.

“We never know who is visiting Plett, and are always surprised by the lovely variety of Jews that pass through. From travelling Israeli’s to bochrim from Finland to Jew’s from Argentina. The Shule is ALWAYS open on Shabbat , even if we don’t make a Minyan – we still daven. On the quieter Shabbas you will find myself and my team of 6 reading from the Chumash and reciting the Parsha of the week in English. Just to learn. On all the Chagim we get over 35 families with their kids who travel up to 1.5 hours to all be together and to celebrate the Chagim.”

Johnny is also responsible for and runs the Local Chevra Kaddisha in Plett, which offers comfort to the Jewish families that span a 100km coastline in the Cape. The Jewish community of Plett established a Jewish cemetery in 2008 which is now the final resting place of locals.

Kol Hakavod to Johnny for his deep passion and love of yiddishkeit. May he go from strength to strength!

31

HINENI MESSAGE

P NICOLE FLAX AND ORLI WINTON The Hineni Sydney Roshim

esach is known as a time of reflection, freedom, agriculture and food. Throughout Jewish life, it has become just as much of a religious holiday, as it is a cultural one. The Seder, the remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt, plays a huge role in Jewish youth education and the communal retelling of the story brings people together from far and wide.

Exploring the religious significance of why Pesach is still relevant, we see that we are actually commanded to celebrate and remember the Exodus, year in and year out. “And this day shall become a memorial for you,

and you shall observe it as a festival for the Lord, for your generations, as an eternal decree shall you observe it. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove the leaven from your

homes ... you shall guard the unleavened bread, because on this very day I will take you out of the land of Egypt; you shall observe this day for your generations as an eternal decree (Exodus 12:14-17)�.

This passing on of tradition from generation to generation evokes the irony of Exodus bringing people together. Pesach has today become a family holiday, celebrating freedom and unity, where the youth get involved and argue over who is too old to sing Ma Nishtana!

Chag Sameach from the whole Hineni family!

RECENT PHOTOS

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THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

HINENI UPDATE

W SHALOM!

e, Nicole Flax and Orli Winton, are the new Roshim (Presidents) of Hineni Sydney for 2015. Hineni Youth and Welfare Australia is the official Youth Movement of The Central Synagogue.

We are a Modern Orthodox, Politically Active and Zionist youth movement that utilises informal education to foster critical thinking and tolerance amongst our chanichim. Hineni is an inclusive environment that invites Jewish children from all different backgrounds to come together to learn and laugh. We have high hopes for Hineni this year and are excited to provide fun and educational programs to Jewish children through camps, weekly programs, social action activities and community events.

TERM 3 AT HINENI

Hineni’s Junior Camp, Machane Safari, was a massive success. Over 85 chanichim in years 2-6 joined us in December 2014 for four fun-filled days! Highlights included muck-up day, a bushwalk, dancing, skit night, chanukiah lighting and really fun peulot (programs).

Chanichim recently reunited at Cook & Phillip Park for an afternoon of swimming and laughter! A huge kol ha’kavod to the camp roshim Lauren Gam and Mickey Polon for their hard work and passion!

Hineni’s Federal Senior Camp, Machane Technicolour, was another highlight this Summer. Over 100 chanichim from years 7-12 in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, came together to experience the most colourful week of their lives! We participated in awesome activities including tennis, mini golf, soccer and swimming. The atmosphere was electric, with each night featuring captivating ruach, energetic dancing and creative dress-ups! Other highlights included a prom night, skit night, a colour war, and an extremely spiritual Shabbat. Our Madrichim created thought-provoking programs about Judaism, Israel and socio-political issues. Kol ha’kavod to the camp roshim Nicole Flax and Cayleigh Abel for the camp’s success!

WEEKLY EVENTS

Hineni doesn’t stop when camp ends! You can see all of your Hineni friends and Madrichim throughout the school term!

WEEKLY SUNDAY MEETINGS

What better way to spend your Sunday afternoon than by hanging out with all your Hineni friends and madrichim? Also a great place to meet new people!

YEARS 3-6 (2:30 - 4:30PM) YEARS 7-11 (4 - 6PM) EVERY SUNDAY @ Hineni (Central Synagogue) YOUTH MINYAN

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

NICOLE FLAX 0418-674-859 OR ORLI WINTON 0401-951-123 OR VISIT WWW.HINENI.ORG.AU

PESACH 5775 / 2015

Join us for a Hineni Kabbalat Shabbat service and Kiddush with all your favourite madrichim.

You’ll love our Shabbos Ruach and Carlebach Style Singing!

WINTER CAMP

Machane Shel Ha’Atid (Camp of the Future) is Hineni’s huge Winter Camp where grades 3-12 come together to make new friends and have fun!

SENIORS (YRS 7-12): 30 JUNE – 5 JULY JUNIORS (YRS 3-6): 5 – 8 JULY Sign up today @ hineniwintercamp.com Contact Guy Sussman 0414 736 553 or Alex Lips 0412 618 271 for more details or email us at hineniwintercamp@ gmail.com

EVERY FRIDAY @ 5.45PM

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BIRTHS @

The Central Synagogue

JAKE AND SABRINA ADLER on the birth of a son, and grandparents, Sharon and Ben Adler and Michelle and Benny Lustig

MARK AND MIA KACEN on the

birth of a daughter, and to the grandparents Howard and Shirley Kacen & Grazyna Rosen

MAX BAUME on the birth of a great grand-daughter

DANA AND PAUL INGSTER on the

IGAL AND KAREN BELKIN on

the birth of a daughter, and the grandparents, Dr Tom Ecker & Agnes Martin & Natan and Regina Belkin

birth of a daughter, and grandparents, Anita and John Ingster and Ros and Gary Levin, and great-grandmothers, Elza Levin and Lucy Ingster

GIDEON AND AVITAL HARKHAM

on the births of twins, a daughter and a son, and grandparents, Ben and Chaya Harkham

YONI AND TARRYN HERSH on the birth of a son, grandparents, Allen and Tessa Gnesin and Peter and Leone Hersh, great-grandparents, Shimon and Anna Hersh & Jules and Judy Opit

DAVID AND JODI ISAACS on the birth of a daughter, and grandparents, Paul and Val Isaacs and Les and Elana Weiner ADAM AND NADINE JOHNS on the birth of their daughter, and grandparents, Stephen Johns and Michele Bender, Anna Johns, Hilda Yamen, David Yamen & great grandparents, Farha Shamoon and Nechama Sharar

TREVOR AND JUDY LEACH

on the birth of a grandson JULIE AND JONATHAN HEMLI on

the birth of a son, and grandparents, Shimon and Vivien Hemli

DEAN AND ALI MILNER on the birth of a son, and grandparents Issy and Sandra Milner & Keith and Sarah Shilkin, and great grandmother Micky Kaplan.

!‫מזל טוב‬ 34

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

MANNY AND CARLI SKURNIK on the birth of a son, grandparents Adrian Skurnik and Annette Skurnik and Jeff and Karen Hurvitz, great-grandparents Pat Skurnik and Benzie Joffe

DANIEL AND MONIQUE MUELLER

on the birth of a son, and grandparents, Stephanie and Jeffrey Mueller and Bernard and Denise Edelstein, greatgrandparents, Hans Mueller OAM and Sidney and Lorelle Renof

ANTHONY AND CHARMAINE ZETS on the birth of a daughter, and

grandparents, Stanley and Avril Zets and David and Minett Hoad and great-grandmother Minnie Zets

JOEL AND JULIA SPIRO on the birth of a son, and grandparents, Michelle Spiro & Dov and Desi Spiro B Roberto and Silvina Frenkel and great grandparents, Mr Joseph Brender AO and Mrs Gerda Brender ANDREW AND LYNN ROSS on the birth of a daughter, grandparents, Eddy and Leora Ross & Dr Brian and Ingrid Shakenovsky, great-grandparents, David and Agi Ross, Ruth Fram and Henry and Ruth Shakenovsky

DANNY AND NATALIE ZILKA on the birth of a son, and grandparents, Joe and Betty Zilka and Miriam Malek

DANIEL AND KAHLEE TINTNER

on the birth of a daughter, and grandparents, John and Betty Tintner & Gary and Jenni Ulman, and great grandmother, Nancye Goldstein ARIAN AND MICHELLE NEIRON

on the birth of a daughter, and grandparents, Mervyn and Hilary Levin and Yoel and Rachel Neiron

DAVID TOPPER AND CAMILLA FREEMAN TOPPER on the birth of

a son, grandparents Evelyn and Brian Topper and David Freeman AM

BENNY AND KAREEN NEUMANN

on the birth of a son, and to their parents, Arthur and Ros Neumann & Moti Rivel and Anat Rivel, and great grandmother, Mina Fishman

IGAL AND MELANIE UCHITEL

on the birth of a daughter, and grandparents Helen & Brian Kristeller

PEARL AND ZEL ORBACH on

the birth of a granddaughter

PESACH 5775 / 2015

PAUL AND EMANUELLE VESELY

on the birth of a daughter, and grandparents, Ed and Lydia Vesely

35

BaR Mitzvah’s THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE

2015

Guy Rosenberg

Jay Karney

MAZEL TOV TO OUR RECENT BAR MITZVAH BOYS: ALEX BASSERABIE Riley Kovkin

OSKAR BECK DAMON GLICK ASHER GRYNBERG JAY KARNEY RILEY KOVKIN NOAH LEWIS GUY ROSENBERG JORDAN TOPPER

T

he age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah marks a very defining and significant time in the lives of our children. It is the corner stone where every young Jew/ Jewess enters into adulthood. To capture this moment and to truly learn its Jewish meaning The Central Synagogue offers a very engaging, spiritual and educational Bar and Bat Mitzvah program.

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Alex Basserabie

Oskar Beck

CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE BAR MITZVAH CLUB Bar Mitzvah literally means ‘Son of Mitzvah’ and describes a young man who has reached the age of 13 and is now able to fulfil all the Torah’s commandments. It marks a defining moment in a young man’s life as he stands before his family and friends and enters into the world of Jewish manhood. At The Central Synagogue we regard this milestone as one of utmost importance and offer a Bar Mitzvah academy that teaches all its significance and meaning. Our program runs for eight weeks and is designed to generate a love of our history and our faith.

We explore topics such as the meaning of a Bar Mitzvah, the meaning of G-d, keeping Kosher, the Jewish Soul and much much more.

TO FIND OUT MORE PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE ON (02) 9355-4000.

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

Bat Mitzvah’s THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE

Chloe Lyons 2015

MAZEL TOV TO OUR RECENT BAT MITZVAH GIRLS: KHIRA EISENBERG

Hannah Kavin Sophia Taibel

HANNAH KAVIN LARA KOPELOWITZ CHLOE LYONS SOPHIA TAIBEL ALICIA VIDOR

Lara Kopelowitz

CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE BAT MITZVAH CLUB Bat Mitzvah, meaning ‘daughter of the commandments,’ is said to be the time when a women’s soul comes of age. It marks a defining moment when a young woman is entrusted to bring the joys, values and traditions of Judaism to life for herself and for her generations to come.

At The Central Synagogue we work with our Bat Mitzvah girls to truly understand the meaning of a Bat Mitzvah and all the associated Jewish traditions. Our program runs for 8 weeks and covers exciting topics such as Mitzvot, Shabbat, Friendships, Jewish Life Cycle, Israel and more. We include many exciting guests and outings such as Challah making, visiting the Mikvah, making Mezuzah’s and plenty more.

TO FIND OUT MORE PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE ON (02) 9355-4000.

PESACH 5775 / 2015

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ENGAGEMENTS & WEDDINGS

ENGAGEMENTS

We wish a HUGE Mazel Tov to all our happily engaged couples:

TALIA BUTT AND ADRIAN ZANTAS HANNA FOXMAN AND WAYNE GOLDBERG GREG SELIGMAN AND LANDI FELLER

Anne Seliowitz & Daniel Giesser

DANIEL GIESSER AND ANNE SELIOWITZ

Landi Feller & Greg Seligman

JARED KEEN AND GABI REIN CARLY FENTON AND JESSE LEVY RICHARD CZEIZLER AND AMALIA SCHOLEM FELICITY GRAY AND JEREMY WEISNER Gabi Rein & Jared Keen

Hanna Foxman & Wayne Goldberg

GETTING MARRIED AT THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE

A JEWISH WEDDING

is much more than a “ceremony” or a symbolic ritual. It is a spiritual process which creates the soul connection between the bride and groom. Beneath the Chuppah, there occurs a fusion of souls; two souls which were separated before birth joyfully reunite. Jewish rituals and customs derive from a rich blend of historical and spiritual underpinnings.

Rites of passage in one’s personal life are inextricably linked to events in the history of the Jewish people. In this way, a traditional Jewish wedding is a tapestry woven

from biblical and historical threads. These threads are carried from one generation to the next in an effort to link our contemporary lives to our past, forming a chain of Jewish continuity which goes back more than 3,800 years.

OUR GOAL at The Central Synagogue is to help you understand the meaningful and spiritual significance of each part of the wedding celebration and the exciting path to follow.

We will demonstrate how our traditions constitute the body and soul of the wedding and consummate

the start of a strong and united partnership.

RUN BY both Rabbi and Chanie Wolff, our wedding program is a four part series which covers a variety of topics. These topics include wedding day traditions and their meanings, discovering more about the pillars of a Jewish home, a practical guide on marriage do’s and don’ts and an interactive and informative session with a regarded marriage counsellor. We also look at effective communication skills, marriage responsibilities and the laws of purity.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HAVING YOUR WEDDING AT THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE ON (02) 9355-4000

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THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

WEDDINGS

Natalie Freedman & Mikie Wakerman

We wish a HUGE Mazel Tov to all our newly married couples:

Monique Wayne & Bradley Meyerowitz

JULIA LE BRANSKY & DAVID BINETTER

KARIN SCHWARTZ & JOSHUA STERN

NATALIE FREEDMAN & MIKIE WAKERMAN

NATASHA SNOYMAN & RICHIE VESELY

HAYLEY GILOVITZ & ALEXANDER STEIN

KAREN TOURI & DOV HERSHKOVITS

NATALIE HAUSMAN & LARRY WAGENHEIM

AIMEE WAGENHEIM & LIOR HAREL

GINA HESSELBERG & ANDREW COHEN

MONIQUE WAYNE & BRADLEY MEYEROWITZ

AMY PLIT & DANIEL LEVY

Natalie Hausman & Larry Wagenheim

PESACH 5775 / 2015

Aimee Wagenheim & Lior Harel

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PAST AND UPCOMING EVENTS @ CENTRAL

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CHANUKAH

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

EVENT GALLERY

PESACH 5775 / 2015

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PAST AND UPCOMING EVENTS @ CENTRAL

UPCOMING EVENT

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THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

PURIM PHOTO GALLERY

UPCOMING EVENT

PESACH 5775 / 2015

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FISH SALAD

HOT SMOKED TROUT, BEETROOT, AND POMEGRANATE SALAD INGREDIENTS

2 portions hot smoked trout (flaked and bones removed)

DELICIOUS

RECIPES KOSHER for PASSOVER

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OR

1 whole smoked rainbow trout (skin removed, carefully flaked off the bone) OR

Sea salt & freshly ground pepper 200g rocket (1 bag) DRESSING

1 tablespoon honey

if you prefer this recipe works well with sashimi salmon too

1 tablespoon lemon juice

6 – 8 medium beetroot (roasted)

4 – 5 tablespoons plain natural yoghurt

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt & pepper

2 tablespoons balsamic

2 tablespoons olive oil, to drizzle

½ pomegranate, deseeded 1 punnet micro radish

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

METHOD

• Trim the beetroot stems and place 2 beetroots in the foil with a little oil and drizzle of balsamic.

Wrap them up and place in a 180°C oven to roast for about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on size of beetroots.

• Remove, cool and peel (in rubber gloves!) cut into bite size squares of ¼ moons.

• Dressing: Mix all ingredients except the oil.

• To Assemble: On a platter, lay out rocket, beetroot wedges, flaked trout/salmon sashimi and sprinkle with pomegranate seed.

• Drizzle the dressing over the top and sprinkle with the micro radish (or chives if preferred). Plus drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil.

A RECIPE BY ISRAELI CHEF ARI STEINITZ

LEG OF LAMB STUFFED WITH CHAROSET This is a traditional passover dish. The lamb signifies the paschal lamb and the haroset symbolises the mortar that the Israeli used as slaves or building in Egypt.

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ kg leg of lamb – shank bone left on, hip end of the bone removed (ask you butcher to do this) 3 tablespoons of olive oil

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 180 C. • Mix the haroset stuffing ingredients together thoroughly and spread along the centre of the leg with the lamb facing bone side up.

• Wrap the meat over the stuffing and tie with kitchen string so that it looks like a package.

• Combine the spice rub ingredients and rub on all sides.

• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large roasting pan and brown the meat on all sides.

CHAROSET STUFFING

SPICE RUB

250 grams of ground beef or lamb

Salt and freshly ground pepper

• Place in the oven covered in foil and roast for 50-60 minutes for medium.

2 granny smith apples cored and diced

1 spin rosemary chopped

• Let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

½ table spoon ground dry chilli

• Serve with roast new potatoes.

250 grams date paste 1 ¼ cups of walnuts Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon coriander seeds 2 cloves of garlic crushed 5 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon dry ginger

DATE PASTE

Leaves from 1 thyme sprig

40 dates

PESACH 5775 / 2015

DATE PASTE

• Soak dates in warm water then use a hand blender or food processor to blend.

• This will keep a week in the fridge or about 3 months in the freezer and can be used in most recipes that call for liquid sweetener (honey etc.).

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j Awards È To our outstanding Queens birthday & Australia day honour recipients:

mr

È

Tom Breuer am

Michael Gutman obe For services to the UK Business Services and Retail Regeneration.

ms

È

Judy Wilkenfeld oam

For significant service to the building and construction industry, to the community of Western Sydney, and to charitable organisations.

For service to the community through a range of Jewish organisations.

È

È

dr

Margaret Redelman oam For service to medicine, particularly in the field of sexual health.

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mr

È

dr

David Golovsky am

For significant service to medicine, particularly in the fields of urology and fertility.

THE CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE JOURNAL

‫ום‬

‫ה‬

‫ים‬ ‫ל‬

‫י צ‬

‫ם בתוך‬ ‫אתכ‬ ‫חם‬ ‫ינ‬

‫מק‬

‫ש‬

‫יון‬ ‫ו‬ ‫י‬ ‫רו‬

‫ש‬ ‫אר א‬ ‫ביל‬

CONDOLENCES The Central Synagogue community extends sincere condolences to our members who have lost loved ones:

Taible Abeshouse

Barbara Kowalski

Bryce Basser

Rose Kresner

Adrian Bazar

Evelyn Levin

Emil Binetter

Maureen Levine

Clara Domany

Ettel Lipton

Dr Keith Feller

Benno Perlman

Marsha Foxman-Wajnstajn

Renny Rodan

Monty Glass

Syd Shiffer

Cynthia Helfet

Anne Smith

Sid Helprin

Morrie Stein

Elizabeth Herz

Judith Steiner

Edith Hofbauer

Andrew Vernon

Shmuel (Sam) Huber

May G-d comfort the families among all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem Due to timing of publication any names not mentioned above will be included in the Rosh Hashanah journal

MOSAIC ARTWORK BY MICHOEL MUCHNIK

‫לשנה הבאה בירושלים‬

Next Year in Jerusalem!

15 Bon Accord Avenue Bondi Junction, NSW 2022, Australia phone: +61 (02) 9355-4000 fax: +61 (02) 9355-4099 email: central@centralsynagogue.com.au WWW.CENTRALSYNAGOGUE.COM.AU

P G