22 minute read
HAVING FAITH
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
BY RABBI YAAKOV GLASMAN ST KILDA HEBREW CONGREGATION
In 2016, at the invitation of Canberra’s small Jewish community I travelled to Parliament House, stood in front of MPs across the political spectrum and told them: “If my grandparents were standing here now, they’d be crying tears of joy.”
My speech coincided with Chanukah and culminated in a candle lightining ceremony.
For my grandparents, darkness carried a uniquely disturbing meaning. All were born in Poland and experienced the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis. They suffered – their parents and siblings were brutally murdered, rendering them orphans.
My grandparents saw their own government transform its military into a killing machine and annihilate two thirds of European Jewry. It inflicted unbridled hatred and cruelty on Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, gays, gypsies, people with disabilities and others who were not part of the Aryan race.
Yet 70 years later, their grandson stood and spoke proudly as a Jew in the corridors of power in Australia. This is the country which took in all four, whose sole desire was to move as far away as possible from the carnage that robbed them of their childhood. They
worked tirelessly to contribute to society and to raise their families in the safety and security successive governments provided. It was my grandparent’s story and my studies of the Holocaust and other genocides that inspired me to actively build bridges with other faiths. History illustrates that one of the primary causes of hatred is ignorance. Without developing relationships with those we consider to be different, our perceptions of those people are too easily defined
by stereotypes born out of prejudice. The more we engage with a diverse range of people, the more we come to recognise that we are all cut from the same cloth.
Last month, this truth was laid bare for me when I drove to the Ahmadiyya Muslim community mosque in Langwarrin. It had been disgracefully desecrated only a few days earlier. I met with their Imam, Wadood Janud. I listened to his story and shared with him some of mine. In reciprocity, I invited him to visit my synagogue.
So, when the Imam and Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli both attended St Kilda shule we came full circle. We representatives of the three Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – talked faith, community and politics and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. We quickly realised just how much we have in common.
Most importantly, our respective congregations saw in their leaders a willingness to not only co-exist, but to proactively establish meaningful crosscultural relationships. And if engagement with other faith communities has taught me one thing, it’s that the commonalities between different faith groups significantly outweigh our differences.
Having faith
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
NOMI KALTMANN COURTESY: TABLET MAGAZINE
For 20 years, Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia has been connecting with Jews in unexpected places – far from Melbourne and Sydney
In the 1970s, Melbourne businessman Sauli Spigler, then in his early 20s, rented a mobile home and travelled for a month across the outback with a few friends.
While this could have been a typical rite-of-passage trip by young people looking for adventure, Spigler had heeded a call from the Lubavitcher rebbe in New York City to seek out Jewish people living in isolated areas. His mission was to unite them with their faith. With their RV operating as one of the first Australian Chabad Mitzvah Tanks, Spigler and his mates were pleasantly surprised by what they found.
“During this trip we encountered many Jewish people living in outback Australia and I really saw how many were wanting to connect to their Judaism,” said Spigler. “Every house welcomed us with open arms and we could really see the positive effects our visits had.”
Following this first trip, Spigler continued his passion for finding Jews living in the Australian outback and periodically sent emissaries into some of the least inhabited places on Earth to keep in touch with them.
After a few decades of this, he decided to formally establish Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia, known as Chabad of RARA. “I established Chabad of RARA to provide some consistent Jewish presence for people living in remote areas. One-off visits are nice, but people really respond well to regular visits and it helps to keep them connected to their Judaism.”
This year, Chabad of RARA is celebrating its 21st birthday and employs four rabbinic couples full time who permanently live in some of the most remote communities across Australia. Chabad of RARA emissaries are responsible for providing all the Jewish needs of some 10,000 Jews living in places far from any centralised Jewish communities.
After spending six years on the road as travelling emissaries, Rebbetzin Malki Rodal and her husband Rabbi Yossi Rodal settled in Newcastle at the start of 2020. When the Rodals moved there just before the global pandemic, they found a synagogue that had not had a permanent rabbi in many years. Its total membership was 40. Little more than a year later, the pair had connected with more than 200 Jews and helped create a vibrant Jewish community with weekly programs, Shabbat meals, and events.
When asked how she and her husband discover and meet Jews living in regional and remote places in Australia, Rodal was effusive.
“When we arrive in a place where we do not know of any other Jewish people, we often go to a central location in the town, like a post office or pharmacy. In these places there is always an elder resident who knows all the inhabitants,” she said. “When we ask them if they know any Jewish people, they will often recall something that they heard, even many decades back, about a person who may have Jewish ancestry. And so, like good Jewish detectives, we follow the leads and contact the Jewish residents and ask them what we can do to help connect them to their Jewish heritage.”
Chabad of RARA’s work was the subject of a 2017 documentary focusing on the day-to-day lives of outback rabbinic couples. Screened on Australian TV and at film festivals around the world, it has also contributed to the pair’s reputation as Jewish sleuths.
Another Chabad of RARA couple, Rabbi Ari and Mushkie Rubin, live in Cairns. When they arrived in 2016, they had a big job ahead of them. “There was no Jewish infrastructure there … absolutely nothing – not a single Jewish organisation, synagogue or mikvah. The only thing we knew for certain was that there were approximately 100 Jewish people living there, as we had a list of email addresses that had been collected from the periodic visits different Chabad of RARA emissaries had made over the years,” Rubin said.
These days, the hard work that Rabbi Rubin and his wife have invested in creating a Jewish community has paid off, with in excess of 500 people now part of the Cairns Jewish community. They’ve also opened the first synagogue in Cairns … that runs weekly services, a Hebrew school and Bar and Bat Mitzvah classes.
For Shira Stern, an Israeli living in Cairns with her husband and children, the presence of Rabbi Rubin and his wife has been game changing. “I don’t know where Rabbi Ari finds all these Jewish people in Cairns,” Stern said with a laugh. Her children attend the Hebrew school and Stern says she is grateful for the strong Jewish identity they feel as a result. “Having Rabbi Ari and Rebbetzin Mushkie here opens a lot of Jewish opportunities for my kids.”
In 2021 Chabad of RARA Cairns likely had the biggest communal Seder in Australia, with more than 130 people attending the in-person celebrations. “Cairns was largely spared from the havoc the global pandemic wreaked in other Australian cities that were subject to in-person gathering restrictions and lockdowns,” Rabbi Rubin said.
He remains optimistic about the future and was keen to share a particularly meaningful text message he received from one of his congregants. “A community member messaged me saying that one Friday he had an inspirational moment and decided he wanted his daughter to light Shabbat candles,” said Rubin. “He took his daughter’s hand, lit the candles with her and was about to help her recite the blessing, but she already knew it. Afterwards, he sent me a thank you text message saying he was sure she only knew this blessing because she attends our Hebrew school. The last line of his text read: ‘thank you for not forgetting about this forgotten Jew in Cairns.’”
Outreach in the outback
Rabbi Ari Rubin’s mobile sukkah in Cairns (photo courtesy Rabbi Rubin)
Laying tefillin (photo courtesy Rabbi Rubin)
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
RYAN ABRAMOWITZ
Over the past seven years, artist and visual storyteller Ryan Abramowitz has painted more than 170 Ketubot through his business “Today Tomorrow Forever”.
Ryan’s artistic offerings include wedding stationary (to harmonise with the Ketubot), blessings, prayers and other texts, which can be paired with artwork.
No simcha – a birth, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding or anniversary – is beyond being painted. It is all about honouring the special moments in people’s lives.
The photographs reflect the high calibre of Ryan’s work.
The first photo is Lattice of Love, featuring hand gilded gold leaf filigree and watercolour on linen.
Through art deco-inspired adornment and multiples of Chai (18), the design celebrates botanical and architectural of Australia and Israel. These relate to the heritage of the bride and groom.
In the middle is Leaves and Linen, a Ketubah which frames the text with a composition of natural elements in watercolour. Buds and leaves unfurl as a metaphor for life, love and light. At right is The Oceanic Chamsa. The Ketubah heralds a golden Chamsa, which floats on an ocean of water colour aquas, turquoises, emeralds and sea greens. The bride and groom are symbolised through two metallic gold painted doves, flying through the skies united.
Today Tomorrow Forever
For enquiries, please contact Ryan on: Email: ttfcreations@gmail.com Mobile: 0432 343 974 Web: todaytomorrowforever.com.au Instagram: www.instagram.com/ ttfcreations
Rock on
THE KING DAVID SCHOOL
The King David School year 8 students recently returned from a culturally immersive camp in Central Australia.
While there, they learnt about country and ancient practices of the Anangu and Arrernte people of Uluru and Alice Springs, and participated in a range of activities. Highlights included a guided tour around Uluru at sunrise, Shabbat outdoors, overlooking the East MacDonnell Ranges, hiking in the Ranges and star gazing.
With a focus on sustainability and climate change, the campsite was equipped with its own wind and solar energy.
More to love about SpongeBob
STARS AND THE MOON
Next month, all-abilities production company Stars and the Moon will bring “The SpongeBob Inclusical” to Alexander Theatre at Monash University.
The show addresses the power of optimism and inclusion.
The family adaptation of everyone's favourite sea sponge brings the world of Bikini Bottom to life and includes songs by John Legend, David Bowie and Cyndi Lauper.
Performers with and without disabilities are paired and support one another in Stars and the Moon’s unique “CastMate” model.
This approach gives the opportunity for those with disabilities to fill a range of roles previously not achievable, given their additional needs.
Each character part is “split” according to the strengths and weaknesses of the two actors.
For some, the role is divided into the elements of the character’s personality. For example, we will see a determined SpongeBob SquarePants, alongside an optimistic one.
In other cases, the actors perform the same thing at the same time.
The SpongeBob Inclusical will be staged four times between 18th and 21st September.
Stars and the Moon is committed to making performances as accessible to audience members as it is to its performers.
The Alexander Theatre provides allinclusive wheelchair and mobility access.
On 19th September, the company will provide Auslan interpretation.
To purchase tickets, go to www.starsandthemoon.org
Wisdom of the ages
BOOK LAUNCH
Jewish mystics Leonard Cohen, Eric Fromm and Shakespeare all find a place in Rabbi Ralph Genende’s debut novel Living in an Upside-Down World.
Drawn from Jewish thought and compiled from more than 20 years of writing and public speaking, the wideranging anthology examines many crises of the 21st Century.
From polarisation to loneliness, climate change to asylum seekers and the pandemic, Rabbi Genende reflects on the moral and ethical challenges these issues raise. Divided into seven sections, he combines his understanding of psychology with rabbinical thoughts and a deep love of literature.
The book opens with a story about the impact of Eric Fromm’s writings on 18-year-old Ralph Genende.
The South African-raised rabbi led congregations in Auckland and Melbourne for more than three decades, including 14 years at the helm of Caulfield Synagogue.
He then joined the executive team of Jewish Care in Victoria and has worked as an advisor to governments. He is still engaged in extensive interfaith work.
In Living in an Upside-Down World, Rabbi Genende offers practical wisdom for all, regardless of religious (or non-religious) affiliation.
It is available online at https://shop. retrospect.agency or from Golds (9-11 O'Brien Street, Bondi Beach).
Rabbi Ralph Genende
Judaica quiz answers
1. b) Marcheshvan 2. To her left. This is based on Psalm 45:10 which states ‘A queen shall stand at your right side’ - hence the custom that the Kallah (bride) stands to the right of the Chatan (groom) 3. False. Originally, the Board of the Technion announced that the language of instruction would be German, but following opposition to this idea, Hebrew was chosen instead 4. Paris 5. ‘Zuz’ means ‘to move’ and is said to be related to a door which, when attached with hinges to the doorpost, has continual movement as it opens and closes 6. Billy Joel 7. The Museum of the Diaspora or Beit Hatfutsot 8. In Genesis (4:21) Yuval is described as the father of all those who played the harp and flute 9. Joshua 10. The Reuben brothers 11. a) The Oral Law 12. Arturo Toscanini 13. He was the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem before and during World War II. He violently opposed the formation of a Jewish state and worked closely with the Nazis to block all Zionist aspirations 14. The festival of Sukkot 15. c) Isaac to Esau 16. The Caine Mutiny 17. a) Edelstein - jeweller b) Eckstein - stonemason or bricklayer c) Zuckerman - sugar merchant d) Tabachnik - tobacconist or snuff dealer 18. King David 19. Dennis Prager 20. Netanya 21. The New Year for Trees (it falls in the month of Shevat, the other two fall in the month of Nissan) 22. Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild 23. Moznaim – The scales corresponding to Libra 24. John F. Kennedy; Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill 25. Carole King
Spelling bee answers
Jewish answer – BROIGUS. Here is a list of some common words (“yes”, we know there are more words in the dictionary that can work, but these words are common to today’s vernacular) – BOORS, BRIGS, GROSS, GRUBS, GURUS, RIGOR, RIGOROUS, RIGORS, SOURS, SUBURB, SUBURBS Questions/comments – email Yoni at koshercroswords@gmail.com
ISRAELI
N E W S Mossad appoints new head
COURTESY: JWIRE.COM.AU
For the first time, women occupy some of the most senior roles in Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.
Incoming Mossad Intelligence Authority director “A” (photo courtesy: Israeli Ministry of Defence)
“A,” who has served in the Mossad for 20 years, recently assumed the post of director of the Intelligence Authority, the first woman to hold the position, according to a statement released by the agency.
As director, she is responsible for formulating Israel’s strategic intelligence picture on a variety of issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, global terrorism and normalisation with the Arab world.
“A” is also responsible for gathering intelligence for all Mossad operations and managing hundreds of employees that collect and analyse information.
Mossad revealed that another woman, “K”, is currently serving as the head of the agency’s Iran desk, which the statement said is the “chief concern of the organisation” at present.
“K” is responsible for developing Mossad’s strategy for dealing with all aspects of the Iranian nuclear threat and leads the process of integrating operations, technology and intelligence in the organisation, together with the IDF and all security services. “As soon as one enters the gates of the organisation, there is complete equality between men and women. Many women serve in all roles in operations, as agents and operators of agents and are integrated into the core of operations and intelligence, with talent, professionalism and energy,” said Mossad director David Barnea.
“The door to advancement to the most senior ranks is open to men and women alike, according to their suitability and their talents,” he said.
“A” and “K” now join “H” and “Y,” who were recently appointed deputy head of the Intelligence Authority and deputy head of Human Resources respectively, as women who serve in the Mossad’s senior command, known as the Forum of Branch Heads.
The most senior Mossad position previously filled by a woman was that of deputy director, filled by Aliza Magen approximately 30 years ago.
Incoming Mossad Intelligence Authority director “A” (photo courtesy Israeli Ministry of Defence)
J-AIR 88FM needs your membership so it can continue to provide great Jewish community radio programming. It is only $54 per year to become a member. Sign up is via the website. J-AIR is committed to diversity and inclusiveness for the Jewish and broader communities. www.j-air.com.au
THEATRE REVIEWS
HAIRSPRAY BY ALEX FIRST
The spark burns brightly in Hairspray, a delightfully breezy musical with discrimination as its theme.
It is colourful and dynamic, with toetapping tunes, smooth moves and a stellar cast, with talent to burn.
The show positively sizzles, bringing frenzied acclamation from an appreciative audience.
We’re in Baltimore in 1962.
Teenager Tracy Turnblad (Carmel Rodrigues) is small of stature and big boned … and knows what she wants.
She wants to try out for a vacant spot on a teenage musical TV show hosted by Corny Collins (Rob Mills).
The program is sponsored by Harriman F. Spritzer, the President of hairspray manufacturer Ultra Clutch.
It is overseen by self-serving producer Velma Von Tussle (Rhonda Burchmore).
She wants her daughter Amber (Brianna Bishop) – a show regular – to be crowned Miss Teenage Hairspray.
Tracy’s larger-than-life mother Edna (Shane Jacobson) – who runs a laundry business out of their home – is dismissive of Tracy’s ambition.
Not so her father, Wilbur (Todd McKenney), who encourages her to follow her dreams.
The existing performers on the live-toair program include several from Tracy’s school, Patterson Park High, but when she turns up to audition, they diss her.
Still, that is where she meets and falls for the show’s male heartthrob Link Larkin (Sean Johnston).
While in detention for wearing her hair too high and skipping school, Tracy befriends hip, kind-hearted Seaweed J. Stubbs (Javon King).
Something important to say underneath the froth and bubble
Photo by Jeff Busby
He shows her his dancing prowess and she is immediately sold.
Tracy can’t understand why someone of his talent isn’t given more airtime on the TV program – that is more than the once a month on what is termed “Negro Day”.
Everything changes after Tracy wins a place on the show, courtesy of turning the head of Corny Collins at a broadcast event, the Sophomore Hop.
Tracy is nothing if not passionate and someone who knows right from wrong.
She decides on a call to arms to protest against the treatment of blacks on the show.
In that, she has the full support of the sassy, strong-willed owner of a downtown record shop – Seaweed’s mother Motormouth Maybelle (Asabi Goodman).
Hairspray is a most impressive, uplifting musical. It is not for naught that it won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Its message of inclusiveness continues to resonate and remains just as relevant as when it first appeared as a 1988 film, written and directed by John Waters.
The Broadway musical debuted in 2002 and this is that original production 20 years on.
With a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics from Scott Wittman and Shaiman, Hairspray is a winner all the way.
In short, I couldn’t get enough of it.
The show is slick, magnificently choreographed by Jerry Mitchell and features evocative, cartoon style sets designed by David Rockwell.
But above all what stands out is the grand talent on show.
Carmel Rodrigues has a superb, earpleasing sound and significant presence as Tracy.
Shane Jacobson is a vocal and comic sensation as Edna, while Todd McKenney is jaunty as Wilbur. A duet between them in the second act is one of the many highlights of the piece.
Rob Mills slips effortlessly into the role of TV host Corny Collins. Rhonda Burchmore revels as the mean-spirited Velma and Brianna Bishop channels her narcissistic daughter with ease.
Asabi Goodman is spirited as Motormouth, while Javon King has a natural graciousness as Seaweed.
Sean Johnston charms as Link Larkin.
Also noteworthy is Mackenzie Dunn as Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingelton, who makes the most of every scene she is in.
So, too, Ayanda Dladla as Seaweed’s younger sister, Little Inez.
Donna Lee and Todd Goddard are versatile and memorable as the female and male authority figures in the piece.
Hairspray is a superb production of the highest quality that deserves to be seen again and again.
With original direction from Jack O’Brien, it is playing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne.
A modern take on Tolstoy
ANNA K BY ALEX FIRST
By their very nature, human relationships are often messy. The vast majority don’t hit the headlines, but public figures are considered “fair game”.
So, it is that 44-year-old television anchor Anna Kay (Caroline Craig) starts trending and is “slut shamed” when she takes up with 27-year-old SAS soldier Lexie (Callan Colley).
Their relationship began after she interviewed the whistleblower, who witnessed abhorrent behaviour from his superiors in Afghanistan.
Anna subsequently walked out on her surgeon husband Jonathon and their 10-year-old son, Harry (both of whom are referenced frequently, but we don’t see).
Anna maintains she has never felt the kind of love she has for Lexie.
Lexie reciprocates Anna’s feelings, having broken up with his fiancé to be with her.
Anna and Lexie want to be free to pursue their relationship without scrutiny, but that isn’t going to happen.
After a short interlude, during which they greatly enjoy each other’s company, Anna is due back at work the following day.
She is preparing to break a big and important story when social media goes haywire, exposing Anna’s “dirty secret”.
The pair is holed up in a hotel room, which all but becomes a prison for Anna over the next few days.
The media is camped outside, trying to catch a glimpse of “the scarlet woman”.
Husband Jonathon is viewed as the aggrieved party and son Harry isn’t returning Anna’s calls.
While Anna and Lexie maintain they have done nothing wrong, that’s not how the world around them sees it.
By far the harshest judgment is being passed on Anna, who is having a major meltdown.
The consequences of the choice she has made, both for her mental health and her career are momentous.
Anna K has been thoughtfully conceived and written by Suzie Miller. It is well directed by Carissa Licciardello.
The tension – which is ratcheted up as the screws are tightened – is palpable throughout, with the focus primarily on Anna razor-sharp.
Caroline Craig is outstanding as the defiant centrepiece who becomes a nervous wreck. She is adept at displaying the range of emotions that come with the territory.
Callan Colley impresses too with a measured performance as Anna’s more naïve lover, who has a revelation of his own to share.
Louisa Mignone is adept at handling several roles. They include Anna’s sisterin-law and a fellow journalist (and friend) trying to “talk sense” to Anna, and a young reporter Anna has mentored.
The large, sprawling hotel room setting is a feature of the production.
Designed by Anna Cordingley, outside the drawn curtains is an evocative, glowing pink neon sign, the epithet on which is striking.
The three words sum up the opprobrium Anna cops for the position she has taken.
The striking lighting – the work of Paul Jackson – also plays a vital role in proceedings.
Anna K is inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, first published in 1878.
But unlike Tolstoy, writer Carissa Licciardello was interested in a feminist interrogation, which she skillfully navigates.
She turns the spotlight on passionate expression as a force for destruction, being her response to gendered societal shaming.
Just how far have we moved in acceptance of a woman’s right to choose – to plot a path that she believes is true to herself?
You be the judge after seeing Anna K, which is a searing reflection of the modern world, writ large.
The conviction behind it is compelling, as is the piece itself.
It is playing at Merlyn Theatre at Malthouse Theatre until 4th September, 2022.
