As we head to the High Holidays, it is a time to reflect on the year just passed and consider whether any changes should be forthcoming in the new year.
US journalist Germany Kent said: "Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction."
So, what enables some people to embrace making a successful change, while others find this difficult?
In 1983 researchers James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente developed a stages of change model. They determined that the following five elements are needed to not only be able to make a change but to maintain the new behaviour.
Step 1 is pre-contemplation. People may not even recognise that there is behaviour that needs to change. In other words, they are in denial. Others have awareness but no real desire to create a new beginning. It is often others that are wanting them to change.
Step 2 is contemplation. People are weighing up the pros and cons of modifying or changing their behaviour. While they contemplate the positives, they may doubt the long-term benefits.
It’s time to say a hearty hello to the New Year, heralding an ongoing celebration of joy in the purest, sweetest sense. One aspect that is so appreciated is just how much we find it divine to dine, daven and decipher with the ganze mishpochah – the entire family.
Enter Rabbi David Freedman’s popular quiz, melded monthly, always with the community in mind and always with a keen focus on exactly where we ‘drop our pin’ on our lunar Google calendar. Within this window of precious family time, ride the festive wave exploring symbolic Yom Tov foods, customs, culture, history and fascinating festive facts too.
Thank you Rabbi Freedman for your energy and effort, drawing on decades of Judaica knowledge. The ongoing feedback is phenomenal and we look forward to more interesting and intellectually stimulating quizzes in 5784. Wishing all a Shana Tova U’Metuka, a happy and sweet new year.
1. In which Hebrew month does a new Jewish year always begin?
2. Rosh Hashanah is known as Yom Teruah and Yom Zichron Teruah. Why is this year considered more of a Yom Zichron Teruah than a Yom Teruah?
3. The Yom Kippur War began on Yom Kippur 1973/5734. What day of the week did Yom Kippur fall within that year?
4. The Yom Kippur War began on October 6, 1973. On what date did it end:
a) 25 October
b) 1 November
c) 15 November?
5. When would the Fast of Gedaliah not occur on the day after Rosh Hashanah?
They are patient with themselves. They recognise that it often takes a while to let go of old habits and practice new ones until they become second nature.
When talking about making effective change, I present the following and ask people to reflect on what it means to them:
“Change = growth” – Do you see that change can bring about growth and how will that benefit you? I also ask people to consider that they are the managers of their own change.
Lasting change can only occur when people want to make a change for themselves, not for others.
For your new beginning:
• Identify clearly what it is that you want to change.
Step 3 is preparation or determination. People have made a commitment to change. Their motivation is reflected in statements such as: “I’ve got to do something about this; something has to change; what can I do?”
Step 4 involves action. People are not only motivated to make a change or changes, but they are also actively involved in taking steps to ensure that change occurs.
During this stage they can review their commitment to a new beginning and develop plans to help them retain their focus.
It is helpful to enlist the others’ help so motivation is maintained. The support network become cheerleaders, building self-confidence for those prepared to change.
Step 5 is maintenance, which involves being able to successfully avoid any temptations to return to old ways. People remind themselves of how much progress they have made. They have been able to reformulate their belief systems to continue down their new path.
They remain aware that what they are striving for is worthwhile and meaningful.
6. The following are all symbolic foods eaten on Rosh Hashanah. Which is the odd one out:
a) Dates
b) Apples
c) Olives
d) Pomegranates
e) Carrots
f) Beets, or
g) Leeks?
7. What is the title of Leonard Cohen’s song that was inspired by the famous Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur prayer, Unetaneh Tokef?
8. Name another Jewish New Year that normally takes place in January/February.
9. Beginning in the 1920s in the United States, in addition to sending Rosh Hashanah greeting cards, how did thousands of American Jews convey their best wishes to their fellow Jews?
produced sounds are not the same as the natural sound of someone blowing through the shofar, or
d) The rabbis are concerned that you would listen to the Shofar in a private residence and the blowing of the Shofar should only be performed in the presence of a minyan (i.e. ten Jewish men over Bar Mitzvah)?
13. Which Jews traditionally use the horn of a kudu (a type of African antelope) as their Shofar on Rosh Hashanah?
a) Ethiopian Jews
b) Yemenite Jews or
c) Moroccan Jews?
14.Which other festival in the year, besides Sukkot, contains days known as Chol Hamoed?
Good luck. Enjoy. Hopefully, learn something new about your Jewish heritage and tradition.
10.The custom of sending special Rosh Hashanah greetings originated in which country in the 13th to 14th century period? It is mentioned in The Book of Customs written by a student of the renowned rabbinical authority, Jacob ha-Levi Moelin (Maharil).
11. What is the difference between a Shofar and a Keren?
12. Most modern halachic authorities hold that hearing a shofar on the radio, television or via the Internet is not an acceptable way to fulfil the mitzvah.
Is the primary reason because:
a) One has to be able to see or touch the Shofar that is being blown
b) The rabbis are worried that you may turn the electrical device on or off on Yom Tov
c) The rabbis consider that electronically
15. In the 19th century, Naftali and Zili Deller commissioned a local artist to paint the walls of their sukkah. The central wall featured a painting of Jerusalem with the Western Wall at its hub. Their son Abraham Deller and his wife Sofie erected the sukkah in the courtyard of their home in Germany every year until the Nazis rose to power. Where is their Sukkah located nowadays?
16. In the Talmud, Sukkot is considered the festival par excellence. By which short name is it known?
17. There is a Sukkah exhibition at the Neot Kedumim Biblical Landscape Reserve. This park illustrates unusual Sukkah styles which were discussed in the Mishna and Talmud. Where in Israel is Neot Kedumim situated?
18. All of the following, with one exception, are found at the Neot Kedumim Biblical Landscape Reserve.
Identify the odd one out:
a) A sukkah on a boat
• Create a plan or roadmap. This is crucial as the idea becomes clear on paper and can then be followed and adapted, as needed.
• Let significant others know that you are making a change and enlist their support.
• Celebrate your success, no matter how small.
The final word goes to illustrator Adam Scythe who said: “Things change, so I have to change too."
Anne-Marie Elias is a psychologist in clinical practice for 25 years.
b) A sukkah on a camel
c) A sukkah in a treetop
d) A sukkah underground
e) A sukkah on the roof of another sukkah?
19. Why is the ‘Prayer for Rain’ recited on Shemini Atzeret?
20. The Prayer for Rain is known as Tefillat Geshem.
Geshem is the Hebrew word for rain. What does the term gashmiyut mean?
21. In Temple times, the Simchat Beit Hashoeva, The Water Drawing Ceremony, was experienced every morning during Sukkot. Where in the Bible would one first come across the word mayim, water?
22.As part of the celebration of The Water Drawing Ceremony, one of the great Mishnaic rabbis would take eight burning torches in one hand and proceed to juggle them upwards, incredibly not one of them fell to the ground.
Was the name of this great rabbi:
a) Rabbi Hillel
b) Rabban Gamliel
c) Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel
d) Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai or
e) Rabbi Akiva?
23. The following was part of a report in an Israeli journal published in 2022:
“Night-time Sukkot prayers were conducted by candlelight. No members of the Jewish community were injured, as far as Rabbi Azman knows, but a Jewish man was in his apartment when the roof of his building was hit by a projectile.” Where did this take place?
24. How many hakafot or circuits carrying and dancing with the Torah scrolls take place on Simchat Torah?
25. Zedekiah ben Abraham Anaw (13th century) wrote that on Simchat Torah there is a custom for the Chatan Torah (the Bridegroom of the Torah) i.e. the person honoured with the final aliya or call-up of the year, to make a feast and to distribute sweets and …? What is the Chatan Torah expected to distribute in addition to sweets?
There has been a significant amount of learning about the rituals, meaning and traditions of Rosh Hashana in The King David School Early Learning Centre (ELC).
As it is a time of renewal and reflection, much age-appropriate discussion has taken place.
The school’s youngest learners (those in Gan Te’ena or pre-kinder) practised the song Tapuchim u'Dvash and spent time drawing apples and pots of honey.
In Gan Gefen (junior kinder) and Gan Tamar (senior kinder), children learned about the story of creation.
Gan Seorah (senior kinder) focused on how sophisticated bees are and how they make honey.
At the start of Elul, the month leading up to Rosh Hashana and the High Holidays, Year 2 students visited the ELC to sound the shofar at the start of each day.
They demonstrated the three different shofar blasts: Tekiah, which is one blast, Shevarim which is three wavering continuous blasts and Teruah, being nine staccato blasts.
For 175 years, Jewish Care Victoria has responded to the needs of, and given to, the most vulnerable in our community.
The longevity of the organisation can be attributed to the funding received from valued supporters and donors.
However, 175 years on, the need for support in our community is still as strong as ever.
Many individuals and families are finding themselves in situations they could never have foreseen and Jewish Care has been the only place to which they could turn.
Over the past 12 months, Jewish Care Victoria received more than 13,000 calls
for assistance and provided 222 families with financial aid to cover essential expenses. Here’s what one of its clients had to say: “It was the hardest call I had to make, but I’m so thankful I did. I was immediately greeted by a friendly voice and for the first time, in a long time, I felt hopeful. My biggest regret was not contacting Jewish Care sooner,” said Sarah.
There has never been a more important time to help make this New Year sweeter for those in serious need.
To donate to Jewish Care, phone 1800 539 474 or do so online at www. jewishcare.org.au/donate Jewish Care wishes all Jewish Report readers and their families a sweet, happy and prosperous New Year. Shana Tova.
Rosh Hashanah represents a time to help make the year ahead a little sweeter for those in our community who are in serious need.
For an incredible 175 years, Jewish Care Victoria has responded to the needs and given to the most vulnerable in our community.
To make a donation to Jewish Care, please call 1800 539 474 or donate online at www.jewishcare.org.au/RH2023
Our school empowers our students to achieve both inside and outside the classroom. Inspired and curious from ELC to VCE, our students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the world they will graduate into.
Thank you for your support and may you and your family be blessed with a sweet, happy and a prosperous New Year.
Wishing you a Shana Tova from all at Jewish Care.
To donate scan this
QR code
Between 1969 and 1972, 12 men walked on the moon. Although there are no Jewish footprints on the moon’s surface as yet, more than 10 Jews have lunar craters named after them.
Lunar craters are caused by meteorites and asteroids colliding with the lunar surface. There are 5,185 lunar craters that are more than 20 kilometres in diameter, approximately one million craters larger than one kilometre in diameter and more than half a billion that are larger than 10 metres in diameter.
In 1651, Giovanni Battista Riccioli, an Italian Jesuit professor of astronomy and philosophy, prepared a comprehensive work on astronomy, with a complete map of the moon. Riccioli named the lunar craters after the outstanding astronomers of the Middle Ages; four of them were named after rabbis. Since 1919, the assignment of the craters’ names is regulated by the International Astronomical Union.
Here are six craters and the Jews after whom they are named.
Rabbi Levi ben Gershom
Crater Levi is named after 14th century French-born Rabbi Levi ben Gershom (also referred to as Ralbag and Gersonides), known for his important contributions to Jewish philosophy, mathematics, navigation and astronomy. He invented the Jacob’s Staff, or the cross-staff, an instrument used to measure the angular distance between two heavenly objects. This tool was used by sailing ships to navigate by the stars.
He lived at a time when terrible tragedies befell the once great Jewish communities of France. At that time, cruel King Phillip the 4th was busy waging war on his neighbours. As a result, his treasury became empty and he decreed that all Jews be expelled from France and their possessions be given to him. Rabbi Levi escaped most of the trouble because he lived in a small city in southern France, which belonged to the Pope. Rabbi Levi devoted his life to spreading the light of knowledge among fellow Jews and to the promotion of science and tolerance in the world.
He showed his extraordinary capabilities at an early age. He mastered the Talmud and by the age of 30 he was an accomplished physician. He wrote
commentaries on the Torah, the Prophets and Writings. He also wrote a commentary on the Mishna. He wrote many poems, especially dirges, in which he lamented the terrible persecution suffered by his brethren in France. He died in 1344, at the age of 56.
The crater Abenezra is named after the Sephardic sage, poet, biblical commentator and astrologer, Spanishborn Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra (1092-1167). His adventurous life began in Tudela, Spain. He spent the first half of his life in various cities in the Arabic part of Spain. He was always in financial straits. The generosity of his admirers made his life somewhat easier. They appreciated the elegance and stylishness of his poetry and other writings. He wrote books on various subjects, including philosophy, calendar mathematics, medicine, chess and astronomy. His religious poems, prayers and writings are infused with warmth and deep feeling, and his boundless faith and trust in God.
The second half of his life he travelled from country to country, studying people and countries, cultures and languages. He even visited the Holy Land, where he learned Kabbalah from sages in Safed and Tiberias.
The 84 kilometre in diameter moon
crater Zagut is named after Rabbi Abraham Zacuto (his Hebrew name was Zechut). Rabbi Zacuto was born in Spain in 1452. He was a mathematician, historian, doctor, navigator, rabbi and astronomer. When he was 20, he started working on Almanach, which calculates geographical coordinates. He improved the astrolabe, an instrument invented by the ancient Greeks in 225 BCE, which was used to make planetary measurements, typically of the altitudes of celestial bodies and in navigation for calculating latitude.
Without his personal guidance, knowledge and inventions, Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama may have failed in their quests. Rabbi Zacuto knew that such contributions to science by a Jew, and particularly a rabbi, created a favourable impression upon his non-Jewish peers.
After being expelled from Spain, he moved to Portugal. After expulsion from Portugal, he moved to Tunis where he wrote the majority of his Book of Lineage, which recorded the first 1,500 years of Jewish history. Apparently, he wrote this encyclopaedic work with only one tractate of Talmud and hardly any other reference books, except the few that expelled Jews brought with them.
Jewish Nobel Prize winner Gerty Theresa Cori (maiden name Radnitz) was born in Prague to an upper-middle-class sophisticated family on August 15th, 1896. She attended medical school in Prague, where she met Carl Cori. His family felt that her being Jewish would stifle Carl’s advancement. She converted to Catholicism so that they could be married in a church. Gerty was unsuccessful in assuaging the family fears. Their eventual decision to leave Europe was fuelled primarily by rampant antisemitism. Carl Cori was offered a position in the US and Gerty followed half a year later. In 1947 she became the first American woman – the third woman ever – to win the Nobel Prize. Planetary study was not what made her a scientific star.
She and Carl received it together in recognition of their life’s work on carbohydrate metabolism, which expanded understanding of how muscles make and store energy and the role of enzymes, with
James Joseph Sylvester
James Joseph Sylvester was born in 1814 and was the first observant Jew to hold a professorship in Britain. He excelled in maths at Cambridge, attaining second place in his year, but was refused a degree or a prize because he was Jewish.
In 1838, he became professor of natural philosophy at University College London and published 15 papers on fluid dynamics and algebraic equations. After spending some time in America, he returned to England, where he became an actuary and maths tutor. Florence Nightingale was one of his students.
In 1855 he became professor at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich and was the second president of the London Mathematical Society. In 1870, he retired at the age of 55, due to army rules and in 1877 he went to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He founded the American Journal of Mathematics, the first American mathematical journal. In 1883, he became professor of Geometry at Oxford, finally retiring in 1892, at the age of 78. He died in 1897. A 58 kilometre wide crater located near the north pole of the moon was named after him.
Judith Resnik
Pilot, software engineer, electrical engineer and NASA astronaut Judith Resnik (1949-1986) grew up in a religious Jewish home in Akron, Ohio. At first, she planned to become a concert pianist, but turned down Juilliard School of Music to study mathematics. In 1978, at the age of 29, Dr Resnik became a NASA astronaut. She was the fourth woman, the second American woman, and the first Jewish woman of any nationality to fly in space. She logged 145 hours in orbit.
She was briefly marred to engineer Michael Oldak. They divorced in 1975, but remained in touch. In August 1984, Dr Resnik invited her former husband to Cape Canaveral, Florida to watch her blast off and become the second American woman to orbit the earth.
Dr Resnik’s first flight took place in 1984 aboard the Discovery space shuttle. It was also the maiden voyage for the spacecraft. On January 26th, 1986, she was on the ill-fated space shuttle Challenger. It broke up 73 seconds into launch, killing all seven crew members. The spacecraft disintegrated 14 kilometres above the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Cape Canaveral. The Resnik crater was named in her memory.
Amigour, proudly supported by Keren Hayesod-UIA, is the leading Israeli provider of sheltered housing for Holocaust survivors and elderly Olim. It offers residents cultural and recreational facilities such as Hebrew and English language classes, exercise classes, lectures, choral groups and computer classes. Amigour is home to 7,500 elderly residents, about 2,600 of whom are Holocaust survivors.
For many of these residents, Rosh Hashana can be a time of struggle and loneliness.
This year, to help make yom tov more fulfilling, UIA’s Kol Nidre Appeal will provide generous food packages for Amigour residents so they can enjoy yom tov meals.
UIA Victoria President Peter Horovitz said, “UIA continues to be at the forefront of responding to the needs of the People of Israel.
Amigour is a very special program and it is both an honour and a privilege to support it.
Yom tov is a time of tzedakah – what better way to honour these residents than by giving generously to enable the elderly in Israel to enjoy yom tov.”
UIA Victoria CEO Jeff Feldman said, “We thank our rabbis and shules for their support and endorsement of this
appeal. UIA has always operated on the basis that kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh – all Israelites are responsible for one another. Our Kol Nidre appeal has a long and established history and we hope that our community will again embrace it and support it wholeheartedly.”
You can also send an e-card before the chagim, which will support this appeal. Consider sending an e-card to your loved ones in lieu of gifts or flowers.
The Kol Nidre appeal will run until after Yom Kippur. All donations are tax deductible and can be made online, reducing costs and administration.
For more information or to make a donation, visit uiavic.au/kn or call 9272 5533 or send an e-card via https:// uiaaustralia.org.au/e-cards
JNF Australia's iconic Blue Box appeal is a cherished tradition of tzedakah-giving that has been transforming lives for more than 120 years.
This year, the money raised will go towards making a real difference to the lives of over 1.2 million residents of the Negev region.
In his introduction to the 1956 government yearbook, then Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion wrote: “In the south and the Negev stood the cradle of our nation: they are dangerous areas of weakness of the state, they are also its greatest hope.”
This year, in conjunction with Israel’s 75th anniversary, JNF is partnering with Soroka Medical Centre to create healing gardens and transform the entrance and grounds of the hospital into a beautiful oasis.
Found in the heart of Be’er Sheva, Soroka is a strategic asset to the State of Israel. It is the largest hospital in Israel’s South and the only one in the Negev – a lifeline for the people of the region. Housing the country’s busiest emergency department, the centre serves more than 60 per cent of Israel’s land area, providing the highest standard of care to the Negev’s diverse communities. Now, 60 years after the hospital’s establishment, the new gardens and entrance will provide a display of native greenery through the main artery of the city.
The Healing Gardens will become a place of tranquillity, hope and rejuvenation – an important component
of treatment and rehabilitation for over 750,000 patients, including 3,000 children, that seek treatment for chronic illness.
As Rosh Hashana draws near, JNF is sowing seeds of compassion as well as nurturing growth and recovery. Your support is invaluable in ensuring that more patients and families experience the healing power of nature during their time at Soroka Medical Centre. Join JNF in its longstanding mission to ensure a brighter future for the Negev communities and continue realising the dream for Israel’s south envisioned by David Ben-Gurion.
For more information about JNF VIC’s Blue Box campaign, visit https://jnf.org.au/ bb-soroka/
Rosh Hashana e-cards are available at JNF, with proceeds going towards this vital campaign.
On 19th April 2023, Ari and Gabbi Mitchell’s precious baby girl, Stevie Dylan, was born sleeping at 37.5 weeks. Through their enormous grief, they realised that stillbirth isn’t openly discussed in the Jewish community. People simply don’t know what to say or do when someone loses a baby. The Mitchells are on a mission to help change this.
While Gabbi and Ari were surrounded by support, they have seen first-hand how isolating the experience can be. That’s why, during September, Ari will be jumping into oceans and pools around Sydney for Stevie’s Swim. He will complete a total of 126km (representing 7 x Chai (18)) over the month.
The Mitchells explain the swim is their way of honouring Stevie and opening up the conversation around stillbirth.
“When we were pregnant, I pictured taking our baby to the pool,” says Ari. “I still can’t believe she isn’t here with us. If even one person can ask me about my daughter, about grief and loss, then it will be worth it.”
He says one of the biggest learnings through this painful journey is that men and women grieve differently. “As soon as we realised that, my form of grieving was validated,” he explains.
Gabbi says “it’s been the most harrowing few months of my life. This is one thing no-one can make better for you. All they can do is crawl into the hole with you … and for those who could do that, it’s made a world of difference.”
“After nearly nine months of pregnancy, instead of coming home from the hospital with a baby in my arms, I came home with a memory box,” says Gabbi. “I suddenly became a member
How many common words of 5 or more letters can you spell using the letters in the hive? Every answer must use the centre letter at least once. Letters may be reused in a word. At least one word will use all 7 letters and have a direct Jewish connection.
Proper names and hyphenated words are not allowed. Score 1 point for each answer and 3 points for a Jewish word that uses all 7 letters.
Rating: 8 = Good; 12 = Excellent; 14 = Genius
of this secret society that no one wants to be part of – a parent with a child that you can’t see or hold again.”
Through Stevie’s Swim, the couple are also raising much needed funds that will go towards creating specific support services for people experiencing fertilityrelated grief and loss.
Gabbi says support has helped her get through her darkest hours. “I want to make sure that no-one goes through this journey alone and I want to empower the community with resources to support others going through fertility-related grief.”
The couple were recipients of emotional support from the Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN) throughout their IVF journey, pregnancy and stillbirth. They are now working closely with the AJFN to design and fund initiatives to enhance AJFN’s support offering and make a tangible difference to people experiencing fertility-related grief and loss. Many of these initiatives will honour Stevie’s name.
CEO of AJFN Justine Saidman says "Ari and Gabbi are the most courageous people I have ever met. Their response to this tragedy reminds us of the importance of a supportive community during grief. Stevie has touched us all."
By talking about fertility-related grief, the Mitchells are breaking down the silence surrounding stillbirth. “We invite the community to dive into Stevie’s Swim with us as we honour Stevie, open up the conversation and make a tangible difference to those experiencing fertilityrelated loss,” says Gabbi.
As Ari kicks off Stevie’s Swim, the Mitchells share their top five learnings about supporting someone going through fertility grief:
Saying something is better than not saying anything at all. If you are not sure what to say, start with a statement. Try things like, “I am here for you” or “No need to respond, but I am thinking of both you and Stevie today.”
Milestones and names are big. If the baby has a name, use it. For Gabbi and Ari, it is comforting to hear Stevie’s name and helps keep her memory alive. Also remember that every milestone is meaningful and earth shattering. Due dates, new months, Rosh Hashana, Mother’s/Father’s Day and celebrations. Every time someone acknowledges those days, it helps them feel less alone.
It’s a long (and never-ending) journey. When the meal drops have stopped, the parents’ pain lives on. It’s just as important to check-in after the soup (or lasagna) stage ends. That’s when Gabbi and Ari felt most alone and found that they needed their extended support network.
Give support to both partners. Don’t forget that both partners are grieving in their own ways and both need support. Ari found kicking a footy, going for a swim or simply talking about Stevie really helped him get through the early days.
Normalising stillbirth. Across Australia, six babies are stillborn each day. Research-based practices, such as holding the baby, sharing photos and giving the baby Hebrew and English names are important choices when facing the grief and trauma of losing a child. The Mitchells found themselves unprepared for the immediate decisions they had to make when giving birth to Stevie.
To hear more about Stevie’s story and what her parents have learned from losing their daughter, follow Stevie’s Swim: www.instagram.com/SteviesSwim
Yoni Glatt has published more than 1,000 crossword puzzles worldwide, from the LA Times and Boston Globe to The Jerusalem Post. He has also published two Jewish puzzle books: "Kosher Crosswords" and the sequel "More Kosher Crosswords and Word Games".
ANSWERS PAGE 14
Innovative and success … just a few words that sum up the remarkable role that The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) plays on the world stage.
Israel’s oldest university (the cornerstone was laid in 1918) was founded by luminaries including Albert Einstein, Chaim Weizmann, Sigmund Freud and Martin Buber. HUJI is ranked in the top echelon of the world's leading universities. To date, HUJI faculty and alumni have won eight Nobel Prizes, a Fields Medal and an Abel Prize.
Looking ahead, in October the university will have as its guest in Australia Niv Gronovich. While still at school, he participated in an exclusive Hebrew University program for talented high school students – the Alpha Program at the Belmonte Science Laboratories’ Center. The Alpha Program is a joint initiative of the Hebrew University, the Future Scientists’ Center and the Ministry of Education’s Department for Talented and Gifted School Students. It was established to meet the intellectual needs of talented students such as Niv by enriching their knowledge base, exposing them to high-level scientific research and providing them with the tools to engage in independent research at an academic level.
Niv conducted his research at the Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research
of the Faculty of Dental Medicine. He researched bacteriophages – viruses that specifically attack bacteria. It is considered to be one of the most promising solutions to the challenges posed by the emergence of antibioticresistant infections. Niv’s contribution has been most beneficial. Already, more than 20 patients have been treated with this novel solution to antibiotic resistance.
Niv is now a student at The Hebrew University’s medical faculty, participating in a special IDF program known as “Tzameret”, which is the military track for medicine. It will enable him to continue his research and help
him fulfill his dream of contributing to the furthering of medical science. January to February 2024 is the timeframe for the Mishpatim Program, an immersive experience in Israeli and international law. The program provides an in-depth exploration of the Israeli legal system while dissecting current debates that define its course.
Next January is also the time for an archaeological dig in partnership with the Australian Catholic University. May 2024 will see HUJI’s popular Legacy Mission run again, this time in conjunction with the British Friends of The Hebrew University. It offers an
opportunity for supporters prepared to provide for the Hebrew University in their wills to enjoy a free, fully sponsored trip to Israel and the Hebrew University. It also enables them to experience Yom Ha’atzmaut in the hands of experienced guides and some of the world’s leading researchers and scientists.
The Australian Friends of The Hebrew University encourages Australian students to study at the Hebrew University and will, in certain cases, assist with financial support. This year it has supported students in a variety of areas, including archaeology, law and Jewish studies.
Making his Melbourne Fringe Festival debut, comedian Jeremy Moses will bring his special brand of stand-up, satire and storytelling to the Classic Southside stage in Elsternwick next month.
While his show is titled 157 minutes of Bad Slam Poetry, the reality is it will run for only an hour. Bookended by silly slam poems – a byproduct of one hundred poems written and recorded in lockdown – Jeremy will tell tales about his disability, the loss of his mother at an early age and the beatnik persona that has made him an occasional household name on social media.
“I found a harmonica and a pink beret buried in a drawer,” Jeremy said. “I paired them with striped pyjama pants, retro sunglasses and an old jumper. It was only supposed to be a handful of poems. Little did I know, I’d be wearing this costume on stage a couple of years later. I wish I picked a more breathable fabric!”
The “157 Minutes” in the show’s title reflects more than two-and-a-half hours of bad slam poetry Jeremy has recorded to date. “I made a feature film of foolishness,” Jeremy said. “I guess that makes me the Stanley Kubrick of bad slam poetry.”
“It’ll mostly be me telling jokes and stories, but I have a few new topical poems up my sleeve sure to delight my fan - singular, but he’s very enthusiastic.”
Born with a rare genetic condition, affecting his eyesight and coordination, Jeremy shares insights into living with a disability, the often-funny challenges growing up legally blind and the awkward misadventures that plague his adulthood.
“I talk about getting into the wrong cars as a kid, being mistaken for drunk at bars as an adult and the many unspoken access barriers for people with a disability. It’s not easy – especially for stand-up comedians. For me, a big source of anxiety is getting on and off stage safely.”
The show’s Sunday matinee will be a relaxed, sensory friendly session, with reduced lighting and volume, and with a chill-out space nearby, if needed. Jeremy will also describe any visuals for low vision audiences.
“I hope as many people as possible can come to my show. It’ll be a lot of fun, but it will also tackle some important issues we need to talk about. Who knew a pink beret and harmonica was what was required to get the ball rolling?”
With a large, diverse Jewish family, with roots in Iraq, India and Singapore, Jeremy will shed light on a little-known multicultural crossroad and the rich history, food and customs that shape the Jeremy Moses of today.
Jeremy Moses: 157 minutes of Bad Slam Poetry will play at Classic Southside, at Classic Cinemas, 9 Gordon Street, Elsternwick from October 11th to 15th.
For tickets, visit melbournefringe.com.au or call 9660-9666.
RABBI DANIEL RABIN
"I'm looking for Mrs Cohen. I believe she is on the third floor," I said to the person behind the visitors' information desk at a local hospital. With a warm smile, she pointed me in the right direction and I found myself on a journey that transcended hallways and elevators, leading me to a room where an unwell woman lay. As I stood outside her door, I felt concern, compassion and an undeniable sense of responsibility. This experience sheds light on the complex and meaningful nature of the mitzvah of visiting the sick, known as "bikur cholim", an act that taps into the heart of our humanity.
Visiting the sick reaches beyond a physical presence. It is about offering solace, company and a listening ear to those facing health challenges. Yet, as I stood outside that door, I couldn't help but feel a certain tension, a sense of not knowing exactly what to expect or how to best offer comfort. The truth is, despite visiting many people in my role as a rabbi, it is a frequent tension when faced with the opportunity to visit someone in need. When a close friend falls ill, the mixture of concern and care
can sometimes lead to overthinking. We want to provide comfort without overwhelming them. In such moments, it is important to remember that the foundation of friendship is familiarity. Your presence alone can be a source of reassurance. Sharing stories, laughter and familiar moments can help alleviate the uneasiness that illness often brings. Visiting a family member who is unwell comes with its unique set of emotions. The vulnerability of our loved
ones can trigger our own fears and anxieties. Striking a balance between offering support and respecting their autonomy can be challenging. It is a dance between caring and letting them maintain their dignity, a dance that requires some delicacy.
Visiting someone you don’t know as well can feel like navigating uncharted waters. Will your presence be welcome? Will it feel intrusive? While these uncertainties may linger, remember that compassion knows no bounds. A simple "I'm here for you" or "You're in my thoughts" can go a long way in conveying your care. You might not be a close friend or family member, but your visit can still have meaningful impact. We might worry that our words may not provide enough comfort or that we might inadvertently say the wrong thing. We fear intruding on a private moment or overstaying our welcome. These anxieties are a testament to our desire to do right by those we visit, but it is important to remember that your presence itself is a gift.
As I was first starting my role as a community rabbi, a senior colleague told me that visiting the sick isn't about having all the answers or knowing the perfect thing to say. It's about being there during a challenging time.
Still, while our intentions are rooted in care, here are some helpful pointers I have picked up over the years. Always be mindful of certain boundaries and sensitivities during visits, so:
• Unless you are a medical profession, avoid giving unsolicited medical advice. Instead, focus on offering emotional support and lending an empathetic ear.
• Respect privacy and curb intrusive questioning: Illness can be a deeply personal experience. Do not push for details a patient is not comfortable in sharing, which may include details about their prognosis and treatment. Rather focus on offering a listening ear.
• Do not overstay: As much as your presence is appreciated, be mindful of the patient's energy levels and the potential for fatigue. A short, meaningful visit can be more impactful than a prolonged one. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they would like a rest.
•Remain positive: While empathy is crucial, avoid dwelling solely on the negative aspects of illness. Carefully engage in positive conversations, stories and moments to uplift the spirit.
In the end, "bikur cholim" isn't just about visiting the sick. It is about touching hearts, strengthening bonds and creating a web of compassion that weaves us all together.
Artist, writer and storyteller Ryan Abramowitz has been painting love stories and ketubot for the Australian Jewish community for the past eight years. However, this year, timed for release on World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), Ryan is sharing a love story of an entirely different nature.
Initially, Ryan struggled to come to terms with his father’s decision to end his life. “There are unique textures to the grief surrounding suicide, including guilt, confusion and abandonment.
Elegy for an Elephant is unique in how it acknowledges these emotions and would have made me feel seen and supported in my processing and journey towards acceptance.”
Elegy for an Elephant (EFAE) is a picture book he has authored, illustrated and self-published. He was inspired by the journey of his family to repair and heal following the lived experience of losing their father Joel, to suicide.
In 2016, Ryan was studying in Copenhagen when he received a life changing call from his sister, informing him that their father had passed away. He remembers looking out the window and seeing a heavy fog and struggling to process the gravity of her words. The manuscript was developed in close consultation with Ryan’s twin sisters, Gina and Nicole. Ryan wanted them to feel like the story chronicled their journey, individually and collectively, navigating the complex grief suicide leaves in its wake.
Appreciating the sensitivities of this work, Ryan had EFAE peer reviewed
by the mental health care community, including child psychologists, psychotherapists, grief counsellors and suicide bereavement groups Support After Suicide and Roses in the Ocean. This involvement was essential to ensuring EFAE was as sensitive, gentle and non-activating in its engagement with the subject matter as possible.
Ryan says EFAE can be used a support resource for parents, carers, schools and psychologists when unpacking grief and loss in a safe environment.
Joel’s passing is one of many cases of suicide that over the years have devastated the broad community. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there were 3,144 deaths by suicide in Australia in 2021 (an average of nearly nine per day). Suicide is the leading cause of death among Australians aged 15 to 44, claiming the lives of males at three times the rate of females. Lifeline estimates that suicide attempts each year exceed 65,000.
Each suicide causes a seismic rupture for those left behind and therefore dialogue is important. Nevertheless, Ryan found the book difficult to create as it challenged his own mental health. Still, he says as he was nearing completion, he felt closer to his father and to G-d. “Both Hashem and my dad were there, sitting on my shoulders.”
The book’s foundation is rooted in Jewish ideas around bereavement and mourning. His favourite illustration, a luminous landscape where flowers burst into flames, was inspired by the sentiments of the mourners’ kaddish and how lighting candles and reciting prayers elevates the soul.
EFAE follows the journey of a whale and two birds who seek out their father’s soul after Elysium the elephant ends his life.
While the book, suitable for those aged at least seven, certainly touches on suicide and its impacts, it also addresses connection, how we come to terms with grief and how one can begin healing.
You can buy the hardcopy book for $29.99 plus shipping from https://narrativesofnature.com/ Ryan will be donating 18 per cent of profits from every one sold to Lifeline, Movember and Support After Suicide Services to support the meaningful work they do in terms of suicide prevention and bereavement counselling.
Its release will be followed by a 10-day art exhibition at Brightspace Gallery, St Kilda from September 13 to 23.
https://www.instagram.com/ narrativesofnature_/
RABBI GABI KALTMANN
"Every blade of grass has an angel that bends over it and whispers, 'Grow, grow.'" – (Talmud Bavli, Tractate Berachot10a)
Rosh Hashana, the holiday that marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar, is a time of introspection, repentance and renewal. The spirit of the holiday is growth, which is beautifully captured in the Talmudic quote above.
Just as every blade of grass has the potential to flourish, as humans we too can transform ourselves and become better individuals. The beautiful imagery of an angel that whispers to each blade of grass serves as a reminder of the presence of the Divine in our lives, urging us to strive for greater heights and to recognise the infinite potential within ourselves.
Growth is not always easy. When you grow, you leave an older and more familiar world behind and instead embrace a new future with all its new beginnings. At any age, starting something afresh and learning to grow through the experience takes discipline and builds character.
There are many ways to cultivate growth in our lives, whether that be through acts of kindness and compassion towards others, seeking out new experiences or opportunities for learning or dedicating thousands of
past year and seek forgiveness for any wrongs we may have committed.
Through teshuvah, we acknowledge our mistakes and commit to doing better in the future. This process of repentance is not only a way to seek forgiveness from others, but also a means of spiritual growth and transformation. When we face our mistakes head on, we grow from the experience and become better equipped to work on ourselves to do better.
Our sages describe what true teshuvah is, namely when faced with the same set of circumstances you choose to do something differently and don’t repeat the mistakes of old.
While this sounds simple, in truth it is not always easy. It can be uncomfortable, challenging and even painful at times.
past 12 months and pledge to do better cultivate the qualities of compassion, kindness and humility. That includes embodying the values and principles of our faith in all that we do and striving to build stronger relationships with our loved ones and with the broader community. Further, it involves working towards creating a world that is more just, peaceful and compassionate for all. And, too, acknowledging that despite our best efforts, we still have work to do on ourselves to become better people.
Despite these challenges, the opportunity to start fresh and leave behind past errors is a universal theme. When we start something anew, we are reminded of the cyclical nature of life, where each year brings with it the potential for a fresh start.
hours to learning a new skill. Whatever path we choose, if it is done intentionally, with a sense of purpose, it provides opportunities for renewal.
One of the key themes of Rosh Hashana is teshuvah or repentance. This is a time when we reflect on our actions over the
To truly change our actions and behaviours we may have to take responsibility for those occasions when we have caused harm or acted in ways that were not aligned to our values. To change our behaviours, we may be forced to look inwards at our actions and see traits that we acknowledge are lacking. It can take time to feel ready to acknowledge these shortcomings. And yet, a new year is the perfect time to do so. It rolls around, whether one is ready or not, and asks us to reassess the
So, as we approach this Jewish new year with a sense of hope gratitude, and determination, let us commit to making the most of every moment we are given. May the year ahead be one of blessings, growth and endless possibilities. May each of us be endowed with insight to see that just as G-d’s angels encourage each blade of grass to grow, there are surely angels above each of us encouraging us to fulfil our potential and unique mission on Earth.
Recently, I found myself engrossed in the pages of James Clear's thoughtprovoking book, "Atomic Habits". As I delved into the concept of habits, I couldn't help but wonder are we truly the sum total of our actions? Could the mitzvot, the good deeds we are commanded to perform, possibly serve as the building blocks of habits? If the answer to both these queries is affirmative, then a bigger question emerges: how can we merge these profound ideas to catalyse our journey towards becoming better individuals?
Within the realm of mitzvot lies a treasure trove of insights on how to lead a more meaningful and impactful life. As I pondered this, I began contemplating the positive habits I aspired to cultivate and the negative patterns I yearned to shed. It became clear that the upcoming occasion of Rosh Hashana held the potential to be the launchpad for my pursuit of incorporating Atomic Habits into my own life.
The Talmud imparts a powerful lesson: "The way in which a person chooses to go, they are led." This reminds us that our choices are not merely solitary decisions, but rather they influence the greater tapestry of existence. Our aspirations and actions form a two-way connection with
through to the conclusion of Sukkot, when we integrate practical changes from the New Year period. Though each festival – Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot – holds its distinct significance, collectively they form a comprehensive unit. By traversing this season together, we can tap into its unique potency for transformation.
Let's take that pivotal first step together. Whether your aspiration is to cultivate a new habit or break free from an old one, whether you seek a structured approach to enhance your life gradually or simply yearn to embrace novelty in the New Year, please join me as we navigate through life's challenges, successes and revelations side by side.
the greater system, guiding our journey towards realisation. The initial step, the act of choosing, holds immense power, as we strive to unlock our full potential. While the path of growth can sometimes feel solitary, there's a strength in knowing that we are not alone. That is why I would like to invite you to take a profound journey with me, a journey that holds the potential to reshape our lives in remarkable ways. This is not just a project; it's an expedition towards cultivating habits that will stick with us for
a lifetime. Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of mitzvot and practical insights, we will navigate the terrain of personal growth and transformation together. Imagine forging habits that become an inseparable part of who we are, guiding us towards the fulfillment of our potential. Let's build habits and create a future that we can truly be proud of.
Why start this journey now? What better time than the stretch between the lead-up to Rosh Hashana, marked by the solemn prayers of Selichot,
They say football is a religion. I dare say to many it is. It mirrors life’s ebbs and flows. As a die-hard Collingwood supporter, I have known my fair share of pain, along with my fellow stalwarts. But this just could be the year.
The Jewish year, too, marches to its own rhythm. Rosh Hashana marks its inception, a time of introspection and renewal. The shofar's clarion call pierces the air, signalling a pause for self-evaluation and personal improvement. As footy fans gather, united by their fervour, so too does the Jewish community as we observe the Days of Awe. Hearts laid bare, we take stock of our deeds, much like athletes and fans do.
The climax of the AFL season echoes the spiritual intensity of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Just as our respective football teams march into the finals, hearts racing and spirits alight, the Jewish calendar reaches its spiritual “finals”. Yom Kippur stands as the ultimate day of judgment, while Rosh Hashana's contemplation leads to the tallying of deeds.
Judaism has a rich legacy. So, too, football. Passion and fervour are qualities common to both. Some teams grow and prosper, while Jews pursue spiritual growth. Tradition
remains vitally important, whether it be in sport or religion.
While at the end of a long season there can be only one team holding aloft the Premiership Cup, there are many moments that lead up to that defining picture.
These too should be cherished and celebrated. Similarly, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur remind us that the tally of deeds is not a judgment set in stone, rather a reflection of the effort put into self-improvement and bettering our relationship with G-d
Sign up for this free 40-day email journey to building habits that stick. The journey begins on 7th September but can be joined at any time. Subscribe at https://www.rabbibenji.com/habitfix
Shana Tova.Rabbi Dr Benji Levy is a cofounder of the philanthropic advisory Israel Impact Partners, Keshev mental health center, and an Al summarizing start-up called Tanna. He is the former CEO of Mosaic United and Dean of Moriah College, and he teaches globally in person and online at @RabbiBenji. For more information visit www.rabbibenji.com
and our fellow people. So, as the final siren echoes around the “G” and the final shofar note fades, a sense of unity will linger as we all strive for something great and then greater still.
May it be a year of health and happiness for us all.
These fruits have a long history in Jewish texts and are an important part of Rosh Hashana.
Pomegranates are richly evocative in Jewish art, literature and tradition. Mentioned throughout the Bible and Talmud, these sweet red fruits are often used to symbolise Jewish mitzvot (commandments) and are equated with plenty and good fortune. They’re particularly associated with Rosh Hashanah and wishes for a sweet new year.
Here are eight Jewish facts about this delicious fruit.
Pomegranates are one of the seven fruits of Israel
Pomegranates are one of the seven items of produce that are closely associated in the Bible with the Land of Israel. Before the Israelites entered the Israel, they sent in a group of men to scout the land. The men returned to the Israelite camp with grapes, pomegranates and figs: samples of the wonderful fruits that grew in Israel (Numbers 13). Later, when the Jews stood poised to enter Israel, Moses told them what to expect there. This time, pomegranates were part of a longer list of seven foods native to the Land of Israel and which represent its richness in the Bible: “a Land of wheat, barley, grape, fig and pomegranate; a Land of oil-olives and date-honey ...” (Deuteronomy 8:8).
Even today, many places in present-day Israel are named after pomegranates (Rimonim in Hebrew): Ein Rimon (a natural preserve in southern Israel), Gat Rimon (a moshav, or collective farm, in central Israel) and Beit Rimon (a kibbutz, another type of mutually-owned collective farm, in the Galilee region of northern Israel) are a few examples.
Pomegranates symbolise beauty in Judaism
In some of the Bible’s most stirring descriptions of beauty, pomegranates are used as a metaphor for a woman’s comeliness. In King Solomon’s Song of Songs, the People of Israel are compared to a woman in love with her husband (representing the Divine). “Your
1. Tishrei
2. This is because this year the first day of Rosh Hashanah is Shabbat when we do not have the blowing of the shofar, rather only the memory of the blowing from earlier years
3. Shabbat/Saturday
4. a) 25 October
5. When Rosh Hashanah falls on Thursday and Friday, the Fast of Gedaliah is postponed until the Sunday
6. c) Olives
7. Who By Fire
8. Rosh Hashanah La’Ilanot, the New Year for Trees, otherwise known as Tu B’Shevat
brow behind your veil (gleams) like a pomegranate …” (Song of Songs 6:7).
The Talmud, talking about a particularly attractive person, also reaches for a pomegranate metaphor, likening him to a goblet filled with ruby red pomegranate seeds in beauty (Baba Metzia 84a).
Pomegranates represent mitzvot
As anyone who’s ever cut open a pomegranate knows, this luscious fruit is filled with hundreds of tiny seeds. For millennia, Jews have used pomegranate’s copious numbers of seeds as a metaphor for the many commandments of the Torah.
The Talmudic rabbi Resh Lakish was one of the first to make this connection. Noting that Jews perform mitzvot, he said: “Even the empty people among you are as full of mitzvot as the pomegranate is full of seeds” (Sanhedrin 37a).
Golden pomegranates decorated the Temple and priestly robes
In the days of the ancient Temples in Jerusalem, the Kohen Gadol – the High Priest who officiated in the Temple –wore a magnificent robe trimmed with 72 golden pomegranates (interspersed with 72 golden bells) hanging from the bottom of his robes (Exodus 34:34).
9. By Telegram. In 1928, Western Union Telegram Company declared that Jews were "the group sending the largest number of telegrams of congratulations", with some rabbis receiving 500 greeting cards apiece
10. Germany
11. A Shofar is a ram’s horn and a Keren is a cow’s horn
12. c) The rabbis consider that electronically produced sounds are not the same as the natural sound of someone blowing through the shofar
13. b) Yemenite Jews
14. Pesach
15. In the Israel Museum in Jerusalem
16. Hechag – The Festival
These echoed a row of carved pomegranates near the Temple’s massive carved pillars. The Bible describes the architecture of the First Temple, built by King Solomon: “He made pillars, two rows going all around … to cover the capitals (the tops of the pillars) ... with the pomegranates” (I Kings 7:18).
Pomegranate syrup was
Even more than the juicy seeds, Jews have long prized the juice of pomegranates. In ancient times, it was used as dye for clothing and an ingredient in ink. Pomegranate molasses was also an important component in Jewish cooking: its tart, tangy sweetness imparted a distinctive flavour to many Jewish dishes, particularly before lemons had reached the Middle East.
Cookbook writer and food historian Claudia Roden notes, “The thick, dark brown, almost black, syrup – also referred to as molasses – made from sour pomegranates is used by (Jewish) families from Syria, Iran, and Iraq for sweet-and-sour dishes ….” (from The Book of Jewish Food: An Odyssey from Samarkand to New York With More than 800 Ashkenazi and Sephardi Recipes by Claudia Roden: 1996).
17. Near Ben Gurion Airport, it is between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
18. d) A Sukkah underground
19. It coincides with the beginning of the rainy season in Israel
20. Gashmiyut means ‘physicality’
21. In Genesis 1, Verse 2: Now the earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters (mayim)
22. c) Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel
23. Kyiv, Ukraine (Rabbi Moshe Azman is Chief Rabbi of Kyiv’s Brodsky Synagogue)
When Jews first settled outside the Land of Israel, they often took pomegranate seeds with them, planting them in their new homes. One such group of Jewish settlers established a town in southern Spain in ancient times. It’s not known today what this Jewish town called itself, but when Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 711 CE, they stumbled upon this town and seeing the Jews’ many pomegranate trees bestowed an Arabic name on the settlement, meaning pomegranate: Gharnata al Yahud –“Pomegranates of the Jews”. This name stuck and in time the town evolved to Granada – a modern city that still flourishes in southern Spain today.
Pomegranates decorated ancient (and modern) Jewish coins
A motif of three pomegranates appeared on Jewish coins during the Hasmonean period. Even in modern times, a pomegranate appeared on the Israeli one-lira coins (used as Israeli currency from 1952-1980).
On Rosh Hashanah, Jews around the world make a beautiful blessing on pomegranates before they start their festive holiday meal. Since pomegranates, bursting with seeds, are associated with a life full to bursting with mitzvot, it’s traditional to make a wish that our coming year will be as full of mitzvot and good deeds as a pomegranate is full of seeds, saying: “May it be Your will, Hashem, our God and the God of our forefathers, that our merits increase as (the seeds of) a pomegranate.”
New fruit
Some Jews also have the custom to eat pomegranates as a “new fruit”. It’s traditional to eat a fruit on Rosh Hashana that one hasn’t eaten for at least a month. If you haven’t eaten pomegranates in a while, they make an ideal “new fruit” to enjoy at your Rosh Hashana table. Before eating the new fruit, make the following blessing: “Blessed are you, Hashem, our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season.”
Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and sweet new year.
24. 14 (seven in the evening and seven during the day, the following morning)
25. Candles
Jewish Answer: KEDUSHA (KEDUSHAH). 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): DUDES, DUKES, HUSKED, HUSHED, HUSHES, HUSHS, KUDUS, SHAKSHUKA, SHUSH, SHUSHED, SHUSHES, SUEDE, SUKKAH, SUKKAHS and SUSSED.
Questions/comments – email Yoni at koshercroswords@gmail.com
Moulin Rouge! The Musical, at the Regent Theatre, as reviewed by Alex First It sizzles. It’s electrifying. It’s energy on steroids. Moulin Rouge! The Musical triumphs anew – a rolled gold winner that keeps on delivering.
The staging, costuming, lighting, music, sound and choreography are magnificent … awe inspiring.
The performers metaphorically lift the roof off one of the world’s great theatres – The Regent.
The chorus numbers build and build. Time and again, the audience is whipped into a frenzy – the acclamation instant, heartfelt and enduring.
Such is the impact of a truly spectacular production. The excitement is palpable.
More than 70 songs from 160 songwriters, representing over 160 years of music, are mashed into two hours and 15 minutes of prolific entertainment. It is a showcase of hit after glorious hit.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a 10-time Tony Award-winning jukebox musical based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film, with added songs.
The story concerns the problematic, tumultuous love affair between a young, penniless singer songwriter and a showgirl.
Set at the turn of the 20th century, American Christian (Des Flanagan) has just arrived in Paris and heads straight for Montemarte.
Duke wants Satine all to himself and he is used to getting his way … or else.
Alinta Chidzey dazzles in the lead, a torn, at times forlorn, figure who shines like a sparkling diamond the moment she is lowered onto the stage.
Des Flanagan wears his heart on his sleeve as her bold, persistent and lovestruck pursuer.
James Bryers is imposing and menacing as his affluent, entitled adversary (the villain in the piece).
Simon Burke is all about affectations, bringing swagger to his portrayal of the Moulin Rouge mover and shaker.
I was particularly taken by the nuances in character that Bert LaBonté brought to Toulouse-Lautrec. He was a standout to me.
Ryan Gonzalez is a showstopper, alongside no-nonsense performer Nini (Samantha Dodemaide) as the pair hit it out of the park at the start of Act II.
There he chances upon two artistes – Toulouse-Lautrec (Bert LaBonté) and Santiago (Ryan Gonzalez) – who are part of the Bohemian movement.
They are looking to compose a new play with songs, but are having trouble with the lyrics. Christian helps them out.
In return, they encourage him to visit the Moulin Rouge cabaret – birthplace of the modern can-can. They want impresario Harold Zidler (Simon Burke) to stage their show at the venue.
Their ploy is for Christian to sweet talk leading lady Satine (Alinta Chidzey) – a former courtesan – into convincing Zidler to do so.
Only what they don’t realise is that Zidler is in serious debt and the club is on the cusp of closing.
To that end, Zidler hopes to call upon wealthy but arrogant The Duke (James Bryers) to bail them out.
Zidler, too, is using Satine as bait.
The moment they see her, Christian and The Duke are both smitten, only The
They were high achieving 12-year-old friends in their native South Korea.
Then one left with her family for a new life in North America.
Past Lives is the story of the ties between the pair.
I speak of Nora (Moon Seung-ah as a child and Greta Lee as an adult) – the English name she took – and Hae Sung (Leem Seung-min and Teo Yoo).
They forged a strong bond in South Korea and who knows what could have been if she had remained there?
But as it was, she didn’t. She aspired to achieve world acclaim and became a playwright – he an engineer.
Neither forgot about each other, but they moved on with their lives.
Hae Sung tried to find her, but that wasn’t easy because she had anglicised her name.
Then after 12 years had passed, he reached out to her through her father’s Facebook page (the latter being a filmmaker).
And once they reconnected, they disconnected again … for another 12 years, before meeting face-to-face.
Also in the picture is another person of significance in Nora’s life, Arthur (John Magaro).
Past Lives is a sensitive and moving story of possibility, the essence of which is choosing one life means leaving behind another. Celine Song’s cinematic debut makes a strong statement.
It is reflective of her own life.
One night, a few years ago, she found herself sitting at a bar sandwiched between two men from different parts of her life.
Playing both translator and middleman, she felt she was piercing through alternate dimensions.
Both men loved her … in different languages and cultures.
A mainstay as a playwright in New York Theatre, there and then Song had the inspiration for her first screenplay.
Past Lives is a well realised, slow moving, drama romance.
It asks questions about happenstance and what was meant to be.
It queries whether the person you know as a child is still the same person as an adult. The undoubted star of the piece is Greta Lee, who is so natural in her realisation of Nora.
There are no airs, grace or pretence, rather authenticity … and that is what makes her so compelling.
Earlier, I referenced the staging. The set changes are prolific and seamless.
While red and black predominate, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a cavalcade of colour and movement, with costuming to die for.
The choreography is hypnotising – as good as you can get.
I urge you to see this dynamic production that leaves everything on the stage.
It is masterful and playing at the Regent Theatre until the end of 2023.
Teo Yoo is more reserved in his characterisation of Hae Sung, while John Magaro also walks in Nora’s shadow, as a fellow writer.
Song is careful to take her time in revealing the full picture.
At times, I would have liked the pace to be quickened, but I also appreciated the originality she brought to bear.
It looked and felt real and never deviated for this idyll.
Rated M, Past Lives scores a 7½ out of 10.
Presenting a jam-packed program of over 50 of the best new Jewish-themed films from all across the world, the 2023 Jewish International Film Festival screens only in cinemas from October 23.
Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick and Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn 23 Oct — 29 Nov
Tickets on sale Sept 22
JIFF.COM.AU
Stella. A Life.