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the melbourne jewish report | October 2021
AROUND
T H E
COMMUNITY
The source of happiness
RABBI GABI KALTMANN ARK CENTRE Understanding and dissecting happiness is not something new. Popular culture dedicates many thousands of hours of TV and print to examining what the secret to a happy life is. On YouTube alone there are more than 100 TED talks dedicated to happiness, while a quick Google search reveals there are almost half a million English language books on the subject of happiness. During the pandemic, my family and I have dedicated ourselves to trying out different methods of achieving the all-elusive happiness. We practice getting up early in the morning with a strict routine of making our beds, wearing comfortable clothing and sorting out our to-do lists with long neglected items. Mushka and I have even undertaken a thorough clean out of our house. Using inspiration from Marie Kondo we threw out any possessions that “did not spark joy”. While cathartic, did doing so provide us with happiness? I think the happiness we were seeking was somewhat more elusive than the feelings a clean out or strict routine could generate. In Synagogue each week, when we return the Torah scroll to the Ark
immediately after Torah reading, we sing the song ‘Etz Chayim Hi LeMachazikim Bah, Vetomcheah MeUshar’. That translates to: The tree of life to which those that hold fast, all of its supports are happy/fortunate. The tree of life in this song refers to the Torah, which, from a Jewish perspective, brings happiness by adherence to its laws and abiding by its actions. In Judaism, happiness is therefore not something that can be pinpointed to a single action or event. Rather, happiness comes from us embracing our culture, traditions, core Judaic teachings and emulating the
values that our ancestors instilled in us over millennia. But how do we each individually define happiness? In Jewish tradition, the responses to understanding happiness are varied. Our Torah, which is more than 3,000 years old, includes stories that provide us with a blueprint on how to lead a meaningful and happy life. However, not all of them are happy, light and optimistic. In fact, a close reading of our texts reveals that the stories contained within it detail the extreme difficulties, challenges and trials that our ancestors, kings, tribes and prophets lived through. For example, our foremother Sara experienced infertility. Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery. Jacob is cheated by his father-in-law. The Israelites in the desert experience fear and anxiety. The Kings of Israel treat each other with treachery, sometimes even resulting in murderous coups. These stories demonstrate that suffering is part of the human experience. Over the past few months, I have had a plethora of people calling me about the hardships they have faced. These have included postponed weddings and bar and bat mitzvahs, a lack of work, financial instability and the scourge of loneliness.
To recognise the blessings that I have in my life, I have taken to writing down each day on a sheet of paper a few things in my life for which I am grateful. It has made me a more cognisant and appreciative person. Our tradition constantly encourages us to reflect and focus upon the good in our lives, and thus by doing so we can increase our satisfaction and happiness in day-to-day life. The Talmud teaches us to never underestimate the power of a regular person’s good deeds, as we will never know how far it will reach. When we give back, our lives find purpose and perspective, causing us to feel more content. As with gratitude, kindness can be nurtured and cultivated. Being kind refills and re-energises our souls and can expand and revive the hearts of others. The sages were right: the greatest wisdom is kindness. As we have just finished the high holiday period, I hope that in the year ahead you can explore and try to discover your own secret to happiness and fulfillment. With Blessings, Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann Ark Centre
A clean and green rabbi with artistic skills RABBI JONATHAN KEREN-BLACK British-born Jonathan Keren-Black arrived in Melbourne in 2003 to work as the rabbi at the Leo Baeck Centre for Progressive Judaism in East Kew. Being passionate and concerned about the climate, he had built an underground, energyefficient house in London. He helped to establish the Jewish Ecological Coalition (JECO) in Australia and built an even more energy efficient home here. That doubled as the “JECO Showhouse” and served to introduce many people to the possibilities of energy-efficient housing. Over the years since, JECO has undertaken many activities, including running and participating in EcoFestivals. One of the most noteworthy was the establishment of the “Repair Café” in conjunction with the Port Philip Eco-House in St Kilda. It is a place where, in normal times, you can bring your favourite equipment or clothes to be repaired for free, while you watch and learn how that is done. In 2019, the Jewish Climate Network (www.jcn. org.au), which raises awareness of the challenges and of clean energy and low emission technologies, became the newest and also the largest part of JECO. During a sabbatical, while always looking for other avenues to raise awareness of the warming climate, Jonathan learnt to create Dalle De Verre, an art technique that uses pieces of faceted, coloured glass set in a matrix of
epoxy resin. Inspired by a computerised prediction of what an average fourdegree global temperature rise would mean for Australia, he produced a large window-image of Australia. Measuring 100 centimetres by 95 centimetres, it comprises 156 squares, each of two-centimetre-thick glass. The clear glass seen to the east represents a temperature rise of seven degrees in Longreach and Cloncurry in South Central Queensland. Jonathan, who holidayed there some years ago, said the place is “already incredibly hot”. With the work now available for sale, Jonathan reflects that it should perhaps go to an environmental organisation, where its message would be seen and absorbed. In 2009, in the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires, he created a smaller piece that depicts the burning trees transitioning to new growth and hope. It is now proudly displayed in a home in the United States. On a smaller scale, Rabbi Jonathan also crafts dichroic glass jewellery, often with Jewish themes or symbols. He also creates a special set of tallit clips for each of his Beit Mitzvah students. The jewellery contains both their English and Hebrew names. As well as being in prominent use at the Leo Baeck Centre, Jonathan’s clips can now be seen in synagogues internationally. Jonathan says there is a mitzvah to beautify the commandments (Khiddur Mitzvah). For further information, please contact Photo by Joel Cohen mhmpublications@dodo.com.au
