IRONIC ICONIC \ RACHEL BERGER TAKES A GOOD HARD LOOK AT HER INNER SELF
(rebecca hallas)
T
he Divine Comedy, written by at times when I’ve felt overlooked, ignored, left waiting in Dante Alighieri between 1308 restaurants or simply bogged down, I’ve stepped through the and his death in 1321, is not doors of the East Melbourne Synagogue in Albert Street. the sort of light reading you find left This is the oldest synagogue in Melbourne, (consecrated in behind in musty rented cottages. 1877) and the largest 19th-century synagogue in Victoria. Considered one of the greatest Here, I have a sense of being part of an overwhelming works of literature, on the surface it’s history, not just my personal history, but also a history a poem describing Dante’s journey entwined with the story of Melbourne. The synagogue was through the three realms of the established during the gold rush of 1852, and in 1857, after dead – hell, purgatory and heaven – but at a deeper level, it separating from Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, it became represents the soul’s journey towards God. the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. This allegorical journey takes place from the night before Being the only synagogue in the city, it serves as a kind of Good Friday to the Wednesday after Easter – that’s this week! Jewish “heart” in the centre of the city’s hectic lunacy. As it happens, this week also delivers an opportunity Originally established to meet the needs of the for soulful contemplation for three religions: for Jews growing Jewish community in the Carlton-city area, it Is a it’s the beginning of Passover, Christians will be it was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson kind commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during the Victorian period in a Renaissance Revival of jewish on Good Friday, and Buddhists will be observing style. It’s an imposing, but not grandiose, two-storey “HEART” IN Magha Puja Day to honour an important event in building that welcomes the visitor to step inside the life of the Buddha. between two octagonal domes. THE CITY I’m big on soul-searching; I’ve spent a lot of hours Inside, my eyes move immediately to the domed and dollars participating in workshops with titles such as Ark where the Torah scrolls are stored. It’s flanked by two Zen and the Art of Exfoliating, The Hidden Path of the Deputy large columns supporting a pediment incorporating the Ten Commissioner of Taxation and the most challenging of all, Commandments. Empowerment For Idiots. Surrounded by galleries on three sides where women Regrettably, I’ve learnt the hard way that you can’t have a members of the congregation sit and facing the platform bona fide soul-journey in a weekend workshop delivered by from which the Torah is read, I’m filled with the sense of my a loud and sweaty guy promising to help you learn to love humanity, all other thoughts cease, and I resign temporarily yourself – oh, and him too! as general manager of my worries – until I know the parking Contemplation, soul-searching and meditation require meter needs feeding. \ boomboom@rachelberger.com time and preferably a peaceful location; a space that’s tranquil, meaningful and that gives us the opportunity to remove ourselves from our fast-paced, multitasking day-to-day lives. Follow Rachel on Twitter @boom_berger I’m not religious. I grew up in a secular Jewish home but,
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