בסײד Volume 11, Number 22 September 2015, Tishrei 5776 Welcome to our newest member Eliyahu Moshe Rabin Visit www.nejc.com.au to view this Menorah in FULL COLOUR Menorah Editor - Leah Grunberg Proof Reader - Michael Katzew
Welcome Eliyahu Moshe! Also known as Eli Rabin Aaron and Shaina with their new baby brother Irene Port s family in Jerusalem, Israel, David and Lauren Port have been blessed with a new addition, Elisha, born 3 Sivan, (May 21 st ) brother to Orly (2) Bris ceremony held at the Centre. Mazeltov to the Luntz family Peter Savvas, our NEJC Caretaker and his wife Rebecca welcomed their baby boy Micah
B SD President s New Year Report July 2015 With the High Holy Days around the corner it is always a good time to review our lives over the last year and to plan for the future. Especially in terms of enhancing our lives as Jews be it socially, culturally or spiritually. With this in mind I believe that serving the community is an excellent way to live a Jewish life. It is no surprise that Jews world wide are outstanding philanthropists, or in the helping professions, and most value the concept of tzedakah and peace. President s Report 2015 It is no different at the North Eastern Jewish Centre where volunteers and paid employees continue to ensure a thriving community. So much so that I can state with confidence that those individuals actually get much more out of what they are doing than the efforts they put in. It therefore gives me great pleasure to take you behind the scenes and give you just a snippet of the Board s activities, as well as those of our employees, in the ongoing hope that you too might like to make a contribution as best you can. Karen Shimshon our receptionist and extraordinary diplomat takes the front line position to ensure the customer is always right, and manages to multitask at the request of many bosses. Heidi Hayden the Board president is passionate about the Centre, about staying connected to the broader Jewish community, and continues to take on complex tasks such as reviewing our Constitution, helping to fine tune our Child Protection Policy, and maintaining an aesthetic eye over any refurbishments We have treasurer Michael Katzew who is almost full time at the Centre, liaising with Rabbi Rabin, Clive Caplan our book keeper, Karen, or our tenants, and who is forever scrutinising the administrative ins and outs of the Centre. In particular, Michael is very focussed on ensuring that more money comes into the Centre than goes out. We have a number of people who ensure that our Centre building does not crumble. No mean feat for premises over forty years old and fast ageing! Issy Allen, our vice president, spends numerous hours checking, liaising, organising tradesmen or just ensuring the lights and heating are off. Hezi Rafael, our engineer Board member, scrutinises the big ticket building items such as heating and cooling, roof maintenance, and is currently negotiating to get air conditioning installed. Peter Savvas, our caretaker, has also learnt multi-tasking and, as well as assisting with the kiddushim, keeps a keen eye on the state of the premises and its continual maintenance. You may think that it magical that the Centre is clean and tidy soon after events that have large attendances and lots of food. You may not know that Yoram Fishel has been cleaning the Centre after hours and sometimes late into the evening, and he has been doing this for many years. Nothing is too much trouble for Yoram and we are grateful to have his involvement. Secretary Theresa Frankel comes with a very generous disposition and is showing that no task is too hard for her as she settles into her recently appointed position supporting the Board and the Administration Committee.
Marlene Oppenheim continues to bring amazing energy to the NEJC with her exemplary contributions to the constitution, the Child Protection Policy and her committed work in running the Hebrew School. Recently Marlene initiated a survey getting feedback from Centre members, a wonderful initiative that needs further fostering as the Board is keen to hear what members think. Well done Marlene. Milton Shenker, immediate past president, continues to chip away at ensuring that the security of the Centre is a top priority and is assisting Michael and myself in looking at ways to reduce costs at the Centre. Leah Grunberg and Tamar Ben-Barak are wonderful emissaries in helping establish stronger connections with the broader Israeli community. As well as collating the Menorah Leah is first to put up her hand when asked for help and Tamar comes with wonderful vitality and creativity bringing new ideas and colour to the Centre on an ongoing basis. Board member Joe Leibowitz continues to support initiatives such as Chesed and concepts such as Tzedkah as well as also putting up his hand more often than not, the latest being to support in grant applications. Eva Sommers continues to do magic, pulling most interesting and diverse guest speakers out of her hat, and supporting Rabbi Rabin with events. Kristen Moeller-Saxone continues to find her way in her new position as youth Board member while maintaining a keen eye on grant applications, a great source of income for the Centre. Other newly appointed Board members, Erica Lurie, Sara Berson and Jesse Wilson are settling in well and we look forward to their continued efforts and contributions. Finally Rabbi and Rebbetzin Rabin, as well as providing their indefatigable commitment to the Centre, model the precepts of the Torah, loving the neighbour and the stranger and driving a vibrant and all inclusive Centre for Jews in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. I therefore thank you all, including any other behind the scene members I have not named, and encourage you to continue to make your contribution to the Centre in the following year, no matter how small, to ensure that our North Eastern Jewish Centre continues to thrive and grow well into the 21 st century. Shana Tova Marcel Saxone Telephone: 0438 354 929 Email: m.saxonenejc@gmail.com If you Would like to advertise in our Menorah we offer both colour or Black & White Half Page and Full Page. Please contact the office for more details on 9857 9000 Ads In this newsletter on pages 18-19
Message for Rosh Hashanah 2015 B SD Rabbi s Message 2015 I am always amazed how quickly the year goes by and how we will soon be coming to Shul over the High Holydays to pray for a good, healthy and sweet new year to come! Last year in my Rosh Hashanah message I wrote about the four New Years that are enumerated in the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 2a). I briefly discussed each of the four and asked that we try making practical changes in our lives that might reflect each of the four different themes. This included making a change for the better in regards to our study of Torah, giving more Tzedakah (whether it is helping someone physically, financially, spiritually or emotionally), doing something for ourselves personally and lastly doing something for the environment. I challenged you back then to write down the proposed changes on a piece of paper and hold onto it until the following year. If you managed to do that I ask you now to retrieve this piece of paper and examine whether you have been successful in the changes you had wished to make. I just did the exercise myself and I was quite amazed to read what I had written a year ago and to see what I had or hadn t managed to achieve. It is quite easy to be happy and proud of the commitments that one did manage to undertake but what is special and unique about the concept of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is that even if we didn t manage to do everything we had set out to do, we are to be once again inspired to reflect, to rethink, to plan and to commit to meeting past and new challenges in the coming year! The message of the High Holydays is not to become despondent when thinking about all that we had not managed to accomplish, but rather to use this time as a time for introspection and resolution for the future! As a community I believe we have accomplished a tremendous amount this past year. From the many religious services, social events, cultural activities, Shiurim and other initiatives, we continue to be a strong and vibrant centre serving the needs of the Jewish community in the North Eastern suburbs. The many volunteers who continue to tirelessly work in the many different areas of the centre ensure our centre thrives and continues into the future. That being said, as Rabbi Tarfon in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers 2:20) says The day is short, the work is great! There is still a lot of work to be done, and for our Centre s success to continue, we require something incredibly special and valuable, we require none other than YOU! You are our greatest asset! You are what will ensure that we continue to offer the many religious services, social events and other activities the centre currently hosts! I would therefore like to propose a new challenge this year. Besides working on the four areas in our personal lives, let us try to contribute in the four areas for the NEJC! 1. Attending religious services and Shiurim at the centre more frequently (even coming to one additional service or Shiur makes a HUGE difference to our community). 2. To assist others in the community who may need assistance (as mentioned before whether it be financially, emotionally, spiritually or physically the Chesed Project is one avenue to be able to get involved in this area). 3. To offer assistance to the Centre in an area that is meaningful and personal to you! 4. To assist the Centre in its mission to be an environmentally friendly Centre! (Both our Shul President, Board President and other board members have already made big changes to this effect! If you have any ideas how to continue this mission please let us know!)
I look forward to rereading this message next year and seeing how much we have achieved together as a community On behalf of Rebbetzin Sarah and my children I would like to thank the community for the incredible friendship, support and warmth you have shown our family over the past few years and we look forward to many more fruitful years at NEJC! May Hashem bless each and every one of you with a year of tremendous health & wealth both spiritually and physically and of course happiness through it all. Shanah Tova Rabbi Daniel Rabin TIMES OF SERVICES DURING THE HIGH HOLY DAYS YESHURUN SYNAGOGUE 2015 5775/6 SELICHOT: Saturday, September 5...at Central Shul.10:30pm Monday & Thursday September 7/10...6:30 am ROSH HASHANAH EVE Sunday, September 13 Selichot.8:00 am Candle Lighting......5:50 pm Maariv...6:15 pm ROSH HASHANAH, 1 st DAY Monday, September 14 Shacharit......9:00 am Reading of Torah.. 10:00 am Shofar/Sermon...11:00 am Musaf...11:30 am Mincha followed by Tashlich.. 5:20 pm Maariv....6:15 pm Candle Lighting...not before 6:48 pm ROSH HASHANAH, 2 nd DAY Tuesday, September 15 Shacharit...9:00 am Reading of Torah...10:15 am Shofar/Sermo..11:00 am Musaf...11:30 am Mincha/Maariv (TBC)...5:30 pm Yom Tov Ends..6:49 pm FAST OF GEDALIAH Wednesday, September 16 Fast Commences...5:01 am Selichot & Shacharit 6.30 am Fast Ends..6.38 pm YOM KIPPUR EVE (KOL NIDREI) Tuesday, September 22 Mincha...3:15 pm Candle lighting & Fast begins...5:58 pm Kol Nidrei...6:30 pm sharp ALL OTHER SERVICES NOT INDICATED WILL BE HELD AT NORMAL TIMES YOM KIPPUR Wednesday, September 23 Shacharit 10:00 am Reading of Torah. 12:00 pm Sermon.1:00 pm Yizkor (Memorial Service).......not earlier than 1:00pm Musaf.1:45 pm Mincha...5:45 pm Maariv/Fast Ends...6:56 pm SUCCOT EVE Sunday, September 27 Maariv.6:15 pm Candle Lighting.6:02 pm SUCCOT 1 ST & 2 ND DAYS Monday and Tuesday, September 28 & 29 Shacharit.9:15 am Maariv (Monday evening).6:15 pm Candle lighting (Monday evening).... not before..7.00 pm Yom Tov Ends (Tuesday evening).7.01pm HOSHANAH RABBAH (Daylight Savings Commences) Sunday, October 4 Shacharit.8:00 am Maariv for Shemini Atzeret Eve...6:30 pm Candle Lighting..7:08 pm(dst) SHEMINI ATZERET Monday, October 5 Shacharit.9.15 am Yizkor (Memorial service)....not earlier than 10:45 am Ma ariv and Hakafot.7:00 pm Candle Lighting..not before 8:07 pm SIMCHAT TORAH Tueday, October 6 Shacharit with Hakafot...9:15 am Communal Meal.after Morning Services Yom Tov Ends.8:08pm
The main focus of our youth activities has been the Shabbos program. Every Saturday morning a great group of kids from littlies upwards get together and have fun. A couple of the teenagers get valuable experience designing activities, keeping the young ones entertained and adding a little davening and parsha for good measure. The leaders are paid for their work and gain valuable experience in leading a group. These opportunities form the first work experiences for many of our young people and help build leadership skills and identities. That's the adult perspective; the kids focus on having fun and playing a great game of soccer or cricket or whatever. Its a real pleasure to see how they play with kids of different ages, cooperate with each other and include new or younger kids. If you know of any kids at a loose end on Saturday mornings, there's always a spot on the team! We have been slower to organise other weekend activities, mostly because its the winter sports season, and everyone is busy playing something on Sundays. This will change as the weather warms up and before the summer sports season starts! If you want to help out, get involved or have ideas to share, send me a message via Karen in the office. Kristen Moeller-Saxone NEJC arts and crafts club! Come and join in every Tuesday from 10:00am onwards, enjoy some tea, biscuits and socialise while doing fun activities! Men and women welcome OFFICE HOURS MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY OFFICE CLOSED 9.30am to 3.00pm 9.30am to 3.00pm 9.30am to 3.00pm 9.00am to 12.30pm
NEJC FAMILY NEWS April 2015 September 2015 Births A hearty Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Rebbitzen Rabin on the birth of a son Irene Port on the birth of a grandson Reeva Metz on the birth of a grandson Sam & Sylvia Lew on the birth of a grandson Zvi & Talila Freund on the birth of a granddaughter Luntz family on the birth of a grandson Meir & Rachel Birati on the birth of a great granddaughter Peter & Rebecca Savvas on the birth of a son Les & Judy Milner on the birth of a grandson to Les Engagement A hearty Mazel Tov to Milton & Pat Goldman on the engagement of your granddaughter Brodee to Daniel Procel Leon & Jean Freedman on the engagement of your grandson Aaron to Stephanie Merenstein Graham & Moira Guttenberg on the engagement of your daughter Tarryn to Andrew Stan & Patty Katz on the engagement of your son Josh to Jess Barmitzvahs A hearty Mazel Tov to Ivan & Janine Treisman on the Barmitzvah of their Son Daniel Batmitzvahs A hearty Mazel Tov to Simon & Andrea Joseph on the Batmitzvah of their daughter Emily Lawrence Feldman on the Batmitzvah of his granddaughter Emily Anniversaries A hearty Mazel Tov to Ben & Betty Alexander on their 60th wedding anniversary Sid & Evelyn Weitzer on their 60th wedding anniversary Max & Diane Shnider on their 50th wedding anniversary Special Birthdays and Milestones A hearty Mazel Tov to Zelik Wloszczowski on his 60th Birthday Geta Shenker on her 70th Birthday Lena Frankel on her 70th Birthday Betty Alexander on her 80th Birthday Condolences We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jeffrey Wolinski on the passing of your daughter Alison Irma Hayden on the passing of your husband Richard Alan & Heidi Hayden on the passing of Alan s father Richard Andrew & Dana Teichtahl on the passing of Andrew s grandmother Maurice Lubansky & Family on the passing of wife and mother Pearl Des & Sheryl Galgut on the passing of Des s uncle Steven & Tahli Freeman on the passing of Steven s aunt Rae Yvonne Neiger on the passing of her husband Michael Simom & Raquella Neiger on the passing of Simon s father Michael Peter Savvas & Family on the passing of Peter s mother New Members Welcome: Nathan & Michelle Rosen Gary and Shirley Cohen
The NEJC host "Australia's Biggest Morning Tea" to help raise funds for the Cancer Council in order to help them with their vital research, prevention and support service Programmes. We raised $700 for the Cancer Council. Thank you to all who assisted in making it a successful event! The Australian Jewish News Friday, June 19,2015
Language learning doesn t all take place in the classroom, but now also extends to Hebrew Fun Days, when activities and games are conducted in Hebrew, and across all age levels. As we prepare for our Hebrew School Family Shabbat dinner, our students are practising the blessings and learning songs, exploring the many ways in which Shabbat enriches our lives. The Hebrew picture story books, purchased with funds from the Manningham Leader Grant, have added a new dimension to our teaching in the classroom and also in the Playgroup room. Hebrew storytime for pre-schoolers proved to be a big success, and will be trialled further in Term 3. Thanks to our wonderful teachers, and enthusiastic helpers, we continue to provide a fun and engaging way for our children to better understand and appreciate their religious and cultural heritage. Our Tzedakah Project was wholeheartedly supported by our students, who raised and donated funds to Jewish Care. Understanding the concept of community, and helping others, and then putting it into practice, made the Torah teachings real and meaningful. For enquiries regarding enrolments, Young Family events and pre-school participation in Family Funday afternoons, please contact the office on 9857 9000, or myself on 0425723625. Marlene Oppenheim NEJC Hebrew School Administrator From The Australian Jewish News Friday, July 17, 2015 NEJC Hebrew School children raised money for Jewish Care! Hebrew School Pre-Shavuot party
Our once a term Young Family days, held on Sundays, have been popular with more than 10 families attending each event. They are a great opportunity for young families to meet other families in the area, with fun activities for the children! In Term 1 (March) we had Myuna Animal farm visit the Centre. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to get up close and personal with the animals whilst also having fun with their friends. In Term 2 (June) we had a puppet show of Little Red Riding Hood at the Centre. The children then enjoyed making their own puppets and playing with puppets and toy puppet theatres in the hall. Young Families have also had the opportunity to partake in lots of fun events, in association with the Hebrew School. Once a month Pre-Schoolers have been invited to join in with Hebrew School Funday activities. Some of the highlights so far have been the Model Seder and the Shavuot ice-cream day. If you are interested in participating in future Young Family Events please contact Marlene or Tahli, via the Centre. Farm Animals Puppet Show
The club has been running since November 2013 and was started because a number of members had a hunger for the mameloshen (Yiddish language). We have a fun time and our members have developed close friendships. Activities include talking in Yiddish, discussing Yiddish expressions, learning the meaning of words which we find in the Yiddish dictionary, discussing superstitions and sayings that our mothers used to tell us. We also experience our culture through listening to Yiddish music, singing songs and visiting places of interest which relate to our Jewish history such as the Jewish Museum and the Ballarat Synagogue. We meet fortnightly on Thursdays at 10am. Please join our club if you speak Yiddish. Eva Sommers (Coordinator of the Yiddish Club) We are now affiliated with the Lamm Jewish Library of Australia. The Lamm Library is the expanded and renamed Makor Library, next door to the Beth Weizman Community Centre in Caulfield. This means that our collection of books can be entered on their cataloguing system so that our library will operate a professional standard library management system. Books do not catalogue themselves, however, so in order to transform our library from boxes of books (all up to date and interesting, some Hebrew books as well) into a well ordered array of books on shelves, we need volunteers to work on the catalogue. You can work as often as you like, for as long as you like. Half an hour a month, or 3 hours a day.whatever you can manage. We just need to process our books so that we can begin to lend and borrow. A training session will get you started, and then you can come in and continue cataloguing whenever it suits you. Please let the office know that you are interested in helping and Karen will organise the rest.
The NEJC would like to wish Ben & Betty Alexander a hearty mazeltov on their recent 60th diamond wedding anniversary! We wish them continued happiness and health together and nachas from their children and grandchildren and great grandchildren! The NEJC would like to wish Sid and Evelyn Weitzer a hearty mazeltov on their recent 60th diamond wedding anniversary! We wish them continued happiness and health together and nachas from their children and grandchildren! Celebrating a bris at the NEJC Adult Hebrew lessons Congratulations to the Rabbi on his Post graduate diploma in counselling and psychology
Friday Night October 2nd Young Adult Sukkot Dinner Saturday Night - October 3rd Teen Movie Night & BBQ in the Sukkah Tuesday October 6 Simchat Torah Communal Luncheon Dr Daniel Aronov engaging the audience Ken Hamer addressing the audience on Tisha B'Av night Dr. Rick Kausman giving a stimulating talk at the NEJC about changing the way we think about food, diets and taking control of our lives
Mazal Tov to the five girls who celebrated their Batmiztvah at the NEJC! We wish the girls and their families a big mazeltov on this special occasion!
Would you like to Get Your Happy Back? Our Chiropractic Doctors understand that a vital part of living a happy and healthy lifestyle is the maintenance of normal spinal function which keeps the body systems running effectively and may help prevent a variety of issues that include: headaches neck and shoulder stiffness low back pain Sciatica and muscle tightness Would the Dad in your life enjoy a massage? Remedial Massage & Myotherapy Father s Day Gift Vouchers Available Mindfulness Workshops Mindfulness is a method that reduces the stresses of every day living. It encourages people to become aware of their experiences by attending to body sensations as well as breathing, in a compassionate way. Wednesday mornings 9am till 10.15 OR Wednesday evenings 7:00pm till 8:00 @NEJC Chiropractic Remedial Massage Myotherapy We utilize gentle, specific and effective techniques to suit the needs of all age groups Explore Health 19 Village Avenue, Doncaster Ph 9857-7453 www.explorehealth.com.au Marcel Saxone Facilitator Cost $5.00 per session Call Marcel 0438 354 929 to enrol
We would like to wish members Ivan & Janine Treisman a hearty mazeltov on the occasion of their son Daniel's Bartmizvah. Batmitzvah girls enjoy Israeli food
Some photos courtesy of : Ed Berson Merv Chait Ben Sztypel