December - Beit Shalom

Adelaide Progressive Jewish Congregation
Beit Shalom Magazine
KISLEV / TEVET 5775
DECEMBER 2014
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Rabbi’s Column — What a Time it Was!
I realise it may appear somewhat self-indulgent to dedicate this column to
the UPJ Conference that has now passed after writing last month’s column
on exactly the same topic. But I reckon we deserve it. Beit Shalom has
done itself proud, and now the whole of the Union for Progressive
Judaism for Australia, New Zealand and Asia knows it. Mazel Tov!
I want to acknowledge the literally dozens of Beit Shalom members
whose invaluable contributions helped to make for such a successful
conference and especially for a perfect Shabbat morning. Of course,
thanks are due to conference committee member Kitty Goode and my coconvener Gerry Bloustien—who brilliantly arranged for the University of
South Australia to partner with the UPJ to host the conference. But thanks
are also due, in no particular order to…
Special points of
interest:
 Monday 1, 8 December—
7:30pm Talmud Study
 Saturday 6 December—
9:30am Meditation
 Friday 19 December—
7:00pm Chanukah BYO
Oneg Dinner & Cheder
Prize Giving
 those who moved furniture in the sanctuary and Hall
 those who assisted with the picture rail in the Hall and lent artwork to
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further beautify it
those who cleaned up the yard
those who baked and came early on the day to prepare food
those who participated in the awesome conference choir
our crack team of Purim shpielers
those who presented over the course of the conference
those who lined up to transport conference delegates when the rain
came pouring down
those who guided, advised, and instructed visitors from interstate and
overseas
those who worried about conference security
those who organised and gave tours at the synagogue and the Botanic
Gardens
those who did their very best to make our visitors feel welcome
the 25 Beit Shalom members who participated in some or all of the
conference
and all those who helped in a hundred different ways.
I can’t even begin to tell you how many people pulled me aside during the
conference to let me know how much they loved Adelaide and how
wonderful the conference was. We should all be very proud!
Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky
Inside this issue:
Congregational News
2
Yahrzeits
3
President’s Report
4
Bea Forstick z”l
5
Narcys Family Matzeva 6 &
7
in Wolbrom, Poland
Rheims Synagogue &
North Eastern France
8—
10
Mitzvah Day!
10
Chanukah Oneg Dinner 11
at Tusmore Park (parking in Stirling Street)
BYO Food & Drinks, Picnic Rugs, Tables & Chairs
Chanukiah lighting during the evening—6 candles & shamash
Sisterhood Report
11
Libcon Appeal 2014
12
Yom Kippur Appeal
12
UPJ Conference
13
Events & Celebrations
14
Calendar
15
Directory
16
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 2
Congregational News
‫תרומות שהתקבלוּ‬
BIRTHDAYS
DONATIONS RECEIVED
‫ימי הולדת‬
Thank you to the following members who have made Yahrzeit donations:
Wishing a Happy Birthday
to the following members:
Donor
In Memory of
Philip Sheldon
Kate Solovitch
Trudy Hill
Judith Stevens
Bill Barnes
Garry Rogers
Aubrey Batton
Jill Peisach
Oliver Sierp
Beverly Rudnick
Julio Licinio
Roma Silver
Evon Hanzalik
Mya Katz
Macintyre Howie-Reeves
Rachel James
Alice Licinio
Rebecca Mayo
Joshua Zoanetti
Samuel Koopowitz
Eden Menashe
Karen Sheldon
Freda Fischman
Jody Roberts & Daniel Katz
Aidan Roberts-Katz
Merrilyn Ades
Ari Ades
Marie Lipert
Susan Kowald
Michael Hanzalik
Miriam Hanzalik
Mazel Tov Ayana & Benjamin Clifford
Margot Bailey is a proud grandmother indeed, pictured here at the
wedding of her grand-son Benajmin
Clifford.
The bride's name is Ayana Saguchi.
Benjamin & Ayana were married in
Concordia College Chapel on
Saturday, 1st November. The photo
was taken at Concordia College at
Highgate. The Reception was held at
Chapel Hill Winery, McLaren Vale.
Fifteen family & friends of the
bride came from Japan for the
wedding.
We wish the young couple every
happiness as together they embark
on their future journey through life.
Rosters
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
‫יובל נישואים‬
Mazel Tov to the following couples who
celebrate their wedding anniversary this
month:
Rachel & Callum Gillespie
Karen & John Zoanetti
Helen Hanwit-Arney & Chris Arney
Carol & Norman Schueler
Lydia & Jack Ades
Denise & Ralph Barouche
SHAMUS
BIMAH
December 5 A Henderson-Sapir
December 6
L Lockshin
December 5
December 6
B Hocking
P Main
December 12
December 13
R Gilbert
R Hoenig
December 12
December 13
H Limareff
M Sag
December 19 B Hocking
December 20
S Musry
December 19
December 20
K Goode
R Hoenig
December 26
December 27
December 26
December 27
N Zuckerman
S Musry
J Henrie
P Main
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 3
Yahrzeits ‫אכ ה ר ה‬
December 5 – 6
Susan Kowald
8 Kislev—30 November
Wife of Neil Kowald, mother
of Joanna & Daniel, daughter
of Marie Lipert, sister of
Karen, Wendy, Pam &
Annette
Miriam Hanzalik
9 Kislev—1 December
Mother of Michael Hanzalik,
grandmother of Jonathon,
Sam & Zachary
Lily Sag
11 Kislev—3 December
Mother of Tom Sag, grandmother of Rachel & Danny
Gene Maley
11 Kislev—3 December
Mother of Jeffrey Gerrard
Freda Fischman
14 Kislev—6 December
Mother of Karen Sheldon
December 12 – 13
Stanley Joseph Phillips
15 Kislev—7 December
Father-in-law on Eva Phillips
Nettie Washington
16 Kislev—8 December
Mother of Arthur Rudnick
Walter Ryder
18 Kislev—10 December
Father of Sue Musry
David Luber
18 Kislev—10 December
Congregant of Beit Shalom
Abraham & Sicha Kugel
19 Kislev—11 December
Grandparents of Kay Ronai
Jack Roberts
20 Kislev—12 December
Congregant of Beit Shalom
December 19 – 20
Abraham Tversky
24 Kislev—16 December
Husband of Helen TverskySteiner, father of Jonathan &
Suzie
Leila Naomi (Babs) Lipert
27 Kislev—19 December
Mother of Helen TverskySteiner, grandmother of
Jonathan & Suzie, Karen, Pam,
Wendy & Annette
Rosemary Bor
28 Kislev—20 December
Mother of Liz Bor, Anni
Delahaye & Peter Bor
December 26 – 27
Eileen Richardson
29 Kislev—21 December
Mother of Penny Richardson
Miro Morris Setton
3 Tevet—25 December
Grandfather of Bob Setton
Sarah Zetlein
5 Tevet—27 December
Daughter of Leslie Zetlein
January 2 – 3
Gertie Kasan
6 Tevet—28 December
Mother of Bernice Cohen
Raisa Schaeffer
8 Tevet—30 December
Grandmother of Nathan
Bolton
Amanda Glonek
9 Tevet—31 December
Niece of Andrew Steiner &
Helen Tversky-Steiner,
daughter of John Glonek, sister
of Mimi, Garry, Jonathon &
Alex Glonek
Joel Kasan
10 Tevet—1 January
Father of Bernice Cohen
Moses Jacob Kasser
10 Tevet—1 January
Father of Joe Kasser
Malva Rosen
11 Tevet—2 January
Grandmother of Rachel
Gillespie
May their memories be for blessing
Jacques Ades
12 Tevet—3 January
Uncle of Albert Ades & Jack
Ades
January 9 – 10
Margaret Steiner
13 Tevet—4 January
Mother of Andrew Steiner
Regina Gubbay
14 Tevet—5 January
Mother of Jack Gubbay
Dora Gardos
14 Tevet—5 January
Aunt of Ron Hoenig
Kaz Zielinski
15 Tevet—6 January
Father of Andrew Zielinski &
Marie Zielinski
Miriam Ansell
16 Tevet—7 January
Congregant of Beit Shalom
Miriam Saada
19 Tevet—10 January
Grandmother of Stan
Benjamin
Margot Flatau
19 Tevet—10 January
Mother of Brigitte Yallen,
grandmother of Kitty Goode
January 16 – 17
William Topham
22 Tevet—13 January
Father of Val Abrahamson
Gioia Argy
22 Tevet—13 January
Mother of Ed Argy,
grandmother of Grant Argy &
Vanessa Savic
Elizabeth Shnukal
23 Tevet—14 January
Mother of Dorothy Staska,
Michael, Sam, Eva, Joan &
Muriel
Michael Ansell
24 Tevet—15 January
Congregant of Beit Shalom
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 4
President’s Report ‫י ד ימ ה מ י וש ב ה ר אש‬
What a wonderful event the UPJ conference was!
Thanks so much to our fabulous team of Beit Shalom
organisers: Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky, Gerry Bloustien
and Kitty Goode, and to our wonderful Catering
Committee for the Shabbat Kiddush. And thanks also to
all the Beit Shalom members who, in the words the
Rabbi, "shlepped, transported, sang, acted, learned and
otherwise contributed" to the conference.
I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate
Matthew Goode on his well deserved Vatik Award for
his President’s and continuing contribution to Beit
Shalom and Alison Marcus for her Ner Tamid Award
as a true backbone of our community. I will speak more
of this when the UPJ President comes to Adelaide to
present them next year.
For me, one of the most moving moments was in the
opening session where Karl Winda Telfer greeted us as
a Senior Custodian of Ceremony of the Kaurna Nation
and revealed his connection to two dreamings: the
Kaurna one and the Jewish one of his grandparents on
his father's side, Hans and Hesi Bodlaender, who were
born and lived their formative years in Germany, but
fled first to Turkey during the war and then resettled in
New York, later retiring in Seattle.
Karl was very moved when the conference gave him a
JNF certificate acknowledging that trees had been
planted in his name in Israel and when I gave him a
Kippah. It was a symbol to him of the continuity in him
of both his Indigenous and Jewish traditions.
me, in particular, for reminding us—if we ever needed
reminding—of the truth and the pain of that history.
Thank you to you and Eva Temple and Penny Main for
your contribution to keeping that story of survival
continuing and to letting a new generation of school
children to whom this is ancient history, know of the
awful price of racism in all its forms. You are truly a
light unto the nations.
That light burns also among our young people. I want
to express my thanks to Jack Gubbay for again
contributing $500 to the Youth Achievement Award
which we will present next year. The 2015 award is
inspired by Adelaide’s youth leaders of the past and
present including: Nathan Lockshin, Eleanor Cozens
(Hasen) and Bez Hasen, Reuben Bolaffi and Charlotte
Gillespie. Early next year, we will promote the award
again and seek nominations.
Ron Hoenig, President
In the theme of the continuity of traditions, I would like
to thank Andrew Steiner for his most moving exhibition
on the Shoah.
I find it hard to explain how powerful it was for me to
go into the Rose Harrison Hall and to be confronted by
those signs in Hungarian decreeing increasing
constraints on my own parents and grandparents in
Hungary before and during the war.
On one of the displays there was an image of a woman
called Berkovics from a town in Hungary/Transylvania
called Maramaros. That is my mother’s maiden name
and her father’s family came from that area. It is in
these moment of personal recognition that the full
horror of the Shoah becomes manifest in our lives.
Thank you from the congregation Andrew and from
Three generations at Beit Shalom—Debbie Boock
travelled to Adelaide for her grandson’s birthday. She
is pictured with Joshua & his father Nathan Nirens.
Please note the Rabbi has a new email address: shoshana.kaminsky@gmail.com
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 5
Thoughts on Bea Forstick z”l by Melvyn Ford
On Wednesday 5 November (12 Cheshvan) Beatrice Forstick (affectionately known as Bea) passed away at Montefiore
Homes, St Kilda aged 102. Her body was brought back to Adelaide for burial and the funeral took place on Friday
morning 7 November at Centennial Park Cemetery. Here is what her son Melvyn Ford, who now resides in Spain, asked
to be shared at the funeral.
Hello Mum,
This is "Dear No. 1 Son" as you always
started your letters with.
The Rabbi has asked me to write a few
words about you and although we are so
far apart I hope that they will bring us
close together once more.
Let me first say that you have been such
a wonderful mother over the years and I
am going to miss you dearly. You have
always been there for me,
embarrassingly so at times as you have
always considered me to be your little
boy however old I might be.
I have so many lasting memories of you
that it is hard to know where to begin. I
remember how hard you used to work
as a seamstress all those years ago. How
you schlepped the shopping home after
work in order to get back home to cook
Dad a hot meal when he got in from
work. I remember all the housework
you had to do and how you managed to
keep such a nice clean home for us. All
of that washing with the boiler in the
middle of the kitchen and the red
cracked hands that you got for your
efforts. The trips to Rundle Mall which
you and Dad loved and how you kept
yourself nicely dressed and presented at
your age before you were bedridden.
But most of all I remember Shabbat.
Those Friday nights were always
special. I can still see you
lighting the candles with
your hands shaking
slightly as you struck the
matches. The chicken
soup, the gedamptke
chicken and your fried
fish, O my your fried
fish!
You and Dad always
kept a good Jewish
home, and Shabbat and
Thanks to Andrew Steiner for providing this
the festivals were always
photo of Bea taken on her 100th birthday
celebrated. You did your
best to instil the Jewish way of life
to visit Dad's grave and how pleased
and ideals and I shall always be
you were when I was able to say
thankful to you for that.
Kaddish at his grave on my visits to
We always came over to see you for
Shabbat, come rain or shine,
however tired we were and now
looking back in retrospect we are so
glad that we did so.
I know that your latter years have
been terribly hard for you having to
stay in bed for most of the day, and
so lonely. I only wish that I could
have visited you, to sit on your bed
and talk to you while stroking your
hand. Due to distances and
circumstances I was unable to do
this, to my lasting regret.
I also now remember how without
fail you used to travel across
Adelaide on two buses every week
see you. I now hope one day to be
able to return to Adelaide to say
Kaddish for you.
Now you are at peace and shortly to
be laid to rest beside Dad which has
been you lasting wish for so long.
Goodbye Mum, I have spoken to
Sheila and we grieve together at your
passing and will always remember
you. I have asked for a lock of your
hair so that although you will always
be in my thoughts I will still be able
to have a part of you with me.
Rest in Peace,
No. 1 Son,
Mel.
Torah Portions ‫חלקים מהתורה‬
DATE
PARASHAH
TORAH
HAFTARAH
December 6
Vayishlach
Genesis 32:4—36:43
Obadiah 1:1—1:21
December 13
Vayeshev
Genesis 37:1—40:23
Amos 2:6—3:8
December 20
Channukah
Numbers 7:30—41
Zechariah 2:14—4:7
December 27
Vayigash
Genesis 44:18—47:27
Ezekiel 37:15—37:28
SHABBAT
Mevarchim
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 6
Narcys family Matzeva in Wolbrom, Poland by Albert Narcys
Pictured below are Albert Narcys and his family who recently returned from a trip to Poland where a monument
(Matzeva) was erected in honour of his father Naftali’s memory. We are grateful to Albert for sharing this experience
with us, and wish him and his family a long and happy life. They are pictured with Steven Reece from Georgia, USA.
I first visited Wolbrom, the
birthplace of my father Naftali
Narcyz with my wife Margaret, in
May 2009. In my possession were
some photographs taken in 1985 of
my parents Tony and Hedy standing
around my father’s home—my
intention was to find my father’s old
home which he had to run away
from just before the Germans
invaded in 1939.
Wolbrom is a small rural town
approx 50km north of Krakow in
south western Poland. Before I
visited I had arranged a guide to do
some research and show me around
and explain the Jewish history of
Wolbrom.
Whilst walking around Wolbrom we
visited many significant sites
including where the old synagogue
and Schul had been, and where
Jewish atrocities had occurred
during German occupation. I was
also shown a small Jewish cemetery
on the south side of town adjacent to
an ambulance station. Inside this
cemetery was a 1988 city memorial
to all the Jews of Wolbrom who
died in the Shoah, as well as some
very old overgrown Matzevas.
The guide suggested to me that I
should investigate the possibility of
placing a Matzeva in this cemetery
as a memorial to my father’s family
who all died in the holocaust. This
set me thinking—nowhere on this
earth is there any evidence that this
family had ever existed? What had
happened to them?
It seemed to me that a significant
piece of my family’s history was
erased from our consciousness.
For my children, and their children
and future generations there was
nothing on earth that signified that
my grandparents and uncles and
aunties ever lived!
This seemed abhorrent to me and
upon returning to Adelaide I began
pursuing the idea of placing a
Narcyz family Matzeva in the
Wolbrom Jewish cemetery.
To this end I visited my late
parents’ synagogue of worship,
Beit Shalom and spoke to Rabbi
Shoshana Kaminsky who helped
me with the words for the Matzeva.
However little did I realise the
difficulty that lay before me in
achieving this goal.
Firstly there are language problems
as I do not speak Polish. I also
needed someone to help me
overcome
the
complicated
processes in placing a Matzeva in
Poland. This can only occur with
sanction from all levels of Polish
government including the town
council of Wolbrom.
In addition it had to be approved
by the Chief Rabbi of Poland, Dr
Michael Schudrich.
At times it became extremely
frustrating as I hit obstacle after
obstacle and the whole thing
seemed to be going nowhere!
As fortune would have it one day
whilst trawling through the internet
in search of a solution (as I often
did) I came upon The Matzeva
Foundation based in Georgia USA.
Their contact was a Steven Reece
and he had lived and worked in
Poland for some years and could
speak
the
language.
His
organisation was connected to a
Baptist church in Georgia and their
mission was to restore old Jewish
cemeteries. Each summer The
Matzeva
Foundation
would
embark on projects to restore and
repair various Jewish cemeteries in
Poland.
Cont’d on page 7
Views or opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent
the views of the Beit Shalom Board of Management or community.
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 7
Narcys family Matzeva in Wolbrom, Poland
by Albert Narcys (cont’d)
Library News
New books in the library this
month:
Thanks to Margaret Shepherd for
donating:
“Against all odds: Israel
survives” [boxed set of 6 DVDs]
Penny Richardson
Librarian
Fire Evacuation Drill
Cont’d from page 6
From the first communication with
Steven Reece he seemed very
interested and empathetic towards
my father’s story. With the help of
Steven and The Matzeva Foundation
they began the task of obtaining all
the necessary approvals. This took
over 3 years, but eventually
everything was in place.
st
On July 21 this year a ceremony
was held in the Jewish cemetery in
Wolbrom, Poland to unveil the
Narcyz family Matzeva. Steven
Reece attended along with Rabbi
Jehoshua Ellis and some of his
congregation from nearby Katowice.
In
addition
some
interested
Wolbromers attended.
Also with me thankfully was my
entire family—my wife Margaret,
and my three children Alexander &
his wife Bianca and our grandson
Beau, Tess and her partner Peter,
and our youngest son Liam. It was a
proud day for our family as the
Matzeva was unveiled as a
memorial to my father’s family who
are not and shall not be forgotten.
Albert Narcys
If you would like to contact
Steven Reece at The Matzeva
Foundation, his details are:
Steven D. Reece
CEO/President,
The Matzevah Foundation, Inc.
Mailing Address:
7742 Spalding Drive, No. 480
Norcross, GA 30092-4207
USA
Mobile: 404-663-2383
Email: sdreece@matzevah.org
Web: http://www.matzevah.org
Please don’t be alarmed, but do
be prepared as sometime in
December a fire evacuation drill
will take place at Beit Shalom.
The evacuation meeting point is
the corner of Athelney Avenue
and Hackney Road.
Mazel Tov
Talmud Class Continues!
Our Talmud Adventure will meet
twice more in December: on 1 & 8.
Class meets at 7:30pm and is open
to all. My group of fellow travelers
have put in a request for us to have
a crack at studying Zohar in the new
year, so stay tuned for that
announcement! Rabbi Kaminsky
Congratulations to Norman
Schueler who has been appointed
to the Board of the National
Australia Day Council.
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 8
Rheims Synagogue & North Eastern France by Marie Galletta
A two week holiday in France, followed by four days in Venice, started an enquiry into French Jewry and the location of
synagogues in the cities we were going to visit. The violent anti-Semitic demonstrations in Paris had already persuaded
me not to attend the synagogue there, but the regional towns offered a definite possibility to explore.
the only two Jews in the
group of 21 travellers.
Built in 1871 to the design of
architect Ernest Brunette the
Synagogue of Rheims, at 49
Rue Clovis, was inaugurated
in 1879 and celebrated its
centenary in 1979. Its
exterior appears to be
Moorish in style with its
slender windows and the
façade,
oriented
westsouthwest instead of the
usual east-west orientation,
features a rosette with a Star
of David in the centre.
On a recent trip to France in October
this year, I had the pleasure of
touring through the north eastern
regions of Champagne, Alsace and
Lorraine as part of a two weeks
French experience with members of
the Campbelltown U3A (University
of the Third Age).
Peering through the bus windows as
we made our way along the narrow
streets of Rheims in the region of
Champagne, my friend Bev DuPont
turned to me and exclaimed, “Look,
Marie. There’s the synagogue,” and
she was right. Although we knew
we would be visiting the famous
cathedral where the ancient French
kings had been crowned, we did not
realise that the synagogue was
practically just around the corner.
There was no mistaking it, with the
beautiful stone carved Magen David
in the centre of six circles as a
highlight of its façade, Rheims
Synagogue was a welcome sight for
The Hebrew inscription over
the entrance portal is the
biblical verse from Genesis
28:17: “This place is none
other than the house of God,
and this is the gate of heaven”. The
synagogue is crowned with the two
tablets of the Law standing high
above this imposing building.
by the Germans on a single day.
214 family names are listed on the
memorial
plaque
which
is
inscribed with the biblical verse
from Lamentations 5:16: “The
crown has fallen from our head”.
At the War Memorial on
Boulevard Général Leclerc an urn
contains the ashes of concentration
camp victims.
The Rheims Synagogue has been
listed on the French Inventory of
Historic Monuments since 1989,
and is still in use today by a small
community, but has changed from
its original Ashkenazi to Sephardic
rites, due mainly to the influx of
Jews from North Africa who
settled in Rheims during the 1960s.
At the front there is also a
monument in the form of a stele
erected in memory of the 253
Jewish families deported from
Rheims and its surrounding
districts in the Second World War.
In 1941, on the eve of World War
II, the 200 Jewish families who
lived in Rheims were all deported
Apparently, there has been a
Jewish community in Rheims since
the 11th century, as far back as
1077. In 1103 they were
established in a street called
“Vicus Judaeorum” which was
later named “Rue de Gieu” (Jew
Street). An ancient synagogue
Cont’d on page 9
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 9
Rheims Synagogue & North Eastern France by Marie Galletta
Cont’d from page 8
stood in the re-named “Rue de la
Juiverie” (Jewry Street) until 1305.
Of course, the Jews were expelled
from
Rheims
following
the
publication of an edict in Paris in
1270 and the Jewish community did
not reappear in Rheims until the
French Revolution.
Jewish families from Alsace and
Lorraine settled in Rheims in 1820
and by 1875, with nearly 650
members in the community and the
new synagogue under construction,
the first rabbi was appointed.
The synagogue had to wait until
1991 before it acquired a Mikvah.
There is no separate Jewish
cemetery in Rheims, but each of the
three cemeteries has a section
dedicated for Jewish burial.
Beverley and I were disappointed
that our hopes to visit the interior of
the synagogue the next day did not
eventuate as we were moving on to
our next location straight after
breakfast and ran out of time again
to fit in all we wanted.
It was fascinating to do some
research into the history of Jews in
the areas of France we were visiting
and to discover that the region of
Champagne we had just travelled
through was once the site of
numerous centres of Jewish
learning. The most notable of these
was Troyes—the birthplace of
Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac, better
known as Rashi.
Our tour then moved on to the
regions of Lorraine and Alsace
where we enjoyed a delightful
afternoon in Nancy strolling through
its Place Stanislaus, and a glorious
day in Colmar which is known as
“La petite Venise—little Venice”
because of its canals. An enjoyable
boat ride along the canals proved
both relaxing and informative.
Jewish settlement in the former
duchy of Lorraine is thought to go
back to the fourth century. In the
mid-15th century the Jews were
granted the right to live in cities
such as Nancy, but only 20 years
later they were expelled and their
property confiscated. However, life
improved somewhat when the
region of Lorraine became part of
France in 1766. On the eve of the
French Revolution, there were
about 500 Jewish families living in
this region.
Following Jewish emancipation, by
1808 nearly 11,000 Jews lived in
and around the town of Nancy.
They established synagogues,
schools
and
community
organisations. After France’s defeat
in the Franco-Prussian War in
1871, Jewish refugees from Alsace
and the parts of Lorraine annexed
by Germany moved to French
Lorraine.
The Treaty of Versailles in 1919,
which returned Alsace and Lorraine
to France, resulted in an increase in
the Jewish population from Eastern
European migration. Inevitably,
World War II took a huge toll on
the Jews of Loraine.
The main synagogue in Nancy has
a Conservative congregation and
was built in 1788, although it was
restored and enlarged in 1841. It is
one of the oldest synagogues in
(cont’d)
both Alsace and Lorraine, and is
listed as a French historical
monument. During World War II,
the Germans used it as a supply
depot.
The façade of the synagogue bears
the inscription from Leviticus
19:18: “Tu aimeras ton prochain
comme toi-même”—You will love
your neighbour as yourself.
At Nancy there is also a monument
in memory of the victims of the
Shoah in its Jewish cemetery.
Nancy’s Musée Lorrain has the
second largest collection in France
of Torahs, prayer books and other
Jewish objects. Again we were
disappointed in not being able to
visit the museum, having no time
as we had to move on to
Eguisheim where we were staying
the next few nights, and from
where we would be visiting
Colmar the next day.
Colmar is the third largest town
in the Alsace region and is the
seat of the Prefecture of the
Haut-Rhin department. The
town is situated along the
Alsatian Wine Route and is
considered the capital of
Alsatian wine which was
attested to by several of our
group who enjoyed the wine
tastings included in our tour.
Although Colmar was part of
Cont’d on page 10
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 10
Rheims Synagogue & North Eastern France
by Marie Galletta (cont’d)
Cont’d from page 9
Germany until 1681, it has a Jewish
community that probably dates to
the mid-13th century. The medieval
community owned a synagogue,
Mikvah and cemetery in Rue des
Juifs (Street of the Jews—now Rue
Berthe-Molly).
During the Holocaust and post war
periods, the Jews of Colmar shared
the fate of other Jews in Alsace and
Moselle, being expelled from their
homes. The Colmar Synagogue
which was built from 1839 to 1842
on the site of an old farm was
destroyed by the Nazis during
World War II, but the local
community restored it in 1959 in
Rue de la Cigogne where it also
houses the Musée d’Art Juif.
By 1969 there were over 1,000 Jews
in Colmar and at present there are
11,000 Jews in the town and its
surrounding districts.
On our morning walking tour
through the city of Colmar our guide
stopped in front of the Musée
Bartholdi and urged us to return in
the afternoon when we had free
time to visit this fascinating
museum located in the house of
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the
famous sculptor who designed
the
Statue
of
Liberty.
Numerous plaster models,
metal and stone sculptures are
on
display
along
with
paintings, drawings and family
objects. Apparently, the Katz
Room
contains
a
fine
collection of Jewish ritual objects
and synagogue furnishings and is
dedicated to the local Jewish
community’s heritage.
What a disappointment when we
did return after lunch to find that
the museum was closed and we had
lost another opportunity to view
some Jewish memorabilia from an
earlier period. Still, here was
another item to add to my list of
things to see should I ever return to
this region of France, and to
suggest that friends like you might
like to visit should they ever be in
that part of the world.
Happy travelling to one and all, and
looking forward to reading about
your experiences in upcoming
newsletters.
Marie Galletta
Mitzvah Day!
For the first time, Beit Shalom
members participated in the
international initiative Mitzvah
Day held on Sunday 16 November.
The Sisterhood collected an
enormous number of children’s
books to donate to refugee
families.
Meanwhile, Cheder families
organised a barbecue in Kilburn
for clients of the Mercy House of
Welcome, which assists asylum
seekers living in the community.
All up, about eighty people filled
the lovely Peter McKay Reserve
on a picture perfect day to enjoy
sausages grilled to perfection by
Tommy Evan and Yosi Menashe,
play soccer and cricket with Daniel
Ninio and Reuben, Eden and Felix
Menashe and others, and have their
hands hennaed by Lynda Menashe
and Joanna Kowald.
Lots of families brought along
salads, purchased paper goods and
drinks, and enjoyed the
opportunity to make new friends. It
was truly a magical afternoon.
Thanks to all whose hard work
made this such a special day for
everyone.
Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky
(See photos on page 14)
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Chanukah BYO Oneg Dinner
On Friday 19 December
immediately after the 6:00pm Kabbalat Shabbat service
Everyone is invited to join the festivities
& celebrate Chanukah 2014
in the Rose Harrison Hall
Please bring a large vegetarian or fish dish to share
& BYO wine & drinks
The Sisterhood will provide Latkes, apple sauce,
doughnuts, cordial & water
Cost is $5 per person or $15 for families
with children under 13 years of age
Please bring your own Chanukiah with 4 candles to light
in addition to the shamash candle
Cheder parents & children are encouraged to attend
as this evening will also include our Cheder Prize Giving
Page 11
Sisterhood Report
Hello there to you all,
A lovely Book Club meeting was held
in November at the luxurious new home
of Lorre Zuckerman. Thanks for hosting
Lorre. We had a great discussion of “An
Invisible Bridge” by Julie Orringer
which had near universal approval.
Check it out, especially if you're
interested in the Hungarian Jews
experience in World War II.
Our next book will be: “To Begin to
Know (walking in the shadows of my
father)” by David Leser. Journalist
David Leser started out writing a
biography of his father, publisher and
influential cultural figure Bernard
Leser, but (according to the ABC) “To
Begin to Know” ended with a study of
identity, relationships, ambition and of
writing itself.
Volunteers are required to set up on Friday morning
Please ring Marie in the office on 8362-8281 or email:
bshalom@bshalomadel.com with your bookings & offer to help
RSVP: Monday 15 December
National Council of Jewish Women
SA Section
The next meeting is to be held
on Wednesday 3 December
at 12:00 noon
in the Rose Harrison Hall
at 39-41 Hackney Road, Hackney
This Book Club will be held on Sunday
11th January at 10.30am at the home
of Margot Bailey. Hope to see some of
you there.
Thanks for all your book contributions
for Mitzvah Day. Four boxes of
children’s books (so far) will soon be
going to Baptist Care’s refugee
services.
Wishing you all a happy Chanukah and
a lovely summer break.
Regards,
Ruth Gilbert,
Sisterhood President
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 12
Libcon Appeal 2014
Yom Kippur Appeal
Thank you to the following members who have made contributions to this
year’s Libcon Appeal for our Rabbinic Support Fund:
Thank you to those who have made
contributions to this year’s Yom
Kippur Appeal for our Rabbinic
Support Fund:
Abrahamson
Brian & Val
Abrahamson
Shirley
Ades
Jack & Lydia
Ades
Merrilyn
Argy
Edwin
Bailey
Margot
Baltman
David & Gail
Barouche
Ralph & Denise
Barrett
Steffi
Belleli
Rina
Bloustien
Mark & Gerry
Bor
Elizabeth
Bund
Richard & Jody
Bund
Trish
Cohen
Bernice
Culshaw
George & Ilana
Dreyer
Rosemary
Dunn
Ruth
Dwyer
Ali & Shaun
Eglinton
Pam
Fanok
Mirek
Feldheim
Sarah
Galletta
Marie
Gilbert
Ruth
Gillespie
Rachel & Callum
Gold
Michael & Mandy
Goode
Matthew & Kitty
Gould
Vilma
Gubbay
Jack
Hall
Jill
Hanzalik
Michael & Evon
Henderson-Sapir
Annetay & Ori
Hocking
Billie
Hoenig
Ron & Marion
Jacobson
Colin & Kenise
James
Danielle
Katz/Roberts
Daniel & Jody
Kipperman/Fitzgerald Andrea & Ben
Knopoff/Noble
Steven & Jill
Koopowitz
Leslie & Belinda
Lenga
Pesa
Levy
Jonathan & Lorena
Licinio
Julio
Limareff
Heidi & Andrew
Lipschitz
Allen & Mary
Lockshin/Henrie
Larry & Janet
Marcus/Cozens
Alison & Matthew
Marshall/Muecke
Ruth & Tim
Mayo
Raya
Musry
Joe & Sue
Newall
James
Ninio
Henry & Lynette
Pak Poy
Ella
Pearlman
Robert & Linley
Peisach
Ron & Jill
Peisach
Uri
Phillips
Eva
Pincus
Hermina
Richardson
Penny
Richardson-Pearn
Nicola & Daniel
Ronai
Kay
Rudnick
Arthur & Beverly
Sag
Rachel
Sag
Tom & Marianne
Schueler
Norman & Carol
Sheldon
Philip & Karen
Sisterhood
Beit Shalom
Somers/Rachootin
Ron & Pam
Stevens
Judith
Sulan
John & Ali
Temple
Eva
Tuckfield
Eva
Tversky
Jonathan & Dina
Vyshovsky
Maya
Waddell
Myra
Zetlein
Leslie & Teresa
Zielinski z”l
Regina
Zuckerman
Lorre
Netzer Summer Camps January 2015
Aarons
Viv
Abrahamson
Shirley
Ades
Merrilyn
Argy
Edwin
Artym
Joanne
Bailey
Margot
Barrett
Steffi
Batton
Aubrey & Shirley
Belleli
Rina
Bloustien
Mark & Gerry
Bund
Richard & Jody
Dunn
Ruth
Eglinton
Pam
Feldheim
Sarah
Galletta
Marie
Gould
Vilma
Gubbay
Jack
Hocking
Billie
Hoenig
Ron & Marion
James
Ben
Katz/Roberts
Daniel & Jody
Knopoff/Noble
Steven & Jill
Limareff
Heidi & Andrew
Lipschitz
Allen & Mary
Lockshin/Henrie
Larry & Janet
Musry
Joe & Sue
Newall
James
Ninio
Henry & Lynette
O’Connor
Tilmann & Ainslie
Peisach
Ron & Jill
Phillips
Eva
Poulton
Desiree
Richardson-Pearn Nicola & Daniel
Rogers
Garry & Lisa
Ronai
Kay
Rudnick
Arthur & Beverly
Sag
Danny
Sag
Tom & Marianne
Schueler
Norman & Carol
Shepherd
Margaret
Staska
Dorothy
Steiner
Andrew & Helen
Stevens
Judith
Temple
Eva
Tuckfield
Eva
Vyshovsky
Maya
Zuckerman
Lorre
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 13
UPJ Conference in Adelaide
Beit Shalom was proud to host the 2014 UPJ Biennial Conference from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 November with
delegates from the Australasian area descending on Adelaide. Next month we will feature more articles on this
wonderful event, but have chosen a few photos to commemorate some of the joyful social occasions, including the
Purim in November and Gala Costume Party on Saturday night.
 Merr
ilyn Ade
s being
awarded
the bes
t costum
as Lot’s
e
Wife (M
rs Lot)
MC Dav
by
id Blous
tien
m
ne of who
antors—o
C
&
is
e
b
b
th
a
g
R
urin
p singing d
to
s
to
d
,
e
n
s
refu
ben Urba
en by Reu
photo tak
anne Sag
w of Mari
a
-l
in
re
broth
 MC David Bl
oustien direct
s
Helen Bryant
from Temple
David in Pert
h behind Jan
et
Henrie on whi
ch ingredient
s to
put in the mix
ing bowl
ee—
Catering Committ
 A few of the
lvia
Sy
n,
ma
e Zucker
Jill Peisach, Lorr
ns
n Nire
Barnes & Natha
 Natalie
Kagan,
Aurora Tri
foi &
Judith Cho
ate—
Aurora’s c
ostume was
her grandm
other’s
traditional
Rumanian
wedding dre
ss
Your Comments & Favourite Photo—please share these with us for publication in the next newsletter
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
Page 14
Events & Celebrations at Beit Shalom
Sunday 16 November was Mitzvah Day when the Cheder parents and children decided to put on a barbecue for the
benefit of clients of the Mercy House of Welcome. The barbecue was held at the Peter McKay Reserve in Kilburn where
a fun day was had by all concerned as is witnessed by the photos below.
We also have photos from our Family Education Day.
28
6:00pm Chanukah
Picnic at Tusmore Pk
21
Chanukah
10:00am Family
Education Day on
Chanukah
14
7
Sunday
29
22
15
8
1
Chanukah
7:30pm Talmud
Study
7:30pm Talmud
Study
Monday
30
23
16
9
2
Chanukah
Erev Chanukah
Tuesday
12:00 noon NCJW
31
24
17 Chanukah
10
3
Wednesday
25 Public Holiday
18 Chanukah
11
4
Thursday
6:00pm Kabbalat
Shabbat Service
6:00pm Kabbalat
Shabbat Service
6:00pm Kabbalat
Shabbat Service
26 Public
Holiday
6:00pm Kabbalat
Shabbat Service &
Oneg Dinner
19 Chanukah
12
5
Friday
December 2014 Kislev / Tevet 5775
Beit Shalom Calendar
27
10:30am Shabbat
Service
10:30am Shabbat
Service
20 Chanukah
10:30am Shabbat
Service
9:30am Meditation
10:30am Shabbat
Service
13
6
Saturday
Adelaide Progressive Jewish Congregation
DIRECTORY
‫מדריך‬
PRESIDENT:
RABBI:
Ron Hoenig ........................................................ 8272-1971
..................................................... ronhoenig@bigpond.com
Shoshana Kaminsky ............................................. 8362-8281
Mobile .............................................................. 0435-050-415
............................................ shoshana.kaminsky@gmail.com
TREASURER:
Sue Musry .......................................................... 8293-5845
.......................................................... musry@adam.com.au
SISTERHOOD:
SECRETARY/MAGAZINE EDITOR:
Marie Galletta ....................................................... 8362-8281
...................................................bshalom@bshalomadel.com
Ruth Gilbert ................................................... 0421-008-981
......................................................... heyruth@bigpond.com
LIBRARIAN:
JUDAICA SHOP:
CHOIR CO-ORDINATOR:
Merrilyn Ades ..................................................... 8362-8281
................................................. merades@internode.on.net
Janet Henrie ......................................................... 8362-8281
ARCHIVIST:
Ron Hoenig, Janet Henrie, Sue Musry,
Ruth Gilbert, Penny Main, Billie Hocking................ 8362-8281
Ilana Culshaw .................................................... 8362-8281
Penny Richardson ................................................ 8362-8281
HONORARY SHAMUS:
REMEMBER THE HOLOCAUST:
Art and the Holocaust
Please visit the Virtual Exhibition devised, curated
and funded by Andrew Steiner, artist, historian
and Holocaust survivor at:
www.youtube.com/user/andrewsteinerartist
Remember:
If undelivered return to:
BEIT SHALOM SYNAGOGUE
PO BOX 47, STEPNEY 5069
BEIT SHALOM MAGAZINE
PRINT POST APPROVED No. PP 542651 0007
Deadline for submission of articles for the
Beit Shalom Magazine is 20th of the month