בסײד - North Eastern Jewish Centre

‫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 21st) 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
President’s Report 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.
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
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!
Rabbi’s Message 2015
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.
2.
3.
4.
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).
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).
To offer assistance to the Centre in an area that is meaningful and personal
to you!
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 YESHURUN SYNAGOGUE
THE HIGH HOLY DAYS 2015 – 5775/6
SELICHOT:
YOM KIPPUR
Saturday, September 5...at Central Shul…….10:30pm
Monday & Thursday September 7/10…….......6:30 am
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
ROSH HASHANAH EVE
Sunday, September 13
Selichot……………………………….8:00 am
Candle Lighting ...................... ….…..5:50 pm
Maariv………………………………....6:15 pm
ROSH HASHANAH, 1st 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, 2nd 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
SUCCOT EVE
Sunday, September 27
Maariv………………………………….6:15 pm
Candle Lighting……………………….6:02 pm
SUCCOT 1ST & 2ND 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
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
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
Meir & Rachel Birati on the
birth of a great granddaughter
Anniversaries
A hearty Mazel Tov to
Maurice Lubansky & Family
on the passing of wife and
mother Pearl
Peter & Rebecca Savvas on
the birth of a son
Ben & Betty Alexander
on their 60th wedding
anniversary
Des & Sheryl Galgut on the
passing of Des’s uncle
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
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
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?
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
Remedial Massage & Myotherapy
Father’s Day Gift Vouchers Available
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