temple beth israel kol yisrael - tbi melbourne · illustrated torah judi cohen 13 smachot 14 a...
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KOL YISRAELIN
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tbi.org.au
TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL
TBI ADMIN STAFF
Simon Black GENERAL MANAGER ADMINISTRATION
ext 833 [email protected]
Daniel Cousens COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
ext 811 [email protected]
Ellen Frajman VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR ext 810 [email protected]
Chris Gounis FINANCE COORDINATOR ext 807 [email protected]
Judit Kegly ADMIN ASSISTANT -
RELIGIOUS LIFE AND EDUCATION ext 801 [email protected]
Rhonda Nirens ADMIN ASSISTANT - COMMUNAL LIFE
ext 802 [email protected]
Jenny Schulman EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ext 803 [email protected]
Fiona Zlotnik MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS ext 809 [email protected]
BOARD MEMBERS
Robert Hershan PRESIDENT [email protected]
Rebecca Silk VICE PRESIDENT [email protected]
Judi Cohen VICE PRESIDENT [email protected]
Joanne Loewy Irons SECRETARY [email protected]
Alla Medownick TREASURER [email protected]
Alain Grossbard CHAIR [email protected]
David Freedman [email protected]
Dorothy Graff [email protected]
Victor Kay [email protected]
Gary Lewis [email protected]
Helen Shardey [email protected]
Sue Silberberg [email protected]
CO-OPTED
John Hillel [email protected]
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Dr Robert Sward [email protected]
EX-OFFICIO
Sam Sharman [email protected]
RELIGIOUS LIFE STAFF
RABBI Gersh Lazarow [email protected]
RABBI Kim Ettlinger [email protected]
CANTOR Michel Laloum [email protected]
Max Jared Einsohn EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT
COORDINATOR ext 808 [email protected]
Tammy Cohen B’NEI MITZVAH COORDINATOR ext 819 [email protected]
tbi.australia
@TBIMelbourne
Pastoral Care Line 9039 1818
Temple Beth Israel ABN: 70 099 276 439 76-82 Alma Road St Kilda PO Box 128 St Kilda VIC 3182 Australia T +613 9510 1488 [email protected] tbi.org.au
Publication of any/all material is at the discretion of the editor. Articles express the views of the author, not the Temple Beth Israel Board
of Governance. Articles in Kol Yisrael may be reprinted but please acknowledge your source.
TBI acknowledges that we are assembled on land whose traditional custodians are the people of the Kulin Nation.
TBI is proud to be affiliated with the Union for Progressive Judaism and Progressive Judaism Victoria.
DESIGN artklass [email protected]
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04 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Robert Hershan
05 INNOVATION AND CHANGE Rabbi Gersh Lazarow
06 MELTON IS BACK! Rabbi Kim Ettlinger
08 MORE THAN BRICKS & MORTAR Max Jared Einsohn
10 WINDOWS INTO JUDAISM Cantor Michel Laloum
12 DISCOVERING THE ILLUSTRATED TORAH Judi Cohen
13 SMACHOT
14 A STORY OF SURVIVAL Ginny Klooger
15 MEMBERSHIP Welcome new members and
friends
16 B’NEI MITZVAH
18 LIMMUD
19 COMMUNITY EVENTS
20 COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS
22 THANK YOU
23 THANK YOU (CONT) AND BEREAVEMENTS14
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8 20
COVER: Thumbs up for the inaugural Torah Trek during Pesach 2017 on the cable section of the River Walk at Werribee Gorge.
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Join our community for a unique experience of play, music and engaging interactions designed speci�cally for
parents with children aged 0-18 months and their siblings.
Fridays 10am tbi.org.au/bubs-bagels
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I am truly proud of our community and the ever-expanding programs and services we offer to encourage members to feel that Temple Beth Israel is the place they want to be.
We have had an amazing summer once again working with the Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda. Over the period from mid-December to
early February, our community steps in to allow many of the regular SHM volunteers to take their Christmas holidays. This year we provided on average between five and six volunteers per day to ensure the 350-400 three-course meals were provided to those in need. We are extremely grateful to our TBI stalwart Reuben Urban for once again driving and managing this most important community program.
The nourish program has just had its first anniversary and what a wonderful outreach program this has become under the stewardship of Ellen Frajman, our volunteer coordinator. This program is in partnership with The Father Bob McGuire Foundation and we have approximately 100 volunteers registered to assist in preparing and serving hot meals to those in need. The food is prepared in our TBI kitchen and dinner is served each Monday night in the nearby Alma Park. Given the success of this program we are looking at the possibility of expanding this service to another location in our St Kilda neighbourhood.
Rabbi Lazarow challenged our TBI community during the last High Holy Days to concern ourselves with the plight of refugees on our own shores as we, too, have been strangers so many times in history. As a result, a group of members, facilitated by David Jones (a TBI member), joined forces. This group is composed of TBI members who are keen to contribute to the wellbeing of refugees and have among them a former judge, members of the Rabbinic team, a senior psychologist, social workers and so on. They have been researching how TBI can contribute most effectively, and have been to several refugee agencies to see with whom we might partner in accordance with our own values. And so, Project Dignity was formed.
During Pesach, we suggested how we might become involved with paralegal assistance in helping refugees fill in official forms, in volunteering time at one of the agencies, or in donating money e.g. for myki cards. We will be keeping you informed as this important project deepens and evolves.
In addition to the above, some further initiatives that are developing include:
• Our Life Books project, where students from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP) and some of our own members work alongside and together with our senior and seriously ill members. The aim is to assist them to produce a book about their life experiences, the special people in their lives, and the key events that have helped form who they have become. The first people with whom we have produced books and their families have told me how thrilled they are with the result.
• The Community Engagement Workshops are another new initiative. The Rabbinic Team and the lay leaders
wish to help TBI evolve into the next stage of our “warm and welcoming” culture for which we have become known. We are working with our volunteer groups to enable them to find ways in which, with their special focus, they can each relate member to member or member to visitor in a closer, more personally meaningful way. This forms the third consecutive year of our volunteer development focus.
Our aim is to offer opportunities for engagement to everyone according to their interests, experience, skills and available time. We are attracting regular shul goers, people who less frequently go to services but feel deeply connected to our community, those for whom Tikkun Olam is central to their life, people from all types of professions and backgrounds.
It is indeed an exciting time at TBI. Come and join us.
Robert Hershan
PRESIDENT’S REPORTROBERT HERSHAN
More information about our programs and the TBI team can be viewed online.
tbi.org.au
Rabbi Lazarow challenged our TBI community during the last
High Holy Days to concern ourselves with the plight of
refugees on our own shores as we, too, have been strangers so many
times in history.
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“So what exactly is Progressive Judaism?” A reasonable question no doubt, but not exactly one that I expected to be asked by a long-standing and deeply committed member of our TBI Community.
Once I got over my initial shock at the honesty of the question – I thanked the questioner for having
the courage to give a voice to what so many around the table were clearly thinking.
Sometimes we get so close to something, that it becomes part of who we are and almost impossible to describe to someone whose path to Judaism may have been di�erent to ours.
Now, as I look back on that brief conversation – I realise that I only partly answered the question when I proudly declared “Progressive Judaism is a divinely inspired, Torah centric faith, which is committed to ensuring that Judaism remains accessible and relevant to all.”
While there is nothing wrong with that response, with hindsight, what I wish I had said to this group of deeply committed and passionate Progressive Jews is that our Judaism is a “Living Judaism.” A Judaism that fundamentally believes that ever since God spoke and the world came to be, our faith, tradition and practice, continues to evolve in dynamic, formative and transformative ways.
Biblical Judaism gave way to Rabbinic Judaism, with stops along the way to argue about Greek ideas. Rabbinic Judaism emerged out of the chaos and disaster of the revolts against Rome.
Judaism was fairly uni�ed for a while, as the Geonim ruled from Babylon, but as centres of learning came into being in Spain, Germany and in Egypt, rules for Jewish practice began to di�erentiate by region into Sephardic, Ashkenazi, and Mizrahi Judaism.
Importantly, we always kept careful records of our disagreements. �e Talmud is a huge library of disagreement, carefully preserving minority opinions. Disputation is one of the ways we train our rabbis: go into any rabbinical school and you will hear disagreements going on, sometimes very loud, passionate ones. Machlochet [debate] is a process, and it is the way we reach deeper meanings in Torah.
I’m a Progressive Jew because I trust not only in our Jewish past but also our Jewish future. Since its earliest days, Progressive Judaism has asserted that a Judaism frozen in time cannot coexist e�ectively with those
who live in modern times. �e great contribution of Progressive Judaism is that it has enabled the Jewish people to introduce innovation while preserving tradition, to embrace diversity while asserting commonality, to a�rm beliefs without rejecting those who doubt, and to bring faith to sacred texts without sacri�cing critical scholarship.
“What exactly is Progressive Judaism?”
It is a Judaism that a�rms the central tenets of Judaism - God, Torah and Israel - even as it acknowledges the diversity of modern beliefs and practices. It is a Judaism that believes that all human beings are created in the image of God, and that we are God’s partners in improving the world.
It is a Judaism that accepts the Torah as the foundation of Jewish life, a living document that enables us to confront the timeless and timely challenges of our everyday lives.
As you read through this Kol Yisrael magazine, I hope you can join me in rea�rming a shared commitment to Living Judaism. I hope you are as excited and optimistic as I am about the opportunities and experiences that are available for deepening your communal engagement and involvement.
Kol Tuv,
Gersh
PS: You can download a copy of the UPJ’s Living Judaism booklet at www.tbi.org.au/living-judaism
RABBI GERSH LAZAROW
INNOVATION AND CHANGE
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What an extraordinary opportunity for Temple Beth Israel and the Jewish community as a whole that the Florence Melton Adult School is returning to Melbourne after many years.
For those of you who don’t know the Melton story, it was inspired by an innovative, curious, philanthropic, activist and exceptional woman, Florence Melton of Chicago who once found herself alienated during a Jewish community meeting. She left the meeting feeling Jewishly disadvantaged and inadequate in her knowledge. After spending some time looking for adult education courses she found there were many, but they were lacking in
breadth, depth and focus on the fundamentals of Judaism.
Defying conventional wisdom, she believed that a signi�cant population of adults would commit themselves to an extended program of quality Jewish learning. In 1980, she undertook, with �e Hebrew University of Jerusalem, to develop a place to provide this learning and the Florence Melton School of Adult Mini-Jewish Learning was born.
With its international headquarters at the Florence Melton Institute of �e Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a national o�ce for North America in Northbrook, IL, the Melton School forms an international network of community-based schools, o�ering adults the opportunity to acquire Jewish literacy in an open, trans-denominational, intellectually stimulating learning environment.
�e Florence Melton School of Jewish Learning is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world. Driven by Florence’s vision, there are now 50 Melton Schools throughout the United States, Canada, United
Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, attended weekly by 4,000 students.
�ere are over 35,000 graduates and they share that Melton learning comes to play a signi�cant role in their lives -- impacting conversations with family and friends about life’s most important issues, in�uencing family decisions, connecting them more deeply to their community, and signi�cantly changing the way they view themselves as adult Jews.
Melton used to exist here in Melbourne, �rst at Bialik College, then at the Jewish Museum and �nally for a brief time at Jewish Care. But Melton has not held classes, here in Melbourne, for adults since 2011. �is is now changing.
TBI is excited and proud to announce that commencing in July Melton will return to Melbourne. Beginning in mid-2017 with Scholars Courses and a mini-course, members of the entire Jewish community are invited to attend these innovative, interactive and phenomenal courses. Next year
RABBI KIM ETTLINGER
MELTON IS BACK!
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will see the Foundations (core) courses return along with other Scholars Courses.
Those who have attended Melton in Melbourne are excited to see it return. Its reputation is as strong as ever.
The classes will be taught, as before, by talented, trained and knowledgeable faculty. While the classes will be housed at
Temple Beth Israel as it has newly renovated state of the art teaching facilities, Melton will maintain its diversity of faculty and pluralistic nature.
As I evaluate Melton, I would say that Melton is an opportunity to experience The Hebrew University of Jerusalem here in Melbourne. What an exceptional opportunity for us all.
Term ThreeMAINTAINING BALANCE (4 SESSIONS)Monday 24 & 31 July; 7 & 14 August 7.30 – 9pmCost: $100 TBI Member, $118 Non-Member
BEYOND BORDERS: A HISTORY OF THE ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT, PART ONE (10 SESSIONS)Wednesday 12, 19 & 26 July; 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 August; 6 & 13 September 7.30 – 9pmCost: $250 TBI Member; $280 Non-Member;
Course book (for Parts One & Two): $60
JEWISH DENOMINATIONS (10 SESSIONS)Thursday 13, 20 & 27 July; 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 August; 7 & 14 September7.30 – 9pmCost: $250 TBI Member; $280 Non-Member; Course book: $45
Term FourWE ARE WHAT WE REMEMBER (4 SESSIONS)Monday 6, 13, 20 & 27 November 7.30 – 9pmCost: $100 Member; $118 Non-Member
BEYOND BORDERS: A HISTORY OF THE ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT, PART TWO (10 SESSIONS)Wednesday 18 & 25 October; 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 November; 6, 13 & 20 December7.30 – 9pmCost: $250 TBI Member; $280 Non-Member;
Course book (for Parts One & Two): $60
FROM SINAI TO SEINFELD (10 SESSIONS)Thursday 19 & 26 October; 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 November; 7, 14 & 21 December 10 – 11.30amCost: $250 TBI Member; $280 Non-Member; Course book: $45
MELTON CLASS TOPICS AND SCHEDULE:
Expressions of Interest: [email protected] For more information visit: meltonschool.org.au
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MAX JARED EINSOHN
Since arriving as Education and Engagement Coordinator last November, I have noticed that the services, programs and outings offered by our team only slightly resembles my conception of what a synagogue does. Yes, we still offer engaging and thought-provoking prayer experiences infused with song, stories and spiritual moments but our community does so much more than provide space for Jews in Melbourne to pray.
It is truly amazing to witness the quantity of Temple Beth Israel programs occurring outside the doors of our home on Alma Rd. We now have a group of engaged, young Jews coming together each month for our #underthestars Havdalah experience. This new gathering invites Jews from all backgrounds to transition from Shabbat to a new week through communal song. Beginning with a shared meal, #underthestars provides a meaningful space for group singing that carries us out of Shabbat and revitilises us as we enter a new week. Our next #underthestars Havdallah experiences will be June 17 and July 22 at 5.00pm at Caulfield Park (corner of Hawthorn and Balaclava Rd) and we invite you to bring a vegetarian dish to share as well as your voices and spirit.
Where do you find God? Where does community live in your life? And where does our culture and tradition intersect with the natural world around us? Our Torah Trek bushwalking group seeks to explore these concepts (and many more) by leaving the city life each month for medium-grade treks through the great Victorian bush. Our Torah Treks provide participants with time, space and facilitated opportunities to connect with themselves, our community and the world around them. Our first Torah Trek over Pesach brought together an unlikely group of able-bodied adventurers to hike Werribee Gorge and explore the Pesach themes of freedom and liberation. Join us for our next treks on Sunday June 25 and Saturday August 26 beginning at TBI at 8.15am. A light lunch will be provided as well as roundtrip shuttle service from TBI.
Over the last six months I have not only witnessed the immense quantity and diversity of programs offered by TBI, but am truly proud of the quality of experience had by all who join in the myriad of programs we facilitate.
We are so grateful that community members asked us to revitalise our Bubs & Bagels program. For the last month we have been offering parents and grandparents of children aged 0-18 months the opportunity to gather for a relaxed and playful exploration of mindful Jewish parenting with Jewish music favourites like “Bim Bam” and a hands-on “Hinei Mah Tov,” as well as parent-focused programming. We gather each Friday to offer parents a safe place to bring their children to play, while providing bagels and rich Jewish music programming especially designed and developmentally appropriate for this age group. This intergenerational program is open to both members and non-members, so please join us in welcoming parents and children to TBI for an engaging experience. Start your Shabbat early with this weekly program
MORE THANBRICKS &MORTAR
Temple Beth Israel is not just your typical bricks and mortar synagogue. If reading this statement surprises you, then you must not be one of the hundreds of Jews across Melbourne engaged in new and innovative ways through our community’s diverse program offerings.
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beginning at 10am and bring your children whenever you’d like since we will be together all the way to 12 noon!
Over the last few months I have been trying to better understand exactly what TBI is, and what our community stands for. I have come to believe that our community is a place for fostering wonder. We exist to encounter the unknown together and to move towards a place of enlightenment and connection in service of a better world. In our afterschool learning program Tamid, we are doing just that.
Tamid, our Tuesday afternoon supplemental Jewish education program, welcomes both Jewish Day School students as well as those who do not go to a Jewish Day School, to an engaging experience of living Judaism in an active communal context. Programs like this have traditionally been geared towards young Jews who do not go to Jewish Day Schools, but our program focuses its learning experiences to ensure that each learner touches, tastes, and experiences Judaism through the senses, no matter what background or level of Jewish literacy. Our modality-based approach to Jewish education means that each student has a hands-on opportunity to make
a Jewish memory alongside their friends in a fun and safe environment. We invite our students to play with each other, sing and pray together and share in the joy of our tradition so we may better understand what it means to be a Jew in the world today.
As each of us pursues a path of better understanding ourselves, our lives and where Judaism lives within it, I am so comforted to know that the TBI community fosters deeper understanding through innovative programs and diverse opportunities to be Jewish. �e Jewish world is facing a long process of change and adaptation and we are at the beginning of a new pathway to understanding. Yet I am proud that our community is at the forefront of Jewish innovation, allowing us to reach Jews in Melbourne both in and outside our home on Alma Rd. And we’ve only just begun! Because we are in search of deeper meaning through our tradition, we are �nding new ways to connect and new ways to invite others into our community. We are discovering new spaces for our Judaism to live within our lives, and we are excited to see where else we will go. We hope that you will come along with us.
For more information on any of these programs please contact me at [email protected]
�e Jewish world is facing a long process of change and adaptation and we are at the beginning of a new pathway of understanding.
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Our eyes are the windows to our souls – through them we can see the past, the present and the future.
�e magni�cent stained-glass windows hanging in the main sanctuary of Temple Beth Israel celebrate the creativity, inspiration and artistry of David Wright and James �ompson, and provide an accessible and engaging lens through which visitors can explore the history, heritage and faith of Judaism.
‘Windows Into Judaism’ is our e�ort to share our story with friends and neighbours, students, teachers and community groups. In so doing, we aim to break barriers of isolation, build bonds of mutual respect and celebrate the spirit of multiculturalism that is at the heart of Australia.
For decades we have opened our doors to schools and community groups who have asked to learn about our story and about us. Our new Windows into Judaism program looks to expand this historic platform by building on the work done by our existing
volunteers, as we look to actively reach out and invite our neighbours and interested friends into our synagogue through a series of new and exciting initiatives.
�e �rst of these initiatives is Windows for Students, which will for the �rst time o�er both “excursions” and “incursions” to schools across Melbourne and Victoria. Incursions will allow our trained facilitators to visit a school to explore Judaism through its many facets. Possible topics include the Sabbath, �e Five Books of Moses, the three Pilgrimage Festivals and Jewish Music. Excursions bring school students to us, and our trained facilitators provide them with an introduction to Judaism and Jewish life while exploring the art and artefacts of our sacred space.
Our second initiative builds on the success of the PJV’s “Taste of Judaism” Program and is entitled Windows for Educators. �is is a program designed for educators working in the �eld of religious instruction, but is open to everyone. Windows for Educators is designed to share Jewish texts, traditions and rituals, providing an opportunity to touch, taste, smell, hear and see the Jewish experience with a choice of two
full-day courses: “A Taste of Judaism” and “Introduction to Jewish Melbourne”.
�e �nal of our window o�erings is Windows for Community and o�ers tours of our synagogue, providing one with the opportunity to discuss some of humanity’s most sacred questions, meet with Rabbis and Jewish leaders, and engage with history’s �rst monotheistic religion and people. An exploration of Judaism can o�er profound insights for community groups or interfaith encounters, as well as powerfully change the way we interact with each other.
We are currently working with a number of educators in our community to develop the educational and marketing material to support the role-out of our Windows Into Judaism program but are also keen to identify interested and passionate members of our community who are willing to support this program, train as facilitators and help us identify potential schools and groups who might want to participate.
If you have both the time and interest in this exciting project, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information [email protected]
CANTOR MICHEL LALOUM
WINDOWS INTO JUDAISM
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JUDI COHEN
DISCOVERING THE ILLUSTRATED TORAHWandering the streets of the Venice Ghetto was a remarkable experience on many levels. Five synagogues nearly all joined as a maze, tallitot hanging to dry from windows three and four storeys high, shopkeepers whose families had been in the ghetto for 500 years.
It was there that my husband Peter and I came across the unique works of Israeli artist Michal Meron. We were captured by the colour and joy she brought to 500 years of Jewish life in the Venice Ghetto – artwork depicting Shabbat, weddings and Sukkot featuring canals and gondolas. And it was there we discovered Meron’s Illustrated Torah.
I was immediately taken by the unique way the artist brought life to Torah. A panel for each parashah, filled with a richness of colour, detail and meaning. Each panel has a pictorial representation of the parashah and haftarah with a summary in both Hebrew and English – an exceptional way of making Torah accessible to children and of course to people of all ages.
Realising what a valuable teaching tool this would be for our TBI children, I brought the idea back to Melbourne. Before long my enthusiasm for the Illustrated Torah was recognised by Alla and Mark Medownick, who could see the potential of bringing this Torah to TBI and wanted to dedicate it
to the memory of Alla’s late mother Susanna Geiro. Their generosity enabled us to purchase this wonderful treasure that will in Alla’s words not only “enrich kids’ experience in Jewish learning but also provide TBI with a fundraising opportunity”.
Our hope is that like us, you will see the Illustrated Torah as a unique way of celebrating and commemorating special moments in our lives as well as providing a wonderful opportunity for people to honour family members and friends in life and not only in memory.
What I find particularly special about this project is that as well as being a wonderful way to celebrate those close to us, it will also be an incredible teaching tool for our TBI Tamid students as they integrate the study of Torah and the rolling of the scroll into their weekly lessons.
The Susanna Geiro Illustrated Torah Scroll will be housed in a purpose built multi-media case in the Shannon Foyer for all to see as they enter our beautiful sanctuary. Please take a moment to pause and enjoy it when next you are in shule and if you can, please join with Alla and Mark and Peter and me in supporting this exciting project.
For more information visit tbi.org.au/illustrated-torah
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Her response was simple; she wanted to visit Carol Klooger, Yvonne Hershan and Robyn Gri�n, whose grandparents - Max and Elise (Leischen) Moser - were hidden by her grandparents, Heinrich and Josefa Schüren, during the Nazi occupation of �e Netherlands.
�e Schürens, German citizens, had seen the writing on the wall almost two years before Hitler’s accession to the German chancellorship and in 1931 had migrated to Holland, settling in Venlo, Limburg near the German border and some 60 kilometres from the German town of Dusseldorf. It was from there
that the Schürens’ good friends Max and Elise Moser, German-born Jews, �ed prior to the Nazi occupation of Holland.
After the Nazi invasion of Holland, the Schürens, who lived in a large house with several family members, hid the Mosers in their attic for 18 months. Of the Schürens’ two children only their older daughter, Monique’s mother Irmgard, knew of the two Jews hidden in their home. Josefa Schüren taught her children to sing a lullaby until they fell asleep. Silence was the signal that it was safe for the Mosers to come down from the attic and join the family for the evening meal.
In the event of a Gestapo raid, the Mosers could crawl through a false-backed cupboard into the roof cavity. To occupy themselves during the day, Max and Elise helped by shelling peas and peeling potatoes, and Max copied the Schürens’ recipes into a book for them.
When Heinrich Schüren was arrested on suspicion of harbouring Jews, his wife Josefa, arranged for false passports to enable the Mosers to be hidden in a convent.
A STORY OF SURVIVALMonique Hendrix van Rossum of Venlo, Holland, visited Melbourne recently after winning a competition on Facebook requiring competitors to state why they wished to visit Melbourne.
GINNY KLOOGERJosefa Schüren in the doorway of the house where Max and Elise Moser were hidden.
Elise and Max Moser.
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Badly beaten, Heinrich returned eight days after his arrest with a limp he carried for the rest of his life. He did not betray his friends.
�e Moser’s son Rudi, having �ed to Australia in 1939, and their daughter Erna, living in England, spent the duration of the war not knowing whether their parents were still alive.
�e Mosers remained in the convent until Holland was liberated. Soon after, Max was approached in the street by a man who proceeded to hug him. “�ank God you survived,” he said. “I knew you were there.” �e man was a roof tiler who had become aware of their presence in the Schürens’ loft while repairing an adjacent roof.
Upon learning of his parents’ survival, Rudi petitioned the Australian government to allow Max and Leischen to come to Australia. In due course, they were able to join him in Melbourne, and the families Schüren and Moser have been in close contact ever since. Rudi, Carol, Yvonne, Robyn, and many of their children have visited their Venlo ‘family’ over the years, and Monique’s daughter has stayed with Robyn, as have other young Venlo travellers as they backpacked around the world.
�e Schürens declined to be nominated as Righteous Among the Nations and were reluctant to accept a bequest from Rudi when he died in 1990, the Schürens’ daughters writing “Max and
Leischen were good friends of my parents and in times of war that’s what you do for friends.”
�is was Monique and her husband Peter’s �rst visit to Australia, so it was wonderfully joyous and moving. �ey stayed with the Moser sisters sharing memories, poring over old photos, and seeing the sights.
All made possible with the first prize of two tickets to Melbourne and the bonds of friendship kindled by their grandparents across more than 16,000 km and over 70 years.
the Nations and were reluctant to accept a bequest from Rudi when
• Samantha Bihary • Darren Bihary • Jack Alec Bihary • Rikki Bihary • Benji Steven Bihary • Danielle Bergman • Ella Bergman • Abby Bergman • Georgina Bergman • Emma Bergman • Lily Bergman • Ally Bergman • Izak Rogers • Madison Rogers • Monique Rogers • Jack Rogers • Alicia Philipp • Simon Jackson • Jason Lowe • Jenni Snowsill • Samuel Lowe • Elliot Lowe
• Ariel Bud • Deborah Cantoni • Charli Cantoni-Bud • Eden Shai Cantoni-Bud • Netani Harper Cantoni-Bud • Mark Lipton • Jasmine Lipton • Arielle Lipton • Charlotte Lipton • Ingrid Weinberg • Adrian Panckhurst • Taylor Levin • Bailey Levin • Craig Levin • Melanie Levin • Jessie Levin • Simon Black • Adina Cavallaro • Oscar Black • Hugo Black • Charles Black • Alan
Baynash • Martine Baynash • Morgan Baynash • Zachary Baynash • Mitchell Baynash • Adam Wicks • Maria Alonzo • Eve Wicks • Ethan Wicks • Tara Schyer • Neil Schyer • Joel Schyer • Oscar Schyer • Daniel Cousens • Elizabeth Cousens • Silvia Levine • Anton Levine • Joshua Levine • Talya Levine • Sacha Levine
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
Left: Yvonne Hershan, Carol Klooger, Monique Hendrix and Robyn Griffin.
Above: External view of the house in which Max and Elise Moser were hidden.
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Tuesdays
INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM 7.30PMIntroduction to Judaism is run by Progressive Judaism Victoria. It is a two-semester course covering Jewish literature, history, customs and Jewish life. The course is aimed at students with little to no formal learning in Jewish tradition who are interested in becoming Jewish by choice, or just wish to learn more about Judaism.
The course is hosted by TBI. The next intake will be in July.
PARASHAT HASHAVUA 7.30PMParashat Hashavua is an in-depth class taught by one of the rabbis, focusing on the Torah portion of the week. While the Torah is the main text, commentaries from Jewish tradition are often used to supplement learning and stimulate lively discussion. Join us as we bring Torah to life. No Hebrew or biblical knowledge required.
LIMMUD
ALEPH ISN’T TOUGH – BEGINNER HEBREW
Ten-week course. The aim is to learn and recognise all letters, and have a basic understanding of Hebrew word structures and an elementary vocabulary of key prayer terms. The next intake is in August.
ALEPH ISN’T ENOUGH – INTERMEDIATE HEBREW
Nine-week course with a focus on building solid translation skills and acquiring key vocabulary and roots, while continuing to work towards reading proficiency.
Cost $180 per course. For the next intakes please contact the office.
Thursdays
RABBI KIM ETTLINGER, ‘THE CHANGING FAMILY’ JULY 6, 13 & 20. 7.30 – 9PMJoin us as we discover the nuanced and complex relationship of the changing Jewish family through the lens of an interfaith family. We will focus on specific topics that are relevant to families living in the 21st Century.
Session One ‘The history of interfaith marriage’
Session Two ‘Negotiating the holidays – beyond the December dilemma’
Session Three ‘Grandparenting within interfaith families’
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 2017
Lunch ’n’ Learn Fourth Saturday of every month, 12.30pm
JUNE 24
BERNARD KORBMAN, ‘FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANKIND: WHY THE STUDY OF THE HOLOCAUST IS CRUCIAL’The Shoah is the most researched, documented and analysed genocide. It can be studied from historical, psychological, moral and theological perspectives, and poses difficult questions for post-Holocaust ethicists. Bernard Korbman, former Executive Director of the Jewish Holocaust Centre, believes that the ethical study of the Holocaust should be not only a particular discipline, but also should penetrate the heart of every other discipline, from education to science, medicine to theology, the arts, philosophy, politics and law to everyday life.
JULY 22
SHARON SWIATLO, ‘MY TRANSGENDER SON’Sharon Swiatlo is an educator/ teacher who’s been working in Jewish Education for over 30 years. Life has thrown her many challenges, including the revelation that her child is transgender.
AUGUST 26
KATHY KAPLAN OAM, ‘MAH TOVU… REALLY?’How good are the dwellings of Israel? What’s waiting for us when we turn the key and walk into our own homes? A hug or hostility? A kiss on the cheek or a whack across the face? Family violence, which includes physical, emotional, verbal and other forms of abuse is the hidden shame
in our community - yes, even in Australian Jewish homes, even in our community’s homes.
HEBREW CLASSES
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Sundays
TBI FILM CLUB18 June, 30 July, 20 August 6.30pm entry for 7pm startFree entry. To join the TBI Film Club and receive alerts for upcoming films, contact Ginny Klooger: [email protected]
ROSH CHODESH WOMEN’S GROUP25 June, 23 July, 27 August 7.30pmLed by Rabbi Kim Ettlinger. A warm invitation to all women to join to chat, learn, and celebrate Rosh Chodesh, the new moon. Call 9510 1488 for location information.
MEN’S GROUPThird Sunday of the month 8pmThis group studies texts and discusses social issues and Israel in a friendly and welcoming environment. Meetings are held in private homes. Contact: Albert Bentata 9528 4242.
Mondays
NOURISH 4 -8pmnourish is TBI’s initiative to feed the disadvantaged in our community. Every Monday night in Alma Park, in partnership with the Father Bob Maguire Foundation, nourish volunteers serve hot meals to those in need in our neighbourhood. For more information and to volunteer please contact [email protected]
TBI FLAMES MIXED NETBALLOpen to all skill levels and age groups. A fun and social way to get some exercise, meet new people and show your competitive spirit! To join the team or for more information contact [email protected]
Wednesdays DROP IN AND CHAT / KNITTING CIRCLE14 & 28 June, 12 & 26 July, 9 & 23 August 10.30amJoin fellow seniors for schmoozing, word games and (optional) knitting in a very low-key, relaxed atmosphere. Entry $2, includes refreshments. Newcomers are always welcome.
NASH ‘N’ DRASH21 June, 5 & 19 July, 2, 16 & 30 August 10.30amThought-provoking discussions between our Rabbis, Cantor, lay leaders and congregants. An opportunity to meet, learn and grapple with major Jewish issues and current events.
�ursdays LIVING WITH DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP22 June, 27 July, 31 August 7.30pm A Jewish support group for family and carers of people with dementia. Information, helpful strategies and an opportunity to discuss any topics or questions.
Fridays
BUBS & BAGELSFriday mornings 10am A unique experience of play, music and engaging interactions designed specifically for parents with children aged 0-18 months.
EMMY MONASH KABBALAT SHABBATEvery first and third Friday of each month 3.45pm Gather 4.15pm Service A warm and song-filled service for residents, their families and friends. Led by TBI Rabbis.
FAMILY SHABBATFirst Friday of the month 5.30pm Activities 6.15pm ServiceBake, make and celebrate Shabbat with your family. This hands-on Shabbat experience is perfect for primary-school-aged and pre- and post-b’nei mitzvah students and their families.
TBI COMMUNITY DINNERFirst Friday of the month 7.15pmJoin us with your family and friends. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share.
RUACH COMMUNITY CHOIRFirst Shabbat of the month Friday 6.15pm and Saturday 10amEveryone is welcome, regardless of singing ability. Contact: Cantor Michel Laloum.
Saturdays
TOT SHABBATThird Saturday of the month 9.30amFor babies to five-year-olds and their families. Join us for a relaxed, interactive and fun intergenerational celebration, with challah plaiting, songs, stories and crafts.
GESHER SERVICESecond Saturday of the month 10amAn intimate service led by lay members.
TBI CHOIRFourth Shabbat of the monthIf you would like to express yourself vocally contact Cantor Michel Laloum.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
For more information on events, please contact 9510 1488.
residents, their families
Supported by
OFFSITE
FRIEDLANDER SYNAGOGUE AND CULTURAL CENTRE
MAIN SYNAGOGUE
SLOME HALL
ADMIN AREA
EVENT LOCATION KEY:
WEEK BY WEEK EVENTS AND PROGRAMS JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 2017
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COMMUNITY PHOTOSFrom top: Torah Trek group; Purim celebrations
(Purim photos by Paul Topol and Reuben Urban).
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From top: Chocolate Seder; Community Seder; Father Bob with new nourish van; Women’s Seder (Pesach Seder photos by Fiona Zlotnik and Daniel Cousens).
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