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‫בסײד‬
Volume 10, Number 21
April 2015, Nisan 5775
Ian & Diane
Barabash
Alitta Berson &
Issar Ehar
Sasha &
Thalia
Abramzon
Andrew &
Dana
Teichtahl
Visit www.nejc.com.au to view this Menorah in
FULL COLOUR
Menorah Editor - Leah Grunberg
Proof Reader - Michael Katzew
@Westfield
2014
B”SD
Pesach:
the festival which helps us find freedom on the inside as well as the outside
Chag Sameach everybody,
President’s Report
We all value being free and what better place to express our freedom than
in Australia where our very anthem declares “we are young and free”. Today we are
fortunate to be able to experience this freedom and we can enjoy time with our family
and celebrate our religious beliefs, something many of our ancestors did not have the
luxury of doing. This provides a great sense of satisfaction and happiness, a
measurement of external freedom. For Jews, every year as Pesach approaches, we
are reminded of this freedom.
Amazingly Pesach is one the most celebrated festivals, attracting Jews of all
backgrounds and observance levels. The Torah commanding us to celebrate Pesach
was not just for those who physically journeyed out of Egypt, but rather an eternal
message for every generation. I believe the Torah was asking us to look internally
and to find what some call inner freedom.
Therefore let us consider and work this year at finding a greater balance between the
external freedom which we have in abundance, and the internal freedom which
comes about when we strengthen our relationship with G-d, teachings of the Torah,
our loved ones and any other values which are important to us.
Former Chief Rabbi of the UK, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks talks about happiness in his
delightful book entitled “Celebrating Life” and explains this concept quite profoundly.
He suggests that happiness is currently the domain of two entities, the state and the
market, both self interest groups to promote consumerism, and compliant citizens.
He suggests this provides an external happiness, but not true happiness or a sense
of real freedom, as sometimes people can feel manipulated and frustrated.
According to Sacks, the third entity which is missing for many is faith, (the space
created by us to allow in G-d) which provides us with the appropriate moral structures
to develop a satisfying relationship with the Unknown. Sacks believes that the result
is internal freedom or inner peace, which are mutually exclusive from happiness or
satisfaction. For example, a person might be quite ill and in a good deal of pain,
however that same person can simultaneously be in a state of great inner peace.
It is over Pesach that we have an opportunity to expand our perspective on
freedom. It is of course appropriate to invest our time and energy in providing
sumptuous Seders for ourselves and our loved ones and to reflect on the time we
were slaves in Egypt. However, Pesach is also an opportunity to reflect on the need
for inner freedom or inner peace, to balance the good life with a deeper sense of
inner contentment.
Have a happy Pesach
Marcel Saxone
B”SD
It is incredible how time seems to go by so quickly!
I feel as if I was just sitting at my desk writing my message for the 2014 Pesach Menorah
magazine!
Pesach is an incredibly meaningful holiday although it does seem to create much panic
for many people when they think about the cooking and cleaning that needs to happen in
preparation for the Chag!
What I find truly special about Pesach is the myriad of customs that we perform at the
Seder (and throughout Pesach) and the special symbolic messages that these activities
contain.
Rabbi’s Message
There is one aspect that always grips my attention at the Seder. When one thinks of their
childhood experience at the Seder I am sure we all have fond memories that come to
mind.
I recall my earliest memories as a young boy at the Seder struggling to stay awake.
It would always be a competition who could stay up the longest. Unfortunately sleep
always seemed to get the better of me and I was usually in a deep sleep by the time
the meal was served.
Fortunately my father would wake me up right before we would open the door for Elijah
the Prophet, Eliyahu Hanavi. My brother would usually run and open the door and we
would all wait for Eliyahu to come through the door and take a sip of his wine that was
placed in his special cup. My father would bump the table and point at the cup and say
“look he is drinking” and we would all be amazed! For years this trick worked on me and
I now try it with my children. However last year Aaron went on google straight after
yom tov and searched if Elijah actually drinks the wine and apparently worked out my
‘bumping the table’ trick!
A question does need to be raised nonetheless. Eliyahu Hanavi goes from Seder to
Seder, drinking all the wine (let’s hope Victoria Police don’t catch him) and appears to
cover the entire world! The question is therefore, why do we need to open the door for
him?
Surely Eliyahu Hanavi, who seems to be covering incredible distances and performing
amazing feats, can get in the house without us opening the door? Why has the custom
included the part where we need to open the door, would it not be more impressive if
Eliyahu could find his own way in?
There is a simple but profound answer. On Pesach we celebrate freedom. We celebrate
being able to leave ‘Egypt’ which represents all the boundaries and obstacles that have
held us down over the past year. We open the door as a reminder that, yes we want to
be free of these obstacles, but this won’t happen on its own. We need to ‘get up’ and
open the door! If we truly want to bring change to our lives the first step requires us to
make an effort. If we sit back and believe that everything will just fall into place, we
unfortunately might remain ‘enslaved’ in Egypt.
This year, as we approach the Festival of Pesach, think about the steps that you need to
take to get the ball rolling. Stand up, open the doors of change, and please G-d we will
all merit a year of blessings both materially and spiritually!
Wishing you and your family a Chag Pesach Kasher Vesameach, a Kosher and Happy
Pesach!
Chag Sameach!
Rabbi Daniel Rabin
NEJC FAMILY NEWS
October 2014 – March 2015
Births
A hearty Mazel Tov to
Des & Sheryl Galgut on the
birth of a granddaughter
Brad & Sophie Galgut on the
birth of a daughter
Hilton & Maryann Katz on the
birth of a grandson
Stephanie Kahn on the birth of
a granddaughter and a
grandson
Ben & Betty Alexander on the
birth of a granddaughter
Ben & Betty Alexander on the
birth of twin
great granddaughters
Ben & Betty Alexander on the
birth of a great grandson
Engagement
A hearty Mazel Tov to
Moishe & Linda Freedman on
the engagement of your
daughter Melissa to
Peter Casper
Leon & Jean Freedman on the
engagement of your
granddaughter Melissa to
Peter Casper
Milton & Pat Goldman on the
engagement of your
granddaughter Melissa to
Peter Casper
Marriage
A hearty Mazel Tov to
Ben & Betty Alexander on the
marriage of your grandson
Sam to Jenna Schultz
Zelik & Angela Wloszozowski
on the marriage of your son
Sam to Jenna Schultz
Roy & Elaine Gaddie on the
marriage of your daughter
Diane to Ian Barabash
Ed & Sarah Berson on the
marriage of your daughter
Alitta to Issar Ehar
Andrew & Dana Teichtahl on
your marriage
Sasha & Thalia
Abramzon on your marriage
Special Birthdays and
Milestones
A hearty Mazel Tov to
Ronnie Robinson on his 90th
Birthday
Wolf Szykman on his 101st
Birthday
Condolences
We extend our heartfelt
condolences to
Maurice & Ingrid Wulfshon on
the passing of Maurice’s
mother Dora
Theresa Frankel on the
passing of her brother Edgar
Gideon & Adele Frankel on
the passing of Gideon’s uncle
Edgar
David & Lena Frankel on the
passing of David’s brother
Edgar
Daniel & Yafit Frankel
on the passing of Daniel’s
uncle Edgar
New Members Welcome:
Sergei Savenkoff
Sheldon and Riesa Lipschitz
Andrew & Dana Teichtahl
Adam & Belinda Shapiro
Patricia Morley
Special Awards
A hearty Mazel Tov to
Heidi Hayden on her Australia
Day award for service to the
NEJC
Dr. Michel Saling on his
“member of the Order (AM)”
award on Australia Day
Carolyn Agussol
Sasha Abramzon
A hearty Mazel Tov to
Steven & Tahli Freeman on
Zan’s upsherin
Community Pesach
Seders!
Join for informative, inspiring, easy to follow,
delicious and extremely affordable Passover
Seders!
From matzah and wine to a four course meal
and lively seder, we have it all covered!
First Night – Friday, April 3rd at 7:00pm
Second Night – Saturday, April 4th at 8:00pm
We would like to wish Dr Michael Saling a big
mazeltov on being awarded a Member of the Order
(AM) this Australia Day.
Dr Saling received the award for significant service to
education in the field of clinical neuropsychology as
an academic researcher and clinician.
Mazeltov to the entire family.
We wish Heidi Hayden a big mazeltov on being nominated by the Board of Management to
receive the Menzies Community Australia Day Award.
"The Award recognises the valued contribution of members of our community who have worked hard to
make our community a better place to live."
Heidi has been actively involved, for more than 25 years, in leadership positions at the NEJC and it is due,
in no small measure, to the unceasing dedication and commitment of Heidi that the North Eastern Jewish
Centre continues to flourish.
Mazeltov to Alan, Laura, Dean and the entire family
Heidi Hayden receives her Menzies Australia Day award
Ingredients:
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4-5 lbs. kosher chicken pieces, bone in, skin on
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 large fresh lemons
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tbsp chili powder (mild)
Salt and pepper
You will also need
roasting pan or dish, plastic wrap, brush,
aluminum foil
Servings: 5-7 servings
Method:
Place chicken pieces in a single layer on the bottom of a roasting pan or dish. Sprinkle pieces with salt and
pepper.
In a small bowl cut the two lemons in half and juice them into the bowl. Add olive oil,
garlic, chili powder and chili pepper flakes. Whisk together all ingredients till well combined.
Brush the chicken pieces generously with the marinade till evenly coated. Pour remaining marinade over
the top of the pieces.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Remove the plastic wrap and cover the roasting pan or dish
tightly with foil. Cut a few slits in the foil around the edges to vent.
Place chicken in the oven and cook for about 1 hour, until the juices run clear and internal temperature
reaches 70 degrees Celsius. Remove the foil and raise the oven
temperature to 220 degrees Celsius. Cook the chicken for about 10 more minutes until it is nicely browned
and the skin is crisp.
Eva Sommers
We welcome all participants at
our new workshops which are
held at the NEJC every Tuesday
from 10a.m. to 1p.m.
We offer pleasant studio space,
morning tea/coffee with biscuits
and like-minded people to inspire
and support each other.
Bring your own materials but
please do not bring food as the
Centre is strictly kosher.
From time to time we propose to
organise visits to art galleries and craft shows and host guest speakers.
These extra activities will be held either in the evening or on Sundays.
Whether you are a beginner, an experienced artist, or just love to do things
with your hands, we would love to
have you join us.
Please call the NEJC office on
9857 9000
for further information
Morning at the
Manningham
Art Gallery
Our exciting Bat-Mitzvah program continues to prepare 11/12 year old girls
for their entry into Jewish womanhood.
Through the bi-weekly program our Bat-Mitzvah girls learn about the
significance and meaning of being a young Jewish woman.
The Program guides the girls on how to prepare for this great occasion and
provide the soon-to-be 'adult' with a year of memorable experiences and
enriching Jewish fundamentals and values.
Some of the topics covered during the year.
The Jewish Woman, the Holocaust and Israel, Jewish life in Australia,
Jewish Marriage, the Synagogue and Judaism today!
To Register or for more information:
nejc@bigpond.com or 9857 9000
The club has been running for over a
year.
It was started because a number of
members had a hunger for the
mameloshen (Yiddish language). The
club has approximately 13 members.
Activities include talking in Yiddish, discussing
Yiddish expressions and performing in comedies
after the scripts of the comedies have been
translated into Yiddish by our members. We also
experience the Yiddish culture through listening
to Yiddish music, discussing Jewish history
focusing on the 21st Century, visiting places of
interest which relate to our history and
sharing Yiddish songs and jokes. We meet
fortnightly on Thursdays at 10am. Please join our
club if you speak Yiddish.
Eva Sommers
The end of 2014 saw many interesting activities for the NEJC playgroup. The children enjoyed learning about
the High Holidays through a variety of arts, crafts, cooking, sing along and stories. Our highlight was the end
of year Chanukah party where children and Mummies enjoyed some tasty treats whilst having great fun playing together.
One other success for 2014 was our Playgroup Sunday Morning Open Day. For this event families were invited to join us for brunch and a casual play. It is through this event that we realised that many families would
prefer to attend weekend or after hours activities, as weekday commitments can be difficult to juggle.
Therefore, this year, we have introduced a new program for young families that incorporate elements of play
group and allow more family involvement.
Instead of running on a weekly basis the playgroup will now offer once a term exciting Sunday activities
scheduled for young families. The playgroup will also run in conjunction with the Hebrew School for a special
once a month ‘Family Fun Day’ during Hebrew School hours.
To participate in the program please contact Tahli Freeman via the NEJC
office on: 9857 9000
Every one of our students, from Playgroup toddlers to pre-Bar and Bat Mitzvah children, enjoy learning
through activities, games, crafts and song, as well as good old fashioned classroom lessons. Special events
are organised, and chagim are celebrated to the max!
Hebrew studies begin with the simple aleph bet, move on to reading fluency and writing skills, and now
include conversation, and vocabulary extension for senior students.
Our students have exchanged letters with pen pals in Israel, made their own shofars and celebrated Shabbat
together with a special Shabbat Family Dinner, and participation in the Friday night service.
These are just some examples of the way that our teachers make learning fun and relevant. Our teaching
staff is very ably supplemented with support and assistance from parents, grandparents, and friends, without
whom we could not run such a full and varied program.
This year has seen a change in the format for pre-school education, with the Educational Playgroup
mornings being replaced with Family Funday afternoons once a month, held in conjunction with the Hebrew
school, and regular Young Family Events held on designated Sundays through the year.
My thanks go to our wonderful teachers, Irene Port and Ravit Flenner in the Hebrew school, and Tahli
Freeman with the Playgroup, to our stalwart helpers, Lesley Filer and Leah Grunberg, to Rabbi Rabin for his
ongoing support and enthusiastic participation, and to Karen and Clive in the Centre office, for their
administrative assistance.
Thank you, also, to our NEJC community, which continues to support our school. By donating to the
Kol Nidrei appeal, and helping us to win the Manningham Leader Newspaper Grant by voting online, we are
able to subsidise school fees, and expand our range of resources.
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
Saturday April 4th:
Wednesday April 1st
Return sale of Chametz forms to Rabbi or office
by 12 noon
Thursday April 2nd:
Search for Chametz immediately after nightfall
Yom Tov Candle lighting Second Night not
before 7:49pm
Sunday April 5th:
Yom Tov ends 6:48pm and Chol Hamoed
Pesach begins
Thursday April 9th:
Yom Tov Candle lighting 5:45pm
Friday April 3rd:
Fast of Firstborn Begins 5:58am
and Ends 7:39pm
Morning minyan followed by Siyum and
breakfast - 8:00am (Firstborn males who attend
the Siyum will be able to eat during the day and
not have to fast)
Latest time for eating Chametz – 11:26am
Latest time for removing/burning
Chametz -12:24pm
Yom Tov Candle Lighting first night – 6:54pm
We have farewelled the most incredible man.
Abe you will be missed
Friday April 10th
Candle lighting Yom Tov/Shabbat before 5:44pm
Saturday April 11th
Shabbat/Yom Tov
ends 7:09pm
Manningham Leader, Monday, November 3rd, 2014
Manningham Leader, Monday, September 22nd, 2014
The NEJC Hebrew School
been successful in obtaining
a grant for children Hebrew
books
OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY - OFFICE CLOSED
TUESDAY - 9.30am to 3.00pm
WEDNESDAY - 9.30am to 3.00pm
THURSDAY - 9.30am to 3.00pm
FRIDAY - 9.00am to 12.30pm
Hebrew School Family Brunch & Play Group open Day
Some photos
courtesy of :
Ed Berson
Merv Chait
Ben Sztypel