Wishing all our Congregation a Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach

Parshat Bamidbar
P P E E R R T T H H H H E E B B RR R R EE E W
W
C C O O N N G G R R E E G G A A T T II I O O N N I I N N C
C
And the coun$ng of the Omer
The PHC Igeret
1 1 M A Y 2 0 1 3
2 S I V A N 5 7 7 3
“Wishing all our Congregation a
ד ’ סב
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach”
08 9271 0539 │ phc@theperthshule.asn.au │ h p://www.theperthshule.asn.au

T H E P H C I G E R E T
SHABBAT THIS WEEK:
CANDLE LIGHTING NOT LATER THAN: 5.14 pm
MINCHA FOLLOWED BY
KABBALAT SHABBAT/MA’ARIV: 6.00 pm
MORNING SERVICE: 9.00 am
HAPHTORAH: HOSEA 2
MINCHAH: 5.10 pm
MA’ARIV AND MOTZE SHABBAT
(TERMINATION OF SHABBAT): 6.10 pm
SHAVUOT TIMETABLE NEXT WEEK:
EREV SHAVUOT TUESDAY 14 MAY 2013
MINCHA 5.45 pm
MA’ARIV 6.00 pm
1 ST DAY SHAVUOT WEDNESDAY 15 MAY 2013
MORNING SERVICE 9.00 am
MINCHA 5.15 pm
MA’ARIV 6.00 pm
2 ND DAY SHAVUOT THURSDAY 16 MAY 2013
MORNING SERVICE INCLUDING YISKOR 9.00 am
MINCHA FOLLOWED BY SEUDAS PRAIDA
FAREWELL TO THE YOM TOV WITH
REFRESHMENTS 5.00 pm
MA’ARIV AND TERMINATION OF CHAG 6.06 pm
ד ’ סב
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From the Desk of the Chief Rabbi of the
Perth Hebrew Congrega$on Inc
Rabbi Dovid Freilich OAM
T H E P H C I G E R E T
SHAVUOS COUNTDOWN
We have been counting down to Shavuos since second day Pesach with the counting
of the Omer. From yesterday’s count, which was the 43rd day, if my mathematics
serves me correctly, there are 5 days to go – not very long!! Shavuos is a major
festival. Without it we would not have the wonderful heritage that we enjoy, for it
celebrates the giving of the Torah which not only is a guide to us, but has been the
foundation of moral and ethical living for the whole world. We like celebrating it in style
in our shule. Therefore, all are invited to a Shavuos dinner in the shule with great
entertainment, an enjoyable quiz, which should be lots of fun, delicious milchig foods
and very good company. This is being catered by Yofi’s and PHC. I don’t like talking
about prices, so please see the advertisement. Please come along and have a really
enjoyable Shavuos yomtov meal.
Over Shavuos, Perth Synagogue will be hosting a scholar-in-residence Rabbi
Yehoshua Grunstein, originally from America and now residing in Israel. As Director of
the Straus-Amiel Institute, Rabbi Grunstein is responsible for the training and
placement of rabbis. His visit, which is being personally sponsored by me and Aviva,
will enhance Shavuos (the season of the giving of our Torah) to the whole community.
Rabbi Grunstein is a modern-Orthodox rabbi who is passionately Zionist, and has been
responsible for the training and placement of no less than three of the younger rabbis in
the community.
Rabbi Grunstein not only has a wonderful talent of adapting Torah concepts to
contemporary life, but does so in an interesting, entertaining and witty manner. Rabbi
Grunstein will conduct the tikun l’el Shavuos in the Perth Beit Midrash on the first night
of Shavuos and will be giving the sermons on both days of Shavuos in the main shule
as well as on the Shabbos after Shavuos. His time in Perth will end with a breakfast for
the women on Sunday morning 19 May in Perth Synagogue’s Korsunski Foyer.
Although Rabbi Grunstein is a guest of the synagogue, the whole community would
greatly benefit from coming to hear him and enjoying his thoughts and insights into
contemporary Jewish issues both in the Diaspora and in Israel.
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From the Desk of the Chief Rabbi of the
Perth Hebrew Congrega$on Inc
Rabbi Dovid Freilich OAM
For those who stay awake all night for this programme, there is an early dawn service in
our Beis Midrash, after which you can go home and have a well-deserved shluf till
lunchtime!! This sounds so great that I would love to join in, but I have to be ready to
conduct the second Shavuos service for the 9.00 a.m. minyan.
So start preparing yourself for a great Shavuos at our synagogue – in the meantime,
keep counting down!
T H E P H C I G E R E T
SHAVUOS TREAT – SHAVUOS RED EYE SPECIAL!
Shavuos is just around the corner (15 & 16 May 2013) and the cheesecake and blintzes
are being prepared, but even more important, a programme is being arranged in order to
keep us wide awake - tradition dictates, throughout the whole night of Shavuos, without
the help of strong coffee. There will be, as usual, an early morning service on Shavuos
in our Beit Midrash at 6:30 a.m. One may attend this service even if you have not stayed
awake all night. We will not check the weight of your eyelids. Of course, for those who
prefer a later service, there will also be a Shavuos service at the earthly time of 9:00
a.m., in the main shule as opposed to the heavenly time of 6:30 a.m. in the beit midrash!
Looking forward to seeing you all out Shavuos!
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From the IPAD of the Youth Director of the
Perth Hebrew Congregation Inc
Rav Natti Friedler
Hi guys and gals!
This month has started well with our get
togethers and learning programs.
Don’t forget to book NOW for the Shavuot
Dinner next Tuesday night! This will be a
really fun and relaxed evening with plenty of
food to eat—pizza, fish balls, ice-creams and
cheesecakes (and that is just the kid’s food!)
Just to also let you know that I have
cancelled the Tefillin and Breakfast this
week due to Mother’s Day and school camps.
But it will be on again on 19 May! So strap
your tefillin on and strap yourself in for a
hearty breakfast next week!
T H E P H C I G E R E T
SEE YOU ALL SOON!
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Parashat Bamidbar Summary
1st & 2nd Aliyot: Moshe counts all males over the age of 20,
and registers them according to their paternal ancestry. The
total, not including Shayvet Layvie, was 603,550. The total
number of Jews was around 3 million.
3rd Aliya: The tribes are each assigned their position within the
camp, and in the order of the traveling.
4th Aliya: In preparation for separating the tribe of Layvie, the
Torah establishes Aharon's genealogy. Although the Kohanim
were also from the Tribe of Layvie, they were counted by themselves.
5th Aliya: Moshe counts the Leviyim according to their three
basic families: Gershon, Kehas, and Mirarri. Their individual
responsibilities in transporting the Mishkan is stated, and their
total was 22,000.
6th Aliya: Being that the Leviyim were to be in direct exchange
for the first born, Moshe counts all the first born in the rest of the
nation. Their total was 22,273. The extra 273 first born are
instructed to redeem themselves from Aharon the Kohain for 5
silver shekels.
7th Aliya: The Parsha concludes with detailed instructions for
the family of Kahas. Their primary responsibility was to transport
the vessels of the Mishkan. Only Aharon and his sons were
allowed to cover the vessels in preparation for transport. Once
covered, the family of Kahas did the actual carrying.
T H E P H C I G E R E T
Courtesy of Rabbi Aron Tendler of Torah.org
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Parashat Bamidbar Haphtorah Summary
T H E P H C I G E R E T
Hosea 2:01- 2:22
This week's Haftorah is from Hoshea. Hoshea's prophecy is a seemingly
contradictory presentation of the relationship between the Jews and G-d.
On the one hand Hoshea compares the Jews to a Harlot who betrays her
husband and can not in good conscience claim that her husband has
fathered her children. On the other hand, Hoshea concludes his prophecy
with G-d's promise that he will never abandon the Jews and that
despite the nations betrayal and disloyalty, the children are still His.
In order to understand this prophecy, a little background is in order. G-d
had stated to Hoshea that the Jews had sinned. Hoshea responded by
suggesting to Hashem that He exchange the Jews for another nation. As
a Prophet, it was Hoshea's responsibility to follow Moshe's example and
fight on behalf of the nation, not reaffirm their guilt and sins. In essence,
Hoshea had spoken Lashon Harah about the Jews.
As a part of Hoshea's training, Hashem instructed him to marry a woman
who was a prostitute. He fathers three children whom he gives unusual
names reflecting his personal frustration with the Jews. His oldest is
named Yizrael - The G-d Who plants. His second child, a daughter, he
names Lo Ruchamah - One who does not deserve mercy. His third child,
a boy, he named Lo Ami - Not My nation.
Hashem then told him to send away his wife and children. Hoshea
begged G-d to rescind His order because he loved his family and did not
want to be apart from them. G-d then says to him, "Isn't your wife a
prostitute, and don't even know if your children are yours? Yet you love
them! So too is my relationship with the Jews. No matter how they betray
me I still love them and do not want to be apart from them!"
Hoshea understood the lesson and changed his entire attitude toward
the Jews. Instead of presenting the angry demeanor of harshness and
judgment, Hoshea prophesied some of the most beautiful and optimistic
prophecies that we have.
The final words of the Haftorah capture the eternity of G-d's love for His
Chosen People. "I shall marry you to Me forever..."
Courtesy of Rabbi Aron Tendler of Torah.org
ד ’ סב
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T H E P H C I G E R E T
A BABY GIRL!!
We are delighted to announce
the safe arrival in Israel of a
new daughter for Deborah and
Gidon Russel and sister for Yael
Russel, niece for Judith and
Simon Lawrence, cousin for
Hannah and Sasha Lawrence
and grand-daughter for Linda
and Ronnie Lawrence!
MAZELTOV FROM US ALL!
The Seudah Shlishit is kindly sponsored this Shabbat by:
David Sharbanee in loving memory of his parents
Eliah (Eliah ben Matook) and Victoria Sharbanee
(Victoria bat Menashe).
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Celebrating Yom Yerushalayim
"Ten measures of beauty descended to the world; nine were
taken by Jerusalem." (Kiddushin 49b)
Yesterday, 8 May 2013, was Yom Yerushalayim. In Jerusalem, they celebrated the
reunification of the city by singing Hallel, wearing Yom Tov clothes, and dancing
through the city.
That significant day in 1967 saw the soldiers of the 19-year old Jewish State
reclaim the Old City of Jerusalem which for 3,000 years, was the undivided and
eternal capital of the Jewish people.
In Jerusalem this year, thousands of people in a sea of blue and white flags
marched though the capital. The annual Flag-Dance Parade started at the centre of
Jerusalem, and advanced through the Old City to the Kotel.
T H E P H C I G E R E T
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SHAVUOT
A Brief Introduc$on
T H E P H C I G E R E T
Ruth in Boaz’s Field
The Torah was given by G-d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai more than 3300 years
ago. Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of G-d’s gi., and G-d
“re-gives” the Torah.
The word Shavuot means “weeks.” It marks the comple2on of the seven-week coun2ng
period between Passover and Shavuot.
The giving of the Torah was a far-reaching spiritual event—one that touched the essence
of the Jewish soul for all 2mes. Our sages have compared it to a wedding between G-d
and the Jewish people. Shavuot also means “oaths,” for on this day G-d swore eternal
devo2on to us, and we in turn pledged everlas2ng loyalty to Him.
In ancient 2mes, two wheat loaves would be offered in Holy Temple. It was also at this
2me that people would begin to bring bikkurim, their first and choicest fruits, to thank Gd
for Israel’s bounty.
On this day G-d swore eternal devo2on to us, and we pledged everlas2ng loyalty to Him.
The holiday of Shavuot is a two-day holiday, beginning at sundown of the 5th of Sivan
and las2ng un2l nigh9all of the 7th of Sivan. (In Israel, it is a one-day holiday, ending at
nigh9all of the 6th of Sivan.)
• Women and girls light holiday candles to usher in the holiday, on both the first and
second evenings of the holidays.
• It is customary to stay up all night learning Torah on the first night of Shavuot.
• All men, women and children should go to the synagogue on the first day of Shavuot
to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments.
• As on other holidays, special meals are eaten, and no “work” may be performed.
• It is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot. Among other reasons, this commemorates
the fact that upon receiving the Torah, including the kosher laws, the Jewish
people could not cook meat in their pots, which had yet to be rendered kosher.
• On the second day of Shavuot, the Yizkor memorial service is recited.
• Some communi2es read the Book of Ruth publicly, as King David—whose passing
occurred on this day—was a descendant of Ruth the Moabite.
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T H E P H C I G E R E T
PHC TERTIARY EDUCATION FACILITIES
PERTH TORAH EDUCATION CENTRE
KOLLEL TIFERET PERTH (BEIT MIDRASH OF PERTH)
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE PERTH SHULE (PHC)
MONDAY
6.30 a.m. Mini–shiur - D’var halachah (Jewish practice) - Rabbi Natti Friedler
6.00 p.m. Mini-shiur – Ein Yakov (Jewish ethical and moral teachings) - Rabbi Dovid Freilich
8.00 – 9.00 p.m. The contemporary message of Tanach (bible) – Adam Levine
TUESDAY
6.30 a.m. Mini–shiur - D’var halachah (Jewish practice) Rabbi Natti Friedler
5.30 p.m. Interesting contemporary halachic responsa (Shaalos uteshovos) – Rabbi Dovid Freilich
6.00 p.m. Mini-shiur – Ein Yakov (Jewish ethical and moral teachings) - Rabbi Dovid Freilich
7.00 p.m. – Basic Judaism – Rabbi Dovid Freilich/Rabbi Natti Friedler
7.00 p.m. Yiddish Circle – Rabbanit Aviva Freilich
WEDNESDAY
6.30 a.m. Mini–shiur - D’var halachah (Jewish practice) Rabbi Natti Friedler
10.00 a.m. Lessons in the Talmud - Rabbi Dr Shalom Coleman
5.30 p.m. Interesting contemporary halachic responsa (Shaalos uteshovos) – Rabbi Dovid Freilich
6.00 p.m. Mini-shiur – Ein Yakov (Jewish ethical and moral teachings) - Rabbi Dovid Freilich
THURSDAY
6.30 a.m. Mini–shiur - D’var halachah (Jewish practice) - Rabbi Natti Friedler
10.00 a.m. Woman’s learning forum – Rabbi Dovid Freilich in Rabbinic office
5.30 p.m. Interesting contemporary halachic responsa (Shaalos uteshovos) – Rabbi Dovid Freilich
6.00 p.m. Mini-shiur – Ein Yakov (Jewish ethical and moral teachings) - Rabbi Dovid Freilich
7.00 p.m. Parasha and Chasidut in Hebrew – Rabbi Natti Friedler
SHABBAT
½ hour before mincha – Insights into the weekly parsha – Rabbi Dovid Freilich
SUNDAY
8.00 a.m. Mini shiur - Mishnah insights – Rabbi Dovid Freilich
6.00 p.m. Mini shiur – Mishnah insights – Rabbi Dovid Freilich
All shiurim, unless otherwise indicated are held in the Perth Shule Beis Midrash
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T H E P H C I G E R E T
PERTH HEBREW SCHOOL INC @ PHC SHULE
This week we have been
preparing for Zman Matan
Torateinu - the Time of the
Giving of Our Torah. We had
fun learning about Shavuot.
We count seven weeks from
the second day of Pesach un2l
Shavuot. We know that the
word Shavuot (weeks) comes
from the word sheva, which
means seven - the number of
days in a week.
We also learned the various
minhagim and customs of Shavuot
including ea2ng foods made from
dairy. The same way an infant is
sustained and nourished by milk, so
too the Jewish people are sustained
and nourished by the Torah which
is likened to milk. As you see, we
had a Shavuot feast! What a busy
first week back a.er the school
holidays!
We studied Aseret Hadibrot, the
Ten Commandments and we
enjoyed working out in which
order they were given.
Photos and text courtesy of
Rena Hesselson
ד ’ סב
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May the Almighty provide comfort amongst the mourners of Zion & Yerushalyim.
It is with much sadness that we announce
the passing of
T H E P H C I G E R E T
SZAJA (SAM) POTAZNIK
We send our sincere condolences and wish
long life to all his family and rela2ves.
ד ’ סב
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May the Almighty continue to provide comfort amongst the mourners of Zion & Yerushalyim.
NAME HEBREW NAME DAY CIVIAL DATE HEBREW DATE
Melvin (Basil) Meyer Melvin (Basil) Meyer Saturday 11/05/2013 Sivan 2, 5773
Sam Harp Shmuel Yisroel ben Yosef Sunday 12/05/2013 Sivan 3, 5773
Edna Meister Edna bat Shmuel Sunday 12/05/2013 Sivan 3, 5773
Sam Rosman Sam Rosman Sunday 12/05/2013 Sivan 3, 5773
Leah Viva Blitz Leah bat Yitzhak Monday 13/05/2013 Sivan 4, 5773
Julian Lubinski Yosef ben Chaim Monday 13/05/2013 Sivan 4, 5773
James Bryan Baggaridge Moshe ben Israel Tuesday 14/05/2013 Sivan 5, 5773
Idyss Einihovici Yidit bat Moshe Tuesday 14/05/2013 Sivan 5, 5773
Sadie Glasser Sheina bat Asher Tuesday 14/05/2013 Sivan 5, 5773
Jack Goldner Ya'acov Zelig ben Moshe Tuesday 14/05/2013 Sivan 5, 5773
Misha Lever Moshe ben Yosef Tuesday 14/05/2013 Sivan 5, 5773
Celia Levin Tzirel bat Yitzchak Zev Tuesday 14/05/2013 Sivan 5, 5773
John Emanuel Symons
T H E P H C I G E R E T
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Yaakov Mendel ben Moshe
HaLevi Tuesday 14/05/2013 Sivan 5, 5773
Annie Thomas Channah bat Menachem Tuesday 14/05/2013 Sivan 5, 5773
Pinchas (Percy) Friedman
Pinchas Rafael ben Moshe Ha-
Cohen Wednesday 15/05/2013 Sivan 6, 5773
Rachel Machlin Rachel bat Yaakov Wednesday 15/05/2013 Sivan 6, 5773
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May the Almighty continue to provide comfort amongst the mourners of Zion & Yerushalyim.
NAME HEBREW NAME DAY CIVIAL DATE HEBREW DATE
Bella Bocher Beilka bat Jacov Thursday 16/05/2013 Sivan 7, 5773
David Gilovitz Dovid ben Moshe Thursday 16/05/2013 Sivan 7, 5773
Linda Jaquelie Katel Leah bat Avraham Thursday 16/05/2013 Sivan 7, 5773
Bruce Morris Baruch ben Yaakov Thursday 16/05/2013 Sivan 7, 5773
Leon Zelazne Lazar ben Chaim Thursday 16/05/2013 Sivan 7, 5773
Charlie Chajches Szaja Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
John Andrew Davis Ya'akov Chaim ben David Leib Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
Peter Grant Woolf ben Moshe Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
Fay Lehman Tzipora bat Mendel Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
Sol Levin Avram Shlomo Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
Sarah Alice Lieberman Sara Alte bat Avraham Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
Rachel Mossenson Rachel bat Nissan Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
Jean Rosen Chaya Rachel bat Shmuel Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
Harry Saker Zvi ben Rachmiel Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
Saura Woolf Saura Faige bat Sonia Friday 17/05/2013 Sivan 8, 5773
T H E P H C I G E R E T
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T H E P H C I G E R E T
Community Notices
(The PHC accepts no responsibility for the information provided in these communal notices).
The Travelling Rabbi - My African Tribe
by Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft
as told to Suzanne belling
Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, widely known as ‘The Travelling Rabbi’, is the spiritual leader of the
Country Communities Department of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the African
Jewish Congress. His ‘territory’ encompasses thirteen countries – the entire African continent
south of the Sahara – as well as the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar and Mauritius.
Many once-thriving Jewish communities in small towns in South Africa and in other African
countries have disappeared and their synagogues closed as people moved to the main cities or
emigrated. Whether one, two or a handful remain, Rabbi Silberhaft is there for them.
The Travelling Rabbi has many facets – spiritual leader and one-man Chevrah Kadisha, caring
for the graves of the forgotten and tracing their descendants, as well as the ‘Romantic Rabbi’
who performs wedding ceremonies, whether on a beach in Mauritius at sunset or at the foot of
the Twelve Apostles in Cape Town. He is also a caterer, a counsellor, a teacher; but, above all,
he is a friend.
The seventh in a line of country community rabbis, Rabbi Silberhaft has injected his youth,
passion and love of people into his WORK, extending his post into a legendary one. This has
gained him the respect and acknowledgement of people from all walks of life, including Queen
Elizabeth II, who expressed surprise, on his invitation to Buckingham Palace, that ‘such a young
man’ was at the helm of so important a mission.
This book traces the journeys of the Travelling Rabbi, highlighting his invaluable work. We travel
with him, meet and hear the stories - sometimes humorous, often tragic, always fascinating - of
the resilient people he encounters, and remember Jewish communities and personalities who
would otherwise be forgotten.
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T H E P H C I G E R E T
Community Notices
(The PHC accepts no responsibility for the information provided in these communal notices).
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