Tell September 2018 Tishrei 5779

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{A NEW BEGINNING} Merril Shead A ‘new beginning’ is the moment we may grasp - take hold of, make our own -along the continuum from fear to hope. The fear end of the continuum is built- in and reinforced continually (refer to any ethologist). Always though, we can choose to make the 180⁰ turn. I always read the Etz Hayim commentary to Exodus 1:17 with gratitude and delight: ‘17. The midwives, fearing God The phrase translated as “the fear of God” (yir•at Elohim ), is the closest the Torah comes to having a word for religion. The case of the midwives suggests that the essence of religion is not the belief in the existence of God or any other biblical precept, but belief that certain things are wrong because God has built standards of moral behaviour into the universe. … The midwives not only believed in God, but also understood that God demands a high level of moral behaviour. They were willing to risk punishment at the hands of Pharaoh rather than betray their allegiance to God. This is the first recorded case of civil disobedience, challenging government in the name of a higher authority. …’ The midwives story makes it clear that there is nothing simple about fear. At a minimum, the story posits a hierarchy - let’s say, from Fear to fear. This inheres a scale, and scales are like ladders - for ascending and descending. In all this going up and going down the ‘mortal coil’, fears can feel dominant. The midwives negotiated the fearsome terrain by the light of belief in the availability of new beginnings. It is notable that the midwives stood for community. No less than life was their hope and inspiration, with continuity of the people as their guiding and cohering principle. So, when I learned - Pesach 2016 - that I had advanced(!) to stage 3 breast cancer, it was with the community’s help - the Emanuel family’s help - embodying Torah values and tradition, that I was able to move along the fear-hope continuum, getting to the Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe) 5776- 7 and the ‘New Beginning’ joy of Simchat Torah 5777. Arriving at the ‘new beginning’, we often notice that it is a place we have been before - only this time it is open, full and shared. Which reminds me: On the day Rabbi Kamins visited me in St Vincent’s, the senior nurse overheard our discussion of Psalm 23. That included Rabbi Kamins’s delightful, but also disappointing story, about him having said one day to a local barista, when she overfilled his cup, “My cup runneth over!” He drew a blank, then another, then another, as he delivered all the customary prompts. But the Catholic senior nurse, probably because she was aged over 60 and observant, needed no prompts. She took up the theme with me the next day - and so began another new beginning, nested in my personal new beginning: an interfaith dialogue that continues to return me to the Makom where the Tree of Life is rooted. Shanah Tovah Umetukah. Conversations about Israel Monday mornings from 10:00am-11:30am Join Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins or guest speakers to examine the complex issues facing contemporary Israel. 26
{JEWISH WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR SYDNEY} SHIR MADNESS at Emanuel Synagogue on Sunday 7 October - from 11am ‘til late! SHIR MADNESS returns to Sydney celebrating the Jewish contribution to music with 11 hours of joyous, funny, soulful & rocking performances of every imaginable kind. 25 acts will play on multiple, concurrent stages and a single ticket covers all acts, all day. There’s a special kids’ concert too, plus artisan demonstration stalls, kosher food and drink… and much schmoozing. For the first time, Emanuel Synagogue will be hosting the festival! Headlining the festival is thrilling New York band Nefesh Mountain (“where Bluegrass and Jewish traditions meet… and fall madly in love!”). Critically acclaimed by Rolling Stone and Billboard magazines, Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg together with their band are pioneers of a transcendent new genre – fusing the apparently disparate worlds of American Appalachian and Jewish traditions. Refreshingly eclectic, wildly spiritual. Super-popular Ilan Kidron and Glass crossover from jazz to pop and world music: Paris to New Orleans to Rio and beyond! Arguably Australia’s greatest contemporary composer, Elena Kats-Chernin, will play some of her most popular music and tell the stories around it from behind the keyboard. Melbourne musical comedian Jude Perl presents her catchy and hilarious satire, while Byron-based Temple of Song and multi-instrumentalist Shai Shriki marry music and spirit, leading a singing circle that weaves prayers, original texts and compositions in a total soulful musical experience that will have everyone singing! Pianist Simon Tedeschi and violist Roger Benedict play the Romantic ‘hits’ of Schubert, Schumann, Rachmaninov and Jewish-Viennese WWII refugee Hans Gal. Also featured are two NY-based Aussie musicians, Sephardic music doyen George Mordecai with “Baghdad to Bondi” featuring the most exotic of Eastern musicians and their instruments; and cabaret star and Helpmann nominee Alexis Fishman with her tribute to Amy Winehouse “Amy: Reimagined”. Headliners, Nefesh Mountain Also appearing in the festival are Alma Zygier Quartet, Bonnie Love, Chelsea Berman, Dafka, Philip Foxman Band (ex Supernaut!), Graeme Pillemer, Harmony of the Angels, Hello Tut Tut, Jonno Zilber, Leonie Cohen & Nicky Crayson, Medicine Voice, On the Stoop, Phia, Raduga Trio, Tiptoe Giants and Keppie Coutts’ ‘swamp-folk operetta’ “The Mysteries of Mad River”. Plus Song of Songs is returning as the final set of the night, starring the cream of Australia’s musical community singing one of their favourite songs by a Jewish composer. Names announced so far include Glenn Shorrock, Dami Im and Josh Pyke. Festival Director Gary Holzman said he was are excited to be holding this year’s festival at the newly renovated Emanuel Synagogue campus. “For the first time Shir Madness audiences will be able to experience all the incredible talent on offer in fully seated comfort! Our program this year will once again feature an astonishing variety of top class local, interstate and international acts covering all musical genres from classical to klezmer, jazz to Jewish music and cabaret to contemporary pop. It will be amazing!” Tickets: Adult General Admission $75 pre-booked $85 on the day $45 concession Kids under 12 free Kids concert only $20 adults CONNECTION WITH ISRAEL & WORLD JEWRY VIP tickets $175 (inc. reserved seating, VIP Room, free food & drink) Bookings and more information: shirmadness.com 27
Page 1 and 2: New Beginnings Tishrei-Cheshvan 577
Page 3 and 4: YOUR QUARTERLY JOURNAL ON SPIRITUAL
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Page 11 and 12: {WEARING WHITE ON HIGH HOLY DAYS} R
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Page 17 and 18: Shabbat Meditation Join us for Rene
Page 19 and 20: {AROUND EMANUEL} Scenes of life aro
Page 21 and 22: on High Holidays, sitting with his
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Page 29 and 30: RANDOLPH GRIFFITHS Randolph is the
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Page 33 and 34: {NEW MEMBERS} To welcome the strang
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Page 39 and 40: TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING Designed by

Tell September 2018 Tishrei 5779

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