This Shabbat we read about the Jewish people's wanderings and campsites whilst they were in the desert. It's pretty cold to imagine any camping right now, but our musical Kabbalat Shabbat at 6pm should warm you right up!
Shacharit commences 9.45am, and we are looking forward to hearing Annie Zeleznikow giving her debut Dvar Torah this week! The Kiddush (with extra herring!) is kindly sponsored by Morry Dvash in honour of the yarzheit of his late mother Sheindel Dvash z'l. We wish him and his family a long and healthy life.
Tisha Beav: Maariv commences 6pm on Monday 4 August, followed by Megillat Eicah at 6.15 pm. After Megillah, Shira is proud to be the first kehilla in Australia to screen "Wonderful Women (Nashim Nehedarot)", first screened in Israel on Tisha Be'av in 2013. This movie tells the amazing story of a dialogue group comprised of Haredi and Secular women from Beit Shemesh, who attempt to build bridges together, very much in keeping with the theme of ahavat chinum (boundless love). More information about the movie can be found at this link, and you can join our Facebook event group here.
We would really appreciate a few volunteers to come slightly earlier and help set up the space for Tisha Be'av (fast commences 5.34pm). Please let us know if you are available to assist.
The Grassroots Dialogue Project is a new project run by the Council of Christians and Jews (Victoria), and Shira is pleased to be a supporter of this project. The project is looking for a presenter who is well grounded in their faith, confident to present themselves and their faith as they experience it, to those of other faiths and traditions. Please respond to this email if you are interested in obtaining a Presenters Position Description for further details about this exciting opportunity.
Gift of Life Australia is holding an urgent blood testing session at Caulfield Red Cross Blood Donor Centre on Tuesday 19 August from 4pm-7.15pm. There are currently 4 Jewish Leukaemia patients between 1-61 years old who are in urgent need of matching stem cell donors. Appointments are essential. More information can be found here.
Save the date - performance event! On Sunday 31 August at 7.45pm, Shira is excited to host senior specialist in informal Israel education, Helen Gottstein. Helen will be performing her most recent bestselling session at THC: "Under the Radar: The Israel that doesn't make the headlines". Helen was born in Australia and has lived for the past 20 years in Jerusalem. She has toured internationally, including the US, Australia, Limmud UK and NZ. The cost for this session is $15, pay at the door. However, RSVP replies would be most appreciated! We look forward to seeing you at what promises to be a fabulous, thought provoking and entertaining evening.
Wishing all a Shabbat Shalom, with hopes and prayers for peace.