New CD from North Shore Temple Emanuel
September 16, 2009 by J-Wire
Sydney’s North Shore Temple Emanuel Choir has just released a CD commemorating the Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary of the synagogue. Read more
Powerful play with strong Jewish theme at the Seymour Centre
September 15, 2009 by J-Wire Staff
The Australian premier production of Address Unknown will play at Sydney’s Seymour Centre between October 14-November 7. Read more
Maccabi NSW swimming set to expand
September 14, 2009 by Odile Faludi - Maccabi NSW
Maccabi News recently had the pleasure of checking out what all the hype was about Maccabi Swimming.
Delayed Maccabiah medal ceremony
September 14, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Ros Fischl has finally received her bronze medal won at the 18th Maccabiah in Israel in July. Read more
A Night at the Polish Embassy
September 14, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Celebrated author Diane Armstrong was recently guest of honour at function at the Polish Embassy in Canberra marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of WWII. Read more
New U.S. Ambassador to Australia is Jewish
September 13, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Jeff Bleich has been appointed the new U.S. Ambassador to Australia. Read more
A non-Jewish German journalist’s take on “Inglourious Basterds”
September 13, 2009 by J-Wire Staff
Barbara Bierach is a Sydney-based German journalist who has filed her take on Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” for J-Wire. Read more
Historian to speak on Maitland Jewish Cemetery
September 13, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Dr Janis Wilton, a historian at the Univewrsity of New England, will lecture on Maitland’s Jewish history on September 25. Read more
Looking for a Sukkah?
September 13, 2009 by J-Wire
A world-wide registry of Sukkahs has been set up in Melbourne. Read more
“I’m the village idiot” – Alice man selling swastika t-shirts
September 11, 2009 by J-Wire
An Alice Springs man has told ABC radio that he has burned all his stock of t-shirts bearing a swastika emblem. Read more
9/11 Commemoration in Melbourne
September 11, 2009 by Ari Morris
The President of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV), Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, today addressed dignitaries and community leaders at an annual commemoration of the events of 11 September 2001 held at the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne. Read more
Government says Fischer did not meet the Lockerbie bomber
September 11, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Newspaper reports that former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer met the Lockerbie bomber on a recent visit to Libya are untrue according to the Federal Government.
Read more
Mt Scopus students link up with children worldwide on climate awareness
Pupils from Melbourne’s Mt Scopus Memorial College are among the first in the world to complete their role in producing a massive quilt promoting awareness about climate change. Read more
Yeshiva celebrates birthday of Rabbi Shem Tov
September 10, 2009 by Daniel Kaye
Chai Elul Hakhel Farbrengen in the Yeshiva Centre – Chabad Headquarters of NSW Read more
Holden worker credited for design of VW Beetle
September 10, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Josef Ganz, who died in poverty in Melbourne in 1967, is now being credited with the design of the VW Beetle. Read more
Sandilands suspended
September 9, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Kyle Sandilands has been suspended by Sydney radio station 2Day-FM for comments he made on air trivialising the Holocaust. Read more
Shock Jock turns on Holocaust survivors – invited to tour Holocaust exhibition
September 9, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Sydney radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands has suggested that actress Magda Szubanski would lose weight if she were to be put into a concentration camp. Hear the broadcast on J-Wire. Read more
Sweeping changes at Sydney’s Great
September 9, 2009 by Susan Bures
The new board of management at Sydney’s Great Synagogue contains six new faces. Read more
Rabbi Lawrence’s address at the Order of Australia service
Order of Australia Service
6 September 2009
Address by Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence
At the heart of Jewish teaching is a reverence for modesty. It is epitomised by Moses described as “anav mikol ha-adam” – more modest than any man.
In enjoining humility, the Talmud cautions, “honour flees from him who chases it and honour pursues those who flee it.”
In this vein, the story is told of a man who approached his Rabbi and asked, “I learned that if you flee from honour, it pursues you… So tell me rabbi, how is it that I have kept running from honour all my life and it has never once caught up? What am I doing wrong?” Answered his teacher, “My son, I think the problem might be that as fast as you go, you keep looking over your shoulder to see if honour is running after you!”
Honour has value when it is freely given; accorded by others in recognition of genuine accomplishment. And it is this freely accorded honour that we celebrate today.
The great sage, Ben Zoma taught, “Who is truly honoured?” To which he answers, “One who gives honour to his fellow.”
The Order of Australia is a celebration of the best in humanity; conferring honour and recognition; highlighting, encouraging and endorsing the good deeds and worthy enterprises that edify us and our society.
Ben Zoma’s dictum begins “Who is wise? One who learns from every person. Who is strong? One who can subdue his passions. Who is rich? One who is content with his lot.” The commentators ask, if you have wisdom, self-mastery and a wealthy contentment, what, then, is the value added component of honour?
With reference to the Hebrew expression of Ben Zoma, “hamechabed et habriyyot”, they answer that it is not merely the honouring of one’s fellow, that accrues honour; rather, and correctly translated, it is the honouring of creation.
The honouring of creation. And implicitly the Creator.
When we give honour to our fellow and deal decently with our environment; when we concern ourselves with the sanctity of life and holy image of God imprinted upon us all – then we give real honour. Then we merit real honour. And that honour comes from above.
When our gift of honour joins us with the Almighty as a partner in the elevation of creation; then it is His honour which seeks us out and His recognition which is our reward.
There is a beautiful teaching by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, a deeply spiritual man and the first Chief Rabbi of the British Mandate.
Rabbi Kook echoes the truly universal implication of Ben Zoma’s words, the honouring of creation in its widest sense.
Rabbi Kook writes, “The highest position in the love of people must be taken by the love of humanity, and it must extend to all mankind, despite all differences of opinion, religion and faith, despite all distinctions of race and climate…
“We must know that the kernel of life, light and holiness never departed from the divine image bestowed on humanity in general, and is found on every people and time… This holy, spiritual kernel will elevate everything.
“From this inner point or seed of vitality, we wish for the total elevation which will uplift the world, the light of justice and of righteousness. The perfection of all that is created; foremost, mankind and all his faculties. (Rabbi AI Kook, Mussar Avicha)
Though today’s service with its diverse faith readings and pageant might at first blush seem removed from the normal and Judaic business of a synagogue; how fitting it is to join in the home of these teachings of Ben Zoma and Rabbi Kook to celebrate those who honour humanity, honour creation, honour creativity and honour our Creator!
To honour those of all traditions who have shared in edifying God’s world.
We welcome the Order of Australia Association to The Great Synagogue Sydney. It is our privilege to host distinguished exemplars of philanthropy, community, education, of enterprise; of excellence in every field of endeavour.
The virtues and values cherished by the Order are indeed those which God wills us to emulate so that His Presence is manifest in our society. As you join with us today in this holy Sanctuary, we appreciate all the better how His Presence is felt in our community. From here, through New South Wales we are inspired by your example.
May we continue the service of God with humility; pursue justice and peace for the welfare of humanity. May we do this for His sake and for the sake of Creation. May He bless us all with health and the wisdom to discern the right path in life.
And may those upon whom honour has alighted, the ACs, AOs, AMs and OAMs continue to run, setting the pace that we are all moved to follow.
Multi-national service for Order of Australia recipients
September 8, 2009 by Susan Bures
The Great Synagogue played host to the Order of Australia Association Multi-faith observance at which a Buddhist nun, various Christian representatives and a Wiradjuri elder participated with rabbonim. Read more
Zeddy Lawrence tipped to be new AJN editor
September 8, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Informed sources have told J-Wire that Zeddy Lawrence, editor of the London Jewish News, is tipped to take over the role at the helm of the Australian Jewish News. Read more
Zionist Council of Victoria’s president on the population survey
September 7, 2009 by J-Wire Staff
The President of the Zionist Council of Victoria, Danny Lamm, shares his thoughts on the recent Jewish Population Survey… Read more
Still time to star in next year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut concert
September 7, 2009 by Elly Shalev
There was plenty of Jewish musical talent on show when the Zionist Council of Victoria held auditions for solo singers and ensembles for the 2010 Yom Ha’atzmaut community concert.
Racist attack in West Footscray
September 6, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
Houses, cars and shops were daubed with racist slogans in the Melbourne suburb of West Footscray early yesterday morning. Read more
Tribute to Yiddish teacher
September 6, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
The Sydney Jewish community will honor the memory of one of its best known teachers…Aliza Siderowitz. Read more
“Come Home” pleads South African leader
September 6, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
South African president Jacob Zuma has urged skilled ex-patriates to return home. Read more
Sydney Yeshiva buys Betar building
September 4, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
The Sydney Yeshiva Centre today bought the Betar building in Old South Head Rd. Read more
Brothers take out Jewish House Golf Prize
September 4, 2009 by Community Editor
Three Sydney brothers took out the 2009 Jewish House Golf Day trophy. Read more
Trial date set for Perth alleged racist
September 4, 2009 by J-Wire Staff
Brendan O’Connell will go to trial in Perth on November 20…accused of posting an antisemitic video on YouTube. Read more
Danby speaks on the 70th anniversary of WW II
September 3, 2009 by J-Wire Staff
Michael Danby, Federal MP for Melbourne Ports, writes on the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of WWII. Read more
