Samoa Tsunami: No reports of Jewish casualties
October 1, 2009 by J-Wire
There have been no reports of any Australian or New Zealand Jewish holidaymakers or visitors injured in the Samoan Tsunami. Read more
Time to nominate the Business Woman of the Year
Nominations open today for the Veuve Cliquot Business Woman 2010…details below. Read more
Exciting artist showing in Sydney
October 1, 2009 by J-Wire
Tonee Messiah is a 24-yr-old Israeli-born artist, deemed by her gallery as a major up and coming force in the Australian art world. Read more
New ambassador receives major award
September 27, 2009 by J-Wire
Jeff Bleich, the incoming U.S. Ambassador to Australia, has received the Anti-Defamation League’s Distinguished Jurisprudence Award. Read more
Holocaust Centre deals with Uni Nazi Oktoberfest party
The Holocaust Centre in Wellington has offered to transport a special exhibition together with a survivor to Christchurch’s Lincoln University where students held a party trivialising the Shoah. Read more
Nazi Party in NZ on First Night Rosh Hashana
September 21, 2009 by J-Wire
As Christchurch’s small Jewish community settled in for Rosh Hashana/Shabbat dinner on Friday night, Lincoln University students were holding a party on the campus replicating Nazi Germany. Read more
Kyle back on air on Oct-07…may still visit the Jewish Museum
September 18, 2009 by J-Wire
2Day-FM told J-Wire today that the invitation to Kyle Sandilands for an escorted tour of the Holocaust section of Sydney’s Jewish Museum is still on the cards Read more
Michael Danby’s words of praise for Genia Janover
September 16, 2009 by J-Wire
Genia Janover retired last year as Principal of Melbourne’s Bialik College. This week, Federal MP Michael Danby sang her praises in Parliament. Read more
SBS bans “Palestinian lands” and “disputed territories”
September 16, 2009 by J-Wire
Ethnic broadcaster SBS has instructed its journalists not to use the terms “Palestinian lands” or “disputed territories” in matters relating to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Read more
New Jewish magazine hits the news stands
September 16, 2009 by J-Wire
Joshua Levi writes in J-Wire what drove him to publish Hebe.
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
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
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
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.
JewishCare’s Expo on Dementia
August 26, 2009 by J-Wire
Over 180 people attended JewishCare’s Expo on Dementia at Sydney’s Hakoah Club on 24 August. Read more
JewishCare’s Black Dog Function
August 26, 2009 by J-Wire
On Tuesday 25th Aug The Black Dog Institute and JewishCare held a very interesting seminar about assessing and treating Depression and BiPolar Disorder. Read more
The Mizrachi decision – Rabbi Gutnick responds
August 25, 2009 by J-Wire
Rabbi Moshe Gutnick responds to the decision reached by the London Beth Din in order to settle the dispute between Gutnick and Sydney’s Mizrachi congregation.
Read more
Preparations for 2010 Yom Ha’atzmut
August 24, 2009 by J-Wire
Sydney University to assist The Jewish House
August 18, 2009 by J-Wire
Sydney University will help the Jewish House review its role and services within the the Sydney Jewish community. Read more
Zionist Council of Victoria on the hunt for a DJ
The Zionist Council of Victoria is preparing for the exciting 2010 Yom Ha’atzmaut Concert which will be held on Monday evening, 19 April, 2010 at Hamer Hall. Read more
JewishCare Sydney on a drive to collect food
August 17, 2009 by J-Wire
JewishCare collects food for the needy. YES there is a need Read more
Death car slams into Glick’s Bakery…closed for Shabbat
August 14, 2009 by J-Wire
A police car chase ended early this morning with the vehicle slamming into a row of shops in the Melbourne suburb of Bentleigh…including Glick’s Kosher Bakery and bursting into flames. Read more
Australian know how to recycle Israeli rainwater
August 7, 2009 by J-Wire
Work will begin on a simple reserve in the Israeli town of Kfar Sava this weekend…but under its trees and plants will lie a bio-filter developed in Melbourne designed to recycle the town’s rainwater. Read more
Jimmy Barnes to Sing at Central
August 6, 2009 by J-Wire
Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes will perform at Sydney’s Central Synagogue’s cantorial concert later this month. Read more
Bombing experience remembered by Maccabiah team member
July 28, 2009 by J-Wire
Maccabiah tennis player Carolyn Rubinstein took time out to confront her past. Read more
U.S. visitor killed in Melbourne to be buried today
July 24, 2009 by J-Wire
An orthodox Holocaust survivor killed in a road accident in Melbourne on Wedneday, is expected to be buried in his home town of New Square in New York State today. Read more
Maccabiah Games – Closing Ceremony
July 24, 2009 by J-Wire
“We are alone – you are alone. Let’s be alone together.” Read more
Medals up their alley
July 22, 2009 by J-Wire
The Sachs family of three flew to Israel to compete in the 18th Maccabiah Ten Pin Bowling tournament…and each family member will bring home at least one medal. Read more
Gold guaranteed in Junior Tennis
July 21, 2009 by J-Wire
Two Australians will meet in the final of the Maccabiah Junior Tennis Championship. Read more
