Gloria – a movie review by Roz Tarsziz 3/5
February 21, 2014 by Roz Tarszisz
It is both heartening and scary to realise that age is no barrier to behaving badly.
NYT Article: Conflict of Faith or Conflict of Interest?…asks Gabsy Debinski
February 21, 2014 by Gabsy Debinski
I see this weekly update as having a dual purpose. The first; to enhance community members’ understanding and insight into issues they have probably already heard or read about. The second; to inform our community of Israel related issues or commentary they may not necessarily have encountered. Read more
Whose Side Are You On?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
February 21, 2014 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
Question:
I have a jealousy problem. I am envious of anyone that succeeds more than me or has more than I do. It makes me miserable but I just can’t get rid of this emotion. What can I do to feel differently? Read more
The Dead Ones….a theatre review by Deb Meyer
February 20, 2014 by Deb Meyer
If you can make it past the confronting title of this deeply personal production by Margie Fischer, you’ll find a rewarding and profoundly affecting piece of theatre. Read more
Don’t let your first words be your last…writes Odile Faludi
February 19, 2014 by Odile Faludi
If you are single and looking for love why not choose the language of quality conversation. Read more
Palestine – Kerry Confronts Ghosts In State Of Confusion…writes David Singer
February 17, 2014 by David Singer
The semantic circus that first created a people known as the “Palestinians” in 1964 – who now claim an entitlement to their own independent State in ” the occupied Palestinian Territories” – reached absurd heights with the following bizarre news item this week: Read more
Prime Minister: Don’t Take Diaspora Jews for Granted…writes Isi Leibler
February 17, 2014 by Isi Leibler
Under the leadership of the indefatigable Malcolm Hoenlein, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a unique umbrella organization, is gathering in Jerusalem this week. Read more
Reality Bytes…writes Michael Kuttner
February 17, 2014 by Michael Kuttner
As I have mentioned on more than one occasion, hardly a week passes without some reminder that Israel and Jews continue to be the target of obsessive politicians and individuals. Read more
Make the first dent…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
February 16, 2014 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
The Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi – founder of the Chabad movement) was urgently raising money to ransom Jewish prisoners. Read more
My Promised Land by Ari Shavit…a book review by Alan Gold
February 16, 2014 by Alan Gold
Even today, nation states are born out of a people’s hopes and aspirations. Read more
Three telling factual problems with 4Corners’ “Stone Cold Justice”…writes Tzvi Fleischer
February 16, 2014 by Tzvi Fleischer
The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council is currently researching and compiling a detailed critique of all the elements of the controversial ABC Four Corners documentary “Stone Cold Justice”, made with John Lyons of the Australian, and aired last Monday (Feb.10). Read more
Robertson nails it!
February 13, 2014 by Fraser Beath McEwing
If a superb orchestral performance and thunderous applause were what conductor David Robertson wanted, he would have left the Sydney Opera House a happy man last night, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
Stone Cold Justice – the ZFA has its say – Take 2
Dealing with Palestinian minors who take up rocks as weapons against Israeli citizens and soldiers in the West Bank is a very complex and multi faceted problem. Read more
Indian Jewish entry for Short + Sweet
February 12, 2014 by Geoff Sirmai
Indian theatre company CreaShakthi visits Sydney later this month to perform their prize-winning play “The Quest” in the final week of Short+Sweet. Read more
Orthodoxy and child sexual abuse
February 11, 2014 by David Werdiger
Orthodox communities all over the world continue to struggle with the wave of child sexual abuse accusations coming forth. Read more
Faiths get together
February 11, 2014 by J-Wire Staff
The Rabbinical Council of Victoria has reconvened its Community Reference Group (CRG) made up of faith leaders from the broader Victorian Community. Read more
ZCV jazz night
February 11, 2014 by Brenda Segal
Israeli jazz musicians have headed an evening of jazz in Melbourne hosted by the ZCV. Read more
Interfaith in Wollongong
February 11, 2014 by J-Wire Staff
NSW Governor Marie Bashir was best of honour at Harmony Day at the Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong. Read more
Palestine – Jordan Not Jumping For Joy…writes David Singer
February 11, 2014 by David Singer
Jordan is becoming increasingly unhappy at the role US Secretary of State John Kerry might be planning for it in his eagerly anticipated framework agreement designed to end the 130 years old Jewish-Arab conflict. Read more
No worries mate!…declares Michael Kuttner
February 10, 2014 by Michael Kuttner
A short two week visit to Melbourne to attend a family Simcha provided me with the opportunity to meet locals, observe life in part of the “lucky country” and make some observations. Read more
Act like a ghetto Jew and you’ll be treated as a ghetto Jew…Writes Gil Solomon
February 10, 2014 by Gil Solomon
I could not have been more disgusted when hearing about a recent prayer rally organised by thousands of orthodox Jews at the Kotel, the aim of which was to beseech the almighty to “cancel the decrees” of the US Secretary of State. Read more
With Jewish Friends Like These….writes Isi Leibler
February 10, 2014 by Isi Leibler
In this era of post modernism and abandonment of traditional moral values, our capacity to inflict harm on ourselves seems to be at an all-time high.
It’s the chocolate not the drink…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
February 7, 2014 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
Currently in Australia there is a discussion on alcohol related violence, which has recently become more of a problem. One suggestion is to raise the legal age of drinking. The other strategy is to increase mandatory sentencing for violence that is a consequence of being intoxicated. Read more
The fine line between constructive and contemptible…writes Gabsy Debinski
February 7, 2014 by Gabsy Debinski
It all started last Saturday against a bright blue backdrop in a room filled with diplomats and reporters. Read more
Friends of Israel Must Speak Up Now…writes Isi Leibler
February 5, 2014 by Isi Leibler
US Secretary of State John Kerry no longer pretends to be even-handed in overseeing the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Read more
Palestine – Collective Amnesia Spells Collective Disaster…writes David Singer
February 3, 2014 by David Singer
US Secretary of State John Kerry has missed his own deadline of 31 January by not releasing his eagerly anticipated framework agreement designed to help end the 130 years old Jewish-Arab conflict. It will now be released by 21 February according to US Envoy Martin Indyk. Read more
Fiddler on the podium
February 3, 2014 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Supremo violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter hosted a sold-out Opera House audience for a feast of Mozart concertos…writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
The Whole Person…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
January 31, 2014 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) where our sages teach us many lessons in personal growth it states: “Rabbi Joshua the son of Prachia says, “Make for yourself a mentor, acquire a friend and judge everyone favorably.” Read more
Internal dissent not doing the government any good…writes Gabsy Debinski
January 30, 2014 by Gabsy Debinski
There is an old adage that resonates with many Jewish mothers; “you don’t air your dirty laundry in public.” Read more
On Remembrance and Boycotts: Thoughts and sentiments from Yosef Livne, Israeli ambassador to New Zealand
Time passes on and the pain of destruction is as fresh as 69 years ago when the camps were liberated. Read more
