If anyone is looking for a Lag b’omer party on the North Shor ein Sydney Australia, oyu may want to visit Chabad of North Shore. Please G-d I’ll be doing a fire juggling and twirling show. Hope to see you there.

The first time I experienced this was in Los Angeles, California. I was spending Shabbat there and my friend took me to one of the Chabad houses. We got there fifteen minutes before Mincha and the Friday night service were to begin, and a good thing that was! Set up was a small Kiddush and there were some dozen men eating and drinking. This initially struck me as strange because my entire life I have been accustomed to there being a Kiddush after the services, not before.

The Shaliach/Rabbi explained it to me. “We’re not having a big meal because this would not be permitted. One should not eat late on a Friday afternoon, so not to spoil the appetite for the Friday night Shabbat meal. What we have is a small snack; some crackers, a few dips, a bit of cold cuts, and of course a few l’chaims on whisky and vodka. This way everyone can have a bit of a schmooze and catch up on the week’s happenings before the service begins and there is no pressure to talk during the service. Further, many people have had a long day at work and are tired and hungry and want to rush through the service and go home. But if we have a couple of l’chaims and a light snack, people then have the energy to sing and dance through the service.”

I really like this idea. At the moment I don’t have a synagogue of my own but if I did, maybe I’d implement it. I can’t see any halachic issue with it, provided one does not eat too much and ruin their appetite for the Friday night meal. But I think it’s nice to sit down with some friends and catch up on the week before the davening starts.

What are your thoughts on this? Do they do this in your shul? Do you like this idea? Yes or no? Please share a comment. Thanks.

Purim Has got to be one of my favourite Jewish Holidays. What’s there not to like about Purim? We get dressed up, eat a festive meal, give and receive gifts, and are even commanded to get drunk. Now how many religions out there actually forbid alcohol yet we Jews say it’s a holly thing to get totally inebriated to a point of not knowing who to bless and who to curse in the story of Purim.

I have spent many Purims with Jewish communities around the world to name a few Countries that come to mind; Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, Philippines, Nepal, and Brazil. There was something special and unique in each place I was. Brazil though was probably one of my favourites. On the eve of Purim I was invited to the Governors house in Sao Paulo for a Purim party which a friend of mine had organized. I did feel slightly underdressed in my backpackers clothing siting at a table conversing with the German Ambassador to Brazil who happened to be Jewish. We had some great conversations. I ate way to much food as I tried to gain wait after having been three weeks climbing Aconcagua; the highest mountain in South America, and losing to many Kilos.

Purim day, it was party after party like only the Brazilian people know. Wait Sorry…After the Purim party at the Governors home we went to a massive young adult party which went for most of the night. The food…the alcohol…the wonderful people…
Anyway I can go on for ages talking about the other three parties I went to Purim day and that was after a bris (circumcision) that took place in the Synagogue on Purim morning.

I read the Megila at a Chabad house, and to thank me the Shaliach gave me a Chitas. (a chitas is a book that comprises a number of Jewish holly books…Google it for more information )

So yes Purim around the world. I read the Megilah at the Chabad house in Manila, danced like crazy with hundreds of Israeli backpackers in Kathmandu and spoke to the Jewish community in Christchurch at their Purim celebration.
Purim is an awesome time to pray for anything because the gates of heaven are wide open. People think Yom Kippur is a holly day. True it is, though ‘Yom Kipurim’ as it is called means a day like Purim. Thus Purim in many ways is on a higher level.

So celebrate and remember the 4 main mitzvoth of the day:
1. Hear the Meggila
2. Eat a festive meal
3. Give some Charity
4. Give gifts of food to friends

And remember to drink something and celebrate with joy.
Purim Sameach.

The Young Adult Chabad Centre in Sydney, Australia is a gathering place for young Jewish adults to explore their Judaism through Torah studies, prayer, and social activities. It is run By Rabbi Eli Feldman and Rabbi Danny Yaffe, who work actively in attracting a young crowd looking to find out more about their Jewish heritage.

Rachel and I have been going to pray there quite often. We enjoy the calm, easy, and laid-back feel. It is a place where people can pray at their own level. This past Shabbat following the afternoon prayer service (Mincha) we sat down to eat Seudah Shlishit, also known as Shalosh Seudas in Yiddish. It is the third meal eaten on Shabbat, to celebrate the holy day. During the meal, there is often beautiful singing and  someone will share some words of Torah and or a story of inspiration.

This week it was a treat to hear Gershon Wachtel speak. Gershon has some incredible stories on how he’s stayed strong in his Judaism.  He also seems to have some elixir of youth,because at over sixty years old his face is pretty much wrinkle-free. Gershon said the secret to youth and vitality is: “Life is serious, but you don’t have to take it so seriously. Take the time to smile at people and always have a good word.”

Gershon Wachtel is a fantastic pianist who has been playing for over 50 years. He shared some of his personal experiences of how as he became religiously observant he was often in conflict when it came to performances that were to be held on Shabbat. Notably, there were times when he could have had the opportunity to play at the Olympics and at some high-profile piano competitions, but there would have been no way to avoid playing on Shabbat. “G-d is testing us,” said Gershon. “and each one of us has our own challenges in whatever way they may be.”

How true this is. His words made me think of my mountain climbing challenges when it comes to keeping Shabbat and being high up in the mountains. Each one of us has our own conflict, and no one individual’s is necessarily greater than the other, only different in its presentation.

After the havdalah ceremony, Wachtel treated us to a few songs played on a piano that do not do justice to his musical talent. It was an old piano hanging around the Yeshivah Centre that has probably not been tuned in years. Nevertheless, Wachtel played some inspiring Jewish music from the soul. He said how he really only learned to truly play perhaps some ten years ago when he started playing from the soul.

I liked this because as a chazzan and student of Jewish chazzanut I know how true it is: When it comes to leading the congregation in song, if the leader is connected with his soul the voice does not matter so much as the truth behind it. However, of course it’s a blessing to have both, the soul and the voice.

Gershon Wachtel  certainly had soul and talent in his music, and I say thank you for inspiring me.

Here is a video clip of Gershon playing a tune to Psalm 23. It is one of my favorite tunes and I enjoy his interpretation of it

North Shore Synagogue in Sydney, Australia

Shabbos at North Shore Synagogue, Dover Heights Shule, and South Head Synagogue
This Shabbos, Rabbi Ben was asked to be guest rabbi at North Shore Synagogue in Sydney, Australia.  North Shore Synagogue is a beautiful building and Rabbi Ben has a long history there – he worked there as chazzan for 3 years.  He’s very close to the current rabbi there, Rabbi Lewin, who asked Rabbi Ben to step in while he was on vacation.

On Friday night, Rabbi Ben led the services while the usual chazzan took a break.  The chazzan of the North Shore Synagogue just had a baby girl last week and I’m sure he needed the break – mazal tov!  Rabbi Ben also gave a sermon about how Moses teaches us to have respect for the earth and the water.  On Saturday, Rabbi Ben leined the Torah portion and again gave the drasha.  This time he spoke all about the plague of the frogs and how much we can learn from him. He didn’t tell any jokes, but he still managed to make people laugh!

The usual congregants of the North Shore Synagogue were really happy to have Rabbi Ben back and they were happy to meet me, since they all doubted that the Traveling Rabbi would ever find a woman crazy enough to go along with him!  There were also some very special guests in the crowd, including one of my cousins and some visitors from other area synagogues.  It was a really nice crowd in spite of the summer vacations and everyone was friendly, welcoming, and happy to have us.

Last Shabbos, we went to South Head Synagogue in Dover Heights in Sydney, Australia for Friday night services.  It was also quite a nice shul.  Unfortunately, the rabbi was out of town, as were many of the congregants.  So we didn’t get to meet and get to know as many people as we would have liked.

Then we went to Dover Heights Shule on Shabbos day.  They have a spacious new sanctuary and after services, there was a kiddush.  Rabbi Ben knows quite a few people there (where doesn’t he know people!) and he enjoyed seeing old friends and classmates.  They also got him to lead davening at the evening service later.

As I’ve said before, there are lots of things I like about Australia, and one of them is how welcoming and warm the communities are.

Celebrating the Eighth Night and Day of Chanukah in Sydney, Australia!

Tonight/Today is the eighth and last day of Chanukah for this year.  It’s my favorite because I love seeing the menorah all lit at full splendor, but it’s my least favorite because it signals the end of one of my favorite holidays.  Good thing I believe in eating donuts all year round… and I believe that potato kugel should just be one really giant latke.

Last night, I celebrated the end of Chanukah by going to a really big Chanukah party that was held in Double Bay, a neighborhood of Sydney.  I went with a friend of mine and her daughter.  The party was mostly geared toward children and offered lots of diversions for them, including a petting zoo, games, rides, a magician, and even pony rides.  Still, it was fun to walk around, say hi to everyone, and celebrate Chanukah!

After that party, I went to a party at a friend’s house.  She had over many guests and (of course) fed them lots of latkes!  I had a nice time meeting people, some of whom were not Jewish or did not know much about the holiday.  It was fun getting to explain to them the history of Chanukah traditions, such as giving gelt and playing dreidel.   I also got to explain about the different laws and traditions surrounding menorahs.  There are some laws that apply to all menorahs (such as that the candles should be all at the same height and in a straight line, except for the shamash), but other differences (such as whether to light with oil, candles, or a combination) are only traditions.  After lighting the menorah, everyone sat around and sang songs.  One man played a guitar while another played a drum.  It was really fun!  This is the kind of celebration with family and friends that Chanukah is really about.

In honor of the eight day of Chanukah, I have composed a parody song that I hope you will all enjoy.  I will spare you having to listen to me sing it

On the eighth day of Chanukah,
my true love gave to me
Eight dreidels spinning,
Seven children laughing,
Six chocolate gelt,
Five golden latkes,
Four sufganiyot,
Three magen davids,
Two Jewish mothers,
And a menorah with some candles.

You may also enjoy this YouTube video of some of last night’s festive singing.  Please be aware that you may hear some female voices singing in the background: