SHAVUN ב"ה Vayera Parshat Vayera – Giving is everything Worldwide, Tzedakah is responsible for the critical support of the needy as well as for maintaining the Jewish community’s infrastructure – schools, synagogues, mikvaot (ritual baths), hospitals, and orphanages, etc. A 2010 study at the University of Indiana revealed that individual Jewish philanthropy in the US far exceeds that of any other group... Dear Friends, If you were asked what is the highest achievement of Avraham Avinu, our great father in his lifetime, most of us would say his connection with G-d: “Hashem appeared to him in the plains of Mamre, while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent, in the heat of the day” (Bereshit 18, 1). Rashi explains that Hashem had come to visit Avraham, as he was still sick after his Brit Milah (circumcision) earlier, and Hashem “just came” over to say “hi” and to visit the sick person. Hashem “gave” his precious time just to visit Avraham, and yet Avraham finds something more important even than G-d himself: “He lifted his eyes and saw three men were standing over him. He perceived so he ran toward them... ” Rashi brings a profound idea (based on the Talmud Shabbat 127b) that Avraham told Hashem to wait for him until he would finish with the hospitality of these strangers! G-d has waited patiently while Avraham Avinu engaged in the messy business of washing feet, slaughtering animals, running back and forth to serve these strangers. As a result of that the Talmud continues and teaches us another profound message: “hospitality to wayfarers is greater than receiving the Divine Presence”! Avraham's greatest achievement is not by talking to G-d, but rather by helping people. If this principle was applicable for a complete bunch of strangers (although they were angels Avraham didn't know it yet) – What should our approach be to those we know, and are close to us and are in need? Hospitality is just an example for any act of Tzedakah: The generous giving of Tzedakah (charity) is one of the extraordinary attributes of the Jewish people. That's in the US, the second biggest Jewish community in the world. What do we have here in Auckland NZ, in one of the smallest Jewish communities in the world? -----------------------------------------------------As you all know, we are delighted to have a special visit from the Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth – Rabbi Mirvis on 1 December 2014. In honour of his visit, and in a spirit of unity to our Kehilah, it would be very much appreciated if you consider a contribution to the Rabbi's Gemach Fund. We know we have the Shule and the school to give to, which are our main institutions; but for the help of the individuals from our community, we only have the Gemach Fund. Helping people in their time of Simchas or G-d forbid in grief; or just when it's a struggle, is ultimately the best feeling we can have. Giving to the Rabbi's Gemach Fund is also participating in the highest Mitzvah of Tzedakah - giving anonymously - without the giver or the receiver knowing of each other, what a great merit! Let’s act like Avraham Avinu: Giving to each other is far and foremost our highest achievement in life! Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Nathanel Friedler Rabbi’s Gemach Fund ANZ 010102 0073059 00 1 Thursday 6 November 2014 13 Cheshvan 5775 AHC Contact Details: Office: 09 373 2908 [email protected] www.ahc.org.nz Rabbi Natti Friedler 021 714 157 Mikveh Bookings: 021 714 158 Yair Jablinowitz: 021 488 030 Shifra Jablinowitz: 021 488 050 AHC BoM 5775 Chair & Human Resources: Bronwen Klippel Treasurer & Kashrut Certification Garth Cohen Religious & Head Gabbai: Gavin Berman Social: Sharon Brokensha Mark Kantor Security: Sara Nevezie GAD: Henri Eliot Youth & Young Marrieds: Steven Hofman Mark Kantor Property: Joshua Arieli Future Planning and Kadimah Liaison Rachel Lerner Contents Mazel Tovs 2 Rabbi’s Shiur 2 Kadimah Fundraiser 2 Yahrzeits 4 Calendar 4 Monday 1 Dec 2014 @ 6:30pm Cocktail Party Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’ first visit to Auckland (including Rabbi Friedler’s Inauguration) Invitation to follow soon Rabbi’s Shiur @ RFL Including Mincha / Maariv Thursday 6 Nov (Tonight!!) 7:00 pm: “The binding of Isaac – A G-d fearing act or child abuse?” Coffee, Tea & Cake provided courtesy Raye Freedman Trust Yom Huledet Sameach!! Happy Birthday!! Dorothy Davis Joshua Katz Lesley Scher Sara Stone Daniel Friedlander Victoria Berry Isadore Davimes Richard Keys Michael Nimkovsky Ethan Noah Peter Bolot Stephen Goodman Peter Feinberg Gillian Horowitz Martyn Levy Auckland 16 & 23 Nov 2014 SUNDAY 16 — 12:30pm Run Boy Run 2:45pm Gett, the Trial of Vivian Amsalem 5:10pm Night Will Fall 7:15pm The Farewell Party SUNDAY 23 — 12:30pm Young Perez 2:45pm Zero Motivation 5:00pm The Decent One 7:15pm Above & Beyond http://jiff.com.au/ 2 THE COUNCIL OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS Invites you to attend our next programme THE PLIGHT OF THE ANCIENT CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES OF THE MIDDLE EAST St John’s Theological College Meadowbank (opp. Shalom Court) on Sunday 9 November at 2.30pm SPEAKER: Dr Francis Kassir, an Iraqi Christian dentist living in Auckland, whose family in Mosul have recently fled their ancient city – a story to which we Jews can certainly relate. All welcome, no charge. 3 YAHRZEITS FOR THE WEEK: We wish you Long Life… Our thoughts are with all our congregants who are unwell at the moment. Name: Remembered by: Samuel Chaimowitz Michael Fisher Esther Goldstein Devorah Hahn David Harris Rene Nevezie Jack Phillips Louis Segall Beatrice Solomon Harry Svirskis Shmuel Tenenbaum Cassie Weinberg Godfrey Chaimowitz Janet Hepi Hannah Brodsky Claire Nates Kay Harris Sara Nevezie Cyril Nevezie Danny Phillips Charlotte Maram Natricia Adler Margaret Hannah Tessa Horowitz Freda Narev Shlomo Tenembaum Arlene Weinberg Relationship: Father Grandfather Sister Mother Brother Mother Mother Father Father Mother Husband Son-in-law Cousin Father Father YOUR WEEKS AHEAD: FRI 7 14 Cheshvan SAT 8 15 Cheshvan 9 SUN 16 Cheshvan 10 MON 17 Cheshvan TUE 11 18 Cheshvan WED 12 19 Cheshvan THUR 13 20 Cheshvan Shacharit: Greys Ave Shacharit @ & AHC Stiebel: Greys Ave: 9am 9:15am B/Mitzvah classes Kabbalat Shabbat Greys Ave 7pm Stiebel 6:30pm 7:41pm 14 21 Cheshvan Rabbi’s Shiur @ AHC 7pm 8:42pm 15 22 Cheshvan 16 23 Cheshvan 17 24 Cheshvan 18 25 Cheshvan 19 26 Cheshvan 20 27 Cheshvan Shacharit: Greys Ave Shacharit @ & AHC Stiebel: Greys Ave: 9am 9:15am B/Mitzvah classes Bar-Mitzvah: Michael Berman Kadimah Kabbalat Shabbat Yr 8 Kabbalat Shabbat Greys Ave 7pm Stiebel 6:30pm 7:48pm Rabbi’s Shiur @ RFL 7pm 8:49pm 4
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