What If You Were Born Zoroastrian?

FOMO? You can still donate

SHABBATON RETREAT IN NATURE SAVE THE DATE August 24-26 bookings open next week   Question of the Week: You are obviously very passionate about the Jewish religion. But that is because you were born into it. Had you been born a Hindu, a Muslim, a Catholic or a Zoroastrian, you would be equally as passionate. So how can you take your beliefs seriously, or see them as truth, when really they are no more than an accident of birth? Answer: There are some big assumptions behind your question. You are assuming that I was born. That is a fair assumption. But you also assume that I am Jewish by accident. That is false. There is no such thing. The very premise makes no sense. The postulation "what if I would be born someone else" is as absurd as asking what if a tomato was actually a carrot, or an apple was a Samsung. I am what I am and I can be no one else. My family, my birthplace, my heritage - this is me. My soul was chosen to be born into a Jewish family. This means that I am the product of thousands of years of Jewishness. I may question it. But it is who I am. Sometimes a question is a question. And sometimes a question is a cop out. Asking "what if I were someone else?" is an example of the latter. But even that probably comes from my Jewishness. Questioning our beliefs is an age old Jewish practice we inherited from our forebears. You are born Jewish and you are born questioning. And with all the questions and all the challenges over all the generations, Judaism is still standing strong. You and I, and all Jews of today, are living testament to the eternity of Judaism. Just by you being you, and me being me. Good Shabbos, Rabbi Moss   To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au     VIDEO: Shiur on the Parsha of the Week     Bilam Names Moshiach   We did it!  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The community rallied around us last Sunday. We are overwhlemed by the love and support that we were shown. We managed to raise $1 million toward the building of our new centre. Special thank you to the 800+ donors who responded on the day, to our major donors who matched every dollar x3, to our team of energetic and enthusiastic volunteers for making hundreds of calls, to board member Jack Reuben who spearheaded the campaign, and to Charidy for their guidance and support. We are getting close to our goal!    FOMO?   We are still taking donations as we are not all the way there yet!     Make your tax deductible donation HERE  or direct deposit with your name here: Nefesh Building Fund  BSB 082309  ACC 846467026   In spite of more wet weather, we have made progress this week. We have cleaned up a lot of the site and more material deliveries have been dropped in by crane. I guess we just have to stick to the old saying: slow and steady wins the race. When the weather changes things will speed up. Shabbat Shalom. Brent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ALL SERVICES AT NEFESH    1 FRANCIS ST BONDI BEACH   (OFF CAMPBELL PDE, BEHIND NOAH'S BACKPACKERS)   SHABBOS TIMES & COMMUNITY INFO: BALAK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, 29 June 2018 | 16 Tammuz 5778 Candle Lighting.................................... 4:38pm Mincha................................................ 4:50pm Learning with the Bochrim..................... 5:30pm Kids Program ...................................... 6:00pm Shabbos Service.................................. 6:00-6:50pm  Followed by HOT soup Kiddush, sponsored by a friend.   Shabbos Day, 30 June 2018 | 17 Tammuz 5778 In depth parsha class ..................... 9:00am Kids Program ................................ 10:30am Shabbos Service............................ 10:00am-12:20pm Kiddush in honour of the birth and naming of Karen & Michael Martin's baby girl- Mazal Tov!   Mincha and with Pirkei Ovos Chapter 6 followed by Seudah Shlishis ................... 4:35pm Gematria and Story by Rev Amzalak........ 5:00pm Shiur with Bochrim................................ 5:20pm Shabbos ends....................................... 5:37pm Followed by Havdalah   WEEKDAY SERVICES Sunday 1 July | Fast of the 17th Tammuz Fast Begins .................... 5:37am Shachris......................... 8:00am Fast Ends....................... 5:25pm   Mon- Fri......................... 7:00am Latest Shema this week.... 9:27am   HAPPY BIRTHDAY Miriam Lowinger... 17 Tammuz/ Saturday 30 June Ari Smaller...................... 19 Tammuz/ Monday 2 July Rafael Deubler................. 20 Tammuz/ Tuesday 3 July Deborah Bui.................... 23 Tammuz/ Friday 6 July   LONG LIFE Eric Melman and Brad Melman for their late father and grandfather George Melman Gershon ben Yosef... 17 Tammuz/ Saturday 30 June   Ruth and Ronan Lutman for their late mother and grandmother Meda Sofer Mesuda bat Farcha... 18 Tammuz/ Sunday 1 July   Marlene Franks for her late mother Cecily Wolman Tsovia bat Sabsa Welva... 22 Tammuz/ Thursday 5 July   Zelman Nissen for his late father Michael Judah Nissen Michael Judah ben Avrom... 22 Tammuz/ Thursday 5 July   Judy Swaab for her late mother Adel Reves Sarah bat Avraham... 22 Tammuz/ Thursday 5 July   Adele Glick for her late mother Nachama Rieback... 22 Tammuz / Thursday 5 July   Joseph Newman for his late uncle Cyril Moshe Shostak ... 23 Tammuz/ Friday 6 July   Jon Shapira for his late mother Judith Esther Shapira Yehudith Esther bat Shmuel... 23 Tammuz/ Friday 6 July   SPONSORING A KIDDUSH IS SIMPLE!   FRIDAY NIGHT:  SOUP $75 | BASIC $120| DELUXE $200   SHABBOS DAY: STANDARD $350 | LUNCH *FROM $450   DATES AVAILABLE : Friday Night 6 July, Shabbos Day 7 July, Friday Night 13 July, Shabbos Day 14 July.    EMAIL US: office@nefesh.com.au

Nefesh Shul, PO Box 7349, 0416 822 832, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026 Australia SafeUnsubscribe™ shmuly77d@gmail.com Forward email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au in collaboration with Try it free today

I'm sorry, I can't answer this

WE ARE LIVE

Question of the Day: Do you actually read these emails? I have often wondered how many people do. If you are reading this, can I ask you something? I try to respond to people's questions, but this time I am the one asking. I need your help. We are building for the future and making history. Can you be a partner with us? Nefesh is building a centre for spreading joy the Jewish way. You've seen our video   explaining our vision. You've watched the progress reports in our weekly build up. And you've heard how far Nefesh reaches. If you have gained from reading my weekly answers, please consider responding to this request for help. We need to raise $1 million today to fund the next stage of our building. For 24 hours only, every tax deductible dollar you donate will be quadrupled. But it's all or nothing. If we don't reach our target in time, we get nothing. Go to www.charidy.com/nefeshsydney and give me your response. I thank you deeply, Rabbi Moss

Nefesh Shul, PO Box 7349, 0416 822 832, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026 Australia SafeUnsubscribe™ shmuly77d@gmail.com Forward email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au in collaboration with Try it free today

Are You Up for This Challenge?

We need your help this Sunday to make history

WE NEED YOUR HELP THIS SUNDAY YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION WILL BE QUADRUPLED FOR 24 HOURS ONLY IT'S ALL OR NOTHING!  TOGETHER LET'S BUILD THE CENTRE OF OUR COMMUNITY  www.charidy.com/nefeshsydney  Question of the Week: I've just seen a disturbing post of a young man I know. We once acted in a play together but we've kept in minimal touch since. He's just posted a very distressing message: "I'm sorry everyone. I am giving up. Thanks for trying." It appears he has been suffering from depression, and is now institutionalized. They are monitoring him closely and he is getting whatever treatment he needs. But as a friend, what words of encouragement or wisdom could I possibly offer that might make a difference? Answer: Firstly may I commend you for reaching out to him. Any message of support, just saying you care and you are there, has immense power. Anything but silence is already a positive step. But maybe there is another way to make a difference. Rather than help him, you can turn it around. Ask him for help. When you contact him, put aside the illness as if it didn't exist for a moment, and ask him for some advice. Think of his area of expertise and talent and tell him you need his assistance. He is an actor and you are working on a drama piece. Ask him how he would approach a difficult scene or how to present a particular character. This will be more than just telling him "you matter and you are needed", it will be actually making him needed. Now obviously we are dealing here with some serious health issues. They will not go away with one little conversation. It might not work at all. He may not even be receptive to being asked, or incapable of responding. But if you have even a slight chance of getting through to him, it is worth a try. It might give him a moment of not being absorbed in his own issues. If he can focus on someone else for even a short time, that may serve as a little gasp of air, and he may be lifted, if even momentarily, above his darkness. Sometimes the trap of depression is the self-absorption it brings. The best antidote for that is serving others. Give him a chance to do that. If nothing else, you will have expressed to him that whatever he is going through, he can still contribute to the world, and you value him enough to ask. That may be just what he needs to hear. Good Shabbos, Rabbi Moss   To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au     VIDEO: Shiur on the Parsha of the Week       Moshe Hits Rock An unfinished manuscript, the chazan in Gan Eden and super sensory perception    Welcome to a very special edition of the weekly buildup. This is the week that you have the power to make a difference and put a lifelong stamp on our community. We are blessed with the unique ability to be a part of something that rarely comes around. This is your chance to help make a communal 'home base' and meeting point for our children and G-d willing, many more generations to come.   When you are contacted on Sunday, please please please give generously to our charidy event, for every dollar that is donated will simply create a better place for our community to grow in. Just think how nice it would be when our children can say they remember when that place was just being built... What an amazing feat to get it this far, now let's not lose our momentum and work towards completion of this place we can all be proud of.     This week we have battled the rain, wind and other natural conditions to complete the placement of water tanks and the block work in the basement. This was a very trying task and thank G-d not only did we complete it but we were given the opportunity to work through many testing situations... AND SUCCEEDED!!!      Shabbat Shalom! Brent

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ALL SERVICES AT NEFESH    1 FRANCIS ST BONDI BEACH   (OFF CAMPBELL PDE, BEHIND NOAH'S BACKPACKERS)   SHABBOS TIMES & COMMUNITY INFO: CHUKAS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, 22 June 2018 | 9 Tammuz 5778 Candle Lighting......................... 4:36pm Mincha..................................... 4:45pm Learning with the Bochrim.......... 5:30pm Kids Program ........................... 6:00pm Shabbos Service....................... 6:00-6:50pm  Followed by Kiddush sponsored by Tom Moss, Ron Moss and Kathy Penn in honour of the yorzheit for their late mother, Bluma Miriam bas Binyomin Zev on 9 Tammuz- Long Life.   Shabbos Day, 23 June 2018 | 10 Tammuz 5778 In depth parsha class ..................... 9:00am Kids Program ................................ 10:30am Shabbos Service............................ 10:00am-12:20pm Kiddush sponsored by Ivan, Carole and Michael Basserabie in honour of Ivan's Bar Mitzvah anniversary- Mazal Tov! L'Chaim in honour of Michael Singer's Bar Mitzvah anniversary - Mazal Tov!   Mincha and with Pirkei Ovos Chapter 5 followed by Seudah Shlishis ................. 4:30pm Gematria and Story by Rev Amzalak...... 4:55pm Shiur with Rabbi Moss.......................... 5:15pm Shabbos ends..................................... 5:34pm Followed by Havdalah   WEEKDAY SERVICES Sunday ................................ 8:00am Mon- Fri................................ 7:00am Latest Shema this week........... 9:26am   HAPPY BIRTHDAY Adam Pisk............ 10 Tammuz/ Saturday 23 June Esti Regos............ 11 Tammuz/ Sunday 24 June Ethan Klein........... 13 Tammuz/ Tuesday 26 June Greg Schreeuwer... 15 Tammuz/ Thursday 28 June Finley Zev Hasofer..16 Tammuz/ Friday 29 June   HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Brian & Arlene Schwartz... 10 Tammuz/ Saturday 23 June Eric & Carol Melman......... 13 Tammuz/ Tuesday 26 June   LONG LIFE Ron Moss, Tom Moss and Kathy Penn for their late mother  Bluma Miriam bas Binyomin Zev.. 9 Tammuz/ Friday 22 June Jack Reuben for his late uncle Nissim Chai Nasiem Nissim Chai ben Yaakov... 9 Tammuz/ Friday 22 June   Michael Franks for his late mother Rose Franks... 10 Tammuz / Saturday 23 June   Robert Dabscheck for his late father Ronald Samuel Dabscheck Shmuel Hanan Ben Yisroel... 11 Tammuz Sunday 24 June   Tom Meyer for his late step-mother Eva Meyer Chava bat Avraham... 11 Tammuz / Sunday 24 June   Sam Sharp for his late father Monty Sharp Monish ben Zelik Ha'Cohen... 12 Tammuz/ Monday 25 June   Carol Melman for her late mother Miriam Shapiro Miriam bat Zoendal... 13 Tammuz/ Tuesday 26 June   Jacqueline Eliovson for her late father Victor Behrman Avigdor ben Dov Getzel... 14 Tammuz / Wednesday 27 June   Moshe Moses and Adee Moses for their late father Sasoon Moses Sason Hai ben Mazal... 14 Tammuz / Wednesday 27 June   David Kessler for his late sister Nanette Kessler Genenda bat Avraham...15 Tammuz/ Thursday 28 June   Ruth Cromer and Erna Frankfurter for their late father and husband Harold Frankfurter Yehoshua Leib ben Shlomo Meir... 16 Tammuz / Friday 29 June   SPONSORING A KIDDUSH IS SIMPLE!   FRIDAY NIGHT:  SOUP $75 | BASIC $120| DELUXE $200   SHABBOS DAY: STANDARD $350 | LUNCH *FROM $450   DATES AVAILABLE : Friday Night 29 June, Friday Night 6 July, Shabbos Day 7 July, Friday Night 13 July, Shabbos Day 14 July.    EMAIL US: office@nefesh.com.au

Nefesh Shul, PO Box 7349, 0416 822 832, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026 Australia SafeUnsubscribe™ shmuly77d@gmail.com Forward email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au in collaboration with Try it free today