Weekly Rabbinic Schmooze.......
Perth Synagogue Women’s Study Circle – Don’t be Square – Join the Circle!
A number of the ladies who attend the Thursday morning Women’s Study Circle have asked when we are resuming for the new secular year.  It’s always good to be asked about this as it shows that apart from tea and coffee that is served at these sessions, the shiur isn’t bad either!  This study circle has been going now for some 15 years with varied attendances. Apart from a dedicated topic each week, there is an open discussion regarding issues that affect women in the community, as well as providing an opportunity for the attendees to ask any halachic questions they may have. This shiur is for women of all age groups, but tends to attract those with a more ‘mature taste!’  I would like to encourage a wider range of ‘tastes’ to attend as it would be even more fulfilling to hear perspectives from all age groups. If you haven’t given our women’s study circle a try yet, please do.  This commences again on Thursday 19 February (Rosh Chodesh Adar) , from 10 am to 11 am. 
The topics for the month of Adar include:-
19 February 2015      -         Why did Queen Esther marry out of the Faith?
26 February 2015      -         Why we can dress in drag on Purim?
5 March 2015/Purim -         Special Megilliah reading for women and reception.
12 March 2015           -         Why we pay sach (pay a lot) on Pesach 
19 March 2015           -         Does the film Exodus follow the Haggadah?
 
Look forward to your enjoying the Thursday morning with us – don’t be square,  join the circle!

Weekly Torah Reflection........ 
Freedom is in the Soul of the Beholder!
In my role as a prison chaplain one of the most memorable visits I had was just before pesach.  A person, having been given a very long sentence wanted a Haggadah from me and some wine for a seder.   Unfortunately I couldn’t accommodate the wine request as apparently prison authorities are afraid that some of the prisoners may drive over the 0.05 limit!!............. But the prisoner was delighted to be able to have the Haggadah to use on seder night.  He told me that although he was physically imprisoned and would be for many years, as long as his soul was free to be able to connect with his people, religion and G-d spiritually he would feel totally free. 
 
This week’s reading tells us that on the day that the Egyptian chariots, which pursued the children of Israel to take them back to Egypt were destroyed by G-d – bayom hahu et Yisrael miyad mitzrayim the Israelites felt saved from the hand of Egypt.  The commentary, Ohar Hachayim questions as to why the Israelites didn’t feel saved on the day they left Egypt.  Why did it take having the Egyptian chariots and their riders drowned in the Red Sea to make the Israelites finally feel liberated?  The answer is in the fact that freedom is in the mind and the soul.  When the Israelites left Egypt they were still anxious because they knew there was the possibility of their oppressors changing their mind and deciding to bring them back to slavery.  Having this stress and fear enslaved them mentally and thus they could not enjoy their newly found free status until their pursuers were finally defeated.
 
When we have mastery over our thoughts, our fears and our soul, then we truly will feel the great blessing and gift of freedom in our lives.  You can sit in jail and see bars and wardens around you but you can still feel free……… Freedom is not in the eyes of the beholder but in his or her mind and soul.
Shabbat Shalom
Dovid Freilich

MAZEL TOV!

"Stirling" voluntary work brings honour and recognition
 
A big mazel tov to Michael Sebbag, our Vice President and the Chairman of the Ruth Landau Harp Childcare Centre.  Michael was one of the nominees for the City of Stirling Active Citizenship Awards which were presented by the Mayor of the City of Stirling on Australia Day.  Michael was nominated "for creating a world class accredited childcare service for the Jewish and broader local community – all in a voluntary capacity".  Michael invests a great deal of time and effort into the RLHCC and the PHC.  The award ceremony was an appropriate forum to acknowledge the exceptional service that he has performed. 
 
Another of the nominees was Bev Cohen, also a PHC member.  Bev was nominated for the wonderful volunteer work that she does for the Starlight Children's Charity.  She has been instrumental in granting over 90 wishes to seriously ill children.
 
While many nominations were submitted, there were only five finalists.  So, to have two members of the Jewish (and PHC) community recognised in this way is indeed an achievement.  Mazel tov to Michael and Bev!  We look forward to you both continuing to serve the Jewish and wider communities for many years to come. 
 

Our special mazel tov greetings go to Jesse Gabriel on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah in Johannesburg.  Warm mazel tov also to his parents Jonathan and Jian Gabriel and their families on this special occasion

Congratulations to Stanely and Hilary Kawalsky and Joy and Jimmy Larholt (London) on the birth of their grand-daughter Penelope Ella, daughter to Zanne and Edward Larholt in Melbourne. MAZEL TOV!