WHAT'S ON
Temple Sinai announces appointment of new rabbi
The Board of Temple Sinai wishes a very warm welcome to Rabbi Dr Esther Jilovsky, who will begin her new role as Temple Sinai's rabbi in early November this year (Covid-willing!). Rabbi Jilovsky was born in Melbourne, but spent some of her primary school years at Wadestown school in Wellington, and later became a member of Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne. Rabbi Jilovsky wrote: "I am truly excited that I have been given the opportunity to lead Temple Sinai into a new era of creativity, engagement and growth."
In memoriam: Rabbi Dick Hirsch z"l
With great sadness, the UPJ mourns the passing of Rabbi Richard G Hirsch z"l. We are grateful to Dr John S Levi AC, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne, who wrote the following memorial tribute: We met first in Washington in 1968. I had read and heard of the Reform Movement's Social Action Center and, after seven year's experience as a rabbi in Australia, I needed to catch up with my colleagues in America and see where we were lacking.
New offerings for Elul Reflections
The Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors (ARC) of Australia, New Zealand and Asia will present two Elul Reflections each week in the UPJ's Weekly News & Drash, beginning the week of 9 August to encourage meaningful preparation for the High Holy Days. Note: the reflections will not be emailed to subscribers as in the past. The two weekly reflections will also be posted on the Elul Reflections page. In addition, an Elul series "Inspiring Stories, Exceptional Times" and an Elul Book Club are being offered; read more about them on the Elul Reflections page (CLICK HERE).
Sign up to participate in "Reverse Tashlich"
Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, who served Beth Shalom in Auckland from 1987-91 and is currently the Executive Director/Campus Rabbi of Hillels of the Florida Suncoast, has created a meaningful program for Tashlich and is encouraging UPJ congregations to participate. Currently there are 59 teams registered from the US, Israel, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Sweden and Palau. To learn more and register, CLICK HERE, and click on "Read More" to hear how this program developed.
UPJ leaders' OpEd published in AJN
UPJ Co-Presidents David D Knoll AM and Brian Samuel OAM, and ARZA President Helen Shardey, submitted an OpEd on rising antisemitism and anti-Zionism that was published in the Australian Jewish News on 10 June. CLICK HERE to read the OpEd. #TheAustralianJewishNews.
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