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Think
Again – Community….. Continued
It’s
bordering on the outlandish; no sooner had we advertised (two weeks ago
newsletter) that the semi next to the synagogue was up for sale then up comes
another property within 50 meters of the synagogue for sale. I would not call it
a property it is a one bedroom apartment in an older style block of units. At
least the ceilings are high and the bedroom is larger than the double bed that
usually fits into a bedroom of a modern apartment. I just knew that Coogee was
up and coming. There are no homes for sale in the area but apartments and semis
there are. This can be a good start, for a couple, thinking of embarking on life
on the mortgage cycle. The advantage of the pictured unit of course is that you
are within 50 meters of the synagogue and you can be on call for a minyan. That
is something to aspire to.
Judaism
is about being connected and anchored to a faith. This faith express it self in
a myriad of ways; one of which is being connected to your place of worship, your
community and your Jewish network. The synagogue in this way serves to link each
of its congregants with an infinite bond which cushions and supports the
individual as we go through life. The Mishkan (tabernacle) which was at the
centre of the camp during the exodus from Egypt served as this anchor point.
Jerusalem metaphorically is the centre of our world; and our shule can become
the hub of our lives in a most uplifting and enriching way.
Judaism
is a communal faith; it is tasked with bringing light into the world and
bringing down the divine presence to this material, physical, lowly world. This
task is essentially a collective task. It is the requirement of the community to
bring down Godliness to this world. It is not an individual’s responsibility
rather it is the responsibility of the community working together to spread the
divine influence.
So
we pray together, celebrate together, confess our sins together and mourn
together. I remember seeing a survey that researched that regular attendance to
a place of worship added years to life expectancy.
I
think this is why Coogee Synagogue is called Or Chadash – New Light; because
belonging to Coogee Synagogue adds light to the world making our world, or at
least our immediate surrounds, a better place to live in
As
always see you in shule
Good
Shabbos
Elozer
Gestetner
rabbi@coogeesynagogue.org |
