Monthly Archives: July 2017

Beit Ha’am Z-Talks

Pray for the Wellbeing of Jerusalem Psalms 122

A Special Edition in the Wake of the Western Wall Plan Turmoil

“A dispute that is for the sake of Heaven is destined to endure; one that is not for the sake of Heaven is not destined to endure.” (Ethics of the Fathers, 5:17)

The decision to put a freeze on the Western Wall plan was made on Rosh Hodesh – the first day of the month of Tammuz. According to the Jewish calendar, later this month, on the 17th of Tammuz, the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Romans is commemorated in a fast day. That event led to the destruction of the Temple. This is an opportunity for us to delve into the disputes: those which are “for the sake of Heaven” and those which are “not for the sake of Heaven” that have accompanied the Jewish people for generations.

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 “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev. 19: 18) –  וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ

Reflections from Israel – Tammy Cohen – 5^th July 2017

Just a few months ago, I stood at the Kotel, leyned from Torah and together with Rabbi Gersh Lazarow, led a Mincha Shabbat service as we celebrated the bat mitzvah of one of our Australian community members. My first visit to the current Egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel was uplifting, it was one of the first moments where I felt a connection between my own religious practices and Israel. It brought me hope that Israel’s government and its people would continue to learn and embrace the many ways to be Jewish.

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