By Simon Holloway
In a Sydney synagogue, a local rabbi delivered a sermon in which he criticised foul language as essentially not Jewish. I will not question the fact that classical Jewish literature eschewed scatological and …

Martin Buber: a model for Australian Zionists
The debate on Zionism and the Israeli /Palestinian conflict within the Australian Jewish community, as reflected in Jewish media forums and public events, represents a diverse and seemingly endless …

By Simon Holloway
A story is told of a man who approaches his Rabbi with a question: “Rabbi, is there a Biblical source for wearing a yarmulka?”
His Rabbi nods emphatically. “Why, yes! The Torah says, ‘And …

By David Werdiger
We seem to associate Simchat Torah with getting drunk. However, unlike other Jewish holidays (Purim is the most obvious example), there is no imperative whatsoever to imbibe and drink on Simchat Torah.
The only …

By David Werdiger
They call it a day spa for a reason. You are encouraged to take a day off, and immerse yourself in the luxurious environment of the spa. Switch off your mobile phone; leave …

By David Werdiger
Five hundred dollars, tzum ersheten mohl!
Five hundred dollars, tzum tzveiten mohl!
Five hundred dollars, tzum dritten mohl!
And with an emphatic klap on the bimah for effect, the auction is over.
This was not Phillip Kingston …

By Rachel Sacks-Davis
The High Holy Days are approaching, and soon crowds of Australian Jews will pay their annual visits to Orthodox synagogues. The majority of these Jews do not usually observe halakha (religious law), but …

By David Werdiger
Despite the daily reminders during the month of Elul, Rosh Hashana has a way of creeping up on us, and before we know it, the festival is upon us. The shul service is …

By Almoni
Since we all unavoidably experience death, I thought I should write about it. Oddly, despite my complete disconnection from traditional approaches, as the High Holidays approach, death is something that comes to mind.
I’ve probably …

By Simon Holloway
Almost everybody who has been to Italy has seen it and those who haven’t, should. Sitting within a small church on one of Rome’s seven hills, the tomb of Pope Julius II sports …