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Friday 6pm - 7:30pm Saturday 10am - 12:30pm

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Coogee Synagogue, Sydney (2026)

11/06/2026

Coogee Synagogue Weekly Newsletter - www.coogeesynagogue.org
Think Again – Kings Birthday Honours List

Any sports team will know that you are only as good as your reserve bench. The reserves on your team provide impact energy and reinforce the momentum that is so demanded of any team sport. The reserves are absolutely critical in maintaining that winning mentality and focused edge. I am a keen follower of the current State of Origin Series and the players picked on the reserve bench are as important as say your halfback on your team. For NSW we have Nathan Cleary as our half back and for Queensland they boast Sam Walker as their half back. But who the reserves are is just as critical. For NSW we have the likes of Cameron Murray and Victor “terminator” Radley and for Queensland we have the likes of Reece Walsh and Lindsey “hulk” Collins. Well we at Coogee Synagogue are no different we can really boast about our reserve bench. Our reserves at synagogue play such a vital role in maintaining the high level of services necessary of opening the gates of Heaven for all of Sydney Jewry (for those who don’t know the gates of heaven for Sydney are situated right above wedding cake Island of Coogee Beach). Our reserves on our synagogue team play a vital role. There are times when I am away for a shabbat like the next two weeks Miri and I are travelling to Mexico for the wedding of our son Mendel aka Lipman. Mendel is marrying the beautiful Sheva Lipsker. Sheva is beautiful both inside and outside and by now she knows that Mendel is sports crazy and she too knows about the critical nature of the reserve bench. The point being we at Coogee Synagogue have an outstanding reserve bench especially when both Noach and I are away over the Shabbat. So, as it happens to be, the Gestetners are away for the following two weeks on the 20th and 27th and Noach and Rivky are away on annual leave from the 27th. So, the two clergy are missing from the front bench on the 27th. But never fear I have every confidence in our back benchers, our dynamic reserves.

On Friday nights we secured the services of our own, the musical, Jake Meyer. He has a way of making the eternal Shlomo Carlebach come alive. Allowing the entire congregation to act as his clapping choir. Our president Wilfred will give the sermon on Friday night 26th. Saturday morning Brian Katzen has kindly agreed to hone his Cape Townian tunes and will lead the shachrit service. The sermon will be given by our guest rabbi AC Abrahams from ABRAHAM Tent and Randwick Chabad. I have given him a clear slate to choose the topic of his own sermon. Musaf will be led by Dr. Tully Rosenfeld. Growing up as a Bar Mitzvah teenager, Tully would often lead the services. I have asked him to go on memory and recall once again those beautiful renditions of Musaf. Tully has accepted and whilst Noach is away will lead the musaf. The hardest position to fill is that of the Gabbai. The Gabbai is a religious position but can also get political. It is the Gabbais job to dole out the call ups and bestow the honours. A gabbai has to be both sensitive to God and sensitive to man. It is a difficult bridge to cross. The Gabbai’s position is never put up for vote, it is for life. It is he who manages the flow of the service. For the gabbai, like the half back in footy, we have several reserves. Our first gabbai is Harry Schnapp a past president. Harry and Billie are away on a 3 month sabbatical to Israel, as my 29 readers would have noted on our Seen & Spotted. First reserve gabbai, is the very reverend Phil Silver. I trust that he will have everything in hand whilst we are away. 2nd reserve is Menny (big) Wasserstrom and 3rd reserve is Mike Rosenfeld. It is a strong reserve bench and I hope we won’t have to call on all of them whilst I am away.

Our Torah reader is Professor Bernie Tuch. He has been reading our weekly Torah portion for many years. Bernie was the recipient of the very prestigious and honorable award this past week being honoured on the Kings Birthday honor Roll. Bernie was given the award on behalf of his cutting edge and innovative research that he conducts in the broad field of Stem Cell Research. I watched in awe overt many years as Bernie relinquished time from his private practice to continue the search for the outer reaches and horizons of medical science. His are truly altruistic endeavors. His award as an officer of Australia (AM) is truly deserving. I secretly believe that his award is really on behalf of his service to our Coogee Synagogue, He too is a religious reserve for us at Coogee, each week he reads from the Torah and ably backs myself and Noach up. Bernie will be away this week but I am not leaving till next week so I will back him up and be his reserve. I can’t help think that it is so fitting that Bernie received his AM award on the day we learnt of the death of the previous Australian of the Year, Professor Richard Scolyer who was given an AO for his work in Cancer research. He too put science before personal gain. He was a remarkable human being. It was fitting for Bernie to receive his Medal to honor on the day of the passing of Richard Scolyer. At synagogue on the Bimah, Bernie weaves together the worlds of medicine, science and religion. This is not a message that I take lightly. His presence humility and humanity enriches our community, elevates our standing and is deserving of the AO honour.

Sitting on the extended reserve bench always ready to run onto the field is Dr. David Graham. David;s Hebrew is good and always can lead. David will be our prophet of the Day. That too is a highly charged religious position. The Haftorah reader literally echoes the very words of the prophets themselves. David with his melodic voice will be our Prophet of the day.

I think we have a winning formula set here. As the coach I think we can win the next few games whilst the clergy are sunning themselves. We have a winning formula but most of all we have a powerful and formidable reserve bench and that is a winning formula in anyone’s play book.

I will bring back some Tequilla from Mexico and present it as an award to the best Reserve.

As always L’chaim
Praying for a victory in the Middle East and for real peace in Israel
See you in shule – this week we celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Julia Lewis
Shabbat Shalom
THEY ARE ALL HOME

Elozer Gestetner
[email protected]
PS: Mazal Tov to Guy Sussman getting married in Israel to the beautiful Sarit. Huge Mazal Tov to Harry & Janine Sussman and to Grandmother Ruth Isman. They are heroes of the people of Israel. May they be protected – May G-d’s countenance shine upon them and may they have peace inside and out – Shalom.

Mazal Tov to Emma Greenstein and Aharon Cohen on their up coming wedding in Greece. Mazal Tov to our good friends Lisa and Tim Greenstein. We take this time to thank Lisa for her service to our synagogue.

SHABBAT SERVICE TIMES:
Shelach 12/13 June
Candle Lighting time 4.34pm
Shabbat Mevarchim (Blessing of the new Moon)
Jewish Calander month of Tamuz (Cancer)

Friday Night: Kabbalat Shabbat Service
• 5.45pm: L’chaim club
• 6:00pm: Kabbalat Shabbat – with Chazan Noach
• 6.00pm: Kitchen Klub with Devin & Ethan

Shabbat Morning: Bat Mitzvah of Julia Lewis
• 9.10am: shachrit -
• 10.15am: Torah Reading –
• 10.30am: children’s programme with Ruby Borer
• 10.45am: Maftir Reading –
• 11.00am: Haftorah Prophet of the Day – Joshua Lewis
• 11.10am: Memorial Prayer –
• 11:15am Sermon –
• 11.30am: Musaf followed by Kiddush/Brocha- All Welcome

SEEN AND SPOTTED – Chaya Chanin-Gestetner Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WZIyIl6Na7RM4mcZhqC2f

Sunday Morning Tefillin Club: 1st Sunday of the month: 8.15am followed by breakfast. (next tefillin club Sunday July 5th)

Board Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month contact [email protected]

Consecration: The Consecration of the late Mary Lang will take place this Sunday at Rookwood Cemetery. 11.30am. We wish long life to Andrew, Ronny, Jeff and Louise. Family and friends are notified to attend. We wish long life to the extended family. May her memory be a blessing AMEN

Refuah Shelaima: Jonathan Moses - Shmuel ben Mordechai Rachamin and Aliza; Annie Jordan; Andrew Grosz - Mordechai Pinchas ben Avraham David; Paulette Blackman – Pessa bat Sarah; Koby Berkovic; Ivan Devai; Rabbi Yossi Rodel of Newcastle Yosef ben Shterna Rivkah HaCohen; Esther Nothman; Mike Rosmarin, Joe Berman, Saroya bat Moshe, Ron Butow

08/06/2026

On behalf of the entire Coogee Synagogue community, we extend our heartfelt Mazal Tov to Professor Bernie and Cheryl Tuch. The recipient of a well deserved MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA AWARD (AM) In today’s King’s birthday honours list.

Professor Tuch’s lifelong dedication to the frontiers of medical science is an inspiration to all who know him. Over many years, I have witnessed his unwavering commitment to advancing cutting‑edge research and collaborating with some of the world’s most respected institutions in the pursuit of discovery. Though he maintains a private medical practice two days a week, the majority of his time is devoted to the altruistic and profoundly important mission of seeking cures that will benefit humanity.

We also take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude for his service to Coogee Synagogue. Week after week, Bernie reads the Torah portion with clarity and devotion, beautifully weaving together the worlds of medicine, science, and faith. His presence, humility and humanity enriches our community and elevates our understanding.

On behalf of all of us at Coogee, we wish Bernie and Cheryl a warm and joyous Mazal Tov.

May we continue together in keeping the dream alive
With pride
Rabbi and Miri

05/06/2026

Spotted out and about at Vivid

04/06/2026

Coogee Synagogue Weekly Newsletter - www.coogeesynagogue.org
Think Again – Falling off the end of the world

Last Saturday night, Miri, I and Kovi went to Vivid Sydney. Shabbat finishes early at 5.30pm. We had an afternoon shlof (sleep) and still a whole Saturday night to kill, so off to Vivid we went. I have been to Vivid before and have enjoyed the spectacle of lights, sound and people watching. This time the whole experience was a flop, in my opinion anyway. There was no energy, the exhibits were underwhelming except for the food outlets on the back of these huge pickup trucks, they seemed exciting, with bright light and sound, but obviously none of the food is Kosher. The main attraction at Vivid was the Drone show at Darling Harbor, so off we went bright eyes and excited to view the spectacle of drones that fly like angels through the stratosphere. The sky lit up, the music boomed, a spectacle of zipping flowers and colour appeared in the night sky. Our eyes lit up in anticipation and wonder. Then bang, everything stood still in slow motion. The drones seemed to stop in time, hanging. The angels (drones) stopped flying and slowly one by one they plummeted falling into the harbour below. One by one they plunged into the cold water falling out of the sky. Technology was failing or was this part of the show, didn’t seem like it, the music was not ostensibly in time. Was something wrong, yes something was wrong and yes the show was stopped. That was the end of the night. Next morning we heard that there was a jam (radio) and malfunction something went wrong a computer program failure of sorts. Kovi tells me, he’s looking at the bigger picture, he’s worried for Australia. How will the Australian Defense Force protect us. Is not drone war fare part of modern warfare. The Ukraine, Hezbolah, Iran and Hamas seem to be experts in zipping around attack drones with payloads of fire power. Certainly, Isreal has the technology. But woe, what about the ADF. The drone failure got us talking about the ADF capabilities. Is everything we are hearing about the unpreparedness of the ADF true. Are our armed forces ready or really taking National Security seriously. Judging from Vivid, I am fearful. China has a whole Temu warehouse full, of capable drones. Woe to Australia. Kovi was saying, surely, we could get some of our mates from Lakemba to manage the drones. There are guys surely from Greenacre that would be experts in managing a drone show. The boys from Punchbowl could put on a masterclass, admittedly they would not fly angels, maybe flying devils. Next year, Vivid is going to reach out to the boys and hire the “Brothers” whose pledge of success is forged in loyalty and blood. Please everyone, take it easy this is my attempt at humour. I’m only joking.

Talking about falling out of the sky. I feel like I am going to fallout at the end of the world. My 29 readers will know that our Mendel (Lipman), the “doctor” is getting married. We planned for a wedding in Israel but there were too many drones in Israel, so we moved the wedding to Mexico. Mexico has a Kosher destination wedding on the Isle of Cozumel. The Westin Hotel is Kosher. There is a Chabad House headed by Rabbi Dudi Kaplin who is Rivki Koncepolski’s brother. He has Dairy and Meat restaurants, all Kosher. Plus, we have a minyan every day. Could not think of anything better for a wedding destination. www.chabadcozumel.com . Then I opened the map and became concerned. Cozumel is not in Mexico, it is in fact, an island off Mexico in the middle of the Gulf, in the Caribbean Sea. Yes, this is the sea with all the pirates, sharks and dragons. I could help but think that we were travelling to the end of the world. In fact, I thought that we were going to the end of the earth and simply like the drones we would just fall off at the end of the world. Miri is assuring me everything will be all right and we won’t fall off the end of the world. I am getting anxiety. We should have stayed in Israel with the drones.

Talking about falling off the end of the world, Andrew and Fiona Silvers are going on a cruise to Iceland. Andrew is semi-retired and makes Saturday morning a regular feature of his life. Saying that, if you have been thinking of attending shule on a Shabbat morning, even if you are not so sure about Hashem but you certainly can be sure of prayer and taking time out to think, meditate and community. Anyway, Andrew and Fiona are cruising to Iceland. Now they must surely fall off the end of the world. Iceland is barren desolate still in the Ice Age with mammoth and saber tooth tigers roaming. But never fear. Andrew can go to shule there is a Chabad centre in Iceland. The rabbi is Rabbi Avraham and Mushky Felman. They call themselves Beit Tovah Chabad and they are in the capital of Reykjavik and can be found here; www.jewishiceland.com .

I take this forum to apologies to my friend and congregant David Graham. Last week in this newsletter I wrote about our guest speakers on Shavuot night. I personally thanked each one, but I simply forgot to mention the best speaker of the night, David Graham. David is an expert Demographer and has a sharp and expert eye on the Jewish people in terms of numbers and data both here in Sydney and in fact every major Jewish community. Seemingly David fell off the end of the earth and I apologies.

If you are feeling like that you are falling off the end of the world come to shule, we’ll share a lchaim. I will be away (in Mexico) on the Sabbat of 20th and 27th of June. This is a clarion call, please don’t fall off the end of the earth. Please everyone make an effort to attend Sabbat services during these weeks. We need Levites, perhaps people to lead some of the services, we need souls just to participate to keep the atmosphere of Coogee aflame and bright. After all, I look out onto the horizon at Coogee Beach and sometimes think we are at the end of the earth.

As always L’chaim
Praying for a victory in the Middle East and for real peace in Israel
See you in shule
Shabbat Shalom
THEY ARE ALL HOME

Elozer Gestetner
[email protected]

SHABBAT SERVICE TIMES:
B’Ha’alotcha 5/6 June
Candle Lighting time 4.35pm

Friday Night: Kabbalat Shabbat Service
• 5.45pm: L’chaim club
• 6:00pm: Kabbalat Shabbat – with Chazan Noach
• 6.00pm: Kitchen Klub with Devin & Ethan

Shabbat Morning:
• 9.10am: shachrit -
• 10.15am: Torah Reading –
• 10.30am: children’s programme with Ruby Borer
• 10.45am: Maftir Reading –
• 11.00am: Haftorah Prophet of the Day –
• 11.10am: Memorial Prayer –
• 11:15am Sermon
• 11.30am: Musaf followed by Kiddush/Brocha- All Welcome

SEEN AND SPOTTED – Chaya Chanin-Gestetner Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WZIyIl6Na7RM4mcZhqC2f

Sunday Morning Tefillin Club: 1st Sunday of the month: 8.15am followed by breakfast. (next tefillin club Sunday June 7th)

Board Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month contact [email protected]

Refuah Shelaima: Jonathan Moses - Shmuel ben Mordechai Rachamin and Aliza; Annie Jordan; Andrew Grosz - Mordechai Pinchas ben Avraham David; Paulette Blackman – Pessa bat Sarah; Koby Berkovic; Ivan & Judy Devai; Rabbi Yossi Rodel of Newcastle Yosef Hacohen ben Shterna Rivkah; Esther Nothman; Mike Rosmarin, Joe Berman, Saroya bat Moshe

28/05/2026

Coogee Synagogue Weekly Newsletter - www.coogeesynagogue.org
Think Again – Shavuot

My 29 readers will wonder why my Think Again this week is headlined Shavuot. Shavuot, we celebrated last week, it’s been done and dusted, we read the Ten Commandments, received the Torah anew again and undertook to dedicate our lives to the Knowledge and study of the Torah. The children certainly agreed with us as they came in numbers to receive the Ten Commandments. The promise of ice cream had nothing to do with their attendance. They had fun as they came into the main sanctuary, alighted onto the Bimah which we called Mount Sinai and they loved imagining, being under the rolling rumbling cloud of Sinai standing under the large tallit canopy that we roofed over them. They all answered AMEN to the commandments received a gift of lollie’s and off to the ice cream party. I must mention our home-made blintzes which alone was enough to make our Shavuot so memorable for the adults. Our exclusive Coogee blintzes were lovingly created by the MasterChef’s, Zvika Charlupski and Alex Bitterman, who made over 350 blintzes and not one was left over. We had good crowds over Yom Tov but not 350 people so they were just drooling dribble down the side authentic homemade cream cheese blintzes that enticed our congregants to come back for more. It was an uplifting holiday for the entire community. Rivky (Koncepolski) and the Ladies Committee headed by Monica Foltyn added all the extra panache, flamboyance and style over the two memorable days.

But it is indeed most appropriate to headline this Think Again with the headline Shavuot as this year’s Shavuot surpassed all other Shavuot’s of them all. I felt that this year our presenters and topics of discission were especially and particularly intellectually stimulating, inspirational and thought-provoking. We had 5 speakers on the night, all from within our community, all talented and knowledgeable of their subject matter. Miri was the headline speaker during the day. All the speakers left, I felt a memorable impact on our minds thoughts that challenged us all to Think Again and again. Maybe that is where I get my title for this newsletter “Think Again”. I never thought about it until now, where did I get the name Think Again from. But this Shavuot certainly made all the participants “Think Again”

I was the first speaker on the night after dinner was served so everyone was satisfied and calm. The thread of the evening’s topic was the “Aftermath of Bondi Beach”. How does our community respond and react after the horrific murders of Bondi Beach that killed members of our own Sydney Jewish Community. One of our regular congregants, Andrew Zhukov was wounded, shot in the thigh.

I was asked to address the question “Where was G-d - How does G-d allow such for such an horrific act to happen. This of course touched onto the charged debate. Why do bad things happen to good people. Reward and punishment does not seem fair. It is the same question “How did G-d allow for the Holocaust to happen”. I gave four responses to the question leading to G-d being both infinite, limitless within a finite and fixed universe. I spoke about the contradiction of our souls the ability to be both sad and happy, ecstatic and anxious, mind and heart, body and soul. I concluded “Where is G-d – G-d is in us - a G-dly spark. The G-d or G-dess in you”. It is why we can maintain and accept the paradoxes of our lives.

Our President Wilfred Lax spoke from his experience of his Psychology Practice. He had volunteered extensively on the government’s program and initiative to assist the many hundreds of people both Jewish and non-Jewish affected and traumatized by what happened at Bondi Beach. Wilfred was at the center of trauma-counselling providing support and encouragement and just listening to so many people who were really broken and shaken. His talk allowed us to feel supported. He too touched on coping with paradox.

Rivky spoke of the reverberating message that screams at us still now from Sinai.
Noach spoke of his work at the Chabad House at Bondi Beach – He has been at Bondi every day and it is he that brings light to a place of darkness.

Perhaps the deepest message of the night came from our congregant Teresa Pirola. Teresa shared her personal story decades in the making of her journey the long road to Judaism. Teresa only recently converted to Judaism. Hers was the real Shavuot story of them all. Hers was the story of Ruth. Ruth the Moabite princess who chose Judaism and became the great grandmother of King David. Hers was the Shavuot messaging of them all, that we were all converts at Sinai. We, whether in body or soul, were all at Sinai over 3000 years ago. We all stood in awe under the dark clouds of the morning and heard the reverberating Ten Commandments. We accepted the yoke of the Commandments “ Naseh V’nishma - We will do and we will Hear”. Teresa came from a background of a staunchly Catholic upbringing, her family were practicing Catholics and Teresa professionally works for the Catholic Arm of Education. Hers was a fascinating story which has still not ended. We love having Teresa with us on a Shabbat morning. Suffice to say we were all stunned into silence after her presentation. The only person who asked a number of questions was Professor Bernie Tuch.

Anyway, I think all of the above was a good enough reason to call this Think Again “ Shavuot”

As always L’chaim
Praying for a quick victory in the Middle East and for real peace in Israel
See you in shule
Shabbat Shalom
THEY ARE ALL HOME

Elozer Gestetner
[email protected]

SHABBAT SERVICE TIMES:
Naso 29/30 May
Candle Lighting time 4.37pm

Friday Night: Kabbalat Shabbat Service
• 5.45pm: L’chaim club
• 6:00pm: Kabbalat Shabbat – with Chazan Noach
• 6.00pm: Kitchen Klub with Devin & Ethan

Shabbat Morning:
• 9.10am: shachrit -
• 10.15am: Torah Reading –
• 10.30am: children’s programme with Ruby Borer
• 10.45am: Maftir Reading –
• 11.00am: Haftorah Prophet of the Day –
• 11.10am: Memorial Prayer –
• 11:15am Sermon
• 11.30am: Musaf followed by Kiddush/Brocha- All Welcome

SEEN AND SPOTTED – Chaya Chanin-Gestetner Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WZIyIl6Na7RM4mcZhqC2f

Sunday Morning Tefillin Club: 1st Sunday of the month: 9.00am followed by breakfast. (next club Sunday June 7th)

Board Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month contact [email protected]

Consecration:
The consecration of the late Robert Levi will take place this Sunday 12 Noon at Rookwood Cemetery. The management Clergy and members wish long life to his wife Barbara and daughters and sons in law Nicole, Wayne, Karen and Rob and to great grandchildren Emily, Jessica, Zac and Aslee. Members and friends are requested to attend. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life – תנצב''ה

Refuah Shelaima: Jonathan Moses - Shmuel ben Mordechai Rachamin and Aliza; Annie Jordan; Andrew Grosz - Mordechai Pinchas ben Avraham David; Paulette Blackman – Pessa bat Sarah; Koby Berkovic; Ivan & Judy Devai; Rabbi Yossi Rodel of Newcastle Yosef Hacohen ben Shterna Rivkah; Esther Nothman; Mike Rosmarin, Joe Berman, Saroya bat Moshe

18/05/2026

Mazeltov to Rabbi and Miri Gestetner on the incredible achievement of their son Mendel becoming a medical doctor.

A proud moment for the whole family and community. Wishing Dr Mendel Gestetner much success as he begins this exciting new chapter helping and caring for others. Elozer D Gestetner Miri Gestetner Coogee Synagogue

15/05/2026

Shavuot is a time of connection, community and receiving the Torah together.

This year, we invite every member of the community to join us for an inspiring and uplifting Shavuot at Coogee Synagogue. From meaningful discussions to beautiful Yom Tov meals, children’s programs and hearing the Ten Commandments, there is something for everyone.

Come celebrate with us. Come be part of it. Come feel the warmth of community.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family this Shavuot.

Coogee Synagogue Elozer D Gestetner

14/05/2026

Coogee Synagogue Weekly Newsletter - www.coogeesynagogue.org
Think Again – Next Year in Jerusalem

I feel somewhat of a traitor. We were all looking forward to our sons Mendel (Lipman) Gestetner’s wedding in Hadera Israel. It was going to be one of those incredible family celebrations of a lifetime. All of us were going to converge as family onto Isreal for a full two weeks and just party at Mendels and Sheva’s (Lipsker from Boston) wedding. We were to meet together with the Lipskers and have the privilege to spend time money (lots) and excitement in our beautiful country. Alas it was not to be, and we have had to pull the wedding from Isreal. The party planner was not offering any refunds, and both families made the decision that we would not bring our young grandchildren on both sides to a country where we may have to run from safe room to safe room. So we have had to make the difficult decision to move the wedding. I am saddened for us and for Israel but will not allow it to cloud our gratitude that we will celebrate a beautiful wedding. The wedding was planned to be moved to the Tri-State Boston area but it is Summer in the U.S and high season and high wedding season and the cost was proving to be prohibitive in U.S dollars. We eventually chose Cozumel Mexico. You may ask where is Cozumel. I’ll tell you it has fallen off the world atlas and and off the end of the world. It is in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Mexico, a place still plagued by pirates. The main thing, it ticked the box of a destination Kosher wedding, a place with two competing Chabad Houses. Four kosher restaurants a daily synagogue, mikvah and Holiday Resort. The Chabad rabbi is Rabbi Dudi Caplin, which just happens to be our chazans brother in law. He is Rivki Koncepolski’s brother! It’s a small world especially if you are Jewish. It made it easier for us and the Lipsker’s to decide who organized the entire wedding and Shabbat Sheva Berachot that we and all our guests can spend together. The wedding will take place at the Intercontinental Hotel of Cozumel. The invitation is coming out. I know we are only 4 weeks out, but the invitation will be posted asap.

Some nations have an indigenous umbilical chord to their country of birth. The Germans call Deutschland their fatherland. The Russians call Russia their motherland. In Australia the indigenous have a Dreamtime. We the Jewish people have a different type of relationship with our indigenous land. Our relationship with Israel is that we have chosen each other, through history narrative and engagement. We chose each other through commitment and connection. G-d at the very beginning of our birth as a nation, chose this land and promised it in the Bible to our parents, the patriarchs and matriarchs, our forefathers and mothers, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, Sarah Rebecca Rachel and Laya and ever since we have kept the faith and the choice until death do us part. We, the Jewish people are married to the land, we are as husband and wife. we put effort and fight for each other each and every day through good times and tough times. We have now been married for so long together, we are not going to let go of each other, we know each other and understand each other, and besides there is nothing better out there, and we are still in love. Israel is not perfect, but nor are we. We bring out the best in each other. Judging by Eurovision this week we are indeed amazing for each other. In fact we would die for each other. I must confess, I am still in love with Israel.

I am comforted, in the knowledge that Mendel and Sheva will make their first home in Israel. For those who do not know our Mendel is graduating this Sunday night at Beersheva’s Ben Gurion University of the faculty of Medicine as a doctor. Mendel will be a doctor. I now have a doctor in the family. It is an immense source of pride. Mendel has chosen to do his two years compulsory hospital internship as a doctor in Israel; he could have chosen a hospital in North America where he would have made more money but has chosen Israel and feels privileged that he can practice medicine in Israel. Mendel has not chosen yet his specialty, but he is leaning towards pediatrics.

The latest big news hot off the press is that Miri is right now on a plane to Israel. We at the last moment purchased a ticket to Israel and have chosen to support Mendel to be with him on his big graduation Ceremony night. Miri is on her way via Bangkok to Tel Aviv to be at graduation. What an experience, what excitement, what a privilege to see your child graduating in Isreal. Miri is jumping out of her skin at the prospect that she is on her way to the graduation. Mendel has promised to pick her up from the airport. He will take her to his studio apartment in Jaffa and is planning a morning breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean Tel Aviv Beach. Miri will be away for a full five days she arrives Thursday 6,00am and leaves Sunday night 1.00am. It’s a magic carpet ride but she would not miss it for anything.

The wedding is now confirmed for Thursday night June 25th at the Intercontinental Hotel Cozumel Mexico. We will post the invitation which will give details of hotels.

Other big news, our esteemed Gabbai Harry Schnapp and his wife Dr. Billie Schnapp have left for a 3 month Sabbatical to Israel. How lucky for them. They will come alive again from the experience. In the meantime, we are calling on all our reserves for Shabbat Morning Services for someone to fill the very big void left by Harry. We need someone to make a commitment to be amongst the first ten and you will be in line to winning the lucky door prize.

Further exciting news, the marriage of Guy Sussman to the beautiful Sarit who we just met a few weeks ago is going ahead in Israel. Mazal Tov to Janine and Harry Sussman. Proud of you all and can’t say that I am not a little bit jealous. The Sussman’s are celebrating their wedding mid-June. Mazal Tov

Next Year in Jerusalem for all of us

As always L’chaim
Praying for a quick victory in the Middle East and for real peace in Israel
See you in shule
Shabbat Shalom
THEY ARE ALL HOME

Elozer Gestetner
[email protected]

SHAVUOT: Date to Remember: Shavuot - Thursday evening 21st May from 6.00PM - TOPIC: “After Bondi Beach – Where To Now”
1. Rabbi Elozer – where was God, the Theology to pain and suffering
2. Chazan Neach – stories of joy from Bondi, post Bondi
3. Wilfred Lax Psychologist – coping with trauma
4. Q&A – Revelation and Resilience with Miri Gestetner and Rivky Koncepolski
Refreshments: Light Dinner served – special Shavuot Cheesecake and Blintzes

SHABBAT SERVICE TIMES:
Bamidbar 15/16 May
Candle Lighting time 4.44pm – Omer 44

Friday Night: Kabbalat Shabbat Service
• 5.45pm: L’chaim club
• 6:00pm: Kabbalat Shabbat – with Chazan Noach
• 6.00pm: Kitchen Klub with Devin & Ethan

Shabbat Morning:
• 9.10am: shachrit -
• 10.15am: Torah Reading –
• 10.30am: children’s programme with Ruby Borer
• 10.45am: Maftir Reading –
• 11.00am: Haftorah Prophet of the Day –
• 11.10am: Memorial Prayer –
• 11:30am Sermon special Guest speaker – Rabbanit Judith Levitan Director Royal Commission
• 11.30am: Musaf followed by Kiddush/Brocha- All Welcome

SHAVUOT FESTIVAL TIMES
CHAG SAMEACH
Eve Shavuot Thursday 21st May:
6.00pm – Evening service followed by Yom Tov Dairy dinner followed by a night of Learning
Shavuot Day 1: Friday 22 May:
9.10am – Yom Tov Service – The Ten Commandments - Ice Cream party kiddush after the service Blintzes and cheese cake
Friday 22 May Shabbat & Yom Tov Service:
5:45 L”chaim Club
6:00pm Maariv Evening Service
Saturday 23 May: Shavuot Day 2:
9.10am Shacharit
11:00am Yizkor
12:00 noon Teen Lunch

SEEN AND SPOTTED – Chaya Chanin-Gestetner Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WZIyIl6Na7RM4mcZhqC2f

Sunday Morning Tefillin Club: 1st Sunday of the month: 9.00am followed by breakfast. (next club Sunday June 7th)

Board Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month contact [email protected]

Refuah Shelaima: Jonathan Moses - Shmuel ben Mordechai Rachamin and Aliza; Annie Jordan; Andrew Grosz - Mordechai Pinchas ben Avraham David; Paulette Blackman – Pessa bat Sarah; Koby Berkovic; Ivan & Judy Devai; Rabbi Yossi Rodel of Newcastle Yosef Hacohen ben Shterna Rivkah; Esther Nothman; Harry Jacobs, Mike Rosmarin, Joe Berman

Coogee Synagogue

11/06/2026

08/06/2026

05/06/2026

04/06/2026

28/05/2026

18/05/2026

15/05/2026

14/05/2026

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