Parashat Nitzavim
Rabbi’s Drosh
This week’s Parasha is really special and can teach us something really powerful about our relationship with our creator.
In this week’s Parasha Moshe renews the covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people.
We have already seen the creation and renewal of this special relationship between us and Hashem but this time, the unique and exciting aspect is WHO initiates this. In all the previous cases Hashem is the one who initiates this relationship but in this week’s Parasha, we see the covenant coming FROM Man TO G-d!
We need not wait for Hashem to connect with us. This Parasha teaches us to initiate relationship with Hashem ourselves. We must not wait for Hashem to turn us into more spiritual people, or help open our lips in prayer, or cause us to believe…
There has never been a better time to do this than in lockdown for the High Holy Days. We cannot rely on the Shul, or the Rabbi, or the Chazzan, or the community to do the spiritual work for us. Each of us now has a real opportunity to focus on our relationship with our creator for ourselves.
Whatever your current status with Hashem - whether you are in the closest contact you’ve ever had, or whether your currently not even on speaking terms - now is the time to initiate relationship!
This shabbat we celebrate with Danny Pick and his family. We wish we could be together in Shul in person for his Bar Mitzvah, but instead we will be joining together on Zoom at Friday Night Live. Join us for this special Simcha.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Friedler
The Friedlers’ Highlights
Deb is on Maternity Leave
Deb is officially on maternity leave as of this week! If you are craving some Jewish learning in the meantime…
Class Recordings and Resources
Over 60 Video Classes and Learning Resources - https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiNattiandDebNewZealand
Over 30 Audio Classes https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1Xm0pG4iF4izfUvhK2VeakY3ta-isvUvg
Friday Night Service Audio Guide (leading or following) - https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1WhVM2uFNPhbfd2Lt640pmepAZexOoRiS
Rabbi and Deb’s Simcha (Joy!) Class
Thanks to all those who joined us on Zoom for an uplifting class on the importance of SIMCHA (Joy) in preparation of the Days of Awe! We looked at sources from the Chumash and Stories and concluded with practical tips about Jewish ways to find joy when times are tough!
Celebrating with Danny Pick
We had such a special Bar Mitzvah meet with Danny Pick and his overseas family this week. Danny shared his learning so beautifully and it was a very emotional and uplifting experience.
Danny we are so proud of how you have taken this all in your stride with a big smile on your face. You are an inspiration to us all! We can’t change the wind, but we can adjust the sails and you have done just that!
We are so excited to celebrate with Danny and his parents this Friday Night Live on Zoom. Please all join us for this virtual simcha!
Please find the link below for Friday Night Live Zoom celebrating Danny’s Bar Mitzvah below.
Getting Ready for the High Holy Days
The AHC team are working hard to ensure that we can all have a meaningful High Holy Days experience despite COVID19 Level restrictions due to the current Delta outbreak.
We know it is difficult that we cannot come together as a community physically for these significant days, but are busy finding ways for us to connect virtually and spiritually.
Please G-d it will still be a meaningful start to the new year and a happier and healthier 5782 for us all.
Virtual Kosher Kiwi Inspections
Like previous lockdowns, we have been able to go ahead with some factory inspections this week. While it is not possible with all our clients (especially those with more complex production processes or ingredients, or those who are new), we have some clients for whom a virtual factory inspection is possible.
One such clients is COCAVO who I met with this week online. Their coconut and avocado oil products are fantastic, they take their kosher certification very seriously, and we love the work they are doing.
Please support this fantastic New Zealand company next time you are at the supermarket!
Rabbi Lord Sacks Library Update
Our generous donors have raised $20,000 for the project and we are busy planning the building and compiling of the physical Libraries for AHC and WJCC and the Launch event for October to correspond with the Rabbi’s first Yahrzeit. A huge thank you to Gael Keren and the Astor Foundation for all the behind the scenes work on the Library project!
Connecting with Australia
The Rabbinical Councils of New South Wales, Victoria and Australasia have all been really active in their preparations for the upcoming Chagim.
A huge thank you to our colleagues in Australia for sharing their resources and ideas as we face similar challenges as we approach the New Year.