Archive for ◊ 2011 ◊

What is Tikkun Olam?
Saturday, October 29th, 2011 | Author:

What is Tikkun Olam?

Tikkun Olam (literally, “world repair”) has come to connote social action and the pursuit of social justice. Tikkun Olam is a key element of the Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) mission statement. The UPJ and its members, including Brisbane Progressive Jewish Congregation, support a range of projects in Australia and around the world. This page has been developed to provide a portal for our members and supporters to access some of these projects and other organisations who contribute to Tikkun Olam. As we become aware of projects, new links will be added. If you know of a new program, or would like us to add a link to an existing project, please contact us.

Category: Tikkun Olam  | Comments off
Torah Commentaries
Saturday, October 29th, 2011 | Author:

Click on the link to access the Torah commentaries provided by the Union for Progressive Judaism.

 

Category: UPJ links and programs  | Comments off
Support for you
Saturday, October 29th, 2011 | Author:

Cantor David Bentley

Our Minister, Cantor David Bentley, is available to provide pastoral care to BPJC members.  David’s comprehensive training as a Spiritual Leader included courses in:

  • Pastoral counselling
  • Hospital chaplaincy/sick visiting

Cantor Bentley’s support to Brisbane Progressive Jewish Congregation includes Shabbat services, educational classes, life-cycle ceremonies and associated spiritual counselling as appropriate. He can be contacted through BPJC or on 0466 323 432.

Click here for further information on Cantor Bentley.

Category: Pastoral care  | Comments off
BPJC Outreach
Saturday, October 29th, 2011 | Author:

The BPJC Board is always looking for ways to support Jews living outside of South East Queensland. We provide a range of information through our website and Facebook page and welcome any feedback or suggestions for improvements.

Our members regularly travel within the state and would love to drop in for a chat while in your location. Please contact us if you would like to register for this program.

Regrettably, the Awcast option for the broadcast of services is not currently available. Awcast recently started charging a substantial monthly fee and the Board will need to consider if offering Awcast will be possible in future. If you have used the Awcast service regularly, please let us know as it would help our discussions if we knew how much demand there is.

If you live in or near Toowoomba, we are pleased to advise that under the auspices of BPJC, a Toowoomba Progressive Jewish kehillah has been established. The group had its first service on Shabbat 29 October 2011 and is planning continued activities. Please contact the BPJC Secretary  for further information.

Our Shabbat services use Mishkan T’filah. Please contact us if you would like to purchase a copy to follow the service.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Category: Community  | Comments off
Shammash
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: Bring the service together  
Why it is important: Because there is a lot of coordination required to conduct a smooth service.  
Time commitment: about 3 hours (45 minutes to set up, 2 hours for the service, and 15 minutes to pack up)  
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Organise Library Collection
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: Catalogue our collection so that members can easily borrow resources  
Why it is important: because we have some interesting resources to share  
Time commitment: on-going  
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Lay Leader
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: Assist in the Leading of a Shabbat service  
Why it is important: Because Shabbat services are one of the most important activities we do at BPJC  
Time commitment: 2 hours for the service (plus preparation)  
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Kiddush Set-up and Breakdown
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: set up and take down a simple kiddush
Why it is important: for blessings after Shabbat services and for fellowship
Time commitment: twice per month. one hour each time.
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Kabbalat Shabbat Supplies Shlepper
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: Transport supplies from Coorparoo to Fig Tree Pocket and back
Why it is important: so siddurim, kiddush supplies and paper goods are available
Time commitment: less than 1 hour, up to five times per year
more…
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Kabbalat Shabbat Helper
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: Help to set up and pack up Kabbalat Shabbat services
Why it is important: We can’t conduct a service without chairs and kiddush
Time commitment: About 1 hour before and 1 hour after the service
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Historian
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: Document and organise our congregational history
Why it is important: To ensure we have an enduring record of our people and our achievements
Time commitment: Ongoing.
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Functions Set up and Breakdown
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: Help to set up and pack up (breakdown) rented facilities for functions
Why it is important: so the right atmosphere can be created in a temporary space
Time commitment: about 1 hour immediately prior to and 1 hour immediately after the function
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Festivals Coordinator
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: plan and oversee all the tasks related to a single Festival (e.g.. Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim Megilla reading, Pesach, or Shavuot) 
Why it is important: to make sure things run smoothly
Time commitment: Depends on the festival / event
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Gabbai
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:

 

The job: Support service leaders
Why it is important: to ensure our customs are observed and that people participating in the service understand what is expected of them.
Time commitment: 15 minutes prior to the service plus 2 hours for the service (Shabbat service)
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Read for Torah Services
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: Read Torah for Shabbat and holiday services
Why it is important: because participation on the Bimah gives qualified congregants an opportunity to learn and practice and enhance their synagogue skills and play an active role in the ritual life of the congregation
Time commitment: Initial preparation can take a few hours. Opportunities are available up to twice per month.
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Cheder Assistant
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:
The job: support classroom activities as needed, help families feel connected
Why it is important: to enrich the Cheder learning experience
Time commitment: up to  2 hours twice per month
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
Chevra Kadisha
Monday, October 10th, 2011 | Author:

 

The job: Say prayers, recite psalms, prepare the body for burial (bathe and dress it according to ritual practice)
Why it is important: Jewish burial rituals require it.
Time commitment: about 1.5 hours, upon notification of a death
more…
Category: BPJC Volunteers  | Comments off
ZFA Israel Programs
Wednesday, October 05th, 2011 | Author:

ZFA Israel Programs is the information centre for Australian Israel Program participants. We’re based in Melbourne, and are available to participants from across Australia.

We are proud to partner the long-term scholarship fund MASA Israel Journey, AZYC, AUJS Israel Programs, Taglit-Birthright Israel and Chabad on Campus to send over 600 participants to Israel each year.

Brendan Bensky
Israel Programs Coordinator

Shani Gershon
MASA Representative

Category: Tikkun Olam  | Comments off
Our Place in this World
Wednesday, October 05th, 2011 | Author:
The first version of ‘21 Questions and Answers about Progressive Judaism’ was printed in 1969 and edited before being reissued in the 1990s. The Jewish community in our region has grown and so has our list of topics! Perhaps it is a reflection of the fact that our own congregational union has developed and that it now has affiliates beyond the shores of Australia and New Zealand. Israel is even more central to Jewish life than it was a generation ago. Our community is more open to religious questions. Paradoxically, the world Jewish community has seen a parallel growth in the influence of the ultra-Orthodox and Jewish secularism. Both liberal Judaism and mainstream orthodoxy have changed and there are new, and possibly more profound, points at issue. 
Category: Adult education  | Comments off
Australian Reform Zionist Association (ARZA)
Monday, October 03rd, 2011 | Author:

We would like to put you in touch with articles and news items that we believe to be relevant to you as a religious Zionist. If you wish to give us feedback on these articles and/or tell us what other information you would like to receive from, and about, ARZA please email arza@upj.org.au.

For all the latest ARZA news visit the website 

Category: Community  | Comments off
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