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The current time in Brisbane, Australia is Click on a headline or scroll down the page to read the complete notice
High Holy Days 5770ServicesBPJC will be conducting a full range of services throughout the High Holy Days. Details are available from our Services page. A message from the UPJ ExecutiveThe approach of the High Holy Days, and their built-in process of reflection and self-assessment, provides a wonderful and much-needed opportunity for organisations like ours to also undertake a review of achievements and to consider the priorities for the coming months. 5770 has been a year of dynamic activity and development for the Union for Progressive Judaism and it has been a pleasure to see the growth and maturing of our movement and its constituents during this year of celebrating 80 years of Progressive Judaism in our region. More
Membership ApplicationsApplications for financial membership are welcome anytime. We are proud to support our members with no increase to our membership fees this year. Please download a membership form and join Brisbane's fastest growing congregation.
PopcornBPJC is the only supplier of fresh, kosher popcorn to our community here in Brisbane. We can provide our machine and operator for community events or private functions. Our standard package for private functions is $100 for the machine, operator, and popcorn for up to 30 people; quotes for larger functions available from our Secretary. Our machine and product are certified by Kosher Queensland.
Adult Discussion GroupsOur Jewish discussion groups are held after Shabbat services and are proving very popular and informative. Please feel free to come along and just listen if you wish but your participation is most welcome. The sessions are an informal way to get to know some new people and expand your views on a range of religious and secular topics. Anyone interested in leading a discussion topic, please contact the Secretary.
Volunteer opportunitiesWe have launched a new Volunteer Page calling for more volunteers to support our congregation's work. We look forward to receiving your support as we prepare for another busy year.
UPJ’s 80th AnniversaryIn April 1930, committed individuals who had experienced religious services that used the local language as well as Hebrew for prayer, and allowed women to participate, established the Progressive movement in Australia. Initially a tiny group of people seeking Torah-based egalitarian Judaism “at the edge of the Diaspora”, we are now part of the largest and most vibrant group in the Jewish world today. More
Mishkan T'filahThis
year something momentous is taking place in Progressive Jewish
communities throughout Australia
and This is significant for a number of reasons. First, a new siddur means a new approach to prayer. The essential Hebrew prayers are still there, and so are many of our most beloved English readings from Gates of Prayer. But the way they are presented on the page is different, and so are the creative readings that accompany them, allowing us to see our ancient prayers in new ways. To find out more about this exciting project or to find out how you can dedicate a congregational copy or purchase a personal copy, please visit our Mishkan T'filah page.
Building FundThe Brisbane Progressive Jewish Congregation Building Fund was officially launched on 15 February 2009 at the BPJC Second Birthday celebrations. The event was attended by many financial members and supporters as well as special guest, Mr Steve Denenberg, Executive Director of the Union for Progressive Judaism. More
Recruiting 10 and 11 year olds now!Is your son/daughter turning 13 in 2011 or 2012? BPJC is recruiting these children now to commence their Cheder studies at the start of 2010 in preparation for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. BPJC policy requires all B'nai Mitzvah students to attend our Cheder for at least two years prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. There is also additional tutoring that is required to fully prepare the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student. Don't put it off any longer, visit our B'nai Mitzvah page or contact our Cheder Director for more information today.
Join us on FacebookBPJC is now on
Facebook. Click on the Facebook logo to become a fan and access our news and photos.
Family Kabbalat Shabbat servicesOur Kabbalat Shabbat services have become a popular event featuring a family-friendly service and dessert. Our next service will be held on Friday October 29 at Cubberla Hall, Fig Tree Pocket from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Dessert and refreshments will be provided. To help cover our costs, non-members are asked to provide a donation on entry. Your continued support is appreciated. Dates for future Kabbalat Shabbat services are on our services and festivals page.
Gal ChadashGal Chadash is the voice of the Union for Progressive Judaism. It features editorials from Steve Denenberg, David Robinson and others as well as news from around the region and the world of Progressive Judaism. Click here to read the UPJ's exciting new newsletter.
Australian Reform Zionist Association (ARZA)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 www.arza.org.au
UPJ BiennialNovember 25-28, 2010ACT Jewish Community Centre, Canberra, ACTCelebrating 200 years as a world movement ...80 years in this region ...4 days of fun, prayer and celebration!
The Biennial will feature speakers from around the
world, including:
Steve Bauman, Chair, World Union for
Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) - USA
His Excellency Yuval Rotem, Ambassador for
Israel in Australia
Mike Grabiner, Vice-Chair, WUPJ - UK
Rabbi Joel Oseran, Vice President
International Development, WUPJ - Israel
Shai Pinto, Vice-President Head of
Operations, WUPJ - Israel
Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Executive Director,
Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism - Israel
Gusti Yeshoshua-Braverman, Chair, Overseas
Activities, World Zionist Organisation - Israel
Session topics will include:
“The impossible we do straight away—parting the sea
takes a little longer: Progressive Judaism in a post-modern age”
“Eighty is the new forty—Oy vey!”
"Distractions of the golden calf: Living a
spiritual life in a material world”
“Was Korach right? Presentations of
dangerous ideas”
“Manna from heaven: Continuity may not be enough”
Mishkan T’filah—Official launch of the
World Union edition
Israeli dancing troupe and Conference
Choir
A gala 80th anniversary
celebration at Parliament House
is planned, with government
officials and ambassadors in attendance.
How to register:
Click
here to download and print the Biennial
Registration Form;
Post the form to: UPJ, 7 Ocean Street, Woollahra, NSW, 2025; or
Fax the form to: (02) 9327 8715; or
Scan and email the form to: upj@upj.org.au.
Conference fees:
q $325 per person (early bird
discount - before August 31)
q $395 per person (after
August 31)
Subsidies may be available; please contact the UPJ
office for more information.
Accommodation:
Blocks of rooms have been reserved at the following hotels
(both of which are located immediately across the road from the ACT Jewish
Community Centre); please indicate your choice on the registration form.
Payment will be made by attendees directly to hotels upon check-out.
Rydges Capital Hill (http://www.rydges.com/hotel/RACAPH/Rydges-Capital-Hill-Canberra.htm)
Twin-share room $179 per night
Superior queen
room
$179 per night
Embassy Suite
(bedroom, sitting room, spa bath)
$259 per night
Forrest Motel (http://www.forresthotel.com/)
Double room $135
per night
Two-bedroom/one-bath
apartment (sleeps 4)
$200 per night
Please note when making your travel arrangements:
UIA Progressive TrustBPJC encourages our members and supporters to donate to the UIA Progressive Trust. The UPJ benefits from a proportion of the total collected. Please ensure that your donations are clearly marked FOR THE UIA PROGRESSIVE TRUST. The money that is returned to the UPJ helps keep the UPJ going throughout the year providing services for affiliates, keeping in contact with and influencing world Progressive Jewish developments etc. Donations can be made online (credit card) by accessing http://www.uiaqld.org.au/donate.htm at the Queensland UIA website. Simply enter the relevant details of the donation and in the comments section put in the words FOR THE UIA PROGRESSIVE JEWISH TRUST. By donating to the UIA Appeal Progressive Jewish Trust we assist projects in Israel as well as provide a measure of support for the Union for Progressive Judaism. The UIA Appeal can be donated to at any time People ask a range of questions about the United Israel Appeal – Progressive Trust. It may be that you have been asked these questions or that you have raised the questions yourself. We, therefore, hope that you will find this of assistance. Q. Why do we need the Progressive Trust? A. Unfortunately, the government of Israel still does not fully recognise the progressive communities needs in terms of education, religious institutions, the rights of our rabbis to be paid by the state in line with their Orthodox colleagues, nor in the areas of the work of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) through the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), the Israel Religious Action Centre (IRAC) and their other organisations which work to support refugees and migrants to fully integrate into their society. The WUPJ need us, and other progressive communities throughout the world, to be their partners as they don’t have enough resources to do it on their own. Q. What is the World Union for Progressive Judaism? A. WUPJ supports communities throughout all their regions - Latin America, the Former Soviet Union, Europe, South Africa, North America and the UPJ. It provides financial and moral support for our efforts in outreach, programming and strengthening our smaller communities, including us and the Progressive communities in our region. WUPJ provides grants to support running the UPJ office and the development of our programming. We acknowledge and value the mutually beneficial relationship that exists between WUPJ and UPJ and its congregations. Therefore, the more we are able to help them, the more they are able to tangibly recognise and value our efforts. Q. Why raise money for Israel at a time when their economy is strong? A. We recognise that there are numerous positions and opinions about the State of Israel and its government, however, our support is an important way of acknowledging the central role that Israel plays in our Jewishness and in the life of the Jewish people. Two core values in the UPJ mission statement are:
Q. So why do we support the UIA’s annual campaign? A. Part of the fulfilment of our Jewish obligations is the commitment we make to ourselves and our community to live our mitzvot – whether we do that through religious affiliation or through maintaining traditions and customs, or through our human endeavours to leave a better world for all those who follow us. Through its work of greeting and absorbing refugees and migrants the UIA helps build a strong and diverse Israeli society. A strong Israel is vital to the future of Israel and Judaism around the world. We are a full partner in creating and defending a better society in Israel, making it a dynamic, diverse and robust community where all peoples can live in peace, with justice, equality and freedom for all. As shown through the work of Netzer, TaMaR and ARZA the support provided through Israel education – hasbara – provides our youth with opportunities to spend extended periods of time learning and living in Israel. Research shows that through such an extended Israel experience, strengthens their Jewish connectedness in terms of community and lessens the likelihood of long term assimilation. We need to support them in this mission. Q. What will be the impact of the current financial crisis? A. We are all aware that we haven’t yet seen the full extent of the fallout from the economic crises in the US and around the world and that it will impact on each of us in one way or another. We understand that fundraising in this environment will not be easy, but we believe that we are obliged to work in order help those less well off than ourselves and this includes the members of our Progressive ‘family’ in Israel! It is our belief that, together, we can give local donors the satisfaction of providing meaningful help to those in real need and, at the same time, help create a pluralistic and secure Israel as a partner in securing Jewish life and community for many years to come. To read the article Renew your Links with Israel, click here.
Funerals and BurialsAt a time of sad loss, it’s comforting to know that BPJC will be there for you. Under the auspices of the Brisbane Chevra Kadisha, and in partnership with Cannon and Cripps Funeral Directors, Kelvin Grove, BPJC provides funeral and burial services in Brisbane in accordance with Progressive Jewish rites, or otherwise by arrangement. Please contact the Secretary for further information, or if you have an immediate need for our services. To download a copy of our Mourners Companion, please click here.
Moving to Brisbane?The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship provides information regarding visas, immigration and Australian society. For professional assistance, the UPJ recommends Ashmore Brown & Associates who have offices in Sydney, Brisbane, United Kingdom, Singapore and South AfricaFor information on Brisbane, we suggest the following websites: For information on studying in Australia, click here.
UPJ Position on Patrilineal DescentIn October, 2008, the Council of Progressive Rabbis of Australia, New Zealand & Asia (the Moetzah) passed a resolution confirming and clarifying its position to accept the presumptive Jewish status of a child born of a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother. This has been the position of the Moetzah since the US Reform movement made its decision about “patrilineal descent” in 1983. The Moetzah clarified that each rabbi will determine a child’s status (as in the case of conversion) and that such status is based upon exclusive identification with Judaism. For the complete article by Steve Denenberg and Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins click here.
JNF community newsletterJNF QLD publishes a monthly newsletter, Shalom, to inform the local Jewish community of social gatherings, fund raising activities and general interest news items. To subscribe to this publication, email the editor.
Queensland Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (QAJEX)The objects of QAJEX include: To perpetuate and honour the memory of all service personnel who served, including those who died during or since service. To protect the interests and advance the welfare of all Jewish ex-service persons and their dependants. To represent officially Jewish Ex-Service persons in all matters affecting the Association. The Association needs your support to continue this important service to our community. Please contact us if you would like further information.
Jewish students in BrisbaneBPJC welcomes and supports all Jewish students visiting or studying in Brisbane. All students are welcome to attend our services and festivals. We offer discounted entry to our events and can also help with transport. As Hillel and AUJS do not have a presence in Brisbane, BPJC can provide students with chaplaincy and advocacy support through Cantor David Bentley and our other support networks such as our Community Shaliach, Tal Oryan. Leadership opportunities are available within our congregation and the wider Brisbane Jewish community through our affiliations with Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, State Zionist Council of Queensland and other community groups
Toowong Cemetery Jewish Heritage TrailClick here to download a fascinating guide to Jewish burials at Toowong Cemetery. The document was written in 1998 by Morris S. Ochert OAM Queensland Researcher, Australian Jewish Historical Society and edited by Hilda Maclean from Friends of Toowong Cemetery.
This page was last updated 23 August 2010 |
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