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12
Understanding Judaism Booklets
The Hobart Congregations has recently received 200 copies of beautiful booklets titled ‘Understanding
Judaism’, published by the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies – the representative roof-body of
the Jewish community of New South Wales. Meant initially for the Tasmanian Members of Parliament as
a community outreach exercise, the A5 colour booklets are also for the use of the members of the
congregation and for visitors to our shule. They are very informative on many aspects of Judaism and
are artfully presented.
A Bat Mitzva at Kibbutz Gezer, Israel
Today, June the 2nd, Timna, the eldest grand-
daughter of one of my best friends, was Bat
Mitzvah. Of course I have been to Bar Mitzvahs
here in Israel, but it was the first time I had been to
a Bat Mitzvah, where the girl made the aliah to the
Torah. She read the Haftorah on her Parasha
(“Baha’alotecha”) at the Liberal community “Bircat
Shalom” of Gezer, a kibbutz in the middle of Israel.
It was a lovely and very moving ceremony. Rabbi
Miri Gold had prepared her together with my friend
Tullio, her Italian-born grandfather. As always at
this time of year, it was a beautiful day and we sat
outside under the trees in the little synagogue.
There was an Aron Kodesh, Bimah and wooden
benches for the participants. (They do have an
inside synagogue as well, for when the weather is
not so good).
One of the nicest moments was, when the Torah
Scrolls were passed down from generation to
generation: first from the grand-parents (3 of them)
to the parents and then on to her 2 big brothers to
finally Timna. She read beautifully in the
Livornese-Italian tradition. The only hiccup was
that she had forgotten to take her Drasha, and got
a bit muddled up there. She will read the drasha
tonight at her party.
We were all so proud of her and hope that more
girls of our families will follow suit.
Yetti Permutti
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