Chukat – The Depth of Water
Parshat Korach relates the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, the two siblings of Moses. The Midrash teaches that Israel was graced with miraculous gifts in merit of these three siblings, the “royal family” of...
News from the Centre Blog
A posthumous salute for Rabbi Katz
A fascinating piece on Rabbi Katz – our rabbi from 1930 to 1944 – and his time in Wellington by the editor of the San Diego Jewish World.
Korach – Honey Catches More Flies than Vinegar
In our weekly Shabbat morning study of Tanakh we recently discussed the events at Mt. Carmel, where Elijah demonstrated the futility of pagan worship and the great power of the Lord. At a showdown...
We’re looking for an interim rabbi
Join our search for an interim rabbi while we look for a new permanent rabbi for our community.
Naso – Reverse Hotel California
The following words of Torah were delivered by Dr. Russell Harding on Shabbat, 25 May 2018: Of the 18 Mitzvot in Parashat Naso, ten concern the nazir. Two are obligations, including growing hair and...
Kosher Kiwi update (May 2018)
A new and significantly updated Kosher Kiwi Guide has been released and can be downloaded here.
Yom Yerushalaim – A Golden Opportunity
The Talmud (Shabbat 31a) states that when we face the ultimate judgment there is a series of questions we will need to answer. The first point to which we will have to answer is...
Tazria/Metzora – The Voice of Jacob
At the March of the Living ceremony earlier this month Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, child survivor and former Chief Rabbi of Israel, addressed the participants, raising the question that troubles so many of us:...
Shemini – Actualizing Potential
A curious point is raised by Rabbi Jesse Horn, who noticed that in three distinct places in the Torah the inaugural day of the Mishkan is addressed. The first appears in the last chapter...
Pesach – It ain’t Over Till it’s Over
Pesach represents the birth of our nation. We remember, particularly at the Seder, the labor pangs of our birth, the difficult circumstances of the slavery. We also remember our emergence into the world as...
Pesach – Bottoms Up
The Halachah requires only that we consume the better portion of our wine glass during the Seder. We lean to the left when we drink each of the four cups, but there is no...
Tzav – Shabbat Hagadol – Timing is Everything
The week before Pesach is the hungriest week of the year for Jews. Numerous occasions bring restrictions on eating, but never are they felt as strongly as this week. On fast days we don’t...