Recent Writings
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Chanukah @ Bet David
Read more →: Chanukah @ Bet DavidChanukah (13. – 20. December 2017)Chanukah begins this year on the evening of Tuesday, 12 December. We celebrate the beginning of Chanukah with a short service, followed by…
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Parashat Vayishlach: “Encountering God”
Read more →: Parashat Vayishlach: “Encountering God”In our Torah portion for this week, we are told of Jacob’s fears, and of his wrestling with a man-angel who changes Jacob’s name to Israel. Following that…
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Shabbat Vayeitzei: If – Then – Else
Read more →: Shabbat Vayeitzei: If – Then – ElseA joke is told about the New York man driving around desperately seeking a parking place. He can’t find one, and so in desperation, he says, “Oh God…
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Two Cities—two lessons—one people
Read more →: Two Cities—two lessons—one peopleThis Shabbat we learn of two cities and two lessons. Each of these cities offers us a value and a cautionary note. We relearn these values and we…
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Parashat Toldot: Living For Tomorrow
Read more →: Parashat Toldot: Living For TomorrowOne day, Jacob was making a stew when his brother Esau came in from a long day of being in the field and… “Esau said to Jacob, ‘Pour…
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Two Cities—two lessons—one people
Read more →: Two Cities—two lessons—one peopleThis Shabbat we learn of two cities and two lessons. Each of these cities offers us a value and a cautionary note. We relearn these values and we…
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About Bet David’s ‘Jews-by-Choice Programme’
Read more →: About Bet David’s ‘Jews-by-Choice Programme’Becoming a Jew involves becoming part of a people. Like all nations, the Jewish People has its own culture and civilisation, comprising of religion, language, cuisine, art forms…
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Mishkan ha Nefesh: A dwelling place for our souls
Read more →: Mishkan ha Nefesh: A dwelling place for our soulsChaverim,This is not the first time, I have mentioned it, but I think it is still exciting news. Together with our sister congregations in South Africa we will…
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Gusti Braverman’s encouragement for unity and engagement
Read more →: Gusti Braverman’s encouragement for unity and engagementLast Shabbat we had Gusti Yehoshua Braverman (pictured above) from the World Zionist Organisation visit Bet David. In her talk prior to the Shabbat service she highlighted the…
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Noach—a righteous man?!
Read more →: Noach—a righteous man?!Noach, the central figure of this week’s parshah, is a bit of a conundrum. On one hand, he is described as ‘a righteous man, blameless in his generation’…
