THERE’S a new kid in town for city workers wanting to connect with their Judaism.
While operating unofficially for some years, Jews of the CBD, or JBD, has now formalised its existence, appointing a founding president, treasurer and executive officer, and connecting its community through a regularly updated website.
“The ‘community’ of city workers and visitors is one that exists, but hasn’t been recognised as such. There are probably 1000-plus Jews spending most of their day in and around the city, with very few services and resources for them,” JBD president David Werdiger said.
“Our aim is to increase the amount and quality of services, and use the internet to build a sense of community, and provide valuable resources.”
Among the regular activities organised are weekly shiurim, guest speakers and daily minyanim, including afternoon mincha sessions, which will resume this week.
Events are held at corporate offices in and around the city, including at legal and accounting firms.
“We have significantly increased the number of shiurim and lectures in and around the city, and have done this with the help of several locations besides my own office,” Werdiger said.
“We are very much about collaboration as a way to tap into the huge Jewish resources that are already there. We have introduced a new weekly shiur featuring Rabbi Avrohom Jacks of Toorak shul, which was been very well accepted, and we also have a business networking group under development.”
Werdiger is encouraging others to become involved with the group at a committee level, saying that the group intends to offer membership and will hold elections down the track.
And these are not the group’s only aspirations.
“In the future, we will be putting up lots of useful resources on the site, for example a guide to getting kosher food, and to be a facilitator of much more,” Werdiger said.
Among the ideas are lunchtime krav maga classes and an association for Jewish lawyers.
“These are just small examples of what the network/community can cause to sprout forth.”
DALIA SABLE
Vaad Ruchni Statement – Tamuz 5769 – July 2009
by Vaad Ruchni
Thursday July 23, 2009
2 Av 5769
בס׳ד
ב’ אב ה’ אלפים תשס”ט
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW MOISDOS
Given the (generally commendable) desire to open new Moisdos (institutions e.g. a Shule, Minyan or Chabad House etc.) for the purpose of strengthening and spreading Yiddishkeit, we would like to draw the community’s attention to guidelines stated by the Rebbe in this connection. In the Sichoh of Shabbos Mevorchim Adar 5748-1988, which was edited and corrected by the Rebbe himself, two issues are raised for consideration:-
1. The question of unnecessary duplication i.e. an evaluation of whether it might not be preferable to invest efforts etc in the establishment of a Moisad which is at present completely absent rather than merely duplicating something which already exists.
2. The more important (Halachic) question of Hasogas G’vul (encroaching on someone else’s territory) which is, in many cases forbidden by the Torah.
With regard to the second issue, the Rebbe directs all those who wish to establish a Mosad, to first consult a Rov in order to ascertain that the opening of such a Moisad does not constitute any form of Hasogas G’vul. The Rov should be locally based, in order that he be fully conversant with the circumstances and details of the proposal, and should also be a Posek i.e. one who is regularly consulted and gives rulings in other areas of Halacha. It is also desirable that he give his decision in writing, in order to avoid further complications in the event of another party wishing to later establish a similar Moisad.
We are sure that everyone will appreciate that adherence to the above recommendations is in the best interests, not only of existing Moisdos, but also of any new Moisad, whose success is ultimately dependent on its being based on firm foundations, i.e. the will of Hashem as expressed in His Torah.
With blessings that we merit the immediate and complete Geulah through Moshiach Tzidkeinu.