Tu B’Shevat 2016
Saturday 11 February Temple Israel enjoyed a special Tu B’Shevat Seder with Rabbi Julia Margolis. It was most informative, especially for our conversion class to learn about our culture and traditions.
Click to Read Tu B’Shevat Seder presented by Rabbi Julia Margolis
Everyday Conservation Actions by Barbara Lerman-Golomb, Director of Education and Outreach, HAZON Since the “Tu” in Tu B’Shvat stands for the 15th day of Shvat, we would like to offer 15 tree and water conservation tips.
- Dishtowels…the quicker picker upper. Use dishtowels instead of paper towels for drying dishes and kitchen spills. Think how many paper towels you need to match the absorbency of only one dishtowel! Set up a simple system: one for spills, one for dishes, one for drying lettuce and other veggies.
- Think cloth napkins are only for formal dinners? Think again! You can use cloth napkins for all your meals. Use them with a napkin ring to help identify users for repeated use. By the way…kids rarely use napkins in their school lunches, but if you give them one, they’ll throw it away. A cloth napkin in a child’s lunch box will most likely go unused, yet saved.
- PutYourJunk Mail to Work for You! Instead of discarding junk mail, business mailings or any sheets of paper with only one side of use, use them again for writing drafts. Keep an in-box or recycling receptacle by your printer to hold sheets until you need them.
- Yo,Yo Wrap! Save previously used wrapping paper and use it again. Or, use swatches of fabric, newspaper, reusable gift bags or a cloth sack for gifts. If you need to purchase new wrapping paper, make sure it’s recycled.
- If it’s Free, It’s for Me! Use toilet tissue and tissues with at least 50% “post consumer recycled content” free of dyes, perfumes and dioxin. (The process of bleaching paper to whiten it is responsible for creating the toxic substance, dioxin.) It’s in the bag. The cloth bag ,that is. Keep cloth bags in your car, with your bicycle or by your front door for all your shopping needs instead of taking a paper bag, or plastic bags (made of non- renewable sources).
- The Three P’s–Precycle, Practical, Preservation Buy items with little or no packaging or in bulk that you can stock in your own containers. Most stores carrying bulk items give money back for using your own bags or jars. Buy food in cardboard packaging that can be recycled or that has already been recycled (it’s gray inside). Tip: Create file folders and post cards from used cereal boxes.
- Drink to Your Health Keep a commuter mug in your car, in your backpack, at your office for a fill up of your favorite beverage instead of taking a new paper cup.
- Wood That’s Too Good (to waste) Avoid items made from rain forest woods such as rosewood, mahogany, teak, or ebony.
- Be Cool Keep a bottle of cold water in the refrigerator instead of wasting water down the drain waiting for it to get cold.
- Don’t Kick the Bucket Keep a bucket in your shower (or outside to collect rainwater). Transfer it over to watering cans or jugs to water your indoor and outdoor plants.
- Go With the Flow Take a shower instead of a bath and buy a low-flow shower head and a sink aerator for your kitchen or bathroom faucet to conserve water. To find these items, contact your local hardware store or visit www.greenpages.org or the Real Goods catalog at www.realgoods.com to check out their products for a healthy home and planet.
- Dear John Use a jug filled with water or stones to take up space in the toilet tank or buy a special “toilet dam” so that less water is wasted. Or, conserve your flushes.
- Clean and Green Don’t waste water down the drain while washing dishes. Fill the sink up instead. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and washing your face.
- A Healthy Lunch box A reusable lunch box or cloth bag; a thermos; reusable storage containers, food that needs no packaging (e.g., fresh fruit) and a cloth napkin. Replace paper plates with reusables for picnics or casual meals.
- PLANT A TREE!
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Purim 2017
Purim at Temple Israel Saturday 11 March. Great service by Rabbi Julia Margolis. Tremendous fun had by all.
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Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah 2017
Great time had by all dancing with the Torah at Temple Israel in Hillbrow. The pictures reflect the joy experienced by all attending the service, so amazingly led by Lael Bethlehem.
Reeva Forman and Marion Bubly were given the honour of being the Hatan Torah and Hatan Bereishit respectively.
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Sukkot 2017
Click on picture to enlarge.
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Limmud SA – A tour of old Jewish Johannesburg
On Sunday 26 February 2017 Ilan Solomon together with The Wandering Jew organised a tour of old Jewish Johannesburg.
The tour included a stop at Temple Israel where they were welcomed by Chairman, Reeva Forman, the Management Committee and some Congregants.
Reeva gave a short talk on the history of Temple Israel and the permanent exhibition. She also shared some of the plans for the future of Temple Israel and the Temple Israel Heritage Centre.
Click on pictures to enlarge.
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Chanukah 2016
31 December 2016 – 8th Day Celebrated at Temple Israel
An introduction to Chanukah by Rabbi Julia Margolis.
This was followed by a lovely fare of Doughnuts and Latkes.
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Simchat Torah 2016
Simchat Torah at Temple Israel 23 October 2016. Service most ably led by Lael Bethlehem. As usual imparted so much knowledge about Simchat Torah and Torah itself.
A joyous occasion enjoyed by all.
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Reeva interviewed on Derech Eretz
Follow link Reeva on Derech Eretz
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Temple Israel Hillbrow Shabbos project
27 October 2018
For the small congregation of Temple Israel Hillbrow every Shabbat is special as we give the little we can afford – bread and boiled eggs – to the homeless on the streets surrounding to our shul.
For the unique Shabbat of the Shabbos Project, as part of the SA and now international the Jewish community, we were able add to our weekly bread and eggs a gift of socks for men, women and especially children!
THANK YOU to Aaron’s Rock your Socks – the Brain child of young Aaron Greenblatt 9 years who started this amazing project to help the less fortunate.
We were over awed when we realised that the Torah portion “Vayera” was the wonderful story of Abraham and the hospitality he offered to the three strangers is the bedrock of our Jewish ethics…. compassion and kindness to the “other”
