Struck by Lightning, Twice

Think Again - Day 774 in Gaza - 3 more hostage bodies still to come home

My dear 29 readers will recall that last week I was struck by lightning or as we portrayed it, touched by the finger of G-d. I witnessed the wedding ceremony of Tessa Bartone. It was as if destiny played itself out in front of our very eyes. Tessa had lost her parents in a horrible car accident as a young child of three. Her aunt and uncle, Joanne and Tony, adopted Tessa and her sister Olivia, and here she was, a lifetime later, standing under the chuppah, getting married to Marc, whom she so clearly adored. I commented that sometimes there truly can be a happy ending.

Well, what are the chances of being struck by lightning twice, touched by the finger of G-d two weeks in a row? Yet that is exactly what I felt this past Friday night in synagogue, witnessing a magical moment in time, an inspiring event filled with powerful, deep human emotions, so contrasting and so introspective.

Last Friday night we farewelled Mike Segerman and his wife Nikki, who made the sudden and stirring announcement (at least to me) that they were making Aliyah to Israel. I wished them a Mazal Tov and asked when they planned to leave, imagining it might be in six months or a year. “No,” says Mike, “I’m leaving next week.” I nearly fell through the floor.

“What? Next week? Like next week?” “Yes,” he says, “next Wednesday.”

Nikki, Ollie, and Bella were planning to make Aliyah in February, but Mike was leaving next Wednesday. Apparently, some friends already knew. I was given the surprise of my life. It is perhaps the greatest privilege for a rabbi to know that an esteemed congregant is making Aliyah. It is what we strive for. It is what I dream about for each of you. I view it as an honour when a congregant embarks on the journey of Aliyah.

As Jonathan Sacks quotes from Nelson Mandela: “The long road to freedom.” It is the inevitable, electrifying journey of the Wandering Jew to make their way home. I can think of nothing better for a rabbi - no prouder moment than the knowledge that a congregant is making Aliyah.

Still, there are mixed emotions. The Segerman family have been members of our shule for 15 years. Mike occupied the back corner row of the synagogue which I termed the pillar, the foundation stone of the entire structure. I looked at him like the figurative Samson, holding up his entire side of the congregation. There were mixed feelings: happiness, pride, and sadness all at once.

As their rabbi, I can only raise my glass and proclaim: Am Yisrael Chai. I plan to visit the Segermans each time I go to Israel.

As a rabbi, I have a dream that our synagogue will one day lift off like a magic carpet and land gently opposite the Old City of Jerusalem on Mt. Scopus. There is plenty of fallow land there. I can’t imagine anyone complaining if Coogee Synagogue stakes out a small portion for a house of worship.

So I was deeply honoured to know that Mike was leaving for Israel next week. I felt uplifted, touched again by the finger of G-d.

Mike and Nikki spoke on Friday night. They expressed their deep love for our congregation and how much they will miss it. Mike insisted that we not get rid of his seat just yet. Their oldest son Matthew is remaining in Australia, so they said they will always have a stake down under. And through their Aliyah, we now have a stake in Israel and I could not be more honoured.

The emotions were high in the synagogue, and I noticed some tears. Nikki recalled one of my sermons from about 10 years ago on the unique character of a Diaspora synagogue. I spoke of two types of congregations - an Edah (homogeneous and like-minded) and a Kehilah (diverse, different, yet united by the Jewish soul). I compared our shule to a Kehilah. I was genuinely chuffed that she remembered.

On behalf of Coogee Synagogue, I wish the Segerman family success, happiness, and meaning in their adventure. I wish them calm, ease, joy, and wide smiles with a home always open to visitors, with a spare bedroom and en-suite for their many shule guests. I wish them inner peace and tranquility. I raise my glass again in a toast to the Segermans, thanking them for their friendship, commitment, and support. L’chaim.

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Day 774 in Gaza

A terrorist attack occurred at the Gush Etzion Junction this past Wednesday (a place I have visited many times). Aharon Cohen, 71, of Kiryat Arba, was murdered. The terrorist was killed. The father of the terrorist praised his son as a heroic martyr. Indonesia has promised 20,000 peacekeeping troops to be stationed in Gaza.

The body of Meny Godard, 73, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, was returned to Israel. Three bodies still remain in Gaza.

Israel is still at war.

The price of victory is high.

It hurts a lot.

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As always, L’chaim.

See you in shule.

Shabbat Shalom — BRING THEM ALL HOME.

Elozer Gestetner