Think Again - Winter Olympics

There is something about a freezing white cold wintery day. Miri and I have returned from New York and whilst we missed one of the coldest recorded winters in decades it was still blistering cold during our visit. The cold permeates your vey bones, it penetrates from the ground up. The cold makes its way from the icy black pavement through layers of shoes and socks, rendering your toes unfeeling and body shivering even with layers of clothes and puffed down jackets. On the other hand, there is something invigorating waking up to an icy snowy white morning. You feel alive, alert, fortified and empowered.

I guess this is why we have the Winter Olympics. People challenge each other, in crazy sports on ice and snow, speeding skating flipping with contortions of body movements that defies gravity and belief. Israel is part of the Olympic Winter family, and I am always so overwhelmed when Isreal is allowed to participate at this level at these global events. I am astounded that Isreal can actually compete at this sporting Olympic level, after all she is a country mired by war for more than 70 years. How do you become so good when things are pretty bad continuously fighting for your life. But this is the spirit of the Olympics. It is people coming together with a common goal, with united purpose, doing similar things and working together. There is something magical about sport, something astonishing when people unite in a common mission on a common task and project. Peace happens when so called enemies find something that they can share, work together with and build together with. This is undoubtedly why sporting greatness is found at the Olympics. It is why world records are broken and why sportsman reach such great heights. It is because the people of the world are united in a common task. I hope that Isreal participation in the Winter Olympics will break the ice, tear down barriers and help forge humanity in world peace.

This is undoubtedly the theme of this week’s Parsha of Terumah. Exodus 25:8 “And you shall make for me a sanctuary so that I shall dwell in them” The Israelites although from disparate separate 12 tribes, all somewhat different, nevertheless joined together with common goal and collective purpose to build the very first Sanctury, which became the forerunner to the Synagogue. They could have all bickered about honours and principals and naming rights. Yet they didn’t. They joined in a common task a mutual and shared goal to build the first house of God. Something magical happens when people unite with common purpose. I think this is the theme of The Olympics. This is why it is so appropriate that Israel takes its place amongst the Olympic family. Imagine what could be if the Arabs and Jews united, found some peace set a task, had a project something that they could all work on together. Maybe they could build a port or airport together or perhaps they could build a sanctuary House of worship together. Ion second thoughts, I’m pretty sure we would fight over honours and naming rights.

This is the goal of Coogee Synagogues upcoming Charidy Day of Crowd Funding. We are embarking on a common goal, with united front working together in common purpose and theme to continue the dream of our Synagogue by the beach. To continue the financial stability of our house of worship. We are the pillar of Judaism in Randwick and Coogee. Somewhat on the peripheral, but home to so many of our diverse and amazing community. We are a safe space for quiet prayer and personal moments. We are a place where you celebrate and commemorate. We are planning for our bright enlightened future for many decades to come. There is something magical when people work together. Astonishing things happen when teams come together for tzedakah and charidy. So Ladies and gentlemen if one of our teams contacts you about supporting Coogee Synagogue be a good sport and break some world records and become part of the race. It’s a team sport and every participant is vital. All you have to do is click on the link. It’s like setting off on a ski run. You must push and click. You have a vital position on the team. This is our race of a lifetime, this is our Olympics. We aim to break some personal and world records. Leap tall buildings faster than a speeding bullet. Gold Gold Gold. Don’t forget all you have to do is click on the link. Thank you.

www.charidy.com/coogee