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What Defines Our Jewish Identity?

10/11/2012

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When I was asked/roped into making a speech on the back of querying what particular topics are for the future discussion at the last Harborview, many of you noticed my reaction at being chosen for the task.  I make it no secret: I am not a fan of giving speeches as in Australia, as not very many people understand my accent, but there are a few fellow North Americans in the room this evening whom should help to negate this issue, including Rabbi Paul! 

The topic of Sukkot was so well researched and executed that I managed to somehow extract the original speech from little Amy and keep it for reference as the benchmark was set.  I didn’t follow the Dali Lama on Twitter but since the last Harborview, I have added the Dali Lama.  

Instead of exclusively broadcasting plagiarized materials from the internet, I thought it would be more engaging to have a group discussion in conjunction with my speech.  

The topic I have chosen for discussion is a topic that is of relevance to everyone in the room: What defines us as being Jewish.  This topic is at the core of us being here together and I am sure that after a long week of work, everyone still has a bit of energy to engage in a group discussion.  

Before we commence this part of the evening, I must revert to the original task of discussing the weekly torah portion: "vayera", genesis 18:1-22:24. This particular portion incorporates three chapters.  It is about Sodom and Gomorrah, birth of Isaac and Ishmael and where Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac. My interpretations of the chapters was that Abraham was forced into taking the ultimate test of faith in G-d on the basis that he feared G-d and entrusted G-d -The passage stated:


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    Perspectives: The Harbourview Blog

    At each of our Shabbat dinners, one of our participants offers a thought-provoking d'var Torah and leads a discussion.  Read some of the divrei Torah here and feel free to leave your (respectful) comments.

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