Leonard Cohen's songs captures the Jewish spirit and asks questions that we are all asking at this time of year:

Who is G-d and what is our relationship with them?

Are things always dark or can we look forward to a future where the light filters through the cracks to create a beautiful world?

When Cohen uses a biblical story is he reminding us of the original or challenging us to take a new perspective?

Does the haunting beauty lead us to our inner selves or take us on an intrinsically human journey?

Led by Cohen officianado Melinda Jones who has spoken about Cohen in five countries, the evening promises to bring the spirit of Rosh Hashanah into your living rooms, coffee spots or where ever you may be joining us from. Rabbi Judith Levitan and Rabbi Orna Trigaboff will bring insights to the conversation that the average lay person may not have considered.

We look forward to seeing you there, we recommend bringing your voice.

Hallelejuah!

Rabbanit Judith Levitan

Rabbanit Judith Levitan is a lawyer with close to 20 years experience in the field of social justice. She currently works at Legal Aid NSW where she uses Human Centred Design to innovate and improve legal services for disadvantaged people. She holds degrees in Law and Social Work and also studied at Midreshet HaRova and Nishmat. Her honours thesis examined family violence in the Orthodox Jewish community and she was a founding member of the Jewish Alliance Against Family Violence. Rabbanit Judith lives in Sydney, Australia where she represents the NSW Jewish community at interfaith events, runs women’s tefilah services and teaches bat mitzvah and brides. Since receiving smicha she has served as Religious Programs Coordinator at Maroubra Shule in a Sydney and was recently appointed as a chaplain in the Australian Defence Force

Dr. Orna Triguboff Ph.D.

Dr. Orna Triguboff Ph.D. is the founder and principal facilitator of the Neshama Life organisation.

Orna has been awarded a doctorate in Kabbalah from Sydney University, specializing in the Kabbalah of Rabbi Isaac Luria of Safed in the 16th century and the study of angels.

She has also been a meditation and yoga teacher for over 20 years both in Australia and internationally. Orna was trained by Hatha yoga teacher, Acharya Upendra Roy.

Dr. Triguboff is also a student of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and has a degree in Spiritual counseling from The Aleph Organization.

She is devoted to enhancing self-improvement, caring and compassionate community and environmental harmony in an open-minded and healthy way.

Melinda Jones

I'm an independent scholar, feminist human rights lawyer, disability advocate and Jewish educator. I have authored or co-authored 11 books, over 50 peer-reviewed academic journal articles and many other publications including chapters in books, submissions to government inquiries and articles/blogs on-line.

I'm engaged in research and social action towards social justice for all vulnerable people through law and policy development. Topics covered include racism, freedom of speech & racial hatred; the rights of people with disabilities; the rights of the child; inclusive education; and freedom of religion.
My work involves international & domestic law and has drawn particularly on critical disability studies, critical race theory & feminist legal theory.