Here's the weekly update from JBD:

• Candlelighting is Friday 5.06pm; Shabbat ends Saturday 6.07pm
• The weekly Torah portion is Matot

• Capital Jewish Forum (CJF) and JBD - Jews of the Melbourne CBD together with GMK Partners are pleased to invite you to have lunch with the US Ambassador to Australia, HE JEFF BLEICH and hear him discuss the topic"From Obama ’08 to the Arab Spring – the Political Impact of Social Media". Wednesday 27th July 2011 from 12.15 at GMK Partners. RSVP toevents@jbd.org.au or capitaljewishforum@gmail.org by COB Monday 25th July. Click here for more details.

• Join Rabbi Aryeh Citron for an enlightening lunchtime lecture on Dispelling Halachic Myths on Thursday 4 August.

• The recording from yesterday's Talk of the Town on Blazing new spiritual pathswith Rabbi Jacks is now available for download on the podcasts page.

• Summary of weekly shiurim: Mon 12:30 @ East Melb Shul; The Weekly Parsha & Talmud Shiur will be taking a recess this week but will be back next Wed 12:45 @ Billing Bureau
• Talk of the Town will be taking a recess for the next 2 weeks but will be back on 11/8 with Rabbi Jacks at Wingate Group - 9/333 Collins St.
• Mincha is held daily at 1:15pm. Click here for details.
• Two-minute dvar Torah for busy people: This week’s Torah portion is called “Matos”. “Matos” means ”tribes”. Moshe spoke to the leaders of the tribes and instructed them on the laws of vows. Moshe singled them out to show that clearly leaders must take responsibilityfor their flock at all times. Even when making a vow which is seemingly personal between husband and wife, father and child, a leader must help that person, especially when a vow was made that affects the other members of the household/community. There were once two people who both made vows contradicting each other’s vow. A decision was reached where the person who had never made a vow in their lifetime, even for truthful purposes, would have their vow fulfilled. One must be careful when promising to do something, that they correctly assess the situation and the impact it will have on others. Even when a person does an action which is seemingly personal, one must keep in mind that this may affect others. During these days of mourning for the destruction of the Beis Hamikdosh it is a time to be more considerate to others and create a positive environment around us.
  With thanks to Rabbi Benyomin Serebryanski.

• We want to know what events and services you'd like to see from JBD. Join The Idea Lab and take part in the discussion
• Do you have a milestone event in your life? send it to the JBD Administrator to have it listed on the site
• Struggling to get home before Shabbat on these short winter Friday afternoons? Check out the discussion in the IdeaLab about carpooling
• If you haven't already, sign up to the JBD web site by either responding to the e-mail invitation you may have, or clicking here. Being a member allows you to participate in online discussions, chat with other members, and lots more!
• Podcasts can be accessed via the web site, a dedicated podcast site, or through iTunes: click here, or just search for "JBD" from the iTunes store.

Shabbat Shalom!