Coming up

The beautiful wedding of Ben and Jay, officated by Rabbi Kaiserblueth

Earlier this week, we had a full house at the second instalment of People of the Books, where the conversation between Rabbi Ninio and award-winning writer Nadine J. Cohen (Everyone and Everything) had us bonding over our shared experience, made us laugh, and even made one or two of us cry. Details on the next exciting instalment are coming very soon.

Speaking of writers, we're looking forward to our freshly announced Shabbat dinner with Michael Gawenda (My Life as a Jew), a dedicated offering for young Jews in their 20s and 30s, on Friday 23 August. Presented with the support of Shalom Sydney Jewish Writers Festival, Michael will draw on his decades of experience traversing the ever-changing Australian media landscape to offer advice to the next generation about how to navigate professional life—and life in general—as modern Jews in the current climate. Tickets are on sale now, and we have made it possible for you to sponsor a place at the table for some of our young people who have been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. 

Thank you to everyone who made last week's sold-out communal Shabbat dinner—hosted by Rabbi Zwarenstein with special guest LTC Peter Lerner—one for the books. We cherish the opportunities to come together for deep, candid conversation and connection.

Our evening with the inimitable Nova Peris OAM OLY on Thursday 15 August is selling fast. If you missed out on tickets to our last major sell-out event with Josh Frydenberg, don't miss out again. Book ASAP or risk languishing on the waitlist. 

Though Rabbi Kamins is still away, he took the time to record a three-part reflection on the time he spent in Israel. You can watch them on Facebook (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) and Instagram (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).

This evening, the ever-popular Kol Nefesh returns. Meet us in the Heritage Hall from 6.15 pm and please bring a friend and a vegetarian plate—you know the drill—for the potluck that follows the service.

This Shabbat, we pray that the Olympics become a catalyst for unity and understanding and that the Jewish athletes competing are safe and protected. We will be cheering them on heartily.

Shabbat shalom.

US Vice President Kamala Harris

• HIGH PRIORITY: Support the vital work of ARZA Australia and Mercaz Masorti, organisations dedicated to safeguarding our progressive values at the World Zionist Congress in Israel, by becoming a member today.
• Show your solidarity and raise awareness to bring home the hostages with a yellow ribbon pin, available on our website here.
• Biden’s withdrawal shifts the goalposts on Jewish voters.
• To tell them or not: parenting, post-October 7.
• Lawmakers advance legislation to shut down Palestinian relief agency UNRWA.
• IDF orders evacuation of part of Gaza safe zone, says Hamas is deeply embedded in the area.
• Watch: Team Israel en route to Paris Olympics
• Read: In the pool, on the mat and in the river, Israeli Olympians seek gold and national pride
• On Monday, 29 July, join Rabbi George Mordecai for Conversations About Israel and the next instalment of his series, Zionism on the Fringes: Let's talk about Hamas. Live on emanuelplus or in person from 10 am. 
  
  

21ST OF TAMUZ
Torah: Numbers 25:10-30:1
Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
Candle Lighting (Friday): 4.53 pm
Havdalah (Saturday): 5.30 pm

FRI 26 JULY

Kef Kids – register here
4.00 pm | Education Centre

Shabbat Live

6.15 pm | Millie Phillips Sanctuary
Watch live on emanuelplus here

Masorti Shabbat Service
6.15 pm | Neuweg Sanctuary

Kol Nefesh Shabbat Service
6.15 pm | Heritage Hall

SAT 27 JULY

Masorti Shabbat Service 
9.00 am | Millie Phillips Sanctuary
Bat Mitzvah of Tali Henson

Progressive Shabbat Service 
10.00 am | Neuweg Sanctuary

Kid's Shabbat Service 
10.15 am | Education Centre

• The Bat Mitzvah of Tali Henson

PINCHAS
RABBI SAM ZWARENSTEIN

If you’ve had the privilege and opportunity to visit the Kotel (Western Wall) on Rosh Chodesh, especially in recent times, you’re likely to either have participated in or witnessed morning services and Torah reading in the women’s section of the Kotel, coordinated and organised by Women of The Wall as they fight for equal participation and recognition rites at the Kotel. Those opposing this mission do everything in their power to disrupt these services, and there’s little they won’t do to voice or show their disapproval. 
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Continue reading

We extend our sincerest sympathies to those in our community who are mourning the death of their loved ones and we grieve the loss of so many lives in the current war in the land of Israel.
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SHIVA

Yvonne Hayes, Angela Kaplan.
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PASSED AWAY IN THE LAST 30 DAYS

Julia Faludi, Sonia Gold, Sheila Norton, Dawn Rassaby, Theo Whitmont, Melvyn Foux.
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YAHRZEIT
On the anniversary of the death of a loved one, Yahrzeit (annual remembrance) is observed by their relatives. Every year, in the lead up to this day, we will contact you to advise that your loved one's name will be read on the Shabbat before the Yahrzeit.

We invite you to arrange a call up to the Torah in memory of your loved one by completing the form at the link provided in the reminder email.
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DINNER WITH MICHAEL GAWENDA AT EMANUEL SYNAGOGUE

Friday 23 August | 6.15 pm 

We welcome young Jews in their 20s and 30s to an intimate Shabbat dinner with multi-award-winning journalist Michael Gawenda as our special guest.
Over the course of the evening, Michael will draw on his decades of experience traversing the ever-changing Australian media landscape to offer advice to the next generation about how to navigate professional life as modern Jews in the current climate.

NOVA PERIS OAM LIVE AT EMANUEL SYNAGOGUE

Thursday 15 August | 7.30 pm 

Join us as we welcome the inimitable Nova Peris OAM to Australia's largest synagogue for a deeply insightful discussion that will traverse topical issues for our community, including her allegiance to the Jewish people, her views on Israel and the path towards social cohesion.

• CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISRAEL – 10.00 am Mondays, on campus and online on emanuelplus – see EYE ON ISRAEL above for topic details
• MEDITATION & KABBALAH – 8.30 am Mondays (online) – register
• MORNING MINYAN – 7.30 am online every Monday to Friday and in person on Thursdays
• ​​​​​SPEAKEASY – 5.00 pm Tuesdays (online)
• PARASHA STUDY – 8.15 pm Wednesdays from 31 July
• IN THE CIRCLE WITH RABBI MORDECAI – 7.15 pm, monthly on the last Thursday of every month. Upcoming dates: 29 August, 26 September, 31 October, 28 November.
• KOL NEFESH – 6.15 pm, Friday 27 September. Service followed by a vegetarian potluck. Dates for 2024: 1 November and 6 December.
• KOL NEFESH INNER WEST – 6.15 pm, Friday 9 August, and 15 November. – register

• KEF KIDS – 4.00 pm weekly on Friday from 26 July – register
• ​​​​SHABBATOT – 4.30 pm, monthly on the first Friday of every month. Upcoming dates: 2 August, 6 September, 4 October, 1 November – register
• YESOD – 10.00 am Sundays; 4.00 pm Mondays and Tuesdays – register
• INNER WEST SHIURIM – 3.00 pm first Sundays of the month – register
• KIDS’ SHABBAT SERVICES – 10.15 am weekly on Saturday

Emanuel Synagogue members have free access to our streaming platform, emanuelplus. Please contact info@emanuel.org.au or call us on (02) 9389 6444 if you need help getting started.

JULY PLAYLIST

Elders of the Community
Journey through the captivating history of Emanuel Synagogue with a series of interviews from our community elders, tracing back to its humble beginnings in 1939, to the vibrant present day. 

People of the Books: Julia Levitinia

In the first episode of this ongoing series, join Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio as she explores Julia Levitina's stunning debut novel, "The Girl from Moscow," unraveling the heart-stopping Cold War drama and the inspiration behind it. Don't miss this captivating and insightful discussion.

Stories that Stir
Stories that Stir and Emanuel Synagogue have come together to present six captivating storytellers, taking the stage to share their raw and personal stories, each linked to the theme of FAITH in all its shapes and forms. From moments that will make you laugh to tales that will bring tears to your eyes, this showcase promises to offer a new perspective on the world around us.

PENNY JAKOBOVITS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The UPJ, Progressive Judaism Victoria (PJV), and the Progressive Jewish Cultural Fund (PJCF) are seeking support to establish a perpetual scholarship in memory of Penny Jakobovits. Donations to this fund are tax-deductible through the PJCF and will enable young UPJ members to attend biennial conferences, nurturing future leadership within the community.

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EMPOWERED WOMEN – A JOURNEY OF HEALING

Tuesday 30 July, 10.00 am | JewishCare Woollahra

In response to community need, Jewish Care Sydney is offering a weekly group specifically designed for women who have experienced domestic abuse and need a safe and confidential space to seek support.

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BOOK LAUNCH: WARDROBE OF SECRETS

Wednesday 28 August, 6.30 pm | Woollahra Library

Michael Leibowitz invites you to the launch of his poetry collection, "Wardrobe of Secrets," at Woollahra Library. The event promises an evening of verse, conversation, and guitar music featuring Mark Tredennick, Steve Meyrick, Rob Britton, and the author himself, along with drinks and nibbles.
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NEW DIMENSIONS SOCIAL CLUB

JCA, The Choice Foundation, and JewishCare are looking for volunteers to help with a new innovative social program, the ‘New Dimensions Social Club’ designed to support young individuals aged 15-17 and 18-21 who are living with ADHD, Autism Level 1, or who find it challenging to fit in socially.

DONATE NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS

In these difficult economic times, many people are finding themselves in need of support and food. In the breezeway, by the lift, we will be collecting non-perishable food items. Whenever you are in synagogue, if you remember to bring something to place in the basket, we can live the deepest teachings of Judaism about caring for others and supporting people in need.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: ASYLUM SEEKERS CENTRE 

We're looking for more volunteers to service our monthly lunches for the Asylum Seeker Centre (ASC) in Newtown. This involves preparing, serving and cleaning up after the lunches. Contact info@emanuel.org.au to get involved.

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WANTED: READING SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS

We invite people who have as little as one hour a week to spare during school terms, to join this group in making a difference to the lives of young children. No formal skills are required; training and support will be provided. Email  socialjustice@emanuel.org.au to participate.

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