Coming up

With the High Holy Days upon us, this week's newsletter is arriving a little earlier than normal. In anticipation of the new year, we are reflecting on all the wonderful ways we have connected as a community over the last 12 months. This year we have been delighted to present a diverse range of programs, services and initiatives—including last week's history-making exhibition and talk with Ralph Heimans AM (pictured above with members of the Emanuel Synagogue team)—and there's still so much more to come, starting with the Lior Live concert in November (book here).

We have even bigger plans for next year, but we need your help: donate to our annual Kol Nidrei Appeal to help us bring our vision to life and allow our clergy to continue on their important mission. Give generously here.

 
From the evening, we will sing the melodies of the High Holy Days as we enter into a new year—one we hope and pray will be heralded by peace. See below for all the ways the whole family can participate, including the special Kol Nidrei Renewal service on Friday 11 October, which is an opportunity for members to share the Emanuel Synagogue experience with their friends and family. Members can access the service with their High Holy Days ticket and non-members can purchase a ticket here.

If you're a current member and you haven't received the link to secure your High Holy Days tickets, or you're not a member but you'd like to join us, please call us ASAP on 02 9389 6444, or email info@emanuel.org.au. See office closures over the HHDs below. 

This Friday evening we invite you to join us for Shabbat services, which will include a special HSC blessing and gift for all Year 12 students in attendance. There's no need to register for this, just come along from 6.15 pm, as usual.

This Shabbat, we pray for the return of the hostages and that the new year will bring with it the end of the war and the start of the healing for our people.

Shana tova 

We invite you to join us in our beautiful synagogue for a transformative spiritual experience. Whether you are a long-standing member or new to our community, our High Holy Days services offer a meaningful opportunity to connect with Jewish traditions, engage in heartfelt prayer, and come together as a community.

HIGH HOLY DAYS OFFICE CLOSURES

There will be friendly staff and volunteers on campus to help guide you to services and programs, however, our offices will be closed as follows.

• Erev Rosh Hashanah –Wed 2 October, from 2.00 pm
• Rosh Hashanah – Thu 3 and Fri 4 October
  
• Public Holiday – Mon 7 October
• Erev Yom Kippur – Fri 11 October, from 12.00 pm
• Sukkot – Thu 17 and Fri 18 October 
• Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah – Thu 24 and Fri 25 October
  
• Weekends throughout

​​​​​​​If you're a member and have not received an email with your High Holy Days ticket link, please contact info@emanuel.org.au or call (02) 9389 6444

GIVE GENEROUSLY THESE HIGH HOLY DAYS

According to Jewish tradition, this is the season of tzedakah, righteous giving.  We are grateful to each of you who supports us through your membership, your presence, your engagement, and by contributing to our Kol Nidrei Appeal with your tax-deductible gift to the Emanuel Synagogue Foundation. We have big plans, but we need your help. Your donation, whatever the size, goes a long way to empowering our clergy to continue in their important mission.

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HELP US COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY

While we may choose to fast on Yom Kippur, many others in our wider community do not have that choice. Join Mazon Australia and Emanuel Synagogue in making a meaningful impact by participating in our annual food drive. Paper bags will be available for collection in the courtyard after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services for you to fill with non-perishable groceries for those facing hunger. Bags can be returned to campus by 24 October. Together, let’s ensure no one goes hungry. 

People in a movie theatre wait for the screening of the film 'The Boy' created by Yahav Winner, who was killed following the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, on November 11, 2023.

• Israeli theatres to mark October 7 anniversary with special screenings.
• Election underway for new chief rabbis, after repeated delays.
• Jewish Federations allocates $43 million in emergency aid for northern residents.
• Starlink stations arrive in Israel for embattled north.
• Conversations About Israel will resume after the High Holy Days on Monday, 14 October. In the meantime, you can catch up on previous editions here, on emanuelplus.
  
  
  

3RD OF TISHREI
Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1-52
Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Joel 2:15-27 | Shabbat Shuva (with Ha'azinu)
Candle Lighting (Friday): 5.42 pm
Havdalah (Saturday): 6.19 pm

FRI 4 OCTOBER

Shabbat Live 

+ HSC BLESSING

6.15 pm | Millie Phillips Sanctuary
Watch live on emanuelplus here

Masorti Shabbat service

+ HSC BLESSING
6.15 pm | The Neuweg

SAT 5 OCTOBER

Masorti Shabbat service 
9.00 am | Millie Phillips Sanctuary

Progressive Shabbat Ssrvice 
10.00 am | The Neuweg
Bar Mitzvah of Oliver Leis

 
Kid's Shabbat service 
10.15 am | Education Centre

Bar Mitzvah of Oliver Leis
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HA’AZINU
RABBI SAM ZWARENSTEIN

Throughout the Tanach (the Bible), there are a number of recognised songs or poems. Two of those directly involving Moses - Shirat HaYam and Shirat Ha’azinu - represent bookends of our ancestors’ journey through the wilderness, from just after the Exodus from Egypt through to just before entering the Promised Land.

Continue reading

We extend our heartfelt 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. This week, we mourn the tragic loss of the six hostages whose bodies were discovered at the weekend.

PASSED AWAY IN THE PAST 30 DAYS

Milly Goldman, John Goodman, Claire Markov, David Wilson, Gerda Hauser, Dov Spiro, Gerald Rosen, Heather Severin, Beatrice Jacobs, Louisa Joseph, Harold Black, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Master Sgt Ori Danino.
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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.
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​​​​​​​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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JUST ANNOUNCED + SELLING FAST:
LIOR LIVE IN CONCERT
Saturday 23 November | 8.00 pm - 10.00 pm

Appearing for one night only, we present critically acclaimed and ARIA Award-winning singer/songwriter Lior exclusively at Emanuel Synagogue. Join us for an extraordinary evening as Lior performs some of our most beloved favourites from his extensive back catalogue and be among the first in the world to hear new songs from his highly anticipated album 'Blue Parade', created with Melbourne-based guitarist/composer Cameron Deyell and produced by Lachlan Carrick.

PROGRAM CHANGES OVER

THE HIGH HOLY DAYS

Please be note that the programs listed below will not be available on the following dates during the High Holy Days season:

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISRAEL: October 7,11 November. 
​​​​​​​ONLINE ONLY: 21, 28 October. 4 November.
PARASHA STUDY: October 2 and 9
SHABBATOT: October 4

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

• 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 – 12.00 pm Wednesdays
• IN THE CIRCLE WITH RABBI MORDECAI – 7.15 pm, monthly on the last Thursday of every month. Upcoming dates: 31 October, 28 November.
• KOL NEFESH – 6.15 pm, Friday 1 November. Service followed by a vegetarian potluck. Dates for 2024: 6 December.
• KOL NEFESH INNER WEST – 15 November, 6.15 pm.
  
  

• ​​​​SHABBATOT – 4.30 pm, monthly on the first Friday of every month. Upcoming dates: 1 November, 6 December – 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
• CHILDREN'S SHABBAT SERVICES – 10.15 am weekly on Saturday

Our Emanuel Woollahra Preschoolers were in luck last week when they ran into our local postman as they mailed their Rosh Hashanah cards. They were delighted to hear about what happens after they drop their special greetings into the box and how they get to their destination. Utterly adorable.

ENROLMENTS OPEN FOR 2025

Emanuel Woollahra Preschool is accepting enrolments for 2025 and Emanuel Synagogue members save 5% on fees. Learn more and sign up today to give your precious little ones the best possible start to their education.

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.
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JOIN US ONLINE
THESE HIGH HOLY DAYS

Distance shouldn't be an obstacle to joining us for the most sacred season in the Jewish calendar: a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Thousands will be with us on campus for services and thanks to the magic of our streaming service emanuelplus, thousands more will be joining us in real time online, where you will have a front-row seat to our Progressive High Holy Days services. Join us for beautiful music, poetry and prayer—no matter which corner of the world you find yourself in. 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Erev Rosh Hashana ​​​​​​​| Live: Wednesday October 2, 6.15 PM AEST

Welcome the Jewish New Year with a vibrant and inclusive service that sets the tone for the new year.

Rosh Hashana Day 1 ​​​​​​​| Live: Thursday, October 3, 9.00 AM AEST

We hear the call of the shofar, enjoy round challah, symbolising the cycle of the year, dip apples in honey and gather in the synagogue to pray and be with community

Rosh Hashana Day 2  ​​​​​​​| Live: Friday, October 4, 12.45 PM AEST

Participate in the richness of our progressive Rosh Hashana services, featuring prayer, music, reflection, and community engagement as we embrace a fresh start.

Kol Nidrei | Live: Friday, October 11, 2024 7.00 PM AEST

Experience one of the most powerful services of the year, ushering in Yom Kippur with deep introspection and what many would describe as 'hauntingly beautiful' melody.

Yom Kippur | Live: Saturday, October 12, 10.00 AM AEST

Join us for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, as we come together for a day of profound reflection, repentance, and renewal. This sacred day invites you to engage deeply in a spiritual journey, culminating in the moving Ne’ilah service.

🍎🍯🐝

Shana Tova U’metukah
May it be a sweet and good year ahead for all of us

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