We can barely believe it's been a year since we last gathered for the High Holy Days, and, tomorrow evening, they will be upon us once more. Join us from 8.00 pm for the soulful, musical Selichot service that will set the tone for this sacred period. We will sing our favourite melodies of the season and receive poetic offerings from our clergy. Your ruach and hearty participation will set us on the right path for the days to come.
In the dedicated High Holy Days section below, you will find details of this year's offering, including special programs for families, kids, teens, and, for the first time, a dedicated offering for people in their 20s and early 30s. Another first is our two services on Erev Rosh Hashanah. 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 our office on 02 9389 6444, or email info@emanuel.org.au. Our office will be open right up until Rosh Hashanah; see below for closure dates over the HHD period.
If you're not a member and still want to experience HHD at Emanuel Synagogue, you can't go past our Kol Nidrei Renewal service on Friday 11 October, 7 pm, which is open to all (book here), or tune in to the live streams on emanuelplus (free for all members).
This week, we took a short break from our High Holy Days preparations for a history-making evening with celebrated portrait artist—and cherished Emanuel Synagogue member—Ralph Heimans AM. In conversation with David Gonski AC, against the backdrop of some of Ralph's most iconic works—including HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ben Kingsley—displayed beautifully in the Millie Phillips Gallery, a packed audience was treated to sparkling, insightful and inspiring stories of art, life, identity and everything in between. This was the last time these masterworks will be exhibited together as they are now on their way to private collections and galleries all over the world. A heartfelt thank you to Ralph Heimans and his wife, Tami, for their generosity and willingness to share this remarkable gift with us. Over the next few days, keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for some photos of the evening, and on emanuelplus, where we will be releasing a recording of the talk.
In other uplifting news this week, our dear Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio OAM was officially presented with a Medal of the Order of Australia by the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC at Governement House. Back in June, Rabbi Ninio became the first female rabbi to receive this designation, announced as part of the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List, which she earned for her service to the Jewish community, and to interfaith organisations. See some gorgeous photos from the day here. Mazal tov, Rabbi Ninio. We are so proud.
As a special pre-sacred season surprise, we're delighted to announce our last major cultural program for 2024—or the first for 5785: Lior Live at Emanuel Synagogue on Saturday 23 November. Lior will be accompanied by string quartet, Nomad, and if demand for tickets at his last concert with us is any indication, this is going to be a sell-out. Aside from some of our old faves, Lior will be treating us to songs from his brand new album, making us among the first in the world to hear them live. Book ASAP here.
As we find ourselves in the season of tzedakah (righteous giving), we invite you to contribute to our Kol Nidrei Appeal with a tax-deductible gift to the Emanuel Synagogue Foundation. Your generous donation will empower our clergy to continue their important work, and ensure that we can continue to present such powerful cultural offerings like the ones we've all enjoyed this year, now and into the future. Whatever the size, every contribution counts—thank you for your continued support.
This Shabbat, we pray for the return of the hostages so that they may finally find peace and be reunited with their families in time for these most holy of days. May the new year bring with it the end of the war and start of the healing for our people.
Shabbat shalom and shanah tova
