Celebrating the High Holy Days in the shadow of October 7 has been complicated to navigate for many of us. The abundance of joy and love that filled our sanctuaries over Rosh Hashanah was all the more special given what we've endured, and the commemorations that took place over the long weekend demonstrated what a close-knit community we truly are. This video, which screened to over 12,000 people at the Zionist Council of NSW and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies' event on Monday, contains many special moments at Emanuel Synagogue—thank you for being with us over the last 12 months.
This evening, we will gather again for one of the most significant days in our calendar. Yom Kippur is a time for us to be together, to reflect on the year that has passed and consider how we wish to walk in the world in the year ahead. We take stock of our lives and are guided by the beauty of our traditional texts and melodies. Find all the ways you can participate in our programs and services here and in the dedicated High Holy Days section below.
Members planning on joining us on campus, please make sure you have your tickets ready and everyone joining us online; please ensure you've activated and tested your emanuelplus account before Yom Kippur—find easy instructions here—then access the live-streamed services here.
Over the next couple of months, some of our regular offerings will be disrupted by High Holy Days and other campus activity. Shabbat Live is on hiatus and will return on Friday 1 November, Conversations About Israel will have an irregular schedule (refer to the Regular Programs section below for details), and children's Shabbat services will not be running on 19 and 26 October. Yesod, however, returns this week. And, please note our office closures below,
With all the High Holy Days buzz, you may have missed our announcement of Lior Live in concert at Emanuel Synagogue next month, with special guests Nomad. Tickets are selling fast, especially the best seats in the house. Secure yours here while you can.
We're already busy making big plans for next year, but we need your support: donate to our annual Kol Nidrei Appeal to help us bring our vision to life and allow our clergy to continue their important work. Please give generously here.
As we marked 365 days since the start of the war, the hostages and their families remain firmly in our hearts. Together, let's pray for the urgent return of the hostages, the establishment of a lasting peace, the healing of every soul touched by this tragedy, and a secure future for our people in the land of Israel.
Thank you for choosing to spend this most sacred season with us.
Gmar hatimah tova v’ tzom kal
We invite you to join us in our beautiful synagogue for a transformative spiritual experience. Our High Holy Days services offer a meaningful opportunity to connect with Jewish traditions, engage in heartfelt prayer, and come together as a community with programs and services designed for all members of our community, including tots, kids and teens and 20-somethings.
Our Yom Kippur program is especially rich and includes study sessions that cover topics including Messianism and Judaism from ancient times to ours, Reflections on a year of mourning, and In the image of God – between judgement and compassion. Plus, dedicated deep dives for teens and 20-somethings, child-minding for tots and loads of activities for the kids, including the Saturday morning children's service, which will be run by Rabbi Ninio.
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 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 (as normal)
While we will be making every effort to check messages periodically, in the unfortunate event of a death in the family, please contact Sydney Chevra Kadisha for burials (9363 2488) and Walter Carter for cremations (9389 3499).
GIVE GENEROUSLY THESE HIGH HOLY DAYS
In this, the season of tzedakah (righteous giving), we invite you to donate to our Kol Nidrei Appeal. Your support empowers our clergy to continue their important work in unting our community with engaging, diverse and inclusive spiritual, educational and cultural programs, and safeguarding our progressive Jewish values. We have big plans for the future—you can help us realise them.
Join Mazon Australia and Emanuel Synagogue in making a meaningful impact by participating in our annual food drive. Collect a paper bag from the courtyard after Yom Kippur services and return it to campus full of non-perishable groceries by 24 October. Together, let’s ensure no one goes hungry.
Recently I had the opportunity to study a deep and profound teaching from Rabbi Berezovsky, the last Slonimer Rebbe, who passed away around 24 years ago. In this teaching, the Slonimer focuses on a verse from the book of Deuteronomy: ‘And now, Israel, what does the LORD require of you, but to fear the LORD, to walk in all God’s ways, and to love God.’ (Deuteronomy 10:12)
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.
SHIVA
Noah Brieger, Mark Kanevsky.
PASSED AWAY IN THE PAST 30 DAYS
Milly Goldman, John Goodman, Claire Markov, David Wilson, Gerda Hauser.
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.
SELLING FAST: LIOR LIVE IN CONCERT Saturday 23 November | Doors open 8.00 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.
Please note that during the High Holy Days season, Conversations About Israel will not be available on 11 November and will be online only on 21 and 28 October, and 4 November.
To join us online, Click here and use the following details to access the stream: Meeting ID: 863 4677 4488, Passcode: 887067.
The EWP Bush Kinder Nature Program is deeply embedded in the Emanuel Woollahra Preschool program. The benefits of spending frequent, uninterrupted time in nature, supported by enthusiastic educators, brings nature into the hearts and minds of our preschool children.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
