This week finds us ushering in the month of Elul with the sounding of the shofar (pictured: Rabbi Kamins at Emanuel Woollahra Preschool), and anticipation mounts for the High Holy Days. This year, especially, it will be so meaningful for our beautiful community to come together at this most sacred time. Emanuel Synagogue members have been sent the link to secure their tickets. If you didn't receive yours, please contact us to ensure your membership is current: phone 9389 6444 or email info@emanuel.org.au. Find the full HHD program here.
This Shbbat afternoon, we welcome parents and their little one to our ShabbaTot and Kef Kids programs. This evening's services will be offered as normal and tomorrow morning, the Progressive service will be on hiatus for one week. We welcome you to our Masorti service, at which we will be joined by special guest Dr Zvi Perry, a senior surgeon at Soroka Medical Center in BeerSheva—the hospital that took care of most of the wounded after the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7th.
On the other side of this Shabbat is Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio's highly anticipated silver jubilee (Sunday 8 September, 2-5 pm). Don't miss this momentous celebration, 25 years in the making. Final seats have just been released—hurry here to secure one—or stream live on emanuelplus here if you're out of town on Sunday. If you are in a position to, please consider making a donation with your registration to empower Rabbi Ninio to continue her important work.
In the lead-up to High Holy Days, we have some wonderful programs that celebrate our rich culture and history. Both are selling fast, so hurry to book—
15 SEP – Remembering Rhodes: Torn Apart by War play reading and music – 80 years since the Holocaust in Greece – Consul General of Greece in attendance
25 SEP – In the Picture: world-renowned portrait artist Ralph Heimans in conversation with David Gonski – Talk and exhibition of some of Ralph's most iconic works
We have opened a waitlist for the sold-out Shabbat Dinner with Jillian Segal & Rabbi Kamins on 25 October—join here to snap up one of the last spots when we release a very small allocation of tickets a little closer to the date.
This Shabbat, the heartbreak we feel for the loss of the six murdered hostages is unfathomable. May the memories of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 27 be a blessing and may their families and our community find healing.
As we mourn the devastating loss of these six precious lives, we must hold each other close and draw strength from our unity. The regularity of such tragic developments during this unrelenting crisis is taking its toll on every one of us. We want to remind you that you’re not alone. Join our services, participate in our programs and reach out to our rabbis—email pastoralcare@emanuel.org.au to be connected.
Shabbat shalom.
