May has arrived and it's gearing up to be a big one. This evening, for instance, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to Shabbat services. From the special edition of Shabbat Live, which will be led by Rabbi Kamins, and the Masorti Shabbat service with Rabbi Kaiserblueth, to the first of Rabbi Mordecai's three Kol Nefesh services for the month—see the Regular Programs section for details on the other two, including the highly anticipated Inner West debut—we will be hard-pressed to pick. And, following services, teens and young adults mustn't miss the first Tisch session following services (more on that below).
As the weekend draws to a close, we will be observing Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). This year, we commemorate 80 years since the Nazi invasion of Hungary. Register here to attend the Memorial Service and Reading of Names at Rookwood Cemetery on Sunday 5 May.
In less than two weeks, on Tuesday 14 May, Rabbi Ninio and author Julia Levitina will kick off our freshly launched series, People of the Books, with a conversation that explores the inspiration for Julia's debut novel, The Girl From Moscow. This event is already proving to be very popular, so book here while you can.
Then, at the end of that week, Rabbi Kamins invites you to join him as he hosts our next communal Shabbat dinner on Friday 17 May. Bookings are now open for all Shabbat dinner for 2024, so if you can't make this one, save your spot for one of the upcoming ones. And, if you're in a position to do so, we encourage you to pay it forward and sponsor a spot for someone in our community who might otherwise miss out.
That same weekend, we are excited to be participating in the Zionist Council of NSW's Yom Ha’atzmaut Festival. Swing by the Emanuel Synagogue stall on Sunday 19 May for giveaways, prizes, free educational resources, snacks, games and the chance to learn about our programs for kids, teens and young adults. Register here.
If that's not enough to get excited about, you won't believe what else we have in store. Keep your eyes peeled next week for a bumper email with everything you can look forward to this month, and stay connected on Instagram and Facebook for some great content, including a poem about our Women's Pesach seder by a very talented congregant, the latest round of Rabbis Around Town and much more.
This Shabbat, we continue to pray for an end to the war, the return of the hostages, safe and inclusive university campuses and healing for our community. May peace come quickly.
Shabbat shalom.
