Since last Friday, we have been on tenterhooks, standing by as small groups of hostages are returned to the loving arms of their families, eagerly awaiting to read the name of our adopted Ella Elyakim among them. Well, early this week, our prayers were answered when Ella and her sister Dafna were reunited with their mother Maayan (pictured). Thank you for joining us in praying for their healing and the return of the remaining hostages.
The arrival of December marks the final editions of some of our most popular programs and services for another year—don’t miss ShabbaTot this afternoon, Shabbat Live on Friday 8 December, and Kol Nefesh on Friday 15 December—and, of course, the start of Chanukah (7-15 December). Families with children aged 0-10 should register for our special pre-Shabbat Chanukah event on Friday 8 December, where we'll sing songs, play dreidl games, and make Chanukah-themed arts and crafts before indulging in a light dinner and the irresistable seasonal doughnuts. Save your spot.
As we prepare to celebrate the annual festival of light, we pray that happier times for our people reveal themselves soon.
Join our President Grant McCorquodale and Executive Director Kate Shkurko by signing the pledge to #endhate and eliminate antisemitism—share these posts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Hear from the families of the hostages and victims of the 7 October attacks, who are visiting Sydney, on the Bring Them Home event on Sunday 3 December at the Bring Them Home event.
ShabbaTot 4.30 pm | Education Space Masorti Shabbat Service 6.15 pm | The Neuweg Shabbat Live 6.15 pm | Millie Phillips Building WATCH LIVE HERE
SAT 2 DECEMBER
Masorti Shabbat Service 9.00 am | Heritage Sanctuary Bat Mitzvah of Zoe Laurence Baby Naming of Yuval Shir Turkia Borowski Baby Naming of Leni Papandreas Progressive Shabbat Service 10.00 am | The Neuweg Bar Mitzvah of Jake Huberman Children's Services 10.15 am | Education space
VAYETZEI 5784
RABBI SAM ZWARENSTEIN
The Da’at Z’kainim (a compilation of 13th and 14th century writings) explains that the night before Jacob’s confrontation with Esau, Jacob was left by himself. It further elaborates that Jacob’s children behaved inconsiderately in leaving their father by himself; they should have remained with him (even though Jacob had instructed them to go). From this we learn that it is incumbent on us to ensure that we remember to accompany others.
Baby Naming of Yuval Shir Turkia Borowski (Masorti) Baby Naming of Leni Papandreas (Masorti) Bar Mitzvah of Jake Huberman (Progressive) Bat Mitzvah of Nina Whitcombe (Mincha)
We extend our sincerest 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.
SHIVA Edith White, Arlette Rousseau.
SHLOSHIM Michael Golding, David Grant Close, Ethel Davis, Rabbi Dr Israel Francus, Rabbi Dr Avram Holtz.
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISRAEL 10.00 am | Monday 4 December, online and in person | Millie Philips Sanctuary Rabbi Kaiserblueth returns after a week off with an in-depth discussion about how the hostage exchange came to be and the impact of these negotiations moving forward.
MORNING MINYAN7.30 am | Online Mon–Wed, Fri | In person Thursdays
SHABBATOT4.30 pm | In person, Friday 1 December – must register here This will be the last ShabbaTot for the year – don't miss it.
ANNUAL CHANUKAH FAMILY PARTY 4.30 pm | Friday 8 December – must register here Families with children aged 0-10 are invited to sing songs, play dreidl games, and make Chanukah-themed arts and crafts before indulging in a light dinner and delicious doughnuts.
KOL NEFESH SHABBAT SERVICE 6.15 pm | Friday 15 December This will be the last Kol Nefesh for the year. Come for the service, bring a vegetarian dish and stick around for the pot luck. Co-presented with Netzer.
MACHANE EMANUEL: SUMMER HOLIDAYS DAY CAMP, AGES 5-12 22-25 January, 9.00 am – 4.00 pm each day | Emanuel Synagogue campus
Machane Emanuel is an education and vacation-care program, running on weekdays during school holidays. Students will learn and play in a dynamic, welcoming environment. As well as time for free-play, socialising and community-building, they will engage in Jewish-themed activities including cooking, drama, music, storytelling, arts and crafts, and more. Spaces filling fast.
RAINBOW THREADS AND QUEER ELDERS AND COMMUNITY LUNCH Wed 13 December, 10:30 am - 4:00 pm | Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Limited
Join us for a special weaving workshop where our LGBTQIA+SB First Nations and Jewish communities come together to honour our shared values of inclusion, love, and resilience. This workshop will be run by Auntie Kerrie Kenton.
WEBINAR: SUPPORTING CHILDREN IN TIME OF CRISIS, SESSION 2 Monday 4 December, 7.30 pm | Zoom
Join Wolper Jewish Hospital and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies for an discussion packed with practical strategies to help our children and adolescents cope, providing invaluable guidance for parents, grandparents, and caregivers.
Access live-streamed services alongside an ever-expanding library of talks, performances, music, musicals, and more—anytime, from anywhere in the world. Emanuel Synagogue members can followthese easy instructionsto access their free account, and non-members are invited to sign up below. We look forward to seeing you online.
