As we prepare for the arrival of Pesach, it is important for us all to lean on one another, to stay true to our Jewish values and to prioritise the healing of our society. We are committed to fostering a culture of understanding, respect, and harmony among all members of our diverse community, and believe that it is through dialogue, empathy, and cooperation that we can overcome hatred and division and build a society where every individual is valued and respected.
We want to remind you that you don’t have to go it alone. Come to our services, join us at our seders, and reach out to our rabbis at pastoralcare@emanuel.org.au.
Since closing registrations for our Pesach seders last night, we have received a few requests for late bookings, so we’re reopening the bookings until 4.00 pm today, Friday 19 April, but we must close them after that to ensure we have your name on the door (security will not be admitting unregistered guests) and that Nora’s Kitchen has enough time to prepare a beautiful dinner for everyone. If you would like to join us, please save your spot via the link below –
Family Seder – BOOK HERE + Register for this afternoon’s Pesach ShabbaTot HERE
We also hope you will be with us at our Pesach services, some of which will also be streamed on emanuelplus. See below for details and please note that on Friday 26 April, we are combining the Progressive and Masorti services to commemorate ANZAC Day. This service will be offered in person only.
As we observe the festival, our office will be closed at times over the next fortnight, as well as on the ANZAC Day public holiday. Please refer to the Pesach section below for details.
In the spirit of the holiday, we are ramping up our Pesach appeal and calling for more donations of non-perishable food items—an excellent use of your chametz—and period products. Every donation goes a long way to bridging the gap for those members of the community who are doing it tough. Thank you for your continued generosity.
In exciting news this week, we are happy to announce the launch of Kol Nefesh in the Inner West on Friday 17 May. Find details under Regular Programs below and please register your attendance here. Rabbi George Mordecai, Young Adult Engagement Coordinator Avishai Conner and Netzer Sydney invite you to this new iteration of the musical, participatory, truly cross-generational Kabbalat Shabbat service you all know and love. As is Kol Nefesh tradition, the service will be followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Bring a plate and bring a friend. In the meantime, please join us for the next Kol Nefesh at Emanuel Synagogue (see some lovely moments from the March edition here) on Friday 3 May.
This Shabbat we pray for healing for our congregation and our wider community. The safe return of the hostages stays firmly front of mind and our desire for peace to come quickly remains unwavering. If you’re not joining us for Pesach, we wish you chag Pesach kasher vesame’ach.
Shabbat shalom.
Join us at Emanuel Synagogue for a celebration of the festival of freedom and liberation. This Pesach, we extend an invitation to participate in services (on campus and online) and Seders, yoga and member-hosted gatherings. Join us in community, music, and reflection as we commemorate this special holiday.
PESACH I – TUE 23 APRIL Masorti service〡9.00 am, Millie Phillips Sanctuary Progressive service〡10.00 am, Neuweg Sanctuary + live on emanuelplus Kids' service〡10.15 am, Education Centre Family Seder (kids 3-8 years)〡5.00 pm, Heritage Hall – register Communal Seder (all ages)〡6.15 pm, Millie Phillips Gallery – register Young Adults Seder (ages 18-30)〡6.45 pm, Education Centre –register
PESACH II – WED 24 APRIL Combined service〡9.00 am Women’s Seder〡6.00 pm, Millie Phillips Gallery – register
PESACH IV – FRI 26 APRIL ANZAC Day Shabbat (in person only)〡6.15 pm, Millie Phillips Sanctuary
PESACH VII – MON 29 APRIL Combined service〡9.00 am, Millie Phillips Sanctuary
PESACH VIII – TUE 30 APRIL Masorti service with Yizkor〡9.00 am, Millie Phillips Sanctuary Embrace service with Yizkor〡10.00 am, Neuweg Sanctuary +live on emanuelplus
OFFICE CLOSURES
We are looking forward to welcoming you on campus for services and seders. Our office, however, will be closed on the following dates. If you need to speak to us about any urgent matters, please contact call us today before 3.00 pm.
Monday 22 April – Closed from 1.00 pm Tuesday 23 April – Closed Wednesday 24 April – Closed Thursday 25 April – Closed (ANZAC Day public holiday) Friday 26 April – Open Monday 29 April – Closed Tuesday 30 April – Closed Wednesday 1 May – Office reopens
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
Walter Carter for cremations – 9389 3499
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SALE OF CHAMETZ
During Pesach, it is not permitted to own any chametz (leavened products). To avoid having to throw or give away the chametz that we may have in our possession, we sell it to a non-Jewish person for the duration of the festival. Often people will authorise a person within the community to sell the chametz on their behalf. Rabbi Kamins has offered to be that authority this Pesach.
Due to Pesach festivities, Conversations About Israel will be returning live on emanuelplus and in person on Monday 6 May at 10.00 am. Until then, catch up on some of our previous sessions here.
12TH OF NISAN Torah: Leviticus 14:1-15:33 Haftarah:Malachi 3:4-24 | Shabbat HaGadol Candle Lighting (Friday): 5:09 pm Havdalah (Saturday): 5:44 pm
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FRI 19 APRIL Jbaby –register here 10.00 am | Neuweg Sanctuary Kef Kids–register here 4.00 pm| Education Centre
Masorti Shabbat Service 9.00 am | Millie Phillips Sanctuary Bat Mitzvah of Topaz Richter Progressive Shabbat Service 10.00 am | Neuweg Sanctuary Bar Mitzvah of Asher Lowenstein
Kid's Shabbat Service 10.15 am | Education Centre
Bat Mitzvah of Topaz Richter (Masorti) Bar Mitzvah of Asher Lowenstein (Progressive)
METZORAH - HAGADOL RABBI JACQUELINE NINIO
This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Hagadol, the Great Shabbat, because it is the one immediately preceding Pesach. It was the time rabbis gave their longest sermons of the year as they prepared their communities for Pesach, reminding them of the rules and laws, the meaning and the rituals of this season. This year the words of preparation are different, this year this seder night is not like every other seder night. This year, we sit down at our seder tables with empty chairs not just for Elijah but for all the hostages, all those who are missing from their family gatherings as they pass six months in captivity. Continue reading
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
Tali Tollman Ninio, Kenneth Zoellner, Alex Zwarenstein, Sason Pilosof.
SHLOSHIM
Robert Radzyner, George Shelley, Sid Juter, Genia Glushankov, Eugene Sirota, Stephen Motbey, David ben Yakov (David Wilson).
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.
NEW PROGRAM: KOL NEFESH INNER WEST 6.15 pm | Friday 17 May
By popular demand, our musical Kabbalat Shabbat service now includes an extra session in the Inner West, in addition to our regular services. Stay tuned for further upcoming dates.
MORNING MINYAN– 7.30 am online every Monday to Friday and in person on Thursdays.Due to Pesach festivities, Morning Minyan will start at 8.00 am on 29 April.
SHABBATOT– 4.30 pm monthly on the first and third Friday. Upcoming dates: 19 April, 3 May, 17 May, 7 June, 21 June–register
KOL NEFESH–6.15 pm, Friday 3 May. Service followed by a vegetarian potluck. Dates for 2024: 31 May, 28 June, 26 July, 30 August, 27 September, 1 November and 6 December.
A popular recent addition La Luna, the enchanting musical by the extraordinary Joanna Weinberg about a Portuguese Jewish philanthropist of the Renaissance Europe-era who helped Jews flee the Spanish Inquisition, we have been fielding requests to make it available for streaming and we have heard your cries. Gather the family around and experience the magic for yourself. Rent or buy at emanuelplus; package includes a special introduction by Joanna and a night with the actors. Enjoy.
This special concert with two of Australia’s finest musical artists. Simon Tedeschi, world-renowned pianist and Eleanor Lyons, international soprano, perform a selection of vocal and instrumental favourites in support of Israel and to raise funds for Magen David Adom (MDA)
We Shout Love with Yemen Blues Time Out Magazine described them as “one of the most exciting bands in world music right now. Presented by the Israeli Embassy, Yemen Blues performs their new show "We Shout Love" - Say No to Racism. Conversations About Israel A window into the heart of Israel: the country, the Jewish people and our culture. Through insightful interviews and lively debates, CAI explores the diverse aspects of Israeli society, culture, and politics.
DONATE NON-PERISHABLES THIS PESACH
This year as we clean out our cupboards and remove the chametz, please think of those who are facing food insecurity and consider donating your non-perishable items to our Pesach appeal, and join us and Mazon in alleviating hunger this Pesach. Find the donation basket in the breezway by the lift.
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FREE TO A GOOD HOME
Next time you're on campus, we invite you to head to the breezeway by the lift and pick up a new treasure from the selection of beautiful books, kippahs, and Haggadot on offer.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: ASYLUM SEEKERS CENTRE
We're looking for more volunteers to service our monthly lunches for the Asylum Seeker Centre (ASC) in Newtown. This involves preparing, serving and cleaning up after the lunches. Contact info@emanuel.org.au to get involved.
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WANTED: READING SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS
We invite people who have as little as one hour a week to spare during school terms, to join this group in making a difference to the lives of young children. No formal skills are required; training and support will be provided. Email socialjustice@emanuel.org.au to participate.
JNF: MEET WORLD-FAMOUS ARTIST RALPH HEIMANS 7-8 May | Canberra
Experience the exceptional work of Emanuel Synagogue member Ralph Heimans AM and engage with the artist himself at the National Portrait Gallery, along with the 'Discover Ancient Egypt' exhibition at the National Museum. The cost of $350 covers transportation, accommodation, breakfast, dinner, and gallery entry. Bookings close on 19 April. Please RSVP to rsvpnsw@jnf.org.au or call 1300 5963 563.
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KOL NEFESH INNER WEST
17 May | Erskineville Town Hall
Kol Nefesh is a musical and participatory Kabbalat Shabbat service full of song, dance and prayer. Please join Netzer and Emanuel as we take this beautiful minyan westwards. A potluck dinner will follow the service so please bring a vegetarian (no fish) dish to share.
Discover effective strategies to support children with anxiety, recognise when it becomes problematic, and develop techniques for fostering empathy and connection to build a strong and healthy bond with your child.
