For a short week, it sure has been a big one.
Starting on Saturday, we were overjoyed at the news of the four rescued hostages, Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv, who were finally reunited with their loved ones.
Then, on the public holiday Monday, we were ecstatic to share that Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio has become the first female rabbi to receive a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the Jewish community, and to interfaith organisations. Announced as part of the King's Birthday 2024 Honours List, the news comes as anticipation builds for Rabbi Ninio's Silver Jubilee in September, when we will celebrate this extraordinary woman's quarter century of service, impact and leadership. Event details coming soon.
Watch Rabbi Ninio on SBS World News here, and leave her your messages of congratulations on Facebook and Instagram, or if you're not on social media, you're welcome to send a note to info@emanuel.org.au. We have already received hundreds of them and more and more are still streaming in—a testament to how beloved Rabbi Ninio is well beyond the Emanuel Synagogue community, and a lovely reminder of how lucky we are to have her.
By Tuesday we were all excited to celebrate Shavuot. Thank you for joining us for services, including the induction of our new board members— welcome aboard Yael Bradbury and Luc Marshall-Weinberg—and Tikkun Leil Shavuot.
As you have heard by now, at the weekend, Rabbi Ninio left urgently for Adelaide to attend to a family emergency. Unfortunately, this has made it difficult for Rabbi Ninio to celebrate her important achievement and it meant that she had to withdraw from our Shavuot program. We are keeping in regular contact with Rabbi Ninio and she wanted to share the following with our community—
I have been so overwhelmed by the messages and beautiful words so many of you have shared about my OAM. It is such an honour to receive and I am grateful for our community and all you have done to support me over the years. I am looking forward to celebrating together in September. On another note, some of you may have heard that my mum is very unwell and I’m in Adelaide now to be with her. She is receiving the most excellent care for which we are very thankful. I am sorry I will not be with you all for a little while. I wish you chag sameach and look forward to being together again soon.
We hope to hear good news soon and look forward to welcoming her back.
Coming up in a week from today is Rabbi Mordecai's highly anticipated interfaith communal Shabbat dinner. Please join us for an evening of connection and insightful conversation over a delicious dinner lovingly prepared by Nora's Kitchen. We will be revealing the special guests during the week. Spots are filling fast; please register ASAP so you don't miss out.
As the crisis in Israel continues, please join or renew your membership with ARZA Australia and Mercaz Masorti, two organisations dedicated to safeguarding our progressive values at the World Zionist Congress in Israel.
And, the wellbeing of our community locally is just as important. With the end of the financial year fast approaching, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our EOFY Appeal to ensure that we can continue to support you with services, pastoral care, the diverse, impactful programs you know and love, and so much more. Every contribution counts. Donate here.
This Shabbat, we pray for healing for the rescued hostages and their families, and we make a special prayer for Rabbi Ninio's mother's full recovery.
Shabbat shalom.
