Coming up

Last week, many of us came together in Canberra for the UPJ Biennial. We were treated to an incredible lineup of speakers and a Kol Nefesh Shabbat service led by Rabbi George Mordecai, with Avishai Conyer and Netzer (pictured). As is tradition, the 2024 UPJ Awards were announced, and Emanuel Synagogue was well-represented. Mazel tov to Ner Tamid Award-recipients Michael Folk and Bob Trijbetz, President's Award-winners David Knoll AM and Jocelyn Robuck, and Avishai Conyer, who was honoured with the inaugural Atid Award, alongside Netzer's Aimee Harris. See the full list here. Our community is so blessed.

Speaking of winners, we have a special announcement of our own to make. Following an unprecedented response to our survey—thank you to the many hundreds of you who participated so openly and generously—we are excited to announce the recipients of our three major prizes.

Drum roll, please...

🥉 LORNA BERGER has won four tickets to a Shabbat dinner of her choice in 2025

🥈 RONNY SCHNAPP has won two platinum tickets to next week's Lior concert

🥇 JACK FRISCH has won a double pass to every single cultural program in 2025

Jack, Ronny and Lorna, we suspect you're about to become very popular. Congratulations and enjoy!

The excitement continues this week as we start the countdown for a few very exciting programs we have been looking forward to for some time. 

• 23 NOV – LIOR LIVE IN CONCERT [SELLING FAST] – BOOK
• 24 NOV – MITZVAH DAY – REGISTER
• 26 NOV – PEOPLE OF THE BOOKS: DIANE ARMSTRONG – BOOK
• 28 NOV – SABBATH QUEEN JIFF SCREENING – BOOK

💡 PRO TIP: If you plan on coming to Lior, book ASAP because we're quickly running out of tickets, and they won't be available at the door.

Tonight, Kol Nefesh Inner West finds a new home in Marrickville—register here to join us—and at home base, we welcome you to Shabbat Live and Masorti services, followed by our last communal Shabbat dinner for the year with Rabbi Kaiserblueth. If you missed out on tickets this time, don't despair; there will be plenty of opportunities to join us in the new year.

On Monday, our Conversations About Israel program rerturns to campus, and Rabbi Kamins will be back with a very special edition. See the Eye on Israel section below to find out more.

Following what unfolded in Amsterdam last weekend, this Shabbat, we extend our prayers to include the safety, security and freedom of Jews everywhere, and, as has been the case for the last 400+ days, we continue to pray for the release of the remaining 101 hostages and their families. 

Shabbat shalom.

Mitzvah Day on Sunday 24 November (10 am - 12 pm) at Emanuel Synagogue is an opportunity to put our Jewish values into practice. This year, you can participate even if you can’t be with us in person. Find out all the ways you can contribute in the leadup and on the day, here.

This year, we are supporting the work of two important organisations. Below is everything you can donate before next Saturday for the packs.

Share the Dignity
shampoo and conditioner
toothpaste
toothbrush (individually wrapped)
body wash and soap
roll-on deodorant
sealed tampons and pads

Plates4Mates
muesli bars
dried fruit
fruit cups
juice boxes (poppers) 
small packets of chips or crackers
other individually packed food items

Filmmaker Tom Nesher, left, and movie star Gal Gadot in Los Angeles
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• Gal Gadot hosts Academy members for screening of Israel’s Oscars choice.
• Tel Aviv marks 400 days since October 7.
  
• 'Limping toward the light: A letter from me in this moment' – an op-ed by Rachel Goldberg-Polin
  
• Grassroots org calls for mending societal rifts as Israel begins its ‘4th quarter’.
• How to make aliyah amid war: Everything you need to know.
• Raise awareness of hostages with a yellow ribbon pin, available on here.
  
  

MONDAY 18 NOVEMBER
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISRAEL SPECIAL PROGRAM

Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins returns for a special instalment of Conversations About Israel: People to People – Peacemaking through Medicine. Rabbi Kamins will be joined by distinguished guest speakers from Project Rozana, a non-governmental organisation, founded in Australia in 2013, that uses health diplomacy to foster peace between communities in conflict. 

Join us in welcoming Mohammad Asideh, Director of Advocacy; Ronit Zimmer, International CEO; and Diana Shehade-Nama, Director of Programming. Together, this diverse Israeli/Palestinian/Australian team embodies the unity and regional awareness at the heart of Project Rozana's mission.

Join us live on emanuelplus here or in person from 10 am.

Kol Nefesh Shabbat Service

 15TH OF CHESHVAN

Torah: Genesis 18:1-22:24
Haftarah: II Kings 4:1-37
Candle Lighting (Friday): 7.18 pm
Havdalah (Saturday): 7.55 pm

FRI 15 NOVEMBER

SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER

Masorti Shabbat Service

6.15 pm | The Neuweg

Shabbat Live
6.15 pm | Millie Phillips Sanctuary
Baby Naming of Nora Salgo
Watch live on emanuelplus here

Inner West Kol Nefesh Shabbat Service & Potluck 

Guest speaker: Daniel Sherrell
6.15 pm | Herb Greedy Hall
Register here

Shabbat Dinner with Rabbi Rafi Kaiserblueth [SOLD OUT]

Masorti Shabbat Service

Guest speaker: Shachar Zahavi
9.00 am | Millie Phillips Sanctuary

Progressive Shabbat Service
10.00 am | Heritage Sanctuary
Bat Mitzvah of Shoshana Patterson

Kid's Shabbat Service 
10.15 am | Education Centre

• Brit Milah of Jake Fraser (Justine & Scott Fraser)
• Baby Naming of Nora Salgo (Hannah Freedman Smith & Darius Salgo)
• Bat Mitzvah of Shoshana Patterson
• Bat Mitzvah of Ella Millner
• Wedding of Josh Polon & Rachel Bamberg
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VAYERA
RABBI JEFFREY KAMINS OAM

Through the stories about Avraham Avinu, our father Abraham, we learn what it means to be called to the covenant of God as taught by our ancestors. We have received this story from our ancestors, told from generation to generation for thousands of years. It is incumbent upon us, as recipients of this story from our ancestors, to make it meaningful for those to whom we transmit it for the generations to come. There is so much to learn from this rich and complex story, our foundational story as Jews. 

In last week’s parasha we learned that Avraham has been called to go to a new land and start a new nation; we have learned from the tradition that this was God’s way of saying that humanity needed guidance and leadership to move beyond its selfish and violent tendencies.

Continue reading

We extend our heartfelt 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.

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SHIVA Jacob (John) Slomovits, Harold William (Bill) Koerber, Jane Simons (Zines), Orietta Sinani, Fryda Mann.
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PASSED AWAY IN THE PAST 30 DAYS Joanne Baskin, David Rockman, Mary Diaz-Martinez, John Gold, Zvi Avraham Kostrinski, Fraser McEwing, Alfred Stricker, Noah Izcovich, Leonard Ivan Lipman, Roger Cherry, Alan Obrart.
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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.
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​​​​​​​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.
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SELLING FAST
LIOR LIVE IN CONCERT

WITH NOMAD STRING QUARTET

+ LARA GOODRIDGE
Saturday 23 November | Doors and bar open from 8.00 pm 

Appearing for one night only, we present critically acclaimed and ARIA Award-winning singer/songwriter Lior, exclusively at Emanuel Synagogue. Join us for an extraordinary evening as Lior performs some of our most beloved favourites and be among the first in the world to hear new songs from his highly anticipated album 'Blue Parade'.

PEOPLE OF THE BOOKS: DIANE ARMSTRONG

AT EMANUEL SYNAGOGUE
Tuesday 26 November | 7.00 - 8.30 pm 

Join us for an unforgettable evening with award-winning author Diane Armstrong. A Holocaust survivor who arrived in Australia in 1948, Diane has captivated readers worldwide with her powerful novels and memoirs that explore resilience, history, and the human spirit. At our next People of the Books event, Diane will dive into her latest epic, Wild Date Palm—a gripping tale of espionage, sacrifice, and survival set in WWI’s Middle East. Bring your copy to be signed or pick one up at the event, and enjoy refreshments from Nora's Kitchen. Spaces are limited, so book now to secure your spot.

SABBATH QUEEN | AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

AT THE JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Thursday 28 November | 6.15 - 8.20 pm

Emanuel Synagogue and New Israel Fund invite you to the Australian premiere of Sabbath Queen at the Jewish International Film Festival. Join us at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick to experience this uplifting documentary surrounded by members of the Emanuel and NIF community.

Daniel Sherrell (Kol Nefesh Inner West guest speaker)

• CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISRAEL – 10.00 am Mondays, on campus and online on emanuelplus – see EYE ON ISRAEL above for details.
• MEDITATION & KABBALAH – 8.30 am Mondays (online) – register
• MORNING MINYAN – 7.30 am online every Monday to Friday and in person on Thursdays.
• ​​​​​SPEAKEASY – 5.00 pm Tuesdays (online)
• PARASHA STUDY – 12.00 pm Wednesdays
• IN THE CIRCLE WITH RABBI MORDECAI – Returning in 2025
• KOL NEFESH – 6.15 pm, Friday 6 December. Service followed by a vegetarian potluck.
• KOL NEFESH INNER WEST – 6.15 pm, Friday 15 November with special guest DANIEL SHERREL, who will speak briefly at the potluck dinner about potential climate policies heading into the next Federal election in honour of Australia's national climate shabbat (organised by the Jewish Climate Network). 
  Daniel Sherrell is a climate and union movement organizer and strategist. He has helped lead campaigns to win a Green New Deal bill for New York State, create good union jobs in renewable energy, and pass America's first federal
  climate legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act. His first book, Warmth: Coming of Age at the End of Our World (Penguin 2021), was named a Best Book of the Year by the New Yorker and Publisher's Weekly, and shortlisted for the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize. His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, the Guardian, the Nation, and the Drift, among other outlets. He currently lives in Sydney, Australia, where he is the Senior Adviser on Climate and Energy to the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Australia's peak body for organized labor. REGISTER HERE
  
  

• SHABBATOT – 4.30 pm, monthly on the first Friday of every month. Upcoming dates: 6 December – Register
• YESOD – 10.00 am Sundays; 4.00 pm Mondays and Tuesdays – Register
• INNER WEST SHIURIM – 3.00 pm first Sundays of the month – Register
• CHILDREN'S SHABBAT SERVICES – 10.15 am weekly on Saturday

ENROLMENTS OPEN FOR 2025

Emanuel Woollahra Preschool is accepting enrolments for 2025 and Emanuel Synagogue members save 5% on fees. Learn more and sign up today to give your precious little ones the best possible start to their education.

Emanuel Synagogue members have free access to our streaming platform, emanuelplus. Please contact info@emanuel.org.au or call us on (02) 9389 6444 if you need help getting started.
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RELIVE THE MAGIC OF

THE HIGH HOLY DAYS

Thousands joined us on campus for services, and thanks to the magic of emanuelplus, thousands more joined us in real-time online. Claim your front-row seat to experience the beautiful music, poetry, and prayer—no matter which corner of the world you find yourself in.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER:

YENTL AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

17 October - 17 November 2024 | Sydney Opera House

Yentl has been hailed as “breathtaking,” “raw and captivating,” “enlightening and entertaining.” This powerful and courageous Jewish play is performed in Yiddish and English with surtitles and is truly “unmissable.” At this time in the Jewish world, Yentl at the Sydney Opera House is a must-see. Secure $80 A-Reserve seats to all Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday performances by using the promo code EMANUEL when booking below.

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 JEWISH ROOTS FESTIVAL
Sun 17 November, 11.00 am | Coogee

Adamama presents the Jewish Roots Festival, a new and vibrant celebration of Jewish culture explored through nature, sustainability, arts, and music. The festival will be filled with activities for individuals looking to deepen their connection with their heritage, community, and the natural world.

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 AND NOW WE KNOW – A TRIBUTE TO LIESJE, THE LITTLE DUTCH GIRL WHO WENT INTO HIDING
Sun 17 November, 2.00 pm | Sydney Jewish Museum

This storytelling event will explore the life of a young Dutch girl, Liesbeth Prins, who was hidden by several brave family in the Netherlands during World War II. She was known affectionately as Liesje.

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FILM SCREENING: 'CIRCUMCISION'

Mon 18 November, 6.30 pm | Ritz Cinemas Randwick

Filmed in first-person POV, Circumcision is a tragicomedy about an agnostic man, whose life is completely falling apart (and whose face we never see), until he comes to believe that his pre-teen son is the Messiah, destined to save the world.

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HONOURING JEWISH REFUGEES FROM ARAB LANDS AND IRAN
Sun 1 December, 7.00 pm | Eastern Suburbs venue

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Sydney Jewish Museum invite the community to the annual commemoration of "Honouring Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands and Iran." This event highlights a vital part of Jewish history, celebrating the stories and contributions of Sephardi and Mizrahi communities within the Jewish diaspora.
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SUPPORT JEWISH INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING
Deadline: Friday 13 December

Kate Vinen, the multi-award-winning filmmaker behind the documentary that features Emanuel Synagogue, The Caretakers (streaming here on emanuelplus),  is set to make her next work and you have the opportunity to help her vision come to life. Set in the dramatic ocean-side Eastern suburbs of Sydney, Flow follows Harper, who wrestles with her identity after losing her ability to have children. Read more about the project and make a tax-deductible donation at the Australian Cultural Fund page below.

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JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
27 October - 22 December | The Ritz, Randwick

The Jewish International Film Festival is the home of the most comprehensive range of Israeli and Jewish-themed films in Australia and New Zealand, presenting an extraordinary line-up of films that reflect the diversity, complexity, and richness of Jewish culture. On now until December. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BEANIE DELIVERY TO ISRAEL

B'nai B'rith has been knitting woollen beanies to provide warmth and comfort to IDF soldiers, but shipping costs remain prohibitive. They are seeking travellers heading to Israel in the coming weeks or months who may be able to assist by bringing beanies as part of their luggage or excess baggage. All expenses will be covered. For more information, please get enquire below.
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