Welcome officially to 2025! Following a landmark year for our community and the Emanuel Synagogue family in particular—watch Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins' 2024 reflections here—we are cooking up some super exciting offerings for 2025. Stay glued to Instagram and Facebook to be the first to know.
Speaking of cooking, have you made Michael Rantissi's churros with salted caramel sauce yet? Pro tip: Make a double or triple batch if you plan on sharing. The fun segment is streaming now exclusively on emanuelplus, along with a stack of other great content, including music, talks, and movies. Emanuel Synagogue members have complimentary access to the platform, and non-members are invited to subscribe here.
This Shabbat, we pray that 2025 may bring forth the safe release of the hostages and a peaceful end to the war, once and for all.
Shabbat shalom.
Singer Valerie Hamaty performs at the ACUM Awards ceremony for Hebrew Song near Tel Aviv, Sept. 7, 2022.
Celebrating the 8th anniversary of Sharri Markson and Chaz Heitner, who were married by Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio in 2017. See more magical moments here.
VAYECHI RABBI SAM ZWARENSTEIN
As Jacob nears the end of his life, he is given a number of opportunities to bid farewell to his loved ones and bestow his personal blessings upon them. When Joseph brings his own two sons, Menasheh and Ephraim to their grandfather, Jacob reflects on his journey and the blessings bestowed upon him.
He recalls; “El Shaddai, who appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, blessed me - and said to me, ‘I will make you fertile and numerous, making of you a community of peoples; and I will assign his land to your offspring to come for an everlasting possession’. Now, your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, shall be mine; Ephraim and Menasheh shall be mine no less than Reuven and Shimon.” (Genesis 48:3-5).
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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SHLOSHIM Fiona Lamont, Elizabeth Segal. SHLOSHIM Eidth Hausvik, Merle Myers, Howard Hoffman, Peter Bower, Dmitri Mitnoveski, Stephen Baruch, Salome Simon.
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.
Enrolments for 2025 are filling up fast at Emanuel Woollahra Preschool. Secure your child’s place today and give give your precious little ones the best possible start to their education.
AGES 2 to 3 – Waitlist only AGES 3 to 4 –Final spots AGES 4 to 5 – Final spots
Emanuel Synagogue members receive an exclusive 5% discount on fees.
Learn more and enrol below or call (02) 9363 1809 to discuss your options.
Emanuel Synagogue members have free access to our streaming platform, emanuelplus. Please contactinfo@emanuel.org.au if you need help getting started. .
Beloved Sydney chef Michael Rantissi, renowned for changing the way the city eats with his ever-popular Kepos St Kitchen and now Salma's, makes a special appearance on emanuelplus to share his special recipe for Chanukah churros with Emanuel Synagogue's Programing Director Marina Capponi.
In the Picture | Ralph Heimans AM in Conversation with David Gonski AC Filmed for one night only at Emanuel Synagogue, this exclusive interview between Ralph Heimans AM, one of the world’s most celebrated portrait artists, and his fellow synagogue member, the distinguished David Gonski AC, explores the artistry, inspiration, and storytelling that define Ralph’s exceptional career.
2024 marked 80 years since the destruction of the Jewish communities of Rhodes and the Dodecanese islands, a poignant chapter in Greek Jewish history marked by both tragedy and heroism. Join us for a commemorative live reading of Torn Apart By War, Vic Alhadeff’s powerful play inspired by his father’s harrowing Holocaust journey from Rhodes.
People of the Books | Nadine J Cohen Hosted by Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio, Join Sydney-based writer Nadine J. Cohen as she explores her dazzling debut novel, Everyone and Everything, in this thought-provoking and humorous conversation. Known for her work across media and literature, Nadine offers a tender and wry look at grief, family, and identity.
People of the Books | Diane Armstrong Award-winning novelist and child Holocaust survivor Diane Armstrong takes centre stage in this compelling instalment of People of the Books. With seven acclaimed works spanning memoirs and novels, Diane’s storytelling reflects resilience, history, and the human spirit. Her newest book, The Wild Date Palm, is a gripping tale of espionage, passion, and sacrifice set in the Middle East during World War I, inspired by an astonishing true story.
Gabriella Mordecai | Kaleidoscope Take a sneak peek at Shabbat Live fixture Gabriella Mordecai’s stunning debut album, A Place I Never Knew, with this heartfelt melody: Kaleidoscope.
