Bringing yom tov to you
'Given the challenging times that we are all facing, we aim to reinvigorate the way in which we all come together and experience our Judaism'.
WITH many unable to attend synagogue services this year, Sydney’s rabbis have united in an effort to bring the High Holy Days to people’s homes.
The brainchild of Maroubra Synagogue’s Rabbi Yossi Friedman, “Together Never Apart – Connecting Sydney Jewry” will see High Holy Day packs distributed before Rosh Hashanah by shules to over 5000 families. The initiative has the support of most synagogues in addition to JCA, UIA, JNF and the Shabbat Project.
“Given the challenging times that we are all facing, we aim to reinvigorate the way in which we all come together and experience our Judaism,” Rabbi Friedman said.
16 Sydney Rabbi’s have joined together and have this message for you. This united initiative was created to bring the Sydney Jewish community together during this unique time due to Covid 19. Follow our page to keep up to date with what we have in store for our community as we are #togetherneverapart during these High Holy Days. Thanks to JNF Australia, United Israel Appeal Australia, JCA & The Shabbat Project Sydney.
פורסם על ידי Together Never Apart ב- יום רביעי, 2 בספטמבר 2020
In lieu of attending a Yizkor service, at noon on Yom Kippur people are also encouraged – wherever they are – to observe a moment of silence.
“Through the packs, we aim to empower our families to ‘keep it from home’ and through the ‘moment’, we hope to connect all Jews with a united and meaningful moment in time in which to remember our loved ones,” Rabbi Friedman said. “The support these initiatives have received from my rabbinic colleagues and from all elements across our community has been overwhelming.”
Another initiative, Project Shofar, is being spearheaded by Jewish House to ensure “every Jew who is so inclined can hear the shofar”.
“We’ve always had a focus on trying to bring the festivals to those who are isolated,” Jewish House CEO Rabbi Mendel Kastel said.
“This year there’s obviously a lot more people that won’t be able to go to shule, either because they are older or vulnerable, or there are no spots. So therefore we’re looking to head out to include them in the festivities.”
Members of the community can register online to have the shofar blown outside their homes, to volunteer or can buy their own shofar.
Government guidelines mandate no more than 100 people per service, for there to be no singing, and young children and the elderly are encouraged not to attend. It is recommended services do not exceed 90 minutes.
Hatzolah president Rabbi Mendy Litzman said in a video earlier this week that it’s important to follow all government regulations.
Noting that he has seen several younger people who had been affected, he said, “It’s a really terrible disease. We have to take it very seriously.”
Following positive cases at Double Bay Public School and Coles in St Ives last Friday, three cases were confirmed earlier this week at Reddam Early Learning Centre in Lindfield.
Register to hear, blow or buy a shofar: www.jewishhouse.org.au/shofar.
comments