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Our Services


 

Our service is a lovely mixture of traditional and contemporary, where we try to find a happy medium to suit our congregation. On Friday night we enjoy a lively service mixing traditional and modern tunes. On Shabbat mornings and the first morning of each Festival, as well as both days Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, the Choir accompanies the service, singing classic and new pieces from the repertoire. A delicious and social Kiddush follows each service.

We call to the Torah and allocate other honours during the service to members, guests and visitors marking special occasions. We also hold special services on weekdays including the annual Law Service pictured above.

Our efficient and friendly Gabbai looks after these arrangements, working with the Ministers and Executive. Rabbi Yakov Richter is our expert Torah Reader. We announce and celebrate or commemorate each occasion from the Bimah. The Rabbi gives an informative and engaging sermon each week, and if we are marking a lifecycle event, such as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or Aufruf, he addresses his remarks to the celebration and the family. When we read from two Torah scrolls (Rosh Chodesh and Festivals), one is also carried in the Ladies’ Gallery by a female member of the congregation, to mark a special occasion. Each week the Prayer for the Congregation is read at the end of the service by a female member of the congregation to mark a special occasion. We also invite two women to open the Ark at this time.

 

Times of Service

Please note: all weekday minyanim are currently being confirmed by WhatsApp and only take place when confirmed. To join the Shacharit and/or Mincha groups, please contact the office.

Monday and Thursday mornings 7.00am
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings     7.15am
Rosh Chodesh, Chol HaMoed, Selichot, Minor Fasts 6:45am
Weekday Mincha, confirmed by Whatsapp 1:15pm
Friday and Festival evenings 6.00pm
Shabbat and Festival mornings 8:45am
Shabbat Mincha After Kiddush during the winter (non-daylight saving)
High Holidays Click here to see our calendar

 

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

              

Shabbatot


 

Each year The Great Synagogue has special Shabbatot to honour women, volunteers, HSC students, and pre Bar and Bat Mitzvah students through the Jewish Enrichment Program, among others. There are Shabbatot to mark Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, and others to honour community organisations such as WIZO , the United Israel Appeal and the Jewish Communal Appeal.

Check our calendar for dates of these special shabbatot.

Service Times

Friday Night Recordings

Recordings of some of the tunes we use on Friday Night, by Rabbi Phil Kaplan. For transliterations of the prayers, please click here

Yedid Nefesh
Mizmor L'David
Shiru La'doshem
V'shamru

 

Tue, 19 March 2024 9 Adar II 5784