A message from the Mayor

15 September 2023

On behalf of Waverley Council, I’d like to wish our Jewish community L’Shana Tova Umetuka. This 5784^th Rosh Hashana, we wish you and your families peace, sweetness and a wonderful new year ahead.

Many in our community will be marking the day with a visit to one of the many synagogues in Waverley, before heading home for a feast to celebrate the New Year. They will be drawing close their family and friends, reflecting on the year past and looking ahead.

As the sun sets today, I wish everyone a Rosh Hashana as sweet as the symbolic honey-dipped apple and I hope that time spent with loved ones is joyful. I also wish you all a meaningful Yom Kippur.

We’re home to the second largest Jewish population in Australia, with over 15% of our population identifying as Jewish. The Jewish population have been part of the fabric of our community for over a century, and there are so many stories to be told. Read about some of these on our website: https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/digital_archive/eat_pray_naches_jewish_community_stories.

Council looks forward to working closely with our local Jewish community in supporting its many events and social projects in the coming year.

For example, tomorrow at the Margaret Whitlam Recreation Centre in Waverley Park will see Ayalet HaShachar, an inclusive Jewish music community, gather to welcome in the New Year with joy, music, and connection. The service will be followed by a light and sweet kiddush. Details here: https://events.humanitix.com/ayelet-hashachar-rosh-hashana.