Our friend from Ukraine, Anna Stepanenko, is a certified Hebrew teacher.
If you are looking to improve your Hebrew skills, whatever your level, do let us know !
The classes will be one-on-one or in a group, depending on the number of participants. For more details, contact us and we will forward the contact information. 
Update – Future Events
Dear friends,
Due to the current security situation the timings of our services and events will be sent via our newsletter and WhatsApp channel only. Please get in touch if you don’t get them or want to join our community at a forthcoming event via email or Messenger. We will not give up and we will continue to build a strong, vibrant and forward-looking Jewish community in Luxembourg!
Am Israel Chai!
En raison de la situation de sécurité actuelle, les horaires de nos offices et événements seront envoyés uniquement via notre newsletter et notre canal WhatsApp. N’hésitez pas à nous contacter si vous ne les recevez pas ou si vous souhaitez rejoindre notre communauté lors d’un prochain événement par email ou via Messenger. Nous n’abandonnerons pas et nous continuerons à construire une communauté juive forte, dynamique et tournée vers l’avenir au Luxembourg !
Am Israel Chai !
This Week in Our Community
Wednesday, 25 October, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Lehrhaus – Rabbi’s Course
Saturday, 28 October, 10:30-12:00 (synagogue, no zoom)
Shabbat Morning Service
Torah Weekly Portion
Lech L’cha
לָךְ-לְךָ
Go Forth
Genesis 12:1−17:27
Summary
Abram, Sarai, and Lot go to Canaan. (12:1-9)
Famine takes them to Egypt, where Abram identifies Sarai as his sister in order to save his life. (12:10-20)
Abram and Lot separate. Lot is taken captive, and Abram rescues him. (13:1-14:24)
Abram has a son, Ishmael, with his Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. (16:1-16)
God establishes a covenant with Abram. The sign of this covenant is circumcision on the eighth day following a male baby’s birth. (17:1-27)
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/lech-lcha
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16
Update – This week
TUESDAY/MARDI 10 OCTOBRE
Rassemblement de solidarité avec Israël / Show of solidarity with Israel
18h30 – place Clairefontaine (Luxembourg-Ville)
CANCELLED / ANNULÉ Wednesday, 11 October, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Lehrhaus – Rabbi’s Course
Saturday, 14 October, 10:30-12:00 (synagogue, no zoom)
Shabbat Morning Service followed by a ceremony for the fallen Israelis at place de la synagogue: Please attend our service in numbers. There will be a stronger police presence.
CANCELLED / ANNULÉ Sunday, 15 October, 10:30-12:30 (synagogue)
Talmud Torah (education for kids) – First Session
Les institutions juives du Luxembourg et tous les amis d’Israël appellent à un rassemblement de solidarité avec Israël et les Israéliens, frappés au cœur même de leur pays par le terrorisme du Hamas.
Ce 7 octobre 2023 est un jour noir pour les Israéliens, et pour l’humanité entière. Un pas a été franchi, avec le massacre de civils juifs d’une dimension et d’une cruauté qu’on n’avait plus vécues depuis la chute du nazisme.
Nous nous recueillerons, et penserons aussi à toutes ces personnes prises en otage et retenues à Gaza, exposées à la barbarie du Hamas.
Rendez-vous Place Clairefontaine à Luxembourg
le mardi, 10 octobre 2023 à 18h30.
Merci d’avance de votre présence.
This Week in Our Community
Wednesday, 11 October, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Lehrhaus – Rabbi’s Course
Saturday, 14 October, 10:30-12:00
Shabbat Morning Service
Sunday, 15 October, 10:30-12:30 (synagogue)
Talmud Torah (education for kids) – First Session
Torah Weekly Portion
B’reishit
בְּרֵאשִׁית
In the Beginning
Genesis 1:1−6:8
Summary
God creates the world and everything in it in six days and rests on the seventh. (1:1-2:3)
Adam and Eve are placed in the Garden of Eden, where they eat the forbidden fruit and are subsequently exiled. (2:15-3:24)
Adam and Eve have two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain kills his brother, Abel. (4:1-24)
Adam and Eve have another child named Seth. The Torah lists the ten generations from Adam to Noah. (4:25-5:32)
God regrets having created human beings and decides to destroy everything on earth, but Noah finds favor with God. (6:5-6:8)
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/breishit
Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10 [historic: I Samuel 20:18-20:42]
This Week in Our Community
Friday, 6 October, 19:00-20:30 (synagogue & zoom)
Simchat Torah Evening Service & Potluck Dinner
Torah Weekly Portion
Sh’mini Atzeret – Simchat Torah
שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת – שִׂמחַת תוֹרָה
8th Day of Assembly
Deuteronomy
33:1–34:12, Genesis 1:1–2:3
Summary
On Simchat Torah, the day on which we literally celebrate the Torah, we read the very end of Deuteronomy and the very beginning of Genesis. In the final verses of Torah, we read Moses’ blessing of the Israelites, offered before the prophet dies. Moses then ascends Mount Nebo, from which he sees the Promised Land and takes his final breath. God buries Moses and we are told there will never be another prophet like him. From this passage, we immediately begin our new cycle of Torah reading with the story of creation from the beginning of Genesis. And we create a new year of studying Torah. While each year we return to the same verses, it is we who are different. With each passing year, we grow and change, celebrate and mourn. And it is as if we are reading these sacred words for the very first time.
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/shmini-atzeret-simchat-torah
Haftarah: Joshua 1:1-18
This Week in Our Community
Sunday, 24 September, 19:00-21:00 (synagogue & zoom)
Kol Nidre
Monday, 25 September
Yom Kippur Day
10:00 – 13:00 Morning Service
13:30 – 15:00 Study Session
16:30 – 18:00 Mincha
18:00 – 18:30 Yizkor
18:30 – 20:18 Neila
20:18 End of Kippur/Anbeiss
Saturday, 30 September, 10:30-12:00 (synagogue & zoom)
Sukkot Day Service & Potluck Lunch
Torah Weekly Portion
Yom Kippur
יוֹם כִּיפּוּר
Deuteronomy 29:9–14, 30:11–20 (Morning)
Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18, 32-37 (Afternoon)
Summary
Yom Kippur morning (a selection from Parashat Nitzavim Deuteronomy 29-9-14; 30-1-20): Moses addresses the assembled people, reminding them that each of them is a member of the covenant. God’s instructions are neither too difficult to learn nor too cumbersome to follow. Regardless of our profession and roles in the community, the Torah belongs to all of us. Finally, we are exhorted to “choose life,” to love God, to walk in God’s ways, and to keep God’s commandments. By doing so, we open our hearts to God and to each other.
Yom Kippur afternoon (a selection from Parashat K’doshim Leviticus 19-18, 32-37 or Genesis 50:14-26 and Leviticus 16:29-34): In the climactic chapter of the Book of Leviticus, we read that each of us can be holy. Each of us has the capacity to bring holiness into our lives and into the lives of those around us. Every act, great or small, can bring us closer to the sacred. We are instructed to leave something from our fields for the poor and for the stranger. We are told, “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind.” We are reminded that we were once strangers in the Land of Egypt and so we must love the stranger. The way to a life of holiness is by sanctifying each moment of our lives.
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/yom-kippur
Haftarah: Isaiah 58:1-14 and Micah 20:7:18
Yom Rishon shel Sukkot
יוֹם רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל סֻכֹּת
1st Day of Sukkot
Leviticus 23:33-44
Summary
In these verses, we are instructed to observe the festival of Sukkot for seven days. The first of the seven days is a sacred day, one on which we refrain from work. Our ancestors brought sacrifices to the Temple on each of the days and lived in a booth. Why would we be expected to dwell in a fragile booth, exposed to the elements? Perhaps it is so that we do not take our possessions for granted. Anyone who has experienced a hurricane or a fire in their home knows just how fragile our dwellings really are. We are told of the lulav and the etrog and we are commanded to rejoice on each of the seven days. How wonderful to be commanded to celebrate!
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/yom-rishon-shel-sukkot
Haftarah: Zechariah 14:7-9, 16-21 [historic: Zechariah 14:1-21]; The Book of Ecclesiastes is Read
This Week in Our Community
Wednesday, 20 September, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Lehrhaus – Rabbi’s Course
Friday, 22 September, 19:00-20:30
Kabbalat Shabbat Shuvah
Sunday, 24 September, 11:00
Memorial Service at the Esch Cemetery
Sunday, 24 September, 19:00-21:00
Kol Nidre
Monday, 25 September
Yom Kippur Day
10:00 – 13:00 Morning Service
13:30 – 15:00 Study Session
16:30 – 18:00 Mincha
18:00 – 18:30 Yizkor
18:30 – 20:18 Neila
20:18 End of Kippur/Anbeiss
IMPORTANT – High Holidays Access / accès aux grandes fêtes
Français ci-dessous
Dear members,
Please remember that only members who have paid their fees for the year 5784 or bought a holiday ticket can enter our building for the High holidays. As every year we will be checking people at the door, for security reasons and only those who have registered will be able to participate. Further details as well as the exact times Yom Kippur can be found below. You may also get in touch via email.
We thank you for your understanding and wish you a very sweet and happy New Year! A gut gebentsht Jor!
Cher(e)s membres,
Nous vous rappelons que seuls les membres qui ont payé leur cotisation pour l’année 5784 ou qui ont acheté un droit d’entrée de non-membre peuvent entrer dans notre bâtiment pour les Grandes Fêtes. Comme chaque année, nous contrôlerons les personnes à l’entrée, pour des raisons de sécurité, et seules les personnes inscrites pourront participer. De plus amples informations ainsi que les horaires exacts de Yom Kippur sont disponibles ci-dessous. Vous pouvez également nous contacter par email.
Nous vous remercions de votre compréhension et vous souhaitons une très belle et heureuse année ! A gut gebentsht Jor !
Torah Weekly Portion
Haazinu
הַאֲזִינוּ
Listen
Deuteronomy 32:1–52
Summary
Moses sings his last song, a love poem to God and a chastisement of the people, who are not worthy of Adonai. (32:1–6)
The poem recounts the blessings that God has bestowed on the Israelites, the wicked deeds they have committed, and the punishments that God then inflicted upon them. (32:7–43)
God tells Moses to begin his ascent of Mount Nebo, from where he will see the Land of Israel from a distance but will not be allowed to enter it. (32:45–52)
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/haazinu
Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27
Yom Kippur
יוֹם כִּיפּוּר
Deuteronomy 29:9–14, 30:11–20 (Morning)
Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18, 32-37 (Afternoon)
Summary
Yom Kippur morning (a selection from Parashat Nitzavim Deuteronomy 29-9-14; 30-1-20): Moses addresses the assembled people, reminding them that each of them is a member of the covenant. God’s instructions are neither too difficult to learn nor too cumbersome to follow. Regardless of our profession and roles in the community, the Torah belongs to all of us. Finally, we are exhorted to “choose life,” to love God, to walk in God’s ways, and to keep God’s commandments. By doing so, we open our hearts to God and to each other.
Yom Kippur afternoon (a selection from Parashat K’doshim Leviticus 19-18, 32-37 or Genesis 50:14-26 and Leviticus 16:29-34): In the climactic chapter of the Book of Leviticus, we read that each of us can be holy. Each of us has the capacity to bring holiness into our lives and into the lives of those around us. Every act, great or small, can bring us closer to the sacred. We are instructed to leave something from our fields for the poor and for the stranger. We are told, “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind.” We are reminded that we were once strangers in the Land of Egypt and so we must love the stranger. The way to a life of holiness is by sanctifying each moment of our lives.
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/yom-kippur
Haftarah: Isaiah 58:1-14 and Micah 20:7:18
This Week in Our Community
Wednesday, 13 September, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Lehrhaus – Rabbi’s Course
Friday, 15 September, 19:00-20:30
Rosh Hashanah Evening Service
Saturday, 16 September, 10:00-12:00
Rosh Hashanah Morning Service followed by Community Luncheon
IMPORTANT – High Holidays Access / accès aux grandes fêtes
Dear members,
The High holidays start next week with Rosh Hashanah followed by Yom Kippur ten days later.
Please remember that only members who have paid their fees for the year 5784 or bought a holiday ticket can enter our building for the High holidays. As every year we will be checking people at the door, for security reasons and only those who have registered will be able to participate. Further details as well as the exact times for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur can be found below. You may also get in touch via mail.
We thank you for your understanding and wish you a very sweet and happy New Year! A gut gebentsht Jor!
Cher(e)s membres,
Les Grandes Fêtes commencent la semaine prochaine avec Rosh Hashanah, suivi de Yom Kippur dix jours plus tard.
Nous vous rappelons que seuls les membres qui ont payé leur cotisation pour l’année 5784 ou qui ont acheté un droit d’entrée de non-membre peuvent entrer dans notre bâtiment pour les Grandes Fêtes. Comme chaque année, nous contrôlerons les personnes à l’entrée, pour des raisons de sécurité, et seules les personnes inscrites pourront participer. De plus amples informations ainsi que les horaires exacts de Rosh Hashanah et de Yom Kippur sont disponibles ci-dessous. Vous pouvez également nous contacter par courriel.
Nous vous remercions de votre compréhension et vous souhaitons une très belle et heureuse année ! A gut gebentsht Jor !
Friday, 15 September, 19:00-20:30
Rosh Hashanah Evening Service
Saturday, 16 September, 10:00-12:00
Rosh Hashanah Morning Service followed by Community Luncheon
Sunday, 24 September, 19:00-21:00
Kol Nidre
Monday, 25 September
Yom Kippur Day
10:00 – 13:00 Morning Service
13:30 – 15:00 Study Session
16:30 – 18:00 Mincha
18:00 – 18:30 Yizkor
18:30 – 20:18 Neila
20:18 End of Kippur/Anbeiss
Torah Weekly Portion
Yom Rishon shel Rosh HaShanah
יוֹם רִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה
1st Day of the New Year
Genesis 22:1-19
Summary
Rosh Hashanah Morning, Day 1 (Genesis 21)
(Many Reform congregations omit this portion, and read Genesis 22 on Rosh Hashanah, Day 1.)
Sarah, who has longed for a child for many years, conceives a child with Abraham and gives birth to Isaac, meaning “one who laughs.” Isaac’s birth fulfills Gods promise that they will bear a son who will grow to be a generation. As Isaac grows into his boyhood, Sarah is conflicted by the presence of her servant Hagar and her son Ishmael that she conceived with Abraham and Hagar is banished from the home. God visits Hagar in the wilderness her, promises that Ishmael will also grow into a great nation, and tenderly provides water for the mother and son. Ishmael grows to adulthood and is married. This portion is a reminder that God’s promises are kept, and God’s compassion extends beyond the tents of our people.
Rosh Hashanah Morning, Day 2 (Genesis 22)
(Many Reform congregations read this portion on Rosh Hashanah, Day 1.)
This portion is commonly known as The Akeidah, or “the binding.” In these terse and tense verses, the subject matter touches upon God, the nature of faith, and the demands faith may make of us. God calls upon Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a supreme test of faith. Abraham, God’s loyal servant, agrees. Just as Abraham is about to offer his son up as a sacrifice, an angel calls out to him, instructing him not to harm the boy, and Abraham sacrifices a ram in place of his son. For the ancient reader this may have served as a rejection of human sacrifice, a practice of ancient Israel’s neighbors. For the modern reader, perhaps one is called upon to consider one’s own tests and sacrifices.
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/yom-rishon-shel-rosh-hashanah
Haftarah: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:10
Yom Sheini shel Rosh HaShanah
יוֹם שֵׁנִי שֶׁל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה
2nd Day of the New Year
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Summary
Rosh Hashanah Morning, Day 1 (Genesis 21)
(Many Reform congregations read this portion on Rosh Hashanah, Day 1.)
This portion is commonly known as The Akeidah, or “the binding.” In these terse and tense verses, the subject matter touches upon God, the nature of faith, and the demands faith may make of us. God calls upon Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a supreme test of faith. Abraham, God’s loyal servant, agrees. Just as Abraham is about to offer his son up as a sacrifice, an angel calls out to him, instructing him not to harm the boy, and Abraham sacrifices a ram in place of his son. For the ancient reader this may have served as a rejection of human sacrifice, a practice of ancient Israel’s neighbors. For the modern reader, perhaps one is called upon to consider one’s own tests and sacrifices. Rosh Hashanah Morning, Day 2 (Genesis 22)
In these verses we see the grand plan for an intricately designed world, where each day builds on the work of the previous day and each day brings new creation. The Bible mentions the number seven more than 500 times. It is on the seventh day that we receive that most sacred of gifts, Shabbat. But we know that the work of creation is not finished. We have only to look at the world around us. We are called upon to work in partnership with God to continue in this sacred task.
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/yom-sheini-shel-rosh-hashanah
Haftarah: Jeremiah 31:2-20
Selichot Service
Saturday, 9 September, 21:00-22:00 – Synagogue and Zoom
Selichot (which literally means “forgiveness”) are penitential prayers recited before and during the High Holidays and other fast days throughout the year. Like other activities during Elul, the month that precedes the High Holidays, they offer an opportunity for personal reflection and to seek forgiveness from those we may have wronged during the year just ending.
Selichot prayers focus on God’s benevolence, compassion, and the “Thirteen Attributes” with which God is said to govern the world. God proclaimed the Thirteen Attributes to Moses following the Golden Calf incident (Exodus 34:6-7), expressing God’s tremendous capacity for forgiveness. These words echo throughout the High Holiday liturgy.
Among Ashkenazi Jews selichot services are held late on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah. Because Shabbat has ended and a new week has begun, this time is considered particularly auspicious for penitential prayers.
Les Selihot (qui signifient littéralement “pardon”) sont des prières pénitentielles récitées avant et pendant les fêtes de fin d’année et d’autres jours de jeûne tout au long de l’année. Comme d’autres activités pendant Eloul, le mois qui précède les Grandes Fêtes, elles sont l’occasion d’une réflexion personnelle et d’une demande de pardon à ceux que nous avons pu léser au cours de l’année qui vient de s’achever.
Les prières de Selihot se concentrent sur la bienveillance et la compassion de Dieu, ainsi que sur les “treize attributs” avec lesquels Dieu est censé gouverner le monde. Dieu a proclamé les treize attributs à Moïse après l’incident du veau d’or (Exode 34, 6-7), exprimant l’immense capacité de pardon de Dieu. Ces mots résonnent tout au long de la liturgie de la Grande Fête.
Chez les juifs ashkénazes, les services de selichot ont lieu tard dans la nuit du samedi à dimanche précédant Roch Hachanah. Le shabbat étant terminé et une nouvelle semaine commençant, cette période est considérée comme particulièrement propice aux prières de pénitence.
This Week in Our Community
Saturday, 9 September, 21:00-22:00 (synagogue & zoom)
Havdalah & Leil Selichot
Jahrzeit:
– Rabbi Charles Lehrmann (23 Elul – 9 Sep)
Torah Weekly Portion
Nitzavim – Vayeilech
נִצָּבִים – וַיֵּלֶךְ
You Stand [This Day] / [Moses] Went
Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20, 31:1–30
Summary
Moses tells the assembled people that God’s covenant speaks to them and to all of the generations who will follow. (29:9–14)
God warns the Israelites that they will be punished if they act idolatrously, the way the inhabitants of the other nations do. (29:15–28)
Moses reassures the people that God will not forsake them and that they can attain blessings by following God’s commandments. (30:1–20)
Moses prepares the people for his death and announces that Joshua will succeed him. (31:1–8)
Moses instructs the priests and the elders regarding the importance of reading the Torah. (31:9–13)
God informs Moses that upon his death, the people will commit idolatry and “many evils and troubles shall befall them.” God tells Moses to teach the people a poem that will “be My witness.” (31:14–30)
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/nitzavim-vayeilech
Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9