Rabbi Yitzchok Austin
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Upcoming Services
London Shabbat Times
Parsha resources here.
High Holy Days message from Rabbi Yitzchok Austin
What differentiates Rosh Hashanah from the other festivals is the shofar. On every festival we recite special prayers and read Torah portions relevant to the day, but only on Rosh Hashanah do we blow the shofar. The sounding of the ram’s horn is a simple, unmelodic sound, yet it expresses our inner core and our connection to G-d.
The blowing of the shofar consists of three distinct sounds: Tekiah, Shevarim and Teruah. The Tekiah is a long, single note; it is a call to order and stability. Next the Shevarim — three separate notes — represents our human brokenness and shortcomings. Then the Teruah — nine short notes — conveys a sense of urgency and a call to action.
We can understand these different sounds representing various emotions on a personal and communal level.
This year has been challenging both in the wider community, with antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment, and within our own community, with the difficulties we are facing. But you, the members of the community, have listened to the call and risen to the challenge by strengthening everything we are doing to keep Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue thriving.
At the end of each set of notes we blow the Tekiah again — to show we are confident that the year ahead will be positive and successful.
Together with my wife and family, I wish you a sweet and healthy New Year.
Rabbi Yitzchok Austin
What differentiates Rosh Hashanah from the other festivals is the shofar. On every festival we recite special prayers and read Torah portions relevant to the day, but only on Rosh Hashanah do we blow the shofar. The sounding of the ram’s horn is a simple, unmelodic sound, yet it expresses our inner core and our connection to G-d.
The blowing of the shofar consists of three distinct sounds: Tekiah, Shevarim and Teruah. The Tekiah is a long, single note; it is a call to order and stability. Next the Shevarim — three separate notes — represents our human brokenness and shortcomings. Then the Teruah — nine short notes — conveys a sense of urgency and a call to action.
We can understand these different sounds representing various emotions on a personal and communal level.
This year has been challenging both in the wider community, with antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment, and within our own community, with the difficulties we are facing. But you, the members of the community, have listened to the call and risen to the challenge by strengthening everything we are doing to keep Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue thriving.
At the end of each set of notes we blow the Tekiah again — to show we are confident that the year ahead will be positive and successful.
Together with my wife and family, I wish you a sweet and healthy New Year.
Rabbi Yitzchok Austin
Melaveh Malka 10/01/26
Melaveh Malka 29/11/25
Melaveh Malka 15/02/25
Melaveh Malka 18/01/25
Melaveh Malka 21/12/24
Melaveh Malka 13/01/24
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Melaveh Malka 04/11/23
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Melaveh Malka 10/12/22
Melaveh Malka 12/11/22
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Melaveh Malka 16/10/21
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Interior Layout for Distancing
Havdalah with Rev Menasche
Rev Menasche and Chazzan Steve at the Pre-Rosh Hashanah Kumzitz