What to Expect
As part of My First Journeys, this programme at Chesed-El Synagogue invites you to explore key Jewish birth ceremonies, such as Brit Milah, Pidyon Haben, and Bar Mitzvah, each symbolising important milestones in a Jewish child’s life. Brit Milah, the circumcision ceremony performed on the eighth day, marks the covenant between the Jewish people and God. Pidyon Haben, the Redemption of the Firstborn, is a ceremony held on the 30th day of a boy’s life to dedicate him to God. Finally, the Bar Mitzvah is a significant rite of passage that takes place when a Jewish boy turns 13, signifying his full responsibilities within the Jewish faith.
These ceremonies reflect the rich tapestry of faith, tradition, and community that defines Jewish life, guiding children as they grow into their roles within the faith. Participants will gain insights into how these ceremonies are celebrated, the deeper meanings behind each, and the values they instill in both individuals and the community. The session will also offer a Q&A opportunity, allowing for further reflection on how these traditions are integrated into Jewish life, celebrating the journey of birth and new beginnings.
About My Prayers and Practices
Every F1 season, we will see 10 religious leaders standing along the racing track to bless the road. We can typically identify the leaders of our own faith but there are religions in Singapore which are less heard of, though they are celebrated by some of our local communities. As a multicultural melting pot, many religious communities have taken root and established their practices on our little red dot.
From the Jains and Zoroastrians to the Jews and Orthodox Christians, we hope that participants can join us on a soul-nourishing journey to the places of worship of the major religions in Singapore and learn about their birth, coming-of-age, marriage and death prayers and practices. We hope that such tours will enable us to explore and negotiate our own sense of self and appreciate our religious diversity in Singapore.
Through these tours, we hope participants have a deeper understanding of race, religion and social cohesion. We hope you will gain multiple perspectives and connect your own stories of multicultural and multireligious heritage with those of others. Through facilitated dialogues with the religious leaders, we hope to provide opportunities for participants to engage site hosts in candid and heartfelt conversations.
About the Organisation
The Chesed-El Synagogue, established in 1905, is a significant landmark in Singapore’s Jewish community. Its name, meaning "Mercy of God," reflects its role as a center of worship, community, and cultural life for Jewish people in Singapore. Built by the wealthy philanthropist Sir Manasseh Meyer, the synagogue was created to accommodate the growing Jewish population, particularly following the influx of Jewish immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The synagogue, located at Oxley Rise, was designed to serve both Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities, helping bridge divisions between the two groups in the practice of Jewish rituals. In recognition of its historical and cultural significance, Chesed-El Synagogue was gazetted as a national monument in 1988.
Today, Chesed-El remains an active place of worship and community gathering, offering services and events for Jews of various backgrounds. It continues to play a central role in preserving Jewish heritage and fostering unity within Singapore’s Jewish population.
Meet Your HostRabbi Nissim Zawady’s journey through Judaism has taken him around the world, from his hometown in Colombia to Israel, Greece, and now Singapore. His path has been shaped by the warmth and generosity of the Jewish communities he has encountered, and Singapore has proven to be no exception. It is this spirit of kindness and solidarity that continually inspires him and motivates his work.
Rabbi Nissim serves as the Rabbi of Chesed-El Synagogue, where he dedicates much of his time to building and nurturing a sense of community. In addition to his duties at the synagogue, he has been volunteering with the Chevra Kadisha in Singapore for five years. This sacred role, caring for the deceased and ensuring their final rites are honored with respect, holds deep significance for Rabbi Nissim. Despite the emotional challenges, especially when encountering familiar faces, his unwavering commitment to kindness and service drives him to continue fulfilling this important responsibility.
Through his work, Rabbi Nissim embodies the values of compassion, service, and respect for tradition, making a lasting impact on the Jewish community in Singapore.
Who should come?
- Everyone is welcome to participate! Participants 12 years and under must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian at all times.
Programme Details
- Approximate Duration: 2 hours (Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour for registration)
- Language: English
- Meeting Point: Meet at the Entrance of Chesed-El Synagogue (2 Oxley Rise, Singapore 238693)
- Ending Point: The event will start and end at the same point.
- The events will proceed rain or shine.
What to bring?
- Participants should be dressed respectfully in smart casual (i.e. collared shirt, long pants and covered shoes). Sleeveless attire, shorts/miniskirts or sandals are strictly not allowed. Participants will be denied entry if they dress inappropriately.
- Participants should bring along an umbrella and a bottle of water.
- Please ensure that you bring along any personal medication. Asthmatic individuals are reminded to bring their inhaler.
Other important information
- Parking is not available in the Synagogue. Nearest public parking is available at One Oxley Rise Parking or Singapore Shopping Centre.
- The venue is not wheelchair friendly.
- Photography is allowed during the event.
Disclaimer
- All ticket sales are final. There will be no refund if you wish to cancel your tickets.
- Each ticket admits only one participant.
- By agreeing to participate in the tour, every participant will be responsible for any injury, loss of damage due to careIessness of other actions on his/her part or that of children under his/her charge.
- Participants must abide by the house rules set out by the host. Facilitators will brief participants at the start of the programme.
- Videos and photographs may also be taken during the event. By registering for this event, you give My Community full rights to use the photos for marketing and publicity.
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- Follow us at @mycommunitysg on Instagram and @myqueenstown on Facebook.
- Visit mycommunity.org.sg to learn about our initiatives.
- Visit mycommunityfestival.sg for all our latest updates.
