Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Pesach is just one week away, with first night seder next Saturday evening, 27 March 2021. It can sometimes be difficult to find new and interesting suitable recipes that cater for everyone, and given many people are now vegetarian or vegan, some of you might find this website useful.

Don’t forget ARTHOP 2021 this weekend

This annual Open Studio Weekend event showcases artwork of a number of talented local Jewish artists, including three past Emanuel parents – Ruth Levine (Toby Evans, Class of 2006), Nurit Ophir (Ariel Ophir Verheyden, Head Madrich 2010) and Lia Klugman (Keyla Klugman, Class of 2012). They invite visitors to enjoy diverse art, engaging directly with each artist. This is a free event but artwork is for sale. See here for details about each artist and addresses for viewing. Look out for the orange balloons!  Please note, this is a COVID-safe event. 

The Choice Foundation

Danielle Wakerman (nee Lewis)

Some of our readers may be familiar with The Choice Foundation but many will not. Empowered by JCA, and started in 2018, the Foundation was created to meet the needs of those of us living with disability. Danielle Wakerman, a qualified Social Worker and past Emanuel student is Foundation Manager of The Choice Foundation. She says: “As an alumna of Emanuel School where my attitudes and love for using my voice to support others was founded, I am privileged to manage The Choice Foundation. The Choice Foundation is a funding and support platform which allows for innovative and collaborative programs supporting disability services in our community. Thus far we have funded nine programs which sit within JCA constituent organisations and focus on supporting the needs of those with a disability in the areas of social, educational, respite, housing and vocation. If you know of anyone needing additional support as a result of their disability or their families additional needs, please reach out to me at: danielle@thechoicefoundation.org.au.”

‘A Weekend Away’ is a program that provides young adults living with disabilities, the opportunity to go away for the weekend with volunteers of a similar age, to holiday homes generously donated by people in our community. The program is funded by The Choice Foundation, run by JewishCare, and managed by Emanuel alumna Jade Reuveny (Class of 2018) and Joshua Fischl, a Moriah graduate, aiming to provide 6-10 trips per year. Jade says: “A weekend away with friends is something Josh and I often take for granted and so, we wanted to create a program that works to enable and empower those who are not immediately granted the opportunity to experience a laidback weekend with friends. Our weekends are not jam packed with activities but rather include enjoying a picnic, watching movies and doing arts and craft in a small intimate group of 6-8 people.”

Friendship Circle (FC)

FC is still seeking volunteers for their April Camp (6 April 2021 – 9 April 2021) so if any teen volunteers in Years 7 to 12 are available to help at this 4-day Day Camp during the upcoming school holidays please register here

These camps are a wonderful opportunity for your teenage children to meet new friends, become involved in our community, and make a difference, helping children with a disability. A number of our alumni have continued their volunteering efforts with FC which started when they were students here. Some of these surnames might be familiar to you as most of them were student leaders and they have also returned to School to talk to our senior students about life after school and university/career choices: Gabriel Wolf, Shoshi Blackman, Ashne Amoils, Jade Reuveny, Ella Simons and Simone Nerwich. 

FC Social runs weekend activities for its members who are teenagers and young adults with disabilities, and last Sunday evening, they headed to Pita Mix in Rose Bay for dinner.

Owned by Emanuel past parents, Yuval and Iris Barhom and their son alumnus Niv (Class of 2010), Pita Mix often hosts event for this group, whose members include siblings of Emanuel alumni and the volunteers. Pictured here is volunteer Jade Reuveny (Class of 2018) with FC member Jaimie Lee Pashut (purple hoodie), whose brother is alumnus Chad Pashut (Class of 2008) and cousins are alumna Gemma Beinart (Class of 2016) and her sister Olivia in Year 11. Jade says: “With the fast speed of our lives and the busy times we share on Friendship Circle camps, it’s hard to stop for a moment and have a chat with the young adults with disabilities in the community. FC camps are all about fun while their young adults’ program is all about getting to know each other in a more relaxed and social environment – a win-win!”

Seeking mentors for JewishCare Big Brothers Big Sisters Program

Alumna Dayna Myers (Class of 2010) now working as a Social Worker (Youth Services) at JewishCare, is seeking our help within our school community in their search for mentors in this fabulous program. A number of our alumni have been mentors in the past, including Justin Moddel (Class of 2001) who says: ” After having been a Big Brother myself, I highly recommend becoming a mentor of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to help make a difference in a young person’s life in our community. It will have a great impact on everyone involved”. Please note: mentors must be over 18, with training and ongoing support provided. 

If you have photos and/or news to share, please send to Sonia Newell   

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.