Sonia Newell – Development Officer

Where there’s a will there’s a way

There was such excitement around the campus on Monday morning as Grandparents and Special Friends started arriving for our wonderful 2019 Primary Grandparents Day. As we all know, our campus is not designed for the less mobile members of our community but with planning and determination, even those less mobile find a way to visit us and that is exactly how one of our grandparents was able to spend the morning here with his granddaughter. Soloman Marczak, known as Sam to all his friends and family, is grandfather of Year 1 student Eden Marczak. Chatting with Sam, who is ninety-six and a half years old – he told me the “half” is very important, is not very mobile but can get out and about in a wheelchair with assistance. He was over the moon to have this opportunity to spend precious time with Eden during the morning, something they will both lovingly cherish for a long time. Sam has other family members here at school too – Jemma Lopis, one of our Hebrew teachers (currently on maternity leave) is also one of Sam’s 9 grandchildren and her daughters, Jessica in Year 2 and Dalia in Year K are two of Sam’s eleven great grandchildren. Sam, a Holocaust survivor, was born into a large Jewish family in Poland from a long and distinguished line of Rabbis and Cantors on his mother’s side. Just like so many European Jews endured terrible times during WW2, many of Sam’s family were amongst the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis in the various concentration camps. Sam survived time in Buchenwald and Thereisenstadt where, at the age of 20, he was eventually liberated. His story is one so familiar to many of us, whose families thank God found their way to Australia after the War, to a new life and family along with wonderful opportunities allowing them to continue a “free” life as practicing Jews in this democratic country of ours. 

Eden Marczak and grandfather Sam

Michael Kitchener, now a current parent and Leon Goltsman, one of the first students in 1983 – both are members of the Class of 1990

Back to Emanuel School

Close to 100 alumni, past parents and staff joined us on Wednesday evening despite the inclement weather, for our Back to Emanuel School event – an opportunity to reconnect. The ground floor of our Innovation Building was transformed into an inviting open space to showcase class photographs from the start of the School in 1983 to 2018. Our Year 11 Hospitality students, together with their teacher Ms Lara Ephron, prepared and served an amazing light supper whilst our impressive Green Man Band, one of our senior jazz bands, entertained us all. Six of our High School Madrichim led campus tours with our guests in awe of how the School has changed since they were here – for some it was 20 plus years ago!  More details and photos next week.

Remember September 2019

There is still time for our community to help alumnus Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008) who, together with family and friends, is raising awareness and funds for the fight to cure pancreatic cancer: https://rememberseptember.gofundraise.com.au/

Food Glorious Food – “Friday Night” and “The Family Meal”

As Rosh HaShanah fast approaches, recipes circulate around our extended community as we seek out the ‘best’ honey cake recipes and other Yom Tov favourites. One of our parents, Susie Rosen, started a Facebook Group some time ago, called Friday Night which now has over 6000 members – not only here in Sydney but all around the world, sharing their favourite recipes as everyone does Friday Night a little differently. The recipes and photos shared on this closed page are so inspiring – perhaps you are already a member but, if not, request to join if food is important in your life! It is an amazing resource – a great way to share your own favourite recipes and/or find some new ones, including vegetarian and vegan dishes. 

Our wonderful P&F will be launching a very special Cook Book, titled “The Family Meal” as part of their 2019 fundraising efforts to help support Emanuel School. It is a collaboration of Emanuel community members, culminating in around 200 recipes and a selection of beautiful photographs by our photographer extraordinaire, Ofer Levy. Stay tuned as pre-orders for this amazing book will be available soon.

If you have photos and/or news to share, please send to: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au