Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni and Community Relations

An Emanuel School History Lesson for the Week

Jonah Symonds and family

Our amazing School opened its doors in February 1983, with just 53 students and by the time the first official school photo was taken later that year, we had 74 students and nine staff members including Linda Zurnamer, now the grandmother of Year K student Stevie Zurnamer and her brother Finn in Kornmehl Pre-School.  A number of students who were part of our first intake in 1983 have had their children as students at the School for some years already.

Joining them this year we welcome Jonah Symonds, great grandson of the late Ted Waxman, Founder and first President of School Board. Jonah’s mother Ilana Symonds (Waxman) and father Adam Symonds are both Emanuel Alumni, Class of 2004 and 1999 respectively. Ilana’s parents, Tracey and Leon Waxman, have been part of this School for what they describe as a lifetime. Their son Asher finished Year 12 in 2009 whist their youngest child, Aliza finished Year 12 in 2012.  Having such love and commitment to the School beyond this time, Leon has continued on as part of our amazing Parent Security Group (PSG) and we hope he will continue to do so for many more years to come. Ilana said: “I feel like I’ve come home! When I used to walk through the school gates as a child, I always felt very safe, happy and so nurtured. It is a wonderful feeling to know Jonah will feel the same in his school experience. It’s so beautiful to look around the grounds and everywhere I see my own memories of my childhood come to life! So incredibly special to relive those happy times through Jonah’s experiences now”.

Tracey said “It is such a privilege to be back at Emanuel School as grandparents. We certainly feel we have come home again!”  You will be able to read more from Tracey and Leon in the next issue of our Bi-annual Grandparents and Friends Newsletter which will be released towards the end of May. All past issues of this newsletter as well as our Alumni newsletters are available online: www.emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au/Gesher

Maya with her mother, Michelle and grandfather, Paul Drexler

Another family with a long association with the School to return this year is the Drexler/Levitt family. Paul Drexler, whose two daughters Julie and Michelle are Emanuel Alumni, is a Holocaust survivor and has donated prizes for High School Speech Night for many years for the Eugen Drexler Memorial Essays. Some of our readers may be familiar with this project which is part of our Year 10 HSIE course. The Eugen Drexler Memorial Prize was first awarded more than 25 years ago to a Year 10 student for proficiency in History. Then in 1998 it became the Eugen Drexler Memorial Prize for Excellence in Holocaust Studies. Some years ago the essays were expanded to include two further subjects to give the Year 10 students a wider choice – not only could they interview a Holocaust survivor, they could instead, interview someone who has immigrated to Australia under adverse circumstances or someone who has made a significant contribution to Jewish Community Life. Paul Drexler has now returned to the School as a grandparent and said: “It is wonderful to see my granddaughter Maya following in my daughter’s footsteps”. Paul’s daughter Michelle (Class of 2000) commented: “It is really great being back at Emanuel and seeing our daughter Maya absolutely love starting Year K. I think it is very unique how the feel of the School hasn’t changed since I graduated despite the School going through so much growth and development.”

2020 has seen many other children of Alumni start as students here at the School – we welcome you all, as we do all new families, and we look forward to sharing some of your stories and photos too.

An Evening at Carnegie Hall

Members of the Sydney Jewish Choral Society Inc at Carnegie Hall

The Sydney Jewish Choral Society Inc performed at Carnegie Hall, New York City on Monday evening 17 February as part of Who are the Brave: Music in Honour of President’s Day. In this group of choristers, the Emanuel School Community was well represented, with current parent Shira Sebban, past parents Avril Janks, Heather Edelstein and Susan Moddel, alumnus Gabriel Sebban (Class of 2018) and grandparent Robyn Manoy amongst the performers. Shira commented all the way from New York: “I’m so excited to be in NYC to join other members of my choir, Sydney Jewish Choral Society, among 250 voices, to perform at Carnegie Hall over President’s Day weekend”. Avril said: “It’s amazing to sing in New York with over 200 others – choirs from all over the USA and Canada”.

70^th Speedo NSW Jewish Swimming Championships

Ryan Miller, Year 2

Mazal tov to members of our extended Emanuel School Community who participated in last Sunday’s Maccabi NSW Jewish Swimming Club Swimming Championships. I look forward to sharing more of the successes of “our” swimmers next week.

Year 2 student Ryan Miller competed for the first time, winning one gold medal and two bronze medals in the 7 Year old races – well done Ryan. 

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