Sonia Newell – Development Officer

Life has its challenges

The Tree of Life Synagogue, Pittsburgh mass shooting last Shabbat morning horrifies us all and reminds us that life is precious and as Jews and human beings, we must never ever forget that.  We remember all those who were murdered or injured that morning, in a crime of hate, just because they are Jewish. May their memories be a blessing to all. How blessed are we here at the School to have our own PSG, with members who are not only current parents and grandparents but also past parents, who help keep us all safe.

Without sounding too philosophical, I want to share with you some very different life-challenges in our wider community here in Sydney. Life takes many different paths and for some people it is the most amazing journey, filled with health and happiness all the way. For others, adversity is part of that journey and it can be embraced and challenged in so many different ways.

Many members of our School community have done just that – they have embraced challenges and turned them into the most amazing achievements, and some of them are happy to share their journeys with the wider community – one such person is alumnus Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008). Ben started Remember September four years ago to honour his father Danny who died aged 63 from pancreatic cancer, less than a year after diagnosis, and also his cousin who died from the same cancer 12 months earlier at the age of 32.  This year they raised $44,000 and over the past four years Ben and his friends and supporters, many of whom are also Emanuel alumni, have raised over $170,000 towards awareness and funding of research to find a cure for this dreadful cancer.  http://rememberseptember.gofundraise.com.au/ 

Families who have children with disabilities now have access to many and varied programs that support some of their children’s needs.  Friendship Circle is one such program and many of our School community volunteer for their holiday camps and other ongoing projects.  Coming up soon is their TOY Drive to benefit children with disabilities in local schools and the children’s hospital: www.sydneyfriendshipcircle.org.au/toydrive and on 25 November is their Wrapping Party for children in Years 3-6, with parents. They also need High School students to volunteer at this event. Please see posters here for more details.

Josie Lacey OAM, one of our Emanuel grandmothers, has written a book An Inevitable Path: A Memoir, which will be launched on Sunday 25 November through the Community Stories project of the Sydney Jewish Museum.  In her book, Josie gives a first-hand insight into her experiences of antisemitism both in occupied Europe and in Australia as a ‘reffo’.  Bookings for this event are essential: Ph 9360 7999.

If you have news to share, please be in touch: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au