Connecting our Community – Gesher
Sonia Newell – Development Officer
An intellectually stimulating Sunday afternoon, followed by an evening of musical delight
Last Sunday afternoon we hosted the first Grandparent Committee event in the Angles Leadership and Learning Centre, with guest speaker Adi Gefen-Adler, UIA Shaliach. ADI is a tour guide by profession, a Captain Reserve in the IDF, married with two young daughters, and specialises in speaking about Israeli history and comparative theology. His chosen topic for our event was Is Jerusalem Holy to Islam? Adi had the audience mesmerised as he gave an in-depth history of Islam, its emergence and significance of its relationship to Jerusalem, all based on facts, not emotions or hear-say.
The audience of around 40 people for this amazing session included not only grandparents but also current and past parents as well as other interested members of the wider community.
Kathy Passman, Co-president of the Grandparents Committee said: “Adi’s talk was extremely informative and he was able to back up his comments with proof. He’s a very nice and courteous young man and to give up so much of his valuable time for us was greatly appreciated”.
Grandparent John Sweller commented: “Adi gave a fascinating talk on the history of Islam and its relation to Jerusalem. He spoke with infectious vitality as he armed us with knowledge.”
Adi Gefen-Adler with Kathy Passman and Tammy Keller, co-presidents of the Grandparent Committee
Grandparents, Rafi and Ros Shammay with Susan and John Sweller
Some who had attended the afternoon session stayed on for the Senior Chamber Choir and Alumni Concert in the Millie Phillips Theatre in the early evening. What sheer vocal delight for the audience! This was the 2nd of what we hope will be an annual event, where the School’s Senior Chamber Choir and other High School singers, along with alumni, get together to perform. Thank you to Adam Majsay, Director of Studies, and previous Head of Music, who organised this event.
Alumni singers 2017 with Adam Majsay. Back row: Daniel Morton, Jeremy Schneider, Nathan Cohen, Jared Steiner, Sarah Beder, AJ America. Front row: Miriam (Mimi) Greenbaum, Micayla Laurence and Sonia Isaacs
Senior Girls Chamber Choir 2o017
All vocalists in the 2017 Senior Chamber Choir and Alumni Concert – students and alumni, here with Adam Majsay
Primary Grandparents and Friends Day reminder
Please remind grandparents of your Years K-6 children of Primary Grandparents Day on Friday 15 September. See the invitation on the next page and ask them to please RSVP for catering purposes: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au