Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni and Community Relations

Emanuel on Demand

We held our first Gesher online speaker series event last Thursday evening, with alumna Hannah Beder (Class of 2012), 2020 NSW Young Woman of the Year. If you missed this inspiring session, here is the link to watch it.

We are planning our next online session for 9 September 2020 – watch this space.

Our talented riders

We have some serious horse-lovers in our School community, both current students and alumni. Several Year 6 students including Phoebe Machlin, Avalon Gold and Kira Levin-Kahn are all keen riders. Phoebe is pictured here with her horse Kismet, who won last year’s end of year championships at Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre. Avalon was awarded 1st place at Shibumi Equestrian Centre for her dressage test, preliminary 1B last weekend. She rides with well-respected coach Rosemary Gough from Moore Park stables, Orangeville, and loves her horse Westlake Grand Affair, whilst Kira is just plain ‘horse mad’.

Phoebe Machlin

Avalon Gold

Kira Levin-Kahn

I recently caught up with alumnus Aarin Regan-Lacey (Class of 2017) better known to friends and family as Ari: “I have always been amazed by horses but never had the opportunity to do anything with them. In August 2019, I changed degrees for a 2nd time with the decision to go into social work and potentially equine-assisted psychotherapy. In September last year, I started learning to ride and, within two months, had bought Cruze an ex-racehorse, with the intention to become a therapy horse down the track as well as some light fun riding. However, as I have always been a perfectionist and always aimed high with my goals it wasn’t long before I decided to start training to ride competitively. In December Cruze injured himself which meant he had to go to the paddock for three months and that is when I bought Xena. She was practically free, straight from the racing world where she didn’t make it, but she has proven to be an incredibly talented young jumper who will take Cruze’s place competing in a few years when he retires. My hopes are set very high for her, she has shown great potential and I think she has the brain and ability to go to a very high level.

“Horses have benefited my life in so many ways especially as a means for mental health treatment and calming practices. They have taught me about anger and vulnerability as well as reflecting my actions back at me as horses are the most honest creatures. I still plan to go into equine-assisted psychotherapy after graduating USYD in 2023”.

Ari Regan-Lacey and Cruze

If you are heading up to the Hunter Valley, you might like to pop in to Running Horses Winery and horse stud in Broke, owned by alumnus Dave Fromberg (Class of 1991).  As a horse breeder and wine grower, together with his partner Melissa Lowe and young family, they enjoy the lifestyle of country living. 

Dave Fromberg

Jez

Jeremy with his twins, Michael and Grace

Last Sunday, Compass featured a documentary about the life of Jeremy Spinak AM (Class of 2000) who sadly died in November 2018 at the age of 36. Jez was commissioned by Jeremy in the months before his passing, to leave a legacy for his children and family. The program is heartwarming, heartbreaking and inspiring. 

Remember that September is only around the corner

Alumnus Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008) and friends would really appreciate any support our School community can give for Remember September in the endeavours to help find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer.  

B’nai B’rith and JNF Jewish Changemaker Awards 2020

Don’t forget nominations are now open for these prestigious awards and can be done online.  Who doesn’t love to recognise the wonderful volunteering efforts of our students and young adults. Anyone can nominate – parents, staff and even the nominees themselves. It would be wonderful to see some of our students and alumni nominated again this year.

Friendship Circle (FC) Walk 2020

Our extended School community has strong connections to FC through a variety of ways – it might be through volunteering efforts and/or having children with special needs who attend the amazing events organised by FC for children and young adults of Sydney with disabilities. FC looks forward to our support for this year’s virtual walk.

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

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.