Volume 31 Issue 25 19 Aug 2022 22 Av 5782

From the Acting Principal

Margaret Lowe – Deputy Principal

ZFA Biennial Jewish Educators’ Conference

On Sunday and Monday our Hebrew, Jewish Life and Jewish Studies staff attended the annual ZFA Educators Conference in Melbourne along with Tany Milner (Head of Primary) and David New, President of the School Board. Over 400 were in attendance at the 65 sessions offered over the two day period. Some of our teachers presented: Terry Aizen (Director of Kornmehl Centre Emanuel Pre-school) and Alex Levy (Educator Leader) presented their action research project: What does it mean to be Jewish?; Rebecca Gaida (Jewish Studies and Hebrew Teacher) shared her knowledge of Israeli sign language and Hagit Bar-On (Head of Hebrew K-6) spoke about School challenges in times of COVID.

Following the Conference, three international presenters travelled to Sydney and met with Jewish Life staff and High School students:

  • Rabbi Mike Moskowitz, an Ultra-Orthodox trans-ally and LGBTQI+ advocate 
  • Rabba Wendy Amsellem, a rabbinical teacher at Yeshivat Marahat
  • Noam Weissman, Executive Vice President of OpenDor Media, an organisation which educates, entertains and engages a global audience of millions by producing and distributing Jewish and Israel content.

Athon

Every year the Primary School students take part in an Athon – a fun day of activities around a specific theme, with a fundraising element. This year, the International-Athon saw teams of students, led by Year 5, each representing a different country, participate in a quiz of fun facts about countries around the world. Students were encouraged to wear a colour or item of clothing that represented their country. Funds raised support exciting, new projects and initiatives for the Primary School, with every dollar raised generously matched by the JCA. 

Thank you to the canteen for providing international specials of the day, including vegan Italian spaghetti bolognaise and Japanese sushi. 

Thank you to Stacey Rosenfeld, Katie Narunsky, Nicole Esra, Josh Aghion and Hayley Chester who expertly organised the International-Athon.

Alexi Bader Futsal Cup

Meir House Madrichim, Eden Grynberg and Tori Shapiro, with the Alexi Bader Futsal Cup and Ms Lowe

The inaugural Alexi Bader Inter-House Futsal Cup competition was held in 2020, commemorating Lexi who tragically passed away in November 2019. Lexi was a passionate sportsman and the Cup has become a way for us to honour his memory. 

The round robin event, which is run each year by the Sport Va’ad (Committee), sees teams from Years 7-12 compete in Tutor groups. 

Mazal tov to the Year group winners and to Meir House – the overall winner. 

  • Year 7 – Szenes
  • Year 8 – Rashi 
  • Year 9 – Meir 
  • Year 10 – Meir 
  • Year 11 – Meir
  • Year 12 – Meir 

HSC Drama Showcase

A huge mazal tov to Samantha Bauer, Head of Drama and her Year 12 class for their inspired performances at the HSC Drama Showcase on Wednesday night. The performances were of an exceptionally high standard with some of the pieces written by the students themselves. 

Father’s Day Breakfast

Year 10 Food Technology students treated their fathers to a delectable brunch on Thursday morning. The shakshuka and corn fritters were devoured, with the buttermilk pancakes and freshly baked muffins rounding off the morning. Kol HaKavod to Lara Ephron and Claudia Bloom as well as the student chefs and servers for a very memorable morning.

Tikkun Olam

Last year Emanuel staff took part in the STEPtember challenge, walking a combined 2 million+ steps and raising over $1,000 for people living with Cerebral Palsy. They’ve taken up the challenge again this year and are hoping to raise an additional $1,000 for the cause.

If you would like to support the team and at the same time help those who live with Cerebral Palsy, please click here. I thank the Sport Department, in particular Ariel Schonberger, for co-ordinating the Emanuel staff team and I look forward to sharing our progress with you.

Mazal tov

Our Junior boys relay team placed 3rd at ASISSA. 

Quote of the week

“In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.” Dalai Lama