Andrew Watt – Principal

Oh what a night!

Last week over 600 B’yachad Boxes were enthusiastically packed, ready to be delivered to each family that had registered for the biggest and brightest event of the year – Emanuel B’yachad. The hustle and bustle of 50 parent Ambassadors filling their car boots with boxes in the pouring rain, ready to be delivered to families all around Sydney, was a sight to behold! Many brought their human and furry children to help with the deliveries. From Hornsby to Lane Cove, Dover Heights to Little Bay, our community found themselves dazzled by bright sunnies and pomegranate mocktails. I’m sure the small but substantial treats were rather popular with the younger members of the household too. 

Fatigue or not fatigue – that is the question

We had never run an online Capital Appeal event and at times were concerned that ‘Zoom fatigue’ would affect the night’s success. Our amazing community had other ideas though and over 1,000 people tuned in to Emanuel B’yachad on Sunday night! Thanks to the easing of COVID restrictions, some families chose to participate together while others made it a family-only affair to remember. 

The story with a happy ending

The story of the 2021 Capital Appeal began pre-COVID and our plans to bring the community together were ambitious and exciting. Fast forward to mid 2021 and these plans suddenly became an impossible dream. Not to be deterred, the team rose to the challenge and in true Emanuel style, adapted quickly and efficiently. I have lost count of the number of meetings held, calls made and emails received about Emanuel B’yachad and I am deeply grateful to all those who spent countless hours planning for its success. 

The Big Book of Dad Humour

Click on the image to watch the Capital Appeal campaign video – time: 3mins 35 sec

I’m sure you’ll agree that the students were the stars of Sunday night. Particular mention must go to our Head Madrichim – Sofia Berkovic, Myles Cohn, Micah Esra and Vicky Miller – who played their roles as MCs with such confidence and poise. They even laughed at my jokes – some of which I admit came from The Big Book of Dad Humour (and can only be found on my bookcase). Our campaign video was inspiring and our students, parents, grandparents and staff shared some very special memories.

If you would like to relive these heartwarming moments, and hear Leo saying: “Come together to create our bright future” please click on the TV button. Leo certainly does have cuteness overload!

Our roots go deep

There were so many fantastic parts to Emanuel B’yachad, but most memorable for me was the group performance of Ha’Shorashim – The Roots. Whilst the lyrics and composition were developed in the short time when were together at school this year, we were faced with the challenge of converting this moving Anthem to an online format while all choir members were learning at home. I commend the Music Department on their determination and expertise to combine the vocals of the many school choir members who sent in their virtual recordings of the song. The Marketing Department then skillfully combined the vocals and composition with the visuals to create a new School Anthem that will survive the ages. I look forward to the day when we are all back at school and able to once again sing Ha’Shorashim, together. 

I would like to share the lyrics of the song with you – their meaning and intent are so powerful and made even more special by the fact that our students and staff played such a key role in the Anthem’s development.

Ha’Shorashim ~ The Roots

Written by Alice Chance in collaboration with Liat Granot, Myles Cohn, Ezra Hersch, Guy Rein, Jordan Stein, and Morah Ruth Harvey

In this place
On the hill
We stand, faces lifted to the sun

From this place
On the hill
We gaze ahead to all that’s yet to come

This Gadigal soil on which we gather
Is rich with story, scarred but beginning to heal (mm ma’so’ret, chesed)

It’s here our voices come together
Join with all those echoes filling the air still
Here on the hill (ma’so’ret, chesed)

Just like a tree
The roots go deep
They feed the branches
Brighten the leaves

So too for me
My roots go deep
They teach me love
They let me dream

Oh, ha’shorashim shelanu amukim
Hem not’nim chayim la’a’na’fim
Anachnu not’nim kavod
la’ma’so’ret,
Mi’dor le’dor anachnu g’delim

As we grow, we reach towards the light
As we dream, we become all that we might

Translation of Hebrew verse (not sung)

Oh, these roots of ours go deep
They feed our branches
We give respect to tradition/that which is
passed on
From generation to generation, we grow

Gratitude

The success of Emanuel B’yachad was the result of many people working together, towards the same goal. You would have noticed the rolling credits at the end of the night continued for over two minutes and listed over 500 names – that’s right – over 500 people who contributed to the resounding success of the evening.

I would like to particularly mention those who played a pivotal role in the development, management and organisation of Emanuel B’yachad:

• Our Capital Appeal Committee comprising Grant McCorquodale, Adam Blackman, David New, Marla Bozic, Lisa Pillemer, Mario Torresan, Michelle Favero, Sharon Philippsohn and Isabelle Anne
• Our Co-Presidents of the P&F Ruby Berkovic and Jen Opit who were key to the success of Emanuel B’yachad
• The Marketing and Music Departments, in particular Kira Friedman and Diana Springford
• The over 50 committed parent Ambassadors who I hope will continue to share their commitment to and love of our School.

Our bright future is in your hands

We have been overwhelmed by supportive emails, text messages and calls from near and far. One of my favourites is from Reina, Year 4

Hello Mrs Milner,

I just wanted to say thank you so much for organising the B’yachad event. I really loved watching the videos of Ha’Shorashim and of what our new Adler building will look like. I really hope that we end up raising the money for the new building. I thought that you would like to know that in SRC this year we were discussing what would be a good contribution to the Adler building and I feel that you used lots of ideas in it and I can’t wait to be eventually learning there next year… Your pupil, Reina

Our community is central to the School’s success and that of our Capital Appeal. If you would like to make a donation (no matter how large or small), please visit our website or email capitalappeal@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au. Together we can create our bright future.

A second chance

If you would like to revisit Emanuel B’yachad in your own time, or share it with friends and family, you can do so at anytime by clicking on the play button below. 

Quote of the week

“We are not merely building a new building – it’s far more than that. This campaign is our opportunity to leave a legacy to our children and our children’s children. Please join us as we take this important step to create a bright future for our students, our school and our community.” ~ Grant McCorquodale and Adam Blackman, Co-Chairs, 2021 Capital Appeal