Andrew Watt – Principal

Who is influencing our young people?

Our young people are bombarded with messages on social media on a daily basis – some positive and constructive, others negative and harmful. Social media influencers, sport stars and TV personalities, for example, can carry a lot of weight. Adolescence can be a vulnerable time, as values and attitudes are formed, which ultimately, will influence their behaviour. Discernment, or wisdom is needed, to examine the values, motives and history of each inspirational influencer and critically analyse their messages.

For a growing number of young males, the views of ex-kick boxer and social media influencer, Andrew Tate carry a lot of weight. Tate’s toxic and poisonous messages have had 11.4 billion views, more hits than Donald Trump and Kim Kardashian. Many young males are adopting his views. Young people need to be encouraged to examine deeply the history and character of the significant influencers such as Tate. He is a mega-wealthy, successful and by some accounts, good looking man, who speaks confidently and compellingly, and debates his point of view with genuine passion. Tate produces a large number of high quality, inspirational clips, often featuring him in his private jet or in one of his 31 luxury cars, smoking a cigar and looking cool and successful. Styled as a self-help guru, offering his mostly male fans a recipe for making money, “pulling girls” and “escaping the matrix”, Tate has gone in a matter of months from near obscurity to one of the most talked about people in the world. Having ongoing conversations about masculinity and respect with your children will be of great value, providing an opportunity to gauge their position and to provide important input.

At High School assembly this week, the outcomes of buying into Tate’s corrosive rhetoric was unpacked. Our students were informed that Tate was thrown off Big Brother in 2016 for beating a girl with his belt. He was recently arrested in Romania on suspicion of human trafficking, rape and forming an organised crime group to exploit women. His inspirational videos often contain misogynistic references, putting down women and encouraging young men to adopt his views. He promotes a masculinity that is all about being tough, dominant, successful, and sometimes violent. Tate’s toxic social media content has resulted in him being banned from most major platforms. For some boys, Tate’s narrative is very attractive, where males are better, stronger, brighter, better drivers and better pilots than their female counterparts. Tate has stated, for example, that women are partly responsible for being raped and that they “belong” to men. In one video, in which Tate imagines a woman accusing him of cheating, he is shown saying: “It’s bang out the machete, boom in her face and grip her by the neck. Shut up (expletive)….” There have been a growing number of incidents reported where boys believe that they are superior to and should control their girlfriends.

You would think that educated young men across the world are too smart to fall for arguments that generate a culture of toxic masculinity, especially after the controversy around the recent sexual abuse and consent debate. You would think that it would never happen at Emanuel School, a school that values mensches, and the acceptance and equality of every student.

Disturbingly, however, we have received reports of boys putting girls down, of making demeaning and derogatory comments. In Britain, many male students have shared Tate’s messages, such as telling girls to ‘make me a sandwich’ as a putdown line. This displays a complete lack of both respect and humour, not values that reflect our School’s values – of respect and inclusion.

Parents can actively oppose these messages by joining the School in sharing messages about masculinity that reinforce respect and kindness, messages that allow our males to be real, to defy stereotypes that pigeonhole them to be tough and aggressive. From our end, we will continue to hold up male role models that treat females respectfully and allow them to express emotions and to look out for others.

Years 7 and 8 Camps

The highlight of my week was a trip to the Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre, located in the lower Colo Valley. The well-tended green spaces, bushland and Colo river provided a wonderful backdrop to each camping spot, complete with a sheltered kitchen, eating space and toilets. Not luxury, but a long way from ‘doing it tough’! Placed in House groups, our students bonded well, enjoying a range of challenging and enjoyable activities, often requiring collaborative and problem-solving skills. The food was healthy and plentiful and the camp leaders worked with our House Tutors to engage each student in the camp experience.

For some of our students, being away from home for an extended period, sleeping in tents and experiencing a remote bush setting was not easy. For some, the lack of sleep, the tiring activities and the disconnection from social media added to the challenge. Others thrived, working well in the group activities, supporting their peers and discovering their inner strength and leadership skills.

I commend those students who experienced discomfort and persevered; those students who ‘gave it a go’, for their courage. To complete our camp program is no small feat and will have many benefits, in terms of growing friendships and greater self-confidence.

A huge thank you to Kobi Bloom and Lauren Korotkov, who led the program, supported by Adam Ezekiel. Thank you also to our wonderful House Tutor team and to the Somerset outdoor educators.

Sydney Jewish Writers Festival at Emanuel School

On what would have been her 90th birthday, Shalom’s Sydney Jewish Writers Festival (SJWF) will celebrate the inimitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with playwright, Suzie Miller. Emanuel School is proud to be the venue partner for this exciting event.

SJWF shares: “In 2022, multi award-winning Australian playwright and former lawyer, Suzie Miller brought to the Sydney Theatre Company stage her one-woman show, RBG: OF MANY, ONE – a tour de force chronicling Ginsburg’s fascinating, fierce, and trailblazing life.

On Wednesday 15 March 2023, Suzie takes us on a journey behind the scenes in writing this story of Ginsburg’s life. The evening includes a reading by acclaimed actor and star of RBG: OF MANY, ONE, Heather Mitchell, and a tribute performance by opera singer Elizabeth Cooper.

After seeing RBG: OF MANY, ONE, SJWF Program Director Miriam Hechtman was determined to bring the backstory of the theatrical work to the Jewish community. ‘Suzie Miller has brought RBG’s story to life in a way that not only moved me to tears but also roused my appreciation and respect for all that Ginsburg has done for women and humankind. The play is a stunning achievement for Miller and the whole production team.’

RBG: Playwright, Suzie Miller, in conversation with Michaela Kalowski, promises to be a stand-out event on the community literary calendar.”

I hope you will join me at Emanuel School on Wednesday 15 March 2023 from 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm for a night of music, celebration and   insight into the life of a woman who influenced and inspired so many. RGB bookings are now open and tickets cost $30. 

Mazal tov Rabbi

Mazal tov to Sam Zwarenstein who was recently been ordained as Rabbi at a moving ceremony in New York. Rabbi Zwarenstein, who is also the Director of Pastoral Care at Emanuel Synagogue, has been leading services and officiating at lifecycle events for around 25 years, in communities in South Africa and Australia. He has had a long connection with Emanuel School as a parent and educator, having taught tefillah to our Year 7 students for over five years (with a hiatus during COVID).

Rabbi Zwarenstein shared his journey, “Over the years I have been researching options to continue my studies that would meet my theological, philosophical and practical requirements. A few years ago I found a seminary and teachers that ticked all the boxes, and so my journey to being ordained began its final chapters.

“Studying with the Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary has allowed me to expand my knowledge and skills in an environment that promotes advanced learning and debate, and provides students with innovative and extensive opportunities for their rabbinate”.

We are so proud of Rabbi Zwarenstein and celebrate this significant experience with him and his family. Mazal tov!

Quote of the week

“The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky.” ~ Margaret McMillan