Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Welcome back

Della Shandler and mum Marlene Einfeld

At the start of Term 2 last week, we welcomed new staff member and alumna Della (Einfeld) Shandler, Class of 2005, as EA to our Director of Finance and Operations, Mario Torresan. Della joins an ever-growing number of Emanuel graduates who have returned to School on staff and she says it is quite surreal being back at Emanuel, 15 years after graduating. “So much has changed, like all the incredible new buildings and facilities, however it still feels very familiar and welcoming. It is wonderful seeing so many of my teachers still here, it is testament to what an amazing school and community Emanuel is. With my mum, Marlene Einfeld, teaching at Kornmehl, and my sons enrolled to attend, the School really is close to our hearts. I am very excited to be back working here.”

Gesher, the Hebrew word for “bridge” is all about connections

We are the friend-building arm of Emanuel, connecting anyone with an interest in our wonderful School. It is always interesting to know how some of the connections come about, and often it may come up in a casual conversation with someone you had no idea had a connection with Emanuel. Some even “marry into the School” so to speak, although Raveena Marks already had a previous connection to the School as she worked here as a Primary teacher some years ago. She is the mother-in-law of alumnus Dr Ronny Schneider, Head Madrich, Class of 2009 (son of Kornmehl teacher Renee Schneider), whose sister alumna Ellie Bloom (Class of 2007) is married to Jewish Studies teacher Kobi Bloom. Sounds complicated but not really. Raveena is a painter and has just entered the Archibald Prize this year for the first time. The description of her work is Keeping NSW Safe (from Racism). Portrait of Vic Alhadeff – CEO NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (my old boss), who spearheaded a campaign and changed the laws in Australia. The new law (20D law) makes it illegal to incite violence or use any form of hate speech. The other Emanuel connection is the subject of the portrait – Vic Alhadeff is one of our grandparents!

Raveena Marks with her portrait of Vic Alhadeff

Good luck Raveena.

On the topic of Art, B’nai B’rith together with COA have an initiative, “ABC Community Exhibition 2021, an exhibition of works by Jewish Artists”.  Application deadline is Friday 14 May. This would be a great opportunity for both parents and students to enter. For more details contact past parent, Viv Radomsky, Project Manager at B’nai B’rith or Sabina Kovadlo.

Is gender equality achievable?

Past parent, Dr Beth Goldblatt, professor in the Law Faculty at University of Technology (UTS), is leading a discussion this Sunday morning, 2 May 2019 as part of Womanpower NSW AGM. Numerous Emanuel parents and grandparents are already members of this group – a network of Australian Jewish women that aims to inspire, engage, cultivate and mobilise Jewish feminine wisdom to create positive change towards a collaborative and inclusive Jewish Community. Recently, past parent, Joanne Fedler, was the guest speaker at one of their sessions, to talk about her new book Unbecoming. It is not too late to book for this coming Sunday’s event.

Private Art Gallery tour with a difference

Please keep the morning of Wednesday 16 June 2021 free for our Gesher private tour of Salon des Refusés 2021 (The alternative Archibald and Wynne Prize selection) at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill (The Rocks). Details will be out soon.

If you have photos and/or news to share, please send to Sonia Newell.                    

Shabbat Shalom and have a great weekend.