Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Volunteering and giving back

Les White AM and his family

Past parent, Emeritus Professor Les White AM, was appointed as the inaugural NSW Chief Paediatrician in September 2010, a position he held until his retirement in 2016. He was Executive Director of Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick for 15 years prior to that and was awarded an Order of Australia in 2007 for service to medicine, medical administration and the community in the field of paediatrics. Les has also been a Starlight Board member since 1999 and in 2016 he was appointed as Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation’s inaugural Patron after having been a Board member for over 20 years. He just completed a charity run in outback NSW as part of the fundraising efforts for Ronald McDonald House, Randwick of which he is Joint Patron. The flies and heat did not discourage him or his family who joined him on this trip as his support team.

As you may have read previously, Friendship Circle (FC) and Emanuel School have many connections, both as students and alumni volunteering for this amazing organisation and also as families with children and young adults with special needs. Here now is a wonderful video from their October Camp featuring alumna Sophie Lew (Class of 2017) and friends.  

Inspirational Women’s Awards (IRAW) 2020

Bianca Manuel

Alumna and part-time staff member, Bianca Manuel (Class of 2014), has been named as a finalist in these prestigious awards (IRAW) hosted by Rotary, in the category ‘Young URBAN’. This award was won last year by Emanuel alumna, Hannah Beder (Class of 2012). Last week the NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women, The Honorable Bronnie Taylor MLC, announced Bianca as one of the 24 women who have been named as finalists in this year’s awards, set up to shine a light on the enormous contribution of women in both urban and rural communities across NSW. Bianca has a long history in surf lifesaving and was a Patrol Captain by the age of 19, looking after Clovelly and Gordons Bay Beaches. She has helped countless people including in the Giant Steps for Nippers program. Well done Bianca!

The winners of each category will be announced at an Awards ceremony to be held in Sydney on 15 November, with voting done by members of the wider community. We will let you know the link to vote once it has been announced, and we hope the power of our community can help Bianca get the votes needed to win.

Big Brother Big Sister

Alumna Dayna Myers (Class of 2008), is a Social Worker in Youth Services at Jewish Care where they run the amazing Big Brother Big Sister and the Young Adult Mentoring Programs. They are currently seeking male mentors and have now widened the age range from 18 to 50 years. If you or someone you know would like to get involved and/or would like more information about these programs please contact Kira Brandt on 9302 8023 or k.brandt@jewishcare.com.au

Art for Everybody – on til 25 October

Painting by David Asher Brook

More than 60 Jewish community artists, including Year 11 student Saya Oshlack and alumnus David Asher Brook (Class of 1998) are featured in this year’s ABC Community Exhibition which has been organised by B’nai B’rith NSW in partnership with COA Sydney. This year’s event also sees judging of the inaugural Wallenberg Portrait Competition. As only 20 people will be allowed in the B’nai B’rith Centre at any one time bookings are essential. 

Live theatre treat

Ponydog Productions founded by alumnus David Friedman (Class of 2011), is a Sydney-based production company making theatre that blends science fiction, dark comedy and politics. Their latest production, Hotel Bella Luna, opened yesterday and is on til 7 November at Flight Path Theatre. David directs this production whilst his brother Matthew (Matt) Friedman (Class of 2015) is Production Assistant and Leahan Shimon (Class of 2011) is Marketing Manager. Book your tickets here.  

Gesher online Speaker Series – next session is 11 November @ 7.30 pm

Our guest speaker will be Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008), founder of Remember September  Invitation and booking details out soon, so watch this space.

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

Don’t forget to nominate someone for the prestigious Changemaker Awards 2020. All nominations are done online.  

In the spirit of giving, Emanuel students both past and present, often spend weekends and holidays volunteering their time to an array of worthy causes/organisations.  This competition is divided into two age groups: youth (age 14 – 18) or young adults (18 – 35) so if you know someone in our community who is making the world a better place through volunteering, please nominate them for these awards. Who doesn’t love the opportunity to recognise such wonderful volunteering efforts. Anyone can nominate – parents, staff and even the nominees themselves. It would be amazing to see some of our students and alumni nominated again this year. Nominations must be received no later than Monday 16 November. This short video highlights last year’s presentation evening. 

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.

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