Homage to an old bridge
Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations
Winter has officially arrived
If you’re heading into the CBD for Vivid 2022, you’ll need to rug up as the cold winter winds are certainly upon us. Here is a little history about the evolution of Vivid thanks to a recent article in the Australian Jewish News. In 2009, lighting designer Mary-Anne Kyriakou curated a smart light festival for energy efficiency. It was headlined by British musician, composer, producer and visual artist Brian Eno, and projected light paintings onto both sides of Sydney’s famous Opera House. By 2012, the festival had grown enormously, attracting more than 500,000 visitors to outdoor exhibitions and events and by 2014, the festival had expanded to include Circular Quay, The Rocks, North Sydney, Darling Harbour, Carriage Works and more. Taronga Zoo and the Surry Hills precinct soon followed. Vivid returned to Sydney this year after a two year absence thanks to COVID. When last held in 2019, a record 2.4 million people attended. It is expected that record will be beaten this year.
According to the official Vivid website: “Vivid Sydney tells a story of the harbour city beyond the icons, about urban legends, secret spaces and visions for the future.” This year it features the longest continuous Light Walk in the history of the event, running from the Opera House to Central Station. A one night only immersive extravaganza took place on opening night last week with Future Art is Vivid, featuring Emanuel past parent Ilan Kidron. Future Art is described as an immersive creative technology events company that curates multi-sensory journeys involving crypto art, music and cutting-edge technology. Ilan told AJN journalist Jessica Abelsohn “my relationship with Future Art goes back years with the touring and recording success of my band The Potbelleez. The Future Art creative team were intrinsically involved with the band, and it feels natural pursuing the relationship into our passion for creative technology … with a background in song-writing and music production, I wanted to do an art project that involved an exploration into our collective memory, music, art and most importantly, working with good friends.”
If you plan a visit to Vivid, don’t forget to check out Emanuel alumnus Zac Levi’s artwork “Crowded Cadmans”, a 3D animation that comes straight from the imaginations of Sydney-based artists living with a disability. Zac’s role with this project was 3D modelling, animation, visual effects and look development. Originally prepared for Vivid 2019, the artwork is now on display on the façade of Cadmans Cottage in the Rocks and will run until Saturday 18 June 2022. Check it out here.
Artistic homage to an old bridge
Joel Adler (Class of 2011), artist and Industrial Designer, creator of the beautiful tree sculpture in the entrance of the Administration Building that honours staff employment milestones, was commissioned to create a sculpture using steel from the old Bateman’s Bay Bridge that previously spanned the Clyde River for 65 years.
One in Six – an important documentary
For many families, the joy of having a baby does not come naturally and in a recent conversation with Emanuel parent Leigh Goldberg, who volunteers with the Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN) www.ajfn.org.au she said “1 in 6 couples experience infertility, yet it is still a taboo subject. Through making this documentary, AJFN wanted to bring the conversation into the open. With ABC expecting an audience of around 250,000, we are thrilled that One in Six will be helping to end the stigma surrounding infertility. It will give people who haven’t experienced IVF an up close and personal insight into the lows and highs of the fertility journey. This is a story that is raw, gritty and ultimately uplifting, told from a Jewish perspective”.
Another Emanuel mum, Rebecca (Bec) Abraham has recently been appointed as AJFN’s first Support Program Manager and is responsible for growing and managing the support that the organisation provides to the community including financial aid and emotional support.
Watch ‘One in Six’ on ABC’s Compass – Sunday 12 June 2022 at 6:30 pm.
Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list
Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski
Mazal Tov to alumnus Sam Koslowski (Head Madrich, Class of 2012), Co-founder of The Daily Aus, and Zara Seidler who have been included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for 2022. Sam says “we are so honoured to be included – we’ve never been more motivated or inspired to deliver quality news for young people – we truly are just getting started”.
2022 Head On Photo Awards
Entries close on Sunday 5 June 2022
If you are an avid photographer, don’t forget to enter Head On Awards 2022. We hope some of our budding student photographers have or will send in their entries for the Head On Student Awards (open to Years K -12 students), as might some of our parents and/or grandparents. You have just three days to get your best photo(s) in for this fabulous competition.
Good luck to all our Emanuel photographers of all ages, as we hope you consider entering this amazing competition.
July school holidays
There are numerous camps and workshops planned for the upcoming July School holidays, many of which have a strong Emanuel connection. Habonim has always been a popular youth movement for our students and for alumni as youth leaders. Josh New (Head Madrich, Class of 2019) and now one of our Jewish Life Educators here at School, sent this message: “Habonim Dror Sydney is really excited to be running our upcoming winter camp, Machane Dvash, this July! A number of Emanuel alumni along with many other Madrichim will be running and facilitating the camp and we would love to see the smiling faces of our current Emanuel students. It will be an amazing few days full of fun and educational activities! Sign-ups are currently open!”
Dylan Kramer, Josh New, Isabella Flax, Daniel Van Sluys Erlich, Rachel Jammy and Tomer Belkin
Kerryn Finn, Maya Buhrich and Daniel Van Sluys Erlich (Alumni and Jewish Life Educators), and alumna, Ruby Klisser are also involved in the running of camp.
Friendship Circle (FC)
There are still opportunities for children aged 13 plus and in High School to sign up as a volunteer for this FC 5-day camp in the July holidays. Click here for details.
FC is also seeking young adults to join their Young Adult Leadership team, so those of you with older children, please tell them about this opportunity. Click here for more details.
SIBS at Luna Park
Don’t forget the latest Camp Sababa initiative for the siblings of children with disabilities in our community (SIBS), on Sunday 12 June 2022 at Luna Park. For more information: sibs@campsabba.com.au
Friendship Bakery (FB) and Shavuot
Check out Friendship Bakery’s amazing selection of goodies for Shavuot. Located at 2 Laguna Street Vaucluse in the grounds of Mark Moran, you can order online to then pick up or head-up direct to the bakery and check out their kosher in-store products.
Friendship Bakery is currently seeking a Bakery Sales and Shop Manager who will lead an inclusive team and oversee the smooth running of all retail operations, customer service and community liaison. This can be part-time, full-time or job share, so if you know someone who might fit the bill, please suggest they apply
We look forward to sharing our news and yours, so if you have photos and/or news you would like to share with us, please send to: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au
Shabbat shalom, stay safe and have a great weekend. We also wish you a happy Shavuot and hope you have the opportunity to share cheesecake and cheese blintzes with loved ones.