Hurricane
Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations
Hope
The genius of Israel is that even while it fights a war against evil, some of its citizens can produce this amazingly powerful and moving entry into the next Eurovision Song Contest. Eden Golan will represent Israel with her song Hurricane, written by Avi Ohayon, Keren Peles and Stav Beger. Listen to the end where she sings in Hebrew – it’s so beautiful.
Purim
An Emanuel grandparent, Sonja Raiz, was amongst a group of volunteers who made hamentaschen at Our Big Kitchen (OBK) earlier this week for Jewish residents in nursing homes and retirement villages all over Sydney, who cannot bake for themselves. This baking session was jointly organised by Jewish House and COA Sydney. Sonja says: “I love supporting the elderly who seem to fall through the cracks and are not in Jewish aged care. A worthwhile cause, with the help of Rabbi Mendel Kastel (what a Mensch) and of course OBK. I am so grateful to be able to contribute in some way.”
Plus61J Media
Established in 2015, Plus61J has provided an independent voice on Australia, Israel and the Jewish world over the past nine years through bi-weekly publications and social media channels. One of the most public and poignant programs they have hosted was last year’s talk tour around Australia by Rami Elhanan, a Jewish Israeli from Jerusalem, who lost his daughter Smadar in a Palestinian suicide bombing in 1997 and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian former fighter who grew up in Hebron. He spent time in an Israeli jail where he saw the film Schindler’s List that changed his life. His daughter Abir was tragically killed aged 10 by the bullet of Israeli border police. These two amazing men visited our School during their two week tour around Australia, and spoke at one of our High School assemblies.
Past parent Sharon Berger is Events & Partnerships Manager at Plus61J Media whilst past parent Steve Fosbery is Copy-Editor. He also works as an editor of Holocaust memoirs for the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Founder and publisher of Plus61J Uri Windt OAM says: “As we approach our 10th anniversary, we’ve been reflecting on Plus61J’s past achievements and considering the future needs of our audience and the direction we’d like to take. Today, Friday 22 March marks an exciting new chapter in our organisation’s history. We encourage you to watch this retrospective video, which celebrates our impact and foreshadows what’s to come.”
Women Power
Fashion Forward – women helping women, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to giving pre-loved designer wear a second life while supporting women in crisis. This amazing group was founded by Emanuel parent Sharon Aaron and her very good friend Nicole Katz in 2020, and together with their team of volunteers including current Emanuel parents Natalie Chesler, Lee Keyser and Amanda Shrock (just to name a few), they have saved over 10,000 items of clothing from landfill – raising more than $500,000 to provide crisis care to women and children through Jewish House.
If you have any items you would like to donate, Fashion Forward would love them! They can organise collection or you can drop off at the store at 10 Campbell Parade Bondi Beach on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday from 12.30 pm – 3.30 pm. You can check them out on Instagram @fashionforward_jh_retail
Maccabi Life – Senior Walkie Talkie
Wednesday 10 April 2024, 10.00 am – 12.30 pm
For readers aged 60 plus, you are invited to join in an insightful conversation into navigating life as a Jewish person in an ever-upside down world with the renowned Lynda Ben Menashe at their upcoming Senior Maccabi Life event!
Location: Eastern Suburbs
Book here.
Careers Space
Wednesday 15 May, 2024
Do you have older children who finished school here? If yes, we are looking for more alumni who would like to be part of our Careers Space event for our senior students. No preparation is needed – we just ask these past students to come back to chat with our students and talk about their journey to where they are now. Please pass this link on to them.
Sydney Writers’ Festival
Monday 20 May 2024 – Sunday 26 May 2024
Emanuel connections are never far away, no matter the field. Read here a little about some members of our amazing School community who will be presenting at the upcoming Sydney Writers’ Festival in May – alumnus Sam Koslowski (Class of 2012) as well as three current parents – Kerri Sackville and Emile Sherman and Lee-Anne Whitten. You can check out the whole program here.
Friendship Circle (FC) needs more volunteers
Please tell your High School children to check out this link for the many opportunities available for them to volunteer for FC.
Friendship Bakery
We hope you have had the opportunity to visit Friendship Bakery, Laguna Street, Vaucluse on a Friday morning where you will find freshly baked challah and a variety of savoury and sweet goodies. Perhaps you’ve tried their yummy hamantaschen too – check out their Friday menu and you can order online beforehand.
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 Sonia Newell.
Shabbat shalom and happy Purim. Stay safe and have a great weekend, as we continue to hope and pray for the safe return of all hostages still held in Gaza, and for peace to be restored in Israel soon.