Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Emanuel School in 1983

Here is the very first official School photograph, taken towards the end of 1983 in the main sanctuary at what was then known as Temple Emanuel in Woollahra. The School opened its doors at the start of 1983 with just 53 students and numbers grew as the year went on. By the time this photograph was taken later that year, there were 74 students, some of whom are now current parents – Bianca Maserow (nee Gehl), Daniel Vasin, Jacob Kaplan, Jonathan Hirst and his brother David Hirst, Nadine Ben-Mayor (nee Weinberger) and Ronnie Aron, whilst one of their teachers Linda Zurnamer is now an Emanuel grandparent. We found the original photo in the “dungeon” in The Administration Building back in 2007, creased down the middle and covered in dust with a handwritten note taped on the back with just some names of the group. We since had the photograph restored and digitised, and it now hangs proudly in reception. Over the years, with help from some members of the School community, we have been able to add in most of the missing names but not all – perhaps some of our readers may be able to help us with the last few names missing?

I Am Here

Who doesn’t love to hear about Emanuel connections – especially when they extend well beyond the School campus. The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) currently showing at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, as well as at Roseville Cinema and also interstate at various cinemas, has so many films making their Australian Premiere.

One such film is “I Am Here” starring 100 year old Emanuel great grandmother Ella Blumenthal, who has two great grandchildren here – Miles Borovik in Year 1 and his brother Jesse in Year K.

Ella, a spirited South African Holocaust survivor born in Warsaw in 1921, reveals her astonishing life journey in this film, which has received international acclaim, being reviewed in the New York Times and the Jerusalem Post.

Find out more details and screening times on the film festival website.

BAFTA Awards

A huge Mazal Tov to Emanuel School parent, Emile Sherman, producer of the acclaimed movie, The Power of the Dog, which won Best Film and Best Director in the 75th BAFTA Awards! Watch the trailer here.

The Power of the Dog – poster

SIBS

This is a community for the siblings of children with disabilities. It is run by Camp Sababa, extending their mission to support families with children with disabilities by focusing on the sibling(s). Since its inception in 2019, day camps have been held multiple times a year. To find out about their upcoming activity on Sunday 3 April 2022 and/or further information, please contact Nicola Futeran.         

SIBS

Friendship Bakery

Ilana Akres and Sarah

Located at Mark Moran Vaucluse, you can visit the Bakery at 2 Laguna Street Vaucluse Monday to Wednesday from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm for their kosher yummy salad bar, quiches, pastries and coffee and on Fridays from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm for their Shabbat Shop. You will always see the smiling face of Emanuel parent Ilana Akres, the Bakery Team Leader when you pop in to pick up your goodies. She is pictured here this week in the lead-up to Purim with apprentice baker Sarah. You can also order online.       

Friendship Circle (FC)

Volunteers are still needed for upcoming weekend and holiday camps organised by FC for children and young adults with disabilities. The Young Adult Melbourne Getaway is on Friday 1 April  2022 – Sunday 3 April 2022. Some of our readers with older children who might be interested to volunteer for this weekend, should get in touch with Emma Sharp to register. FC is also planning a fun and exciting Day Camp from Monday 11 April 2022 – Thursday 14 April 2022 for their younger members, with orientation scheduled for Sunday 10 April 2022. Register here. 

If you have any questions, about Friendship Circle and/or if you or someone you know would like to join their programs as a participant or a volunteer, please email: hello@sydneyfc.org.au.

FC Young Adults Melbourne Getaway April 2022

FC April Day Camp Flyer

Grandparents – we will always want you!

As I say each week, a huge thank you to parents who have been in touch this week to provide grandparent updates for our database. I continue to eagerly await more email updates each week after the publication of Ma Nishma. If you have previously provided email details for grandparents, can you please check they are getting Ma Nishma, as we are currently getting a lot of bounce-backs. Perhaps their inbox is full, or maybe we do not have the latest email contact for them?

Call out for 2022 Careers Event

We are seeking alumni who left school 10 years ago or less to come back and speak to our current Year 11 and Year 12 students.

When: Wednesday 18 May 2022
Time: 8.30 am – 11.00 am

This is an informal and small-group setting, where groups of 5-10 students will rotate to chat to Alumni from all professions – healthcare, design, the creative industries, businesses, human services, the STEM areas, law, government or anything else.

We are also seeking alum still studying for a student-group. The pathway is what interests us, regardless of whether if it was smooth or bumpy! Parents, please pass this request on to your older children who were students here and ask them to complete this form if they are keen to join us.

We look forward to sharing our news and yours, so if you have photos or news you would like to share with us, please send to Sonia Newell.         

Shabbat shalom, stay safe and have a great weekend.