Volume 24 Issue 25 19 Aug 2016 15 Av 5776

Marketing

Michelle FaveroAreivut at Emanuel School

“I give my Mind, Spirit, Being and effort, friendship, values, respect and love. I receive education, respect, commitment, passion, care, love, opportunities and equality.”

“I give back by thanking teachers. I receive the knowledge that I have community behind me.”

These are two of the replies from Emanuel students when asked what they would like to give to, and receive from, the School in the lead-up to Shavuot.

Rabbi Daniel Siegel, told the students: “The word give, which in Hebrew is natan, is a palindrome, reading the same in both directions. It expresses the recognition in Judaism of ‘boomerang ethics’ – in giving to another we receive in return.”

Emanuel students are imbued with a sense of connectedness with others as early as Pre-school, where they are involved in such projects as collecting care packs for children of Aboriginal pre-schools in outback Australia.

An example from Primary School is the MAD (Make a Difference) project, whereby the students not only donate money to charity, but get more actively involved in Tikkun Olam through a range of activities. This helps them develop the joy of giving of one’s self. The numerous fundraising initiatives proposed by the Year 6 fundraising club further help instil a sense of areivut – interconnectedness – with the world.

Emanuel’s Primary and High School trips to the Northern Territory and the Jilkminggan community enable the students to learn so much themselves through their connection with the Jilkminggan children and each other.

High School trips to East Timor and Israel also give our students the opportunity to learn about being global citizens, while March of the Living teaches our student participants that areivut can be found even in the most oppressive of places.

When our Year 7 students attended an interfaith program with others from Christian and Muslim schools, they found more similarities than differences. “We were led by a Rabbi, a Sheikh and a Youth Pastor,” Lara Fosbery said. “We were encouraged to ask questions regarding our new friends’ religions and experiences, particularly those where faith has become an issue in Australia.”

Rabbi Siegel continues to share his strong sense of social justice with our students, many volunteering with him to make a difference in the lives of refugees. “As Jews, we are keenly aware of the grave crisis that faces refugees when fleeing for their lives and seeking refuge,” he said. “Pikuach nefesh, the saving of a life, is a cardinal value and mitzvah.”

Emanuel students collect and deliver non-perishable food and other items to the Asylum Seekers Centre. They also serve and share a meal with the refugees.

The School’s tzedakkah projects are student initiated and led, such as the Year 12 Care Package project for Tierney House Homeless Shelter, spearheaded by House Captains, Shanee Israeli and Lucy Bowman: “Whilst everyone is aware of homelessness, many of us find it hard to act on our feelings and thoughts regarding this confronting issue. Both of us realise how fortunate we are and feel there is no time like the present to attempt to make a difference. In doing so, we hope to make a small impact on at least one person.”

Anne Hastings feels that each student has the opportunity to touch the lives of others and, in doing so, positively impact their own Mind, Spirit and Being. It is no co-incidence that these three words underpin all that we offer our students in their learning, expression of faith and in who they are able to become.

This article is reproduced from editorial that featured in the Australian Jewish News.

Michelle Favero – Marketing and Communications Manager

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