Navigating Healthy Behaviours
Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations
Blast from the past
Did you know that Emanuel School had a baseball team in 1984? Perhaps you recognise some of the students in this photo and can send us names. School uniforms and sports uniforms have certainly changed over the past 39 years. Mr Eglington, one of our PE teachers as they were known then, was the team’s coach.
If you have some old School photos you’re happy to share, please send to Sonia Newell.
Body image and eating disorders: Navigating healthy behaviours
Tuesday 12 September 2023
In today’s era, surrounded by media influences and societal pressures, many children and adolescents grapple with body image concerns and could be at risk of developing eating disorders. Recognising these challenges, JewishCare have partnered with the Tikvah Clinic to host an enlightening session aimed at providing parents with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to foster a healthy self-image in their children. Past parent, Specialist GP at Tikvah Clinic, Dr Karen Spielman is one of the Guest Speakers at this event.
If you feel that this talk could be beneficial, either for your own understanding or to better support your child, you are invited to attend this free event. Additionally, even if you believe your child isn’t directly affected, the session will offer valuable insights into the world our children are navigating, allowing us to be more empathetic and proactive parents. Book your free ticket.
The Broken Hill Synagogue – Remote but not forgotten
Following an interesting interview with alumnus Zac Levi on this page last week about the Broken Hill Synagogue, I received more detailed information about this historic event from Emanuel grandparent Peter Philippsohn OAM.
Peter says “On Friday night 11 August 2023, Jews from as far afield as Perth and Gold Coast gathered to bring in the Shabbat. Among the sixty visitors were Emanuel families Dee and Charles Aronson, David and Zac Levi, Sheila and Peter Philippsohn. This was the first Shabbat service in the old Broken Hill Synagogue since 2018.
The Synagogue on Wolfram St built in 1910 was active until its closure in 1962. Following the decline of the once vibrant Broken Hill Jewish community, the Synagogue was sold to the Broken Hill Historical Society in 1990 and became The Synagogue of the Outback Museum and home of the Society in 1991.
Professor Leon Mann of Melbourne, who was born in Broken Hill, had long wanted to recognise the five religious leaders who were Ministers in the old Synagogue and spiritual leaders of the Jewish community. He also wanted to recognise the Synagogue trustees and the leaders of the Broken Hill Historical Society who had the foresight and vision to negotiate the transfer from Synagogue to Synagogue-Museum. His idea was to install two benches in the Synagogue forecourt, one dedicated to the ministers and one for the protectors of the Synagogue.
On Sunday morning, over 100 people gathered for the Bench naming ceremony. Hon Ron Hoenig, Minister for Local Government NSW, who received an aliyah in Shul on Shabbat morning and spoke at the Ceremony as did Professor Suzanne Rutland and the Museum’s tireless co-ordinator, Margaret Price. The two benches were dedicated by Ross Mawby, a past President of the Broken Historical Society, and by Leon Mann.
The Broken Hill Community Voices sang a medley of Broken Hill and Jewish songs concluding with the National Anthem and Hatikvah.
In the true spirit of interfaith friendship, the Shabbat kiddush and the reception following the Bench naming Ceremony were held in the Salvation Army Hall across the road from the Synagogue.
On Saturday afternoon, the visitors took a guided walk along iconic Argent Street learning about the store owners whose families came to Broken Hill from the Ukraine, Russia, and Lithuania in the 1890s-1910s and became leaders of the community. The visitors also paid their respects at the local War Memorial where the name of Trooper Mark Rosenberg of the 7th Light Horse Regiment appears on one of the four bronze tablets. Trooper Rosenberg was killed in action at the Battle of Romani in Egypt 1916. He was the son of Abraham Rosenberg, a President of the Broken Hill Hebrew Congregation. Charles Aronson read the ode.
On Sunday afternoon, the visitors gathered in the small Jewish section of the Broken Hill Cemetery. For some it was their first opportunity to place a stone on the grave of a family member. Dee Aronson, on behalf of her cousin, placed one of eleven name plates added to unmarked graves.
Broken Hill, far from Australia’s regional towns and capital cities, has the most remote Synagogue-Museum in the world. However, the Synagogue and the Jewish community established in the 1880s are not forgotten.”
Book Week 2023
Ariella Gabbay (Class of 2008) and Eliza Levy (Class of 2010)
Students and their teachers all around Australia dressed up this week to celebrate Book Week 2023 and not too far from us in Randwick, were two alumni – Ariella Gabbay (Class of 2008) who teaches Year K and Eliza Levy (Class of 2010) who teaches Year 2 at Bellevue Hill Public School, pictured here in their costumes as part of this auspicious celebration with their students.
Alum who love the stage
Beau Glass (Class of 2020), together with Victoria Miller (Head Madricha, Class of 2022), would love to see members of our School community join them for Law Revue which is on now at the Seymour Centre until tomorrow night. Singing, dancing, acting and political satire – what more could one ask for. Book here for tickets.
Davey Seagle (aka David Friedman), Class of 2011 – Ponydog Productions
Davey is an actor, writer, producer and director, best known for his work as the director of immersive theatre company Ponydog Productions. Check out Davey’s website where you can read about some of his upcoming productions including There’s Something About Bottom, an immersive experience of fairy mischief inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Reverie Rooms this September. From the silly to the sensory, the mystical to the mischievous, these shows are celebrations of storytelling and play.
On the stage but a different stage
Alumnus Dan Brockwell (Class of 2015), co-founder of Earlywork gave an inspiring TEDx Talk recently on experimenting to find your dream career at TEDxSydney Youth. I encourage you to watch this 9 minute video – you won’t want to miss a minute of what Dan has to say.
Friendship Circle (FC) Walk 2023
This Sunday 27 August 2023
If you are participating in this Sunday’s FC Walk, we’d love to see some photos please.
Over the years, Friendship Circle has been able to create an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome. Any amount you can donate will be turned into friendship, inclusion, and community and make a local and lasting impact. “Friendship Circle creates a community where everyone is accepted and their potential is encouraged. We have this amazing organisation within our community that’s not funded by the government. They actually care and are doing something our whole community can be proud of. The proof is the children and young people who attend. You can’t imagine how successful it is until you see it.” Members of our School community have supported and continue to support FC in so many ways – our students and alumni volunteer their time at the many FC camps and weekend activities.
Primary Grandparents and Friends Day
Friday 8 September 2023
Just two weeks to go til our very special event where grandparents and special friends of our Primary students are invited to spend the morning with our students to help celebrate Rosh Hashanah and share in classroom activities followed by morning tea. Check out details here on the invitation.
Remember September 2023
September is just around the corner and alumnus Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008), founder of Remember September hopes our School community will get behind this campaign again this year and choose one of their challenges during the month of September to help raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and raise funds for research that will hopefully help find a cure. The theme is Give It Up or Move It this September. You can give up caffeine, chocolate, sugar or alcohol, or you can walk 68 km during September for Australians living with pancreatic cancer. Please note, all donations over $2.00 are tax-deductible. Together, we will remember those we’ve lost and stand with those fighting to survive. What will you give up throughout September to help with most worthy cause?
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, stay safe and have a great weekend.