Out of Africa
Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations
One week to go
With Rosh Hashanah just one week away, most Jewish households around the world are busy preparing for New Year celebrations, big or small. We wish everyone in our Emanuel Community no matter where you live, Shana Tova u’metukah – may you and your family have a new year filled with blessings, happiness, good health and success.
Big Day Out
Today was a big day on campus for everyone in Primary School, as more than 400 grandparents and friends spent the morning here with their grandchildren. The Jewish Life and Hebrew Departments organised the most amazing event which you can read about in next week’s Ma Nishma.
Grandparents and Friends newsletter
Parents – please remember to check with grandparents that they got our August newsletter by email. If not, that means we do not have their email contact on our database. Please send us their email so they can stay in touch with School and read about what’s happening, no matter where in the world they live. Our August issue is jam-packed full of wonderful photos and details about some of the amazing events at School so far this year – all you need to do to access the newsletter is to click here and for past issues you can see them all here.
Charity Trivia Night and an opportunity to visit Africa in 2024
Many of our readers will be familiar with Gennarosity Abroad, an organisation founded by alumna Genevieve (Genna) Onuchukwu (nee Radnan). Gennarosity Abroad is a non-profit with a commitment to improving the quality of life for future generations. Their primary mission is to enhance access to essential resources such as healthcare, food, housing, and education, particularly for individuals residing in underserved and isolated communities across the globe. Genna was also our School Nurse for a number of years and she is very excited to let us know that on Tuesday 24 October 2023 there will be a Charity Trivia Night – see poster for more details. Why not get a table of friends together for a night of fun and laughter whilst raising funds for such a worthy cause? In September/October next year, Genna will lead two tours to Zanzibar and Kenya. Genna says “In a nutshell, we have two tours running at the same time (four days apart). Tours are from September/October 2024 for 19 days. The Emanuel Tour is aimed at current Year 7, 8 and 10 students who will be in Years 8, 9 and 11 next year. The adult tour is for anyone over the age of 18 – we will be visiting Gennarosity Abroad charity sites too on this trip. If anyone is interested in the school trip please contact Melinda Seeto whilst anyone interested in the adult trip can contact me.”
T-shirt designs that tell a story
Alumnus Jake Green (Class of 2016) is seeking our help. He says “I am in the very early process of building a t-shirt brand that sells uniquely designed t-shirts by turning children’s unfiltered, innocent, and pure thoughts into captivating designs on t-shirts. This sparks conversations, inspiring people to rediscover life’s profound beauty and rekindles an appreciation for the world through a child’s eyes. The brand purpose is that in a world inundated with platforms for voices and opinions, the genuine perspective of our future leaders – the children – often goes unnoticed. Their unfiltered, innocent, and pure outlook on the world remains overshadowed. Yet, this untapped perspective holds immense value, offering a vital narrative that deserves to be heard and acknowledged.
“I am hoping to make contact with some Emanuel students, who would be willing to submit photos of new or past designs they have created and to give me permission to use these as we launch our first line of t-shirts curated by kids. They would pick a theme they love – Environment, Nature, Joy, War, Friendships, or Family. They draw it, and accompany it with a few words to explain their thinking.
“We are hoping to get the first batch of designs sent over within the next five days (tight timeline), but hopefully, some of the students may already have work they are happy for us to use. I really appreciate your support! Any designs can be emailed directly to me as a photo or image attachment, along with a few words. The more abstract the design the better, and it’s important it has meaning to the student. Importantly, I will need permission from the student/parent for us to use the design without restrictions.”
Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN)
Did you know that one in six couples have difficulty getting pregnant? AJFN can help support families experiencing infertility. Our School Community has many connections with AJFN – some of our parents volunteer and/or work with this amazing organisation, including alumna and current parent Dr Sarah Robuck (Class of 2005), a clinical psychologist. Here is a very informative interview with Sarah.
Friendship Bakery – baking for our local community
Friendship Bakery is a social enterprise that engages the community to bridge the skills and experience gap for aspiring bakers and baristas living with disabilities. Rosh Hashanah is just a week away and orders for Friendship Bakery delicious Challah, Honey Cake, Apple Cake, and our cute Rosh Hashanah Hampers are now open. There will be limited quantities so please place your orders as soon as possible: click here
Orders will be ready for collection at the Friendship Bakery (Shop A of 2 Laguna Street, Vaucluse) on Friday 15 September 2023 between 9.00 am and 11.00 am.
Friendship Circle (FC) Day Camp
Tuesday 3 October 2023 – Thursday 5 October 2023
FC is seeking High School students to volunteer for FC Day Camp next month. Check out this link for more information and registration.
Remember September 2023
September is well and truly underway but it’s not too late to sign up or get involved and help sponsor someone already giving up something for this worthy campaign. 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 this 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 for this month. 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. If you cannot do the challenge but would like to donate, you might like to check out my page.”
Shabbat Project – Save the date
Friday 3 November 2023 – Saturday 4 November 2023
This year we celebrate Shabbat Project’s 10th anniversary. Watch this space for more details.
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.