Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Reaching for the stars

Who doesn’t like to look up to our skies at night-time and wonder about the star formations? Alumnus Max Guerry (Head Madrich, Class of 2008) who has an older sister Eve (Head Madricha, Class of 1998) who is a current parent, has been living in Canada for a number of years where he is not only an avid skier, he also has a passion for star gazing. He says: “I took up this hobby largely with this image in my mind. It was the number one astronomical target I wanted to capture. I don’t exactly know why. Among the thousands of stunning objects out there this one speaks to me more than anything else. Wells Gray Provincial Park in central British Columbia is renowned for its dark skies, which are becoming all too rare. I spent three nights camping there last week with the goal of capturing M31, The Andromeda Galaxy. It rained the first and last nights. The middle night however was a stunner and yielded the image I had desired. Here is our largest neighbour galaxy in all its stellar glory. Please check out my astro page for more shots like this one and plenty more to come.”

Historical trivia

Emanuel grandparent Peter Philippsohn OAM is President of The Australian Jewish Historical Society (AJHS NSW). In Times Gone By is a podcast series launched last week by the AJHS in conjunction with the Jewish News (AJN) and will profile amazing and groundbreaking personalities and developments in Australian Jewish life, dating back to the First Fleet. You can listen to the first podcast which features three colourful Jewish convicts of the 19^th century including Edward Davis, aka ‘Teddy, the Jewboy’, the only known Jewish bushranger on the Australian mainland. 

September started last Tuesday

Remember September is about challenging yourself in honour or memory of a loved one. The campaign has raised over $270,000 since it began in 2015 and this year is breaking records and plans to be huge! Over 250 challengers have signed up so far and there is still time to register before September begins. You have four challenge options to choose from. Emanuel alumnus Ben Wilheim, (Class of 2008), founder of this most worthy annual event to raise funds in the fight to find a cure for pancreatic cancer said: “We thank the Emanuel School community for past support and hope you will join us again this year – we encourage you to get involved by signing up as an individual, a team of friends or even a family using the Team functionality during registration.” For more information and to register, visit www.RememberSeptember.org.au

B’nai B’rith and JNF Jewish Changemaker Awards 2020

Nominate online for these prestigious awards. Emanuel School has so many students both past and present, who volunteer their time to an array of worthy causes/organisations, and who doesn’t love to recognise such wonderful volunteering efforts. Anyone can nominate – parents, staff and even the nominees themselves. It would be amazing to see some of our students and alumni nominated again this year. Nominations must be received no later than Monday 16 November 2020.

Friendship Circle (FC) Walk 2020 – two days to go!

Our extended School community has strong connections to FC through a variety of ways including volunteering efforts and/or having children with special needs who attend the amazing events organised by FC for children and young adults of Sydney with disabilities. FC looks forward to our support for this Sunday’s virtual walk.

If you have photos and/or news to share, please send to: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.