Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Remembering Kristallnacht  (Night of Broken Glass) 

This solemn evening is usually held at the Sydney Jewish Museum (SJM), attended by Holocaust survivors and families as well as other members of our community along with dignitaries from consulates and major organisations. However, like all other events this year, it will be held online this Monday 9 November 2020.  

This photo, taken at last year’s commemoration, is Emanuel great-grandparent Eddie Jaku OAM and my mother Rita Newell (past Emanuel grandparent), who missed celebrating her 12^th birthday on 10 November 1938 as the Nazi’s came and trashed her parent’s home in Cologne, Germany, along with thousands of other Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues throughout Germany and Austria. As we commemorate Kristallnacht this year, we must also take time to think about the devastating event in Vienna this week and as a united community, hope and pray for a stop to antisemitism, bigotry and hate.

Eddie Jaku and Rita Newell

Gesher Online Speaker Series

Please join us for the last Online Speaker Series of 2020, featuring Emanuel School alumnus, Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008). Ben formed the charity, Remember September, to raise awareness and funds for education and research into a cure for pancreatic cancer after his father and cousin died of the disease. It promises to be an insightful and inspiring evening, when Ben will be interviewed by his close friend and supporter of his charity, alumnus Jonathan Baker. 

Date: Wednesday 11 November 2020
Time: 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm
RSVP:  https://events.humanitix.com/gesher-online-speaker-series-with-ben-wilheim

Free and all welcome! 

We will send you the link the day before the event. Don’t miss out on hearing from a man whose commitment to Tikkun Olam is changing the lives of thousands of people.

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

Parents: if your child/children volunteer their time to help others, nominate them for the 2020 B’nai B’rith & JNF Jewish Changemaker Awards.

It is not too late to nominate someone for these prestigious Changemaker Awards 2020 – youth categories (age 14 to 18) and young adult (age 18 to 35). Nominations must be in by Monday 16 November 2020. Find out more information and how you can nominate here. 

Don’t let 2020 be any different to previous years when we have had outstanding nominations from some of our students and alumni, with winners in a number of categories. We would love to see some of our students and alumni nominated for this year’s awards. This short video highlights last year’s presentation evening. 

On the topic of volunteering, here is a message from Sydney Friendship Circle (FC):

We are so excited to share with you a new program that has launched this month! You’ve all heard of Friends@Home for teens and children… but we are introducing an extension of Friends@Home for Young Adults! Bondi strolls, coffee dates and beach chills! How good!? Please contact Ally on 0423 657 650 if you are interested.

A Walk of Jewish Sydney

Leon Goltsman and Sheila Philippsohn

Alumnus Leon Goltsman (Class of 1990) is pictured here with Emanuel grandparent Sheila Philippsohn at the recent special launch of A Walk of Jewish Sydney, held at The Great Synagogue. Sheila’s husband Peter Philippsohn OAM is president of the Australian Jewish Historical Society. This incredible program provides a wealth of information about some of the historical places and characters of the Sydney Jewish Community.

Download the free app on your mobile phone and browse the wealth of interesting information therein (available for iPhone and Android).

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.

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