Sonia Newell – Development Office – Alumni & Community Relations

Trivia and a music theme

Who would have thought we would hold a Trivia event online! For those who joined us last Sunday afternoon, I’m sure you will all agree it was so much fun. There were a few Emanuel School related questions, which were answered correctly by some of the teams but not by all – for example, what year did the School open? It was 1983; Why did 33 Degrees, an Emanuel alumni Jazz Band, whose members are three past students from the Class of 2012, give their band its name? – 33 degrees is the latitude of Emanuel School. 

Two other graduates from the Class of 2012 who have also ventured out into the world of music are AJ America, now living in Canberra and Donny Janks. AJ is the co-founder of Luminescence Chamber Singers, a virtuosic vocal consort whilst Donny, who has been making electronic music for the past seven years, recently released his debut single One.    

Joshua New and Chloe Ben-Mayor

There are many other musicians who have passed through our School gates including one of our youngest, Josh (Joshua) New and Chloe Ben-Mayor (Class of 2019) – they are Counter Collective, and have been playing music together since they met in Year 3.

Josh says: “We had our share of performances on the MPH stage, and now we’re facing the real world. With both of us being multi-instrumentalists, our specialty is live acoustic music with heaps of vocals, keys, guitar and even some sax! We’re happy to bring the music to any function, from 50ths to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and our repertoire encompasses a range of genres such as Jazz, Alternative and Pop with current and classic hits. You can listen to our music or send us a message through our social media accounts: Facebook Counter Collective or Instagram @countercollective.“

Daniel Weltlinger

Daniel Weltlinger (Class of 1997) is a world-famous violinist and composer who has lived in Berlin for many years. During a visit to Sydney last year to see family, he came to School to speak with some of our senior music students. Daniel also played his treasured violin along with one of our music tutors, pianist Leonie Cohen, and other musicians in a wonderful night of music. Despite the distance between Berlin and Sydney, and planned overseas trips with more performances here having to be cancelled, coronavirus does not stop the music – we just have to do it differently, and part of that “differently” includes Daniel’s performances in Synchronicity with the Dunera Project.  

Jessica Loeb (Class of 2011) is one half of the Jess and Steve Duo, who perform current and classical hits as a multi-instrumental duo with piano effects, original guitar instrumentals, keys and a loop pedal to bring any and all events to life.

There are many other alumni musicians in our community and we would love to share their achievements too, so please get in touch with details: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Lessons during lockdown

Alice Loeb, in the AJN

In last week’s Jewish News, journalist Evan Zlatkis interviewed six members of the community including Emanuel grandparent Alice Loeb, about lessons they’ve learned during lockdown. Alice has many connections with the School – her three older grandchildren are all Emanuel alumni whilst the youngest, Jamie Schneider, is now in Year 9. Alice’s daughter Renee Schneider is a Kornmehl Pre-school teacher and granddaughter Ellie Schneider (Class of 2007) is married to Kobi Bloom, a Jewish Studies teacher at School. Alice has been a Living Historian for our Year 6 Project Heritage on several occasions, and through the Sydney Jewish Museum PenPal Project, one of her three penpals was Year 5 student, Leah Stiassny.

The Online Speaker Series continues

Please join us next Wednesday 9 September 2020 at 7.30 pm for the second session in our Gesher online Speaker Series, when we interview alumnus Mitch Burnie (Class of 2011), Manager of Adamama Farm, the first Sydney Jewish urban farm. Please book here by Monday 7 September 2020.

If you have any queries about the event please contact Sonia: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Remember that September started on 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 says: “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 & 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.

Friendship Circle (FC) Walk 2020 – 13 September

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 year’s virtual walk on Sunday 13 September. Register by 5 September and have your FREE T-shirts delivered to your home. After 5 September T-shirts can be picked up from Friendship Circle! 

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

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.