Volume 26 Issue 6 10 Mar 2017 12 Adar 5777

The 40forFORTY Challenge

Daphna Levin-Kahn – High School Jewish Studies Co-ordinator

The 40forFORTY Challenge – raising the bar, raising funds and raising awareness

By Daphna Levin-Kahn

So, I’ll let you into a little secret…. I’m hitting 40 next week!

To celebrate this milestone and get myself in shape, I had an epiphany last year and the 40forFORTY Challenge was born!

For this Challenge, my awesome team of 17 women (almost all Emanuel mums) and I will cycle 40km, swim 40 laps (x25m) and walk 40km – yes, in ONE DAY – to raise $40,000 for five wonderful charities*.

Four of us have taken on the WHOLE challenge and other team members have set their personal challenges for that day.

The past few months of preparation have been a special example of the warmth and inclusivity of the Emanuel School community as all but three of the team are Emanuel mums covering a wide range of year groups; two are mums who have just joined this year in Year 3 and 5; and four of us are Emanuel teaching staff. See if you recognise anyone below!

You may have already heard of 40forFORTY – and a HUGE Thank You to those who have already donated so generously to help us reach our goal!

We are almost in shape, with ONE WEEK TO GO and would love our fundraising goal to match the physical one! This is the final countdown…!

Leave the blisters and sore joints to us and show your support by donating to your favourite causes from the following link: www.mycause.com.au/page/138650/40-for-forty

 

Shabbat shalom and thanks to you all

Daphna and the 40forFORTY Team

*The selected 40forFORTY charities are each connected to or founded by special women whom I care about and admire:

Gennarosity Abroad: Founded by our inspirational school nurse (also an Emanuel School alumnus), Genna Radnan, Gennarosity raises funds for projects in rural communities in Kenya such as Karunga’s Emanuel Kindergarten, Grandma Jenny’s (women’s) Training Centre and soon to be Medical Centre. 

 

Stand Up Australia:  Inspired by the Jewish commitment to pursue social justice, Stand Up works tirelessly to repair the world, focusing on Refugee Programs, Indigenous Partnerships and Education. Janet Granek, also on the 40forFORTY team, has run many Tikkun Olam (social action) workshops at Emanuel School.

Hands on India: The brain child of my chirporactor, Sue Ferguson, Hands On India was born out of the dream to help children reach a potential beyond their birth station through education, health care and empowering the communities in Silliguri, India.

Tuberous Sclerosis Australia: Empowers people affected by TSC through access to the best treatment options, up to date information and support. My adorable, funny little friend, Ariella, who has just turned 4, has sadly been diagnosed with the rare TSC.

WIZO (NSW) – Women’s International Zionist Organisation: Provides Day Care Centres and schools for underprivileged communities; a network of youth clubs and one-on-one assistance for teenage girls in distress and victims of domestic violence; and psychological counselling, rehabilitative care and legal assistance for those in need. This choice reflects my desire to see my beautiful Israel become a place of greater equality, freedom and opportunity for those most in need.