From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Making sense of this week’s events

This has essentially become a week of national mourning for Jews across the world. I would imagine that many of us are still struggling to come to terms with the tragic events unfolding in Israel, the distress and shock of which have reverberated across the globe. Statements of solidarity and support have streamed in from the governments of many countries, who recognise both the magnitude and impact of this attack on Israel. For many, the future seems less certain and we are left to pick up the pieces, supporting and grieving with those who have lost loved ones and their homes. As some of our Emanuel School families and staff mourn the death of relatives or friends, the fear for the safety of those we know currently serving in the IDF is ongoing. On top of this, our community has contended with anti-Israel rallies across our major cities, leaving us feeling unsafe in our own homes and suburbs.

Now more than ever, we need to do what we do best; that is, to provide ongoing care and support for families in need, both within our community and in Israel. We are encouraged to stand with Israel. For our part, we are committed to maintaining a safe, calm and caring learning environment for our students. In addition to our counselling services, students can seek support and advice from their teachers, the Director(s) of Students or, in the High School, their House Tutor or Head of House.

I wanted to reinforce two great pieces of advice recently provided by our counselling team:

1. Children look to the adults in their lives for emotional cues about what is happening in the world and how to respond. They look to us for a sense of safety and security, and it is important to try to provide a calm and reassuring presence for your children. This does not equate to trying to hide your emotional reactions entirely from your children. It is okay for them to see you upset and you might even talk to them about how you are feeling and what you are doing to manage at this time. They may learn better how to cope with their feelings through watching you.

2. It is helpful for children to have age-appropriate factual information about what is happening in Israel at present. While we all want to protect our children and some parents may feel unsure about talking about the current situation with their kids, it is not possible to prevent conversations or media about the conflict from reaching them. As such, we would encourage you to talk about the conflict with your children at home so that you can help support them and provide appropriate information. This will allow you to understand better what they know, how they are feeling, giving them space to ask questions and get support from you to process and manage their reactions in a healthy way.

It is also important that our parents and carers look after themselves, in order to look after their children. It is easy for us, the adults, to get lost in the social media and the torrent of devastating news and horrific images. At times like these, we sometimes need to remind ourselves of the things we usually tell our children, like ‘go to sleep early, eat well, get some sunshine and limit your screen exposure.’

Wishing us all strength through this time.

2023 HSC Examinations have commenced

The first of many HSC Examinations was held on Wednesday. There was a sense of relief that the day had finally arrived, and that the ordeal would soon be over. Despite the cloud hanging over our school community, our students were resolute, focused and well prepared. They carry with them our best wishes for a successful outcome.

Mazal tov

Berry Inter-schools Equestrian Championships

Avalon Gold represented Emanuel School at the annual Berry Inter-schools Equestrian Championships, where she placed overall Reserve Champion for Year 9, across NSW. Avalon and her horse successfully competed in a number of events earning eight places all up including:

• Sporting 1st place
• Show jumping 90cm height 2nd place
• 5 x other 2nd place ribbons for sporting, dressage, jumping (75cm), cross country and hacking

A great achievement for her and her beautiful horse Prince Memnon (Toddy). Well done to a great team! 

NSW All Schools Athletics Championships

During the school holidays, Zac Urbach and Eden Levitt competed at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships.

Zac won his heat in the in the 19 years 100m sprint with a new personal best of 10.83s and qualified fastest for the Final out of the heats. In the Final, Zac won gold 10.84s, coming from behind and narrowly beating his nearest competitor by one hundredth of a second!

Eden Levit won a silver medal in the 19 years 100m and a bronze medal for the 19 years 200m.

Mazal tov to both Zac and Eden. We look forward to hearing of your future successes as Emanuel Alumni.

Quote of the week

Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means ~ Ronald Reagan

Primary News

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Welcome to the final term of 2023 and wishing you all the best for the term ahead.

We have all been incredibly shaken by the devastating situation in Israel this week. I thank you all for your support during these challenging times. We have many members of our community who have strong links to Israel including family and friends living in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are focused on the safety of our community here, all around the world and of course, in Israel.

We will continue to monitor any developments and take on CSG advice. We will communicate any information as necessary and as always, we remain vigilant about the children’s safety and wellbeing.

Mrs Valeo

This term, Claudia Sceats has returned to school as Claudia Valeo after her wedding in the holidays. We wish Claudia and Dave mazal tov and all the very best for the future.

B’Yachad Building

Next week, we will be welcoming Kindy, Year 5 and Year 6 into the beautiful B’Yachad Building. We are so excited to be in there and look forward to sharing photos in next week’s Ma Nishma. We also look forward to welcoming you to see the building in the future. This building will house the following:

• Kindergarten
• Year 5
• Year 6
• Imaginarium
• two large breakout spaces
• two small breakout spaces
• Kindy library/breakout space
• Offices for Carrie Thomas, Gena Yeomans and me.

Northern Territory Trip

On Sunday, a group of Year 6 students and parents will be heading to the Northern Territory to visit Jilkminggan School. We are excited to be able to run these trips again this year and connect with the community. Hayley Chester, Eamon Lukins, Michelle Favero and Carrie Thomas will be accompanying the group. We look forward to sharing photos and details upon our return.

Upcoming Dates

K-2 Assembly Items

We would like to invite the parents and carers of:

• Kindy Haifa on Friday 20 October 2023
• Year 1 on Friday 1 December  2023

We look forward to seeing you at these assemblies.

End of Year Events 

Friday 1 December 2023: Year 6 Graduation and Pathways at 8.10 am 
Tuesday 5 December 2023: K-2 Presentation Day at 8.45 am 
Tuesday 5 December 2023: 3-6 Presentation Evening at 6.00 pm
Thursday 7 December 2023: Picnic Day and final day of term

Parent Speakers 

Tuesday 7 November 2023 from 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Dr Judith Locke will present on campus (in the Millie Phillips Theatre) on ‘Developing Confident and Capable Kids’.

Thursday 16 November 2023 from 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Karen Young will present on Zoom about ‘Building Emotional Regulation and Self Control in Children’.

These presenters are both outstanding and I highly recommend that you attend both sessions.

From the Head of Jewish Life

Adina Roth – Head of Jewish Life

The Jewish Audacity of Light

This week, we are all holding trauma, brokenness and worry. As I sat last night, I thought I don’t have sweet and easy comforts for you, but I can share something that comes from my heart. In the opening lines of the Parshat Bereshit that we read this week it says, Bereshit Barah Elohim et Hashamayim ve’et  ha’aretz, In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth. The pesukim continue, Ve’ha’aretz hayta tohu va’vohu ve’chosech al penei tehom, and the earth was wild and waste and there was darkness over the deep.

The creation story of our tradition tells us that before there was any order or creation there was a total chasm of nothingness. This void is described by two enigmatic words, tohu and vohu. These words try to describe the nothing, the void and emptiness that preceded the unfolding of creation. Some even translate tohu and vohu as chaos, a kind of empty no-man’s-land, so empty, dark and chaotic that it is beyond our comprehension. From this space of nothing, empty and chaos, God creates a world of order and beauty by saying, ‘let there be light.’  And suddenly or, light comes into the world.

This is our grand Jewish story, our poem, our song for how we imagine the world came into being. From these opening lines we derive a very important life principle which has proven itself to be true in Jewish history again and again; there was chaos… and there was light.

Sometimes the world as we know it, where the sun rises and the sun sets and things are safe, predictable and secure, is overthrown. This is what happened in Israel last week. Now it may feel as if our world will never be the same. This is a tohu and vohu moment, a moment of chaos and void, where everything seems to become dark and terrifying. The secure fabric of our life feels gone. 

I have lived through moments like this before. I was in New York during 9/11 and I remember the terror of that time. A few days after it happened, Rosh Hashanah was upon us. None of us felt like celebrating the Jewish New Year, we were mired in tohu and vohu. We did it anyway. We lit our candles, we blessed our round challah and honey. I remember thinking this is what sometimes happens, tohu and vohu, tragedy occurs. Yet, our tradition teaches that with time, with time, we light the candles, we bless the wine and we find glimmers of light again. This idea is echoed in the teachings of the Hassidic Reb Kalonymus Shapira who encouraged Jewish people in the Warsaw ghetto to celebrate Jewish holidays, as a sign of the deepest belief in life while enduring the most horrific circumstances. Our tradition is one of audacious hope. Indeed, this light has already been present in Israel this week as families across the country rally to feed soldiers, communities pray and sing together, teenagers dig graves, volunteers educate children and mothers donate breastmilk. It was present at our community vigil at Rodney Reserve where we came together to pray, sing and be supported by each other and Australia’s political leaders. It is also present in the way every single teacher shows up with kindness to teach and be there for students.

We all carry grief in our hearts while giving our children routine, goals to look forward to and moments of joy. We are a people who choose life. As we hold our children and students through this time, I encourage us to seek the glimmers of light for ourselves too, to be hopeful amid the grief and to audaciously affirm life.

As we light Shabbat candles this week, let us remember this Jewish teaching, that light can co-exist alongside the pain. We will get through this together!  

Shabbat Shalom

Support for Israel

Support for Israel

There are many charities raising funds for the victims of this horrific war. Both the UIA and Magen David Adom have asked us to share their details with you, should you have the capacity to donate. 

UIA’s Israel at War Emergency Appeal

UIA’s Israel at War Emergency Appeal is supporting the Victims of Terror Fund, providing immediate financial assistance to the victims and families impacted by the war.

100% of the funds are remitted and deployed to support:

• Immediate financial support
• Necessities including food, clothes and nappies
• Payments for funerals and associated expenses
• Emotional and psychological support

These are the needs of the People of Israel – they need your support right now – every dollar will provide immediate assistance within 48 hours.

Donate now at http://bit.ly/UIAIsraelAtWar

Magen David Adom

Magen David Adom provides essential medical assistance to thousands of Israelis. Over 1,400 ambulances – some of which are bulletproof – are being operated by dedicated volunteers and staff. MDA continues to hold blood drives to supply blood to all the hospitals. Since the start of the war MDA has collected over 130,000 blood units from donors across Israel. Some MDA staff have been tragically killed or wounded while bravely helping Israeli citizens. There are still a few crews who are missing. Donate now at: https://www.magendavidadom.org.au/donate/

JNF

Support Gaza Border Communities through the JNF’s Emergency Campaign. Soroka Medical Centre, the primary hospital caring for the wounded, will continue to be supported by the JNF’s Blue Box Campaign. 

Donate now at: https://jnf.org.au/emergency/

Support for the Community

Primary Extra-Curricular Term 4

Emma Hill – Primary Teacher and Coordinator of Extra-Curricular Programs

We are pleased to announce that Extra-Curricular activities for Term 4, 2023 are open for booking via the Parent Portal.

In Term 4 there are two new clubs on offer:

1. Art Class for Years 2-5

Lisa Chimes has taught at several Eastern Suburbs art studios and runs the Art programme for Flying Yogis. The art class provides an engaging environment that fosters individual creativity. Children will experiment with different art materials and techniques to develop their abilities.

Projects they will complete include:

• Collage creations
• Nature inspired Art encouraging exploration of our  surroundings
• Identity portraits depicting themselves as they are or incorporating their dreams while looking at famous artists
• Mixed media landscapes and still life where we introduce watercolour, oil, pastel, charcoal and paint.
• Clay sculptures to foster three dimensional creativity

2. First Lego League Robotics for Years 3-6

This term, Emanuel School is thrilled to present the First Lego League Robotics Challenge, an exhilarating and educational experience designed for students in Years 3-6. Delving into the fascinating world of Lego Robotics, students will work in intimate groups, guided step-by-step through the engineering process.

Their mission: to construct a Lego masterpiece capable of completing one of the 15 engaging tasks in the Masterpiece Season. Encouraged to investigate engineering concepts and exhibit gracious professionalism, students will immerse themselves in competition and learning. The school is actively seeking opportunities to pit our budding engineers against other schools, further enhancing their learning experience. Coding, building, and teamwork will come to life in this exciting afternoon club.

Many activities have set enrolment numbers so please ensure you book your child in early to avoid disappointment. There are also a range of teacher-led lunch time clubs which are free for students. Students may join these clubs by approaching the listed teacher. A list of these can be found on the Parent Portal

 The Extra-Curricular schedule on the Parent Portal is regularly updated throughout the term, so please refer to this if you have any questions about the scheduling of activities. There are email links on each activity to help direct you to the relevant person if you do have any additional questions.

The Extra-Curricular Schedule is available via the Parent Portal:

K-12 Sport

Stuart Taylor – PDHPE Teacher

K-2 Gala Day

It was such a pleasure to give our Years K-2 students the opportunity to come together and participate in the gala games day in the last week of Term 3.

Held in Centennial Park, the day consisted of classic “old style” activities including egg and spoon races, gum boot throwing, skipping games and coits. The weather was perfect, and the students participated with gusto.

Thanks to the teachers who attended and encouraged and supported the students.

A huge thank you is also extended to the Year 6 Madrichim and House Captains who ran the various activities with great enthusiasm.

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Aidan Zlotnick, Head of Basketball

Emanuel 1st Basketball Team 

The Emanuel 1^st Basketball Team continued training and playing throughout the Term 3 school holidays. This included skill training for two days, followed by a game on the 29 September 2023 against the Saint Ignatius College Riverview 2nds. Emanuel won 54-48, despite missing a few key players.

In the second week, the Emanuel 1^st Basketball Team had a 3-hour training session, in preparation for the prestigious Sydney Schools Shootout in the Northern Beaches. Students travelled by bus on the 5 October 2023 and the 6 October 2023 to compete in the championship division of the tournament.

The results were as follows:

• Eagles defeated Emanuel 41-33
• Emanuel defeated Sydney Boys High 48-38
• Cranbrook defeated Emanuel 68-25
• South Coast defeated Emanuel 47-35
• Emanuel defeated Bulli High 50-43

The tournament was highlighted by the boys’ performance against Sydney Boys High and, despite the ups and downs during the tournament, it was a great effort and there were lots of learnings to take away. Marcus Tsimbler and Alex Kirievsky led the team in scoring, while Gideon Owen and Jake Joffe brought some intense defensive effort against some very tough opposition.

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Director of Music P-12

Welcome to our Music Matters page! 🎶

Here and on our portal page, you will find announcements about our busy Music program, please check in regularly.

Term 4 dates 

Weekly ensemble rehearsals, Private Music Tuition, Infant Strings Program (Years K-2) and Years 3-6 IP resumed this week, from the first day of Term.

Events for your diary:

• Night of Winds and Percussion – Wednesday 1 November 2023
• Year 10 Elective Music to the Burger Centre – Thursday 2 November 2023
• Night of Strings – Wednesday 8 November 2023
• Twilight Concerts (tutor nominated performances) – Wednesday 22 November 2023

This term, our musicians are preparing for two very special concerts, which will showcase the skills of hundreds of young instrumentalists, performing in a range of ensembles, as well as all students from Years 3-6 performing with their Primary School Instrument Program (IP) cohort. Our K-2 string playing students, who are members of the Perlman String Ensemble, will also feature in the strings concert.

More information will follow next week, and information letters will be sent to parents of performers. Students, please remember to bring your instrument and music to all your instrumental lessons so that you are well prepared to perform.

Please visit our Music Portal Page for information about:

• Private Music Tuition (beginning and discontinuing)
• Ensemble and Choir membership for K-12 students
• Infant Strings Program (ISP) for K-2
• Performance opportunities
• Borrowing an orchestral instrument.

G&T Extra-curricular for Term 4

Term 4 Extra-curricular Activities
Delivered by the Gifted and Talented Department

Term 4 Weekly Lunchtime Sessions 

Additional support for those involved in other extracurricular activities is available at Recess, Monday to Thursday, in B12. 

Term 4 Events

For the love of horses

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

I hope you all had a restful break, perhaps having the opportunity to spend some time in your or a friend’s Succah. This past week however, has been horrendous with tragic and devastating attacks by Hamas on Israel, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives and leaving so many injured. Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the citizens of Israel during this difficult time and we stand in solidarity with them, praying for peace. May the memory of those who have been lost be a blessing now and always. We also remind our community in Sydney to stay safe and check with NSW Board of Deputies for updates and we thank the Communal Security Group (CSG) and other volunteers for their never-ending dedication to keeping us all safe.

Remember September 2023

I want to thank readers who supported my campaign to help raise awareness about the fight against pancreatic cancer during the month of September – together, as an ongoing commitment please help to remember those we’ve lost and stand with those fighting to survive this most awful cancer. Alumnus Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008), who founded Remember September also thanks our School community for your help this year, which has raised over $1,510,000.00. 

For the love of horses

Avalon Gold, Year 9, is passionate about horses and riding in NSW, whilst alumnus Ari Regan-Lacey (Class of 2017) has taken his passion for horses to the other side of the world and back. Over the recent school holidays Avalon represented Emanuel School at the annual Berry Interschools Equestrian Championships. It was a hot three-day event where she placed overall Reserve Champion for Year 9, across NSW.

Avalon and her horse (Toddy) successfully competed in a number of events earning eight places in total including:

• Sporting 1st place
• Show jumping 90cm height 2nd place
• 5 x other 2nd place ribbons for sporting, dressage, jumping (75cm), cross country and hacking

Avalon Gold and Prince Memnon (Toddy)

Ari says: “Horses are such an amazing outlet. I started riding after school as therapy for my mental health. Where this took me was never what I expected. Since starting riding in 2020, I have worked all around NSW and eventually found myself in a career in dressage riding and breeding whilst studying on the side. In 2022, I packed up my life in Australia and flew across to Germany –  to one of the best stables in the world, Hof Kasselmann. Here I was lucky enough to learn from the world number 5 rider and many other world ranked riders, ride incredible horses from 3 year olds to World Championship Horses within the world top 10 and really develop my skill set. I decided after nearly a year to return home and continue my studies alongside riding, training and breeding top quality sport horses in the sun to introduce greater quality horses to Australia. Currently I am focusing on the breeding business whilst I focus on my studies. For anyone already involved in the industry or looking at furthering a career that does not follow the traditional trajectory of school – uni – career I urge you to think outside the box and do what makes you happy. But don’t forget how privileged you are to have such an amazing education at an amazing school. Feel free to reach out to me via Facebook or email if you’re interested in hearing more about my unconventional journey post school”.

Ari Regan-Lacey

Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) 
Tuesday 24 October 2023  – Tuesday 28 November 2023

The Randwick Ritz will be home of JIFF in Sydney with 50 plus films from across the world including three films directed by members of our amazing Emanuel community: Sasha’s Game, directed by Emanuel alumna Lexee Gordoun (Class of 2017); The Jewish Nazi? directed by Emanuel parent Dan Goldberg and Majong & Mahashas directed by past parent Carolyn Saul, whose son Isaac Grove (Class of 2020) has a small part in her film.

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Majong & Mahashas – Thursday 2 November 2023

Australian filmmaker and Emanuel past parent Carolyn Saul received JIFF Short Film Fund funding to complete her 15 minute film Majong & Mahashas to premiere at this year’s festival. The JIFF Short Film Fund is an initiative that encourages and supports the production and exhibition of diverse short films on themes that engage with Jewish life. JIFF is committed to supporting and championing local filmmakers and stories reflecting the global Jewish experience. Mahjong and Mahashas is a short documentary film about Sydney’s Singaporean Sephardic community. Weaving together interview excerpts, archival footage, photographs, original music and contemporary content, Mahjong & Mahashas will open a window into this unique Jewish diaspora with its roots in Iraq, trunks in Singapore and new branches in Australia. These family histories, migration stories and cultural touchstones – the clatter of Mahjong tiles; mouthwatering Mahashas made of tomatoes stuffed with meat and rice; cacophonous gatherings of extended family – will immerse audiences in a culture rich in tradition, customs and heritage.

Sasha’s Game – Wednesday 8 November 2023

There will be a post-film Q&A with director Lexee Gordoun (Class of 2017) and Author Anita Selzer.

6.30 pm – Drink on arrival
7.15 pm – Film screening

Set during the tumultuous years of World War II, a Jewish mother and son find themselves in hiding with only one way out. With the war’s horrors encroaching upon their lives, single mother Larissa bravely devises a plan to procure false papers and assume new identities for them both. Her audacious plan demands a profound and challenging transformation from her son Sasha; he must disguise himself as a girl. Embracing the identity of “Sala,” a teenage girl, Sasha must navigate the complex terrain of living a double life during a vital period of growth and self-discovery. Adapted from Anita Selzer’s book ‘I AM SASHA’ is based on memoirs from her father and grandmother’s experience during WWII comes a film about their remarkable survival.

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Another Emanuel connection with JIFF is through Head On 
Wednesday 15 November 2023

Emanuel parent Moshe Rosenzveig OAM and founder of Head On will be part of the Q&A session at this live screening at JIFF as part of this year’s festival.

When Roman Vishniac began to photograph Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, he did not know he was documenting their final moments. A veritable Renaissance man with interests in biology, physics, and art history, he was one of the first to use photography as an instrument of documentation and a pioneer in photo microscopy and time-lapse photography.

Click here for information and bookings.   

The Jewish Nazi? –  Tuesday 28 November 2023

Directed by Emanuel parent Dan Goldberg, this film will be screened on the closing night of the festival, 28 November 2023. The screening will be preceded by a discussion between historian Konrad Kwiet from the Sydney Jewish Museum (SJM), Dan Goldberg and the niece of ‘The Mascot’ Baiba Mangalis-Ford.

“It could be a fairytale from the Brothers Grimm, but ‘The Mascot’ is a true story. Part mystery, part memory puzzle, it is a spellbinding thriller. This is a book to keep you up at night.” — The New York Times, review of the bestselling 2007 book ‘The Mascot’.

The Jewish Nazi? tells the staggering story of Melbourne’s Alex Kurzem, a young boy who escaped the massacre of his family’s shtetl in Belarus in 1941. He survived in the woods during one of the coldest winters on record, only to be captured by a Latvian battalion. Instead of killing him, they took pity on him and gave him a new name, adorned him with a uniform and a gun, and made him their child mascot, “Hitler’s youngest soldier.” Building on the international bestselling book ‘The Mascot’ and an award-winning ABC documentary, the film goes above and beyond, tracing Alex’s journey to Australia with his adopted Latvian family, and his eventual life in the Melbourne suburb of Altona. The BBC have described the story as “one of the most remarkable stories to emerge from the War” while some refused to believe it, accusing him of being a hoax, a liar, a charlatan and a fraudster. 

Alex kept his secret for almost 50 years, before embarking on a quest to find his real identity. Along his journey, he had four false names and was reunited with the incorrect family, before DNA testing reveals the truth. The documentary touches on the impact for all of Alex’s family members — both adopted family and his long-lost family.

Volunteers at Sydney Jewish Museum (SJM)

Many of our readers have a strong connection with SJM, be it as a volunteer guide or on the Front Desk, as a member of staff or in some other capacity. The Museum is always seeking more volunteers and Rony Bognar OAM, one of our Emanuel grandparents, is Volunteer Manager at SJM. If you would like to be one of the museum’s volunteers, please get in touch. 

Reverberations: A Future of Memory at Sydney Jewish Museum (SJM)

Visit SJM to see this powerful interactive exhibition which includes interviews with holocaust survivors who are members of our School community.    

Explore all exhibitions for free every Sunday

SJM Poland Tour 2024

Sculpture by the Sea
Friday 20 October 2023 – Monday 6 November 2023

That time of year is fast approaching where thousands of people descend the Bondi to Tamarama walk to see the amazing sculptures on display. The promo for this year’s event features the amazing “Lens” by alumnus Joel Adler (Class of 2011), which was part of last year’s event and won him the Kids’ Choice Prize. 

Gennarosity Abroad

Shylie Rimmer, who was visiting with Abigail Smith – both Emanuel School alumni from the Class of 2009 and their friends, made their way to New Hope Children’s Centre and Karunga’s Emanuel Kindergarten .

They are pictured below with staff and children at the Kindergarten:

Shylie says “Visiting New Hope Children’s Centre was an incredible, life changing experience and one of the most memorable things I did in my four weeks in Africa recently. Seeing how Anne and the team create hope and happiness out of otherwise depressing or upsetting situations puts a true spin on the way you see life. Not only does it shift your perspective on what’s important in life, it makes you realise that life is about the glass half full – not empty.

While appreciating sadness, trauma, and feelings is important, it’s what you make of your situation that truly impacts the outcome of your life; and I really commend Anne and the team for the positivity, light and hope they bring to the lives of these kids and the lives of everyone around them. As a visitor, I felt this positivity and light, and left the centre with a different perspective on life.

Not only do these kids have happiness in their eyes, but they also have a life of opportunity ahead of them, which might be the most amazing thing considering the trajectory their lives were on before New Hope. At New Hope, these kids are not only making happy memories, but they’re also making a life-long family and are receiving the education they need to become something in this world. We think that at their young age they might not understand this yet, but somehow when you meet these beautiful children, you can see the love in their eyes and the appreciation in their hearts.

I hope Anne and the team continue to make this world a better place, as what they do is truly amazing. This is unquestionably a cause worth supporting”.

Charity Trivia Night
Tuesday 24 October 2023

Alumna Genevieve (Genna) Onuchukwu (nee Radnan) would like to remind readers about the Charity Trivia Night – see below 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.

Shabbat Project – Save the date
Friday 3 November 2023 – Saturday 4 November 2023

This year we celebrate Shabbat Project’s 10^th 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.  

Rabin Bugle

Hello Rabinites, 

We would like to formally introduce ourselves to the wider Emanuel community as the 2023/4 Rabin House Captains! 

Maya Foreman

 Hi, I’m Maya!

While I only joined Emanuel School in Year 10, I’ve loved getting to know Rabin House, and becoming part of this beautiful family. I’m so excited for this year to come, to get to know you all better and to make some amazing memories with all of you.

I really love music, so I am very keen for this upcoming House Music! I’ve got a feeling that this is going to be Rabin’s year… 

Gabriella Freed

Hey Rabin! I’m Bella.

I have been at Emanuel School since Year 5, and have been a part of the Rabin family for all of High School! I have always loved getting involved and showing my enthusiasm for all house events, and can’t wait to share my love of Rabin with everyone.

My favourite event of the year is the Swimming Carnival, and I know that Rabin can take first place again next year!

Term 3 was a big one! We’ve loved running House Assemblies around last term’s theme of Family.

Here is an introduction to our amazing new Year 12 Rabin Tutor Group. (Please note, this video is only available to Emanuel School students).

We are proud of our scientists who retained Rabin’s crown and won Science Trivia last term!

We are looking forward to next year’s carnivals and inter-house competitions. This term, we will begin planning for next year’s House Music.

Last term, we also sadly farewelled 12 Rabin 2023. We feel so lucky to have experienced the incredible leadership of our previous Rabin House Madrichim, Tess and Daniel! You produced such great assemblies, and always showed up with immense ruach – something that we want to also bring!

While the Rabin Bugle has been silent for a little while, we are excited to bring it back. This will be a space for us to celebrate Rabin’s amazing achievements, 

So, if you have any announcements, achievements, or celebrations, please email us or Ms Korotkov to share the news! 

Shabbat shalom

Maya and Bella 

Emails: 

• Ms Korotkov
• Maya 
• Bella 

Instagram: @rabinitesunite 

Hold us together

Justine Hofman – Head of P&F

We are all feeling this heavy and tragic time for Israel. Our community is so deeply and intimately connected with our Israeli sisters and brothers. Our hearts pour with love, support and solidarity with them.

We also stand together with the many Emanuel families and staff who are doing it particularly tough with close family, friends and loved-ones directly affected by this tragedy.

In these times, we can lean on our beautiful Emanuel community to hold us together. I am touched to hear of the ways in which we are already supporting each other ‑ be it a text message, a phone call or through intimate gatherings.

Let’s be sure to keep checking in on each other. Our children are growing up in each other’s homes and our school is an extension of our own Jewish family. The support we provide to each other can give much strength in these tough moments.

Remember the School is offering additional support to students who need via the Counselling Team. Jewish Care and Jewish House are also providing support for those adults feeling distressed or anxious about the events in Israel. Please contact Jewish Care on 1300 133 660 from 9.00 am – 5.00 pm or Jewish House outside these hours on 1300 544 357.

On behalf of all parents and friends of the school, we also express our deepest appreciation and thanks to our School’s Leadership Team, Board and all staff who are carrying us through this turbulent time. We are beyond grateful for everything you are doing to keep our children safe and grounded.

Reminders

• Friday Challah orders for Term 4 close on Monday 16 October 2023 Order here
• P&F Spring Family Camping Weekend on Friday 3 November 2023 – Sunday 5 November 2023  Book here.

The Speaker Series

Important Dates

What’s happening next week

High School 

Monday 16 October 2023

• HSC Examinations 
• Future Problem Solving Program – Critical and Creative Thinking Session
• Year 10 Chavayah Zoom Q&A session for parents

Tuesday 17 October 2023

• HSC Examinations 
• Year 9 JST Be the Change to Chifley Public School

Wednesday 18 October 2023

• HSC Examinations 
• Year 12 (2024) Parent Information Night

Thursday 19 October 2023

• HSC Examinations 

Friday 20 October 2023

• HSC Examinations 
• High School Non Uniform Day – Sustainability Va’ad

Primary School 

Monday 16 October 2023

• Jilkminggan Trip

Tuesday 17 October 2023

• Jilkminggan Trip

Wednesday 18 October 2023

• Jilkminggan Trip

Thursday 19 October 2023

• Jilkminggan Trip
• Year 2 to Royal Botanic Gardens

Friday 20 October 2023

• Jilkminggan Trip
• K-2 Assembly

Kornmehl

Monday 16 October 2023

• Playball commences for Dolphins, Seashells and Starfish

Tuesday 17 October 2023

• Starfish to Bush School

Wednesday 18 October 2023

• Dolphins to Bush School

Friday 20 October 2023

• Seashells to Bush School 

PSG

Thank you to our volunteers for the last week of Term 3
(Monday 18 September 2023 – Friday 22 September 2023)

Greg Chesler, Gary Nissim, Ariella Moldovan, Nicky Stiassny, Robert Carrion, Derek Pal, Joshua Bloom, Corinne Franks, Jared Keen, Simon Revelman, Ilan Bloom, Alan Arnott, Zhuliang Long, Michael Pollak, Graham Hurwitz, Tamara Kerlander, Barry Sherman, Danny Adno and Kevin Jacobson.

Help keep our kids and community safe: sign up to PSG here.