From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

COVID-19 testing requirements 

We have been approached by several parents, seeking clarification as to whether a Rapid Antigen Test could replace the standard (PCR) COVID-19 Test when their child is displaying symptoms. After consulting our Medical Advisory Panel, we have concluded that Rapid Antigen Tests, whilst quicker and more convenient, are not as accurate as PCR tests and are not recommended for people who are symptomatic. Key information on this test is outlined below:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/business/rapid-antigen-testing-information-for-businesses
https://www.pathology.health.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-info/rapid-antigen-testing

The relevant section in our Parent Handbook has been adjusted accordingly, and is outlined below.

Absence from school

If your child has any symptoms, please keep them at home and get a standard COVID-19 test (PCR) at a COVID-19 testing clinic in NSW and isolate, including from your household members, until you receive a negative result. The only way to rule out COVID-19 is to have a standard test (PCR), even if you have only mild symptoms. Rapid antigen tests are not as accurate as PCR tests and are not recommended for people who are symptomatic. Parents must provide a copy of the negative test result to the School via absence@emanuekschool.nsw.edu.au.

If your child has a negative test, but still has ongoing symptoms of illness, they must remain at home and not return to school until they are completely well. To summarise; the student can only return to school when they:

• have a negative result for their test; and
• no longer have any symptoms

Parents should be aware that even a mild symptom, such as a headache or runny nose means that your child cannot attend school. Students who are well/displaying no symptoms may continue to attend school, whilst the unwell household member (sibling, parent etc) awaits a COVID test result.

Higher School Certificate Examinations

After the longest wait in HSC history, the examinations commenced on Tuesday. Our students approached their final examinations with equal parts trepidation and relief. They have settled down quickly into the prescribed routines. The Emanuel Synagogue are generously hosting the examinations, which take up a large room and a range of additional spaces for students with disability provisions. Our covid-safe arrangements are working well, and our hope is that we will progress through the next few weeks without incident.

Kristallnacht

Kristallnacht, The Night of Broken Glass, marked the onset of the Holocaust. On 9-10 November we commemorated these atrocities that marked a dark turning point in our collective history.

Kol Ha’kavod to our Chaggim Va’ad – Eden Glass, Eden Grynberg, Jayda Sacks and Lily Berger – who worked together to develop a moving virtual Kristallnacht ceremony. Their maturity and empathy shone through, capturing the theme, mood and details in a respectful and engaging way.

Our Remembrance Day Ceremony

At 11 am on Thursday, we joined schools across the country in remembering those who had died in the First World War. This conflict had mobilised over 70 million people and left between nine and 13 million dead and as many as one third of these with no grave. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. 

Due to COVID cohorting restrictions, the ceremony was held outdoors, with students standing. The student-led reading of the ode, followed by the Last Post and a minute’s silence captured the significance of the event. Our thanks to Eva Nabarro, Jake Isenberg (Year 7) and Max Salamon (Year 8) for conducting the ceremony, and our Modern History staff team for organising the event.

Lest we forget.

National Recycling Week

Our Sustainability Va’ad marked National Recycling Week with a range of student activities, including a poster competition (made with recycled paper), highlighting the importance of recycling within our School. Our student sustainability leaders produced a video, highlighting their top tips for recycling (to reduce, reuse and recycle), which was played in House Tutor Groups. Head of Visual Arts, Eytan Messiah and Art and Makerspace Technician, Chrystal Rimmer, will be judging a competition of artworks made of recycled material, with winders to be announced in Week 9. Our thanks to Lisa Starkey, High School Coordinator of Sustainability Programs, and to our Sustainability Va’ad.

What a delicious surprise

Our staff enjoyed a very delicious and much appreciated morning tea today, organised by the P&F on behalf of the whole Emanuel School community. Ruby Berkovic, Co-President of the P&F who handwrote the thank you notes and personally delivered the grazing boxes said, “We all know how hard everyone’s worked this year. We want you to know that it hasn’t gone unnoticed. We so appreciate all that you have done for our children.”

Thank you to the P&F for their thoughtful surprise. I echo their words and sentiment.

An unexpected letter

I received a most unexpected and moving letter from our neighbours, Maureen and David. Maureen, who sadly has dementia, recently fell from their reversing car, breaking seven ribs and fracturing her skull. Our wonderful parents and staff jumped to her aid until the ambulance arrived.

Our Emanuel deep sense of community didn’t end there. David returned home from visiting his wife in hospital to find a homemade meal waiting outside his front door. I am deeply grateful for the kindness, compassion and care displayed by members of our school community.  

I thought you’d like to read an account of the events in David’s words.

From the Head of Jewish Life

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Divine awakenings

“And he (Ya’akov) awoke from his sleep and said:
‘Surely, God is present here and I knew not’ “

We are all Ya’akov (Jacob), sleeping in the presence of God, with but a few of us blessed in experiencing divine awakenings.

Speaking to Ya’akov’s statement, the Rabbis wryly comment: “If I had known (God was present), I would not have slept”. Certainly, it is only by being awake that one can know God’s presence rather than God’s presence being discovered by a sleeping self. Yet, true awakeness is the experiencing of the divine.

Ya’akov’s divine experience is introduced by two telling words: ויפגע במקום/VaYiphga BaMakom – He encountered or “hit upon” the place. Judaism, like all religions, recognises sacred space. Accordingly, the full rabbinic comment reads “If I had known (God was present), I would not have slept in such a holy place (makom)”.

For our Jewish tradition, however, מקום/makom also means God, the omnipresent. Thus, it is Ya’akov’s hitting upon/encountering the divine that makes this place sacred. Likewise, it is only in Moshe’s “turning aside” to look upon the “burning bush” that we are told he is standing upon “holy ground”. We look for sacred space to inspire us, whereas it is our inspired experience that makes for the sacred space.

The first word of this week’s parashah is VaYeitsei – And Ya’avov set out upon his journey. Without the quest there is no vision. Divine awakenings, Judaism teaches us, require our presence.

מה נורא המקום הזה אין זה כי אם בית אלוהים
“How awesome is this place, this is none other than the abode of God”
(Ya’akov, VaYeitsei)

“Awe enables us to perceive in the world intimations of the divine, to sense in small things the beginning of infinite significance, to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple; to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal.” 
 (AJ Heschel, God in Search of Man)

Two out of three

MIchelle Favero, Capital Appeal Director & Manager, Marketing and Communications

Two out of three ain’t bad

Meatloaf – not the homemade delicious kind, but the rock star – once sang, “Two out of three ain’t bad”. Whilst that may ring true for a sad love ballad, when it comes to more concrete products the song falls drastically short. Perplexed? Read on.

We have committed to develop a state-of-the-art three-storey building for our children, with plans to break ground in the school holidays. It’s a much-anticipated event and one which will bring many benefits to our kids and help create their bright future. 

As we currently stand, we have raised $7.5 million. And whilst that’s a wonderful start, it’s $2.5 million short of the $10 million that we need to complete the building. With apologies to Meatloaf, in this instance, two out of three sadly is bad.

What options do we have?

Well, building only two storeys is not an option. With an increased demand for contemporary pluralist education, enrolments are at an all-time high. Over the past decade, Emanuel has welcomed 170 additional students, leaving the School bursting at the seams.

This new building will help accommodate this significant student growth and bring the campus in line with 21^st century educational practices. It will provide increased space for our Primary students and benefit the whole school with its flow-on effects, providing additional space, learning opportunities and targeted facilities for all.

The future is in your hands

Yes, the future is in your hands. And every dollar really does count!

Please help us to create a bright future for our children and our children’s children, today. Please don’t put it off until tomorrow or next week. Your help is needed now. And it’s so easy to donate – just visit ourbrightfuture.com.au – with a few clicks we will be one step closer to that third, essential floor of learning.

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

UIA My Israel video entrants acknowledged

During our period of home learning, the UIA ran a ‘My Israel’ video competition. This competition invited students to create a short video about Israel. The content could be educational, informative or personal.

Allegra and Jemima focused on everyone’s favourite dip and essential Israeli street food – humus – and got busy in their kitchen making it fresh.

Tamar shared her personal connections to Israel and why she loves Israel.

To acknowledge their efforts, the UIA presented each participant with a gift bag.

Kol HaKoavod to our entrants and thank you UIA for organising a great competition. 

Primary News

Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

It’s great to be back

I feel so happy to be back at school and I have loved the highlights of being on campus together. I wondered how the kids were feeling so I thought it would be nice to do a little check in. Here are some of their thoughts.

The best thing about being back at school is:

Elke KH: Playing in the playground and getting Winbins. 
Zara KH: Reading and Golden Time. 
Samara 1B: Seeing all my friends and all my favourite teachers and learning. 
Tom 1B: Playing with my friends and seeing all the teachers. 
Class 4M: Learning with my friends and having my teachers help.
Hana 5N: Being a part of the school environment with all my friends. 
Noaa 5N: Connecting with everyone and learning together again. 
Hannah 6H: Talking without having to organise a structured conversation. 
Leah 6H: Interacting with teachers and friends in real life.  
Aaron 6YM: Getting to talk to my teachers in person. 
Summer 6YM: Being able to socialise with friends during class! 

There is definitely a common theme about seeing friends and teachers in person!

I thought I would share the highlight of my week too. We had Kindy Orientation this week where we were able to meet our new friends who will be joining us next year.

One child said to me, “You look like my Mum’s friend.”
I replied, “What’s your mum’s friend’s name?”
The answer wasn’t what I expected…it was Luke!

Market Street

I am so grateful to the families who are no longer using Market Street and the bus zones for drop off and pick up! There has been a huge difference. I wanted to clarify the School’s position on the use of Market Street. I have seen many parents using Market Street legally by parking and meeting their children in this area. Whilst this isn’t a legal problem, it is certainly still causing issues with our relationship with our neighbours. As you can imagine, if all families decided to do this, there would be a bottleneck in the area (especially as people are required to u-turn to get back out). We therefore are requesting that you do not use Market Street at all. There are also many people turning into Market Street to u-turn and join GWTF by turning right onto Avoca Street. Please do not do this as it heavily blocks the streets. We ask you to come around the block behind the School and onto Stanley Street. Whilst it may take a few minutes longer, we are asking all families who are collecting their children from school to use the GWTF system in the suggested way.

Providing work for absent students

Please note that the teachers are providing work for the students who haven’t been able to return to school this term. Students who are absent/sick for a day or two are not provided with work of this nature. Some parents are emailing teachers in the morning to say their children won’t be coming in that day and they would like work. Unfortunately, this is not something that we are able to manage/turn around within those time frames. Thank you for your understanding.

Masks

Years 3-6 are wearing masks indoors on campus and Years K-2 can wear masks if they choose to do so. The children are doing a great job with this. Please make sure that your children have spares available so that we are able to limit the number of disposable masks that we are handing out. Our Emanuel masks have arrived and one has been issued to each child in the Primary School. We have some spares available for sale via Trybooking. Please note that there are two sizes available. We have issued Years K-4 with the small size and Years 5-6 with the larger size. Feel free to follow the link and order some more!

Pyjamas

The return to school has provoked a lot of excitement for all of Year 6. We have had a blast seeing our friends and teachers again, and finally being able to interact with other people. 

Throughout online learning, Year 6 students have been working on Project Heritage, a collaborative project about living historians in our community. We started off on Zoom but now have been able to continue working on it in person, which has been a very enjoyable experience. We have been frantically finishing and uploading our work in time for the final showcase within Year 6, which is rapidly approaching. 

Over Home Learning, our amazing teachers were able to continue with the Physical Education program, however, doing it via Zoom was just not the same. Now, being back at school, we are able to fully get back into our usual sport in person, which has included the opportunity to go to Queens Park every Thursday afternoon. Year 6 students have not only been enjoying physical activity in sport classes, but we have also absolutely loved running around in the playground with our friends again.

While there have been some challenges getting back into our normal school routine, most of it has felt natural, as if we have been here the whole time. If we were to name everything we loved about learning in person, the list would be never-ending, so we will wrap it up here.

However much we have enjoyed getting comfortable in our pyjamas, it could never compare to the joy of being back here at school. 

By the 2021 Madrichim

Amazing race

Hannah Greengarten – Year 7

Racing to repair the world

Year 7 had our first onsite PBL (Project-Based Learning) day last Wednesday. 

We have been focusing on the idea of Tikkun Olam, healing the world. To do this we have been studying the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals put together in 2015. 

We started the day with an amazing race style game. We raced around the School in our project groups and found posters with QR codes that we had to scan. After scanning the QR code, we would be asked a question based on the Global Goal that was presented on the poster and if it was answered correctly we would get an action which we had to perform and take a photo of, and a clue leading to the next poster. 

As the day went on we focused more on the specific goals that our groups were working on, which for me was Sustainable Cities and Communities. We had to find problems associated with our global goals so we chose to focus on air pollution in cities making them unsustainable. We researched our topics in more depth and acquired new information on them. After researching how deeply this problem affected society and designing Instagram posts to show this, it made us all the more eager to find a solution. 

We had so much fun and we can’t wait for the next PBL day to continue trying to heal the world!

Year 7 Tikkun Olam PBL Goal

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Year 7 Tikkun Olam PBL 2

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Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

Bush School

We have finally been able to return to Bush School after being in lockdown for a very long time. The children expressed such excitement when we told them we were going back to Bush School. 

We asked the children why they all felt so happy?

Abby: We are happy to be back here because we’re all gathering in a circle and sitting beautifully.
Liana: Cause the virus is here still but we’re allowed to go to school.
Bronte: Because we haven’t been here for a long time.
Penny: Because it’s nature and you can spot animals.
Daniel: Because we love the earth, and the earth loves us back.
Zach: Because we’re sitting in a pile of leaves and it’s kind of a carpet
Oliver: It’s because some art is actually made from leaves.
Finn: It’s filled with nature.

We usually start our Bush School experience by sitting together and saying Acknowledgement to Country. During this time, we might also sing a song or share what we can see around us, what might be different and what might be the same. We notice the size of the tree in the centre of the Bush School classroom and how far it extends, making our space feel like we are in a room, a canopy and enclosure of branches and leaves above and around us. 

What is so magical about Bush School, is that each visit is so very different. The children are constantly discovering new things, asking different and unique questions, challenging themselves or coming up with new, inventive, and imaginative games to play.

Pieces of nature are used in different ways too, such as making art or fairy gardens. Some children choose to revisit previous play and ideas whilst others try something new and different. The magic of natural and open-ended materials means there are many possibilities of how to use them. Each time, the fairy gardens are different, sometimes sticks are used and positioned in different ways, perhaps to make furniture or to frame the space, other times leaves are used for decoration, bowls or swimming pools.

It really does amaze us of how observant the children are. They often spot the smallest creatures hidden in the grass or dirt and they are fascinated to learn more and discover what it is.

When we are at Bush School, the children are very engaged. Nature offers us challenges, materials to make art, settings that can enhance dramatic play and quiet places to just be. It offers us opportunities to discover and learn together.

Last week on arrival at Bush School, we were very sad, angry and disappointed to see that some people who had been into our bush space since our last visit had left behind a whole heap of rubbish. The children shared their thoughts of those people having little respect for our environment and the land and how it looked messy and we wondered why they hadn’t put the rubbish into the bins.

Another popular activity at Bush School is tree climbing. The benefits of tree climbing are enormous. Being off the ground provides children with the opportunity to challenge themselves whilst having fun, building strength, balance and co-ordination. Climbing trees brings children into close contact with nature and often helps to create a sense of peace and calm for the children. There is nothing like lounging on a tree branch or finding that perfect spot to sit. Climbing trees also stimulates the senses and for some children they often feel excited by being able to do something that they normally may not be allowed to do.

Over time, it has been such a celebration to share with the children their joy as they master climbing a tree that they were previously not able to. This is because they have the opportunity to revisit the experience many times, to practise, persevere, develop confidence and to feel proud of their achievements.

Children learn to manage and assess risks which is an important life skill to learn from a young age. They learn to find different ways to move up the branches and from one to another.

Ethan: We taught Ava to climb up high.
Terry: How does it feel?
Ava: A little bit scary.
Rafi: You need shoes with grip.
Ava: Mine have rubber.
Uriel: It’s a Wonka wig tree.
Archie: A wonky pinky tree.
Aviv: A leaf tree.
Jesse: The twirly whirly tree.
Uriel: The winky dinky, twirly whirly tree.
Archie: A hunky dinky tree.
Archie: The plants are soft. I jumped on them and it felt soft.
Uriel: They are soft, feel them.

Josh and Finn came across some white sap from a small bush.

Finn: Tree blood is white.
Josh: Because they’re not humans.
Finn: Things that can’t move and are living have white blood and things that can move and are living have red blood.

On our return to Pre-school, we set up a slide show with images from our last Bush School visit for the children to reflect on. This slide show provoked the children’s thinking and imagination, assisting them with their graphic representations. 

While watching the slide show, Leah expressed she felt like crying, but couldn’t tell us why. She explained she felt happy and proud of being able to climb the tree (a skill she didn’t have at the beginning of the year.) However, with perseverance practise and the help from her peers, she has now mastered this skill. This was a good opportunity to talk about “happy tears” and the emotions we experience when feeling moved and proud.  

Zach: I’m doing nature things in my t-shirt.
Leah: It makes me want to cry. It makes me feel happy. 
Evan: I love everything at Bush School.
Arlo: I like climbing trees.
Ollie: I like the ramp the best.
Josh: I like climbing.
Elisa: This is me high in the tree. I love climbing trees and I’m very good at it. 
Finn: Going down the big hill.   

Outdoor Classroom Day

Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to inspire and celebrate outdoor play and learning. On Outdoor Classroom Day, teachers celebrate with a special day outdoors for their classes.

Children are spending less time outdoors than ever before and this is affecting their health, wellbeing and love of the natural world. Time outdoors – on Outdoor Classroom Day and every day – will make children happier and healthier, as well as helping them form habits that will stick with them for life. They will have a love of the natural world and will take action to protect it.

Last week we celebrated Outdoor Classroom Day on Thursday. Our plan was to spend the whole day outdoors! The weather man had other ideas, rain was forecast and so from 8.30 am – 11.00 am we enjoyed a variety of incredible outdoor experiences. These included making damper, moulding bowls with clay, concocting potions, excavating bones, looking through mirrors at the trees above and drawing them, pattern making, water play, mud play, camping in a tent and offering sunflowers to our native bees. 

The rain did come down as predicted, but it only enhanced our play and made it even more fun. We put on our wet weather gear and continued to play, slide down the water slide, squish in the mud and dig for treasure and bones in the sandpit.

The children had so much fun and expressed – “This is the best day ever!”

“Children more than ever, need opportunities to be in their bodies in the world – jumping rope, bicycling, stream hopping and fort building. It’s this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centredness emerge.” David Sobel

“To raise a nature-bonded child is to raise a rebel, a dreamer, an innovator….someone who will walk their own verdant, winding path.” Nicolette Sowder

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Those who shine

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Life returning to “normal”

It is half way through November already, meaning we only have four weeks left until the end of the school year. Many very happy interstate family reunions have now taken place, with many more planned, and overseas travel now allows for even more reunions. We continue to appreciate everything the School does to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff and of our students. 

For the latest COVID rulings updates.

With the start of the HSC this week, we acknowledge how different these final two years have been for the Class of 2021 compared to those of our Year 12 students prior to COVID-19. They have truly been an awesome group and they will certainly have a story to tell in years to come. As we all know, the HSC is the end of school but it is just the beginning of the rest of our lives. Here is an interesting article published in Tuesday’s SMH, written by Tracey Schreier, a past Casual Teacher here at Emanuel School. 

Those who shine

I love the opportunity to showcase achievements of members of our very talented Emanuel Community each week on this page, here are a few more:

Emanuel parent, Emile Sherman

Highly acclaimed film producer, Emile Sherman, is best known for The King’s Speech which won him an Academy Award for Best Picture in 2011. He also produced the biographical drama film Lion, based on Saroo Brierley’s memoir A Long Way Home, starring Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel and David Wenham, which went on to receive numerous Oscar nominations at the time.

Emile is the Producer of a new film The Power of the Dog starring Benedict Cumberbatch, based on the novel by Thomas Savage which sees a domineering rancher responding with mocking cruelty when his brother brings home a new wife and her son, until the unexpected comes to pass. As we congratulate Emile and all the production crew and cast, the film has already received rave reviews.

Alumnus, Daniel Brockwell (Class of 2015) is co-founder of a new startup Earlywork, creating the careers of tomorrow. Claire Pech, our Careers Advisor, has a wonderful interview with Daniel on her Careers page in this issue of Ma Nishma which I hope you enjoy reading. 

Father and son act

Graeme Friedman, father of David (Davey), Class of 2011, Matthew (Matt), Class of 2015 and Asha Friedman, Class of 2020, is a clinical psychologist and an award-winning writer whose short stories have appeared in anthologies published internationally, and he recently launched his latest book What the Boy Hears When the Girl Dreams.

Graeme says, “I feel driven to use stories to make sense of the world, and love to explore the lives of ordinary people set against bigger political tensions. Writers are often told to write about what they know, but I love to research and write about worlds I do not know. I’ve done that in my non-fiction, tackling subjects as diverse as football and the Holocaust, and in The Fossil Artist, my novel about fossil hunting, and now, in What the Boy Hears When the Girl Dreams, I’ve woven colourful and little-known pieces of Sydney history into a story about a boy with ‘super-hearing’ who uses his power to help his family’s lodger, a young African asylum seeker, piece together her traumatic past from scraps of her night-time dream talk. I hope readers enjoy it!”

Alumnus Davey Seagle (aka David Friedman, Class of 2011) – elder son of Graeme Friedman
After finishing Year 12 at Emanuel, Davey studied and worked extensively in theatre in London before returning to Sydney where he runs his own theatre company Ponydog Productions.

His latest production, Tattle Tales, is an immersive storytelling experience.

You, the audience, are invited to share in creating an original adventure with The Storyteller as your guide. Designed to be experienced by no more than 10 people per show, the decisions you make will determine the characters you meet and the challenges you’ll face on your journey.

Your tale, once told, will never be told again.

Davey says ,“I’d love to see some Emanuel folks at my show, so please use the code ‘STORYTIME’ for 10% off adult tickets” which you can purchase here.

Flight Path Theatre, Marrickville
Previews: Tuesday 16 – Thursday 18 November
Season: Friday 19 – Sunday 28 November

2021 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation

Mazal tov to past parent, Professor Anthony (Tony) Weiss AM, from the University of Sydney, who was recently awarded the 2021 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation for his research into accelerating and improving the repair of human tissue.

Grandparents – we will always want you!

Ma Nishma each week remains one of the best ways to stay connected with our School and with our community no matter where in the world you live. Please help us to get our grandparents database updated by sending through grandparent contact details so they too can read Ma Nishma to find out what is happening at School, albeit it only online for now.  They will also receive our Grandparents and Friends newsletter. You can see past issues of this newsletter along with our alumni newsletters online. Living interstate and/or overseas, means some of “our” grandparents never have an opportunity to come to School, so connecting electronically can be really meaningful and a great way for them to see what their grandchildren are doing at School in spite of the distance apart. Having just come out of lockdown, no visitors can come onto campus so even for our local grandparents Ma Nishma and our Community Facebook page are the best ways to stay connected with us.  If you are not already a member of our Facebook page, join here.

“Mo-for-Mike” continues right through November

On my page last week, I included a poignant message from Emanuel parent Craig Haifer who decided to dive mo-first into Movember in honour of his dad the late Dr Michael Haifer who sadly suicided earlier this year. Craig wants to use this as a platform to promote discussion and change, whilst raising money for an extremely worthwhile cause. He says, “start a conversation, even consider releasing your inner Mo and donate as you can”.

“Thank you” from Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN)

Following this week’s online fundraising event for AJFN, they would like to say a huge to members of our School community who supported this amazing cause. The original goal of $260,000.00 was far exceeded, raising over $386,900.00 over the 24 hours of their campaign – much needed funds to help create miracles.

Lion Spy
Sunday 21 November 2021 at 4.00 pm

Now that cinemas and theatres have opened up again after lockdown, we have the opportunity to see some amazing productions, not just on our TV screens. One such option is to head to The Ritz Cinema in Randwick for a special pre-screening of “Lion Spy” benefitting National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA) and Friendship Circle. The screening will be followed by an exclusive Q&A with director Rogue Rubin. The documentary follows Rogue Rubin, as she infiltrates the male dominated world of trophy hunters in Africa.

Here is the link to purchase tickets and for more information on the film.

Challah and sweet treats

Don’t forget you can order challah and sweet treats online from the Friendship Bakery at Mark Moran Vaucluse (2 Laguna Street Vaucluse), a social enterprise initiative of the Friendship Circle engaging young adults with disabilities. Online orders close at 4.00 pm on Thursdays for “click and collect” and pick up on Fridays between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. If you miss this cut-off, you can head up to the bakery on a Friday morning, where no doubt you will see other parents, grandparents and friends in the queue waiting to buy their yummy challah and freshly baked treats for Shabbat and the weekend. Some of their weekly favourites will no doubt tempt you, as will new products. They have gluten-free options as well as a few vegan goodies.

Holiday workshops

With the Summer School holidays fast approaching, there are lots of choices for activities for your children, so watch this space. Past parent Vivienne Radomsky, Project Manager at B’nai B’rith NSW, shares details about the B’nai B’rith Kids Club photo workshop on the 18 January 2022:

We look forward to sharing our news and yours, so if you have photos or news you would like to share with us, please send to: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Shabbat shalom, stay safe and have a great weekend.

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

Spotlight on the Tech industry

This week I decided to interview a Tech Startup Founder to explore more on how he got to his current position:

Daniel Brockwell, Product Manager at Atlassian and EarlyWork Co-Founder, Alumnus, Class of 2015.

Daniel Brockwell

Your LinkedIn profile says you studied Computer Science and Marketing – was this a good choice for you? 
I started to study Finance and Biology, and I then transferred my majors three times. University is like a ‘choose your own adventure book’. There is a big shift from being at school – on a oneway path, which is nice and rigid. Then you go to university and there is much more flexibility. You control your learning journey. That is the big difference. I changed degrees. I was doing Economics and Science and I am glad I followed that path. It was a good place to start when I wasn’t too sure. But I found I got much more exposure to the startup scene and exposure to consultancy work. 

Computer Science taught me how to build and how to solve problems. Marketing taught me how to communicate solutions. My approach is human-first then tech-second. You are at a very competitive advantage when you have software engineering skills mixed with good people skills.

For each degree what was the best skill you learned?
From my Computer Science degree it was structured problem solving. Learning about the paradigm of how to break down problems. In my marketing degree, it was learning how to work with people who thought differently to me. This is a great skill to acquire.

What made you choose that course and university?
For me the most important decision was the social cohort. UNSW has the top Computer Science degree in the country. The founders of Atlassian studied Computer Science at UNSW, and Atlassian hires directly from UNSW for that very reason. People know the brand. Co-Op Scholarships run here which sets them apart. The Business School has a very strong reputation. It would help for students to think about the degree (faculty) they are going into and the reputation for that degree in itself, not just the whole university. 

Are you happy with that choice? What else were you choosing?
I was not that happy with Commerce overall. I did meet some good people. It is a safe path to learn about the world and Computer Science and Arts, would have been a great combination for me. I underestimated the power of an Arts degree, learning how to write, how to think, how to critically analyse etc. Arts would have been a great balance with writing and curiosity about the world. The best unit I have studied at university was Business Ethics, a Philosophy course, whilst on exchange at Virginia University. It really challenged my thinking.

Tell me a bit about EarlyWork?
At university, a lot more time was spent on internships then me studying to get good grades. I found I wanted to learn more working at a startup rather than through university work. I asked for opportunities. I learnt a lot, in fast paced environments. I rejected the Deloitte Graduate job offer that I got, over a great start-up job that was way more interesting. The pay was similar but I knew I would learn a lot more. I also then got the graduate offer at Atlassian. Lots of friends were asking about how to get internships especially within the tech and start-up space. I started helping friends, doing research for them, and finding internships and graduate roles just in Sydney. I put them in a newsletter and started sending it out to friends. I then started to share lessons, capturing stories, interviewing people in startups. I then asked a colleague to collaborate. I then started interview coaching and helping students get roles. Build a customer before you build a product. Provide the content for free….. and then you can start charging for it.

How is this new start-up going now?
It is very exciting times. We are building the home for the careers of tomorrow. It is for tech startups and social impact companies. We have four pillars within EarlyWork: 

1. Newsletters (free resources) to 1500 people within Australia.  
2. Slack community – online community and forum, pitch nights, monthly catch ups, master classes etc 
3. Gigs by EarlyWork – dedicated jobs board around the jobs of tomorrow 
4. Search engine for talent pool

Is EarlyWork a sideline – or do you feel this is your main gig? 
I am working on Atlassian by day, on a two year contract and my sideline EarlyWork on the side. But who knows where that is going to go.

Are you a wanna-be careers advisor, or what is your purpose with Earlywork – the business side or the people-careers side? 
I am playing in both arenas. We believe that every young person should find meaning in the work that they do and make a positive dent on the planet.

It looks like you have worked at Uber, Amazon, Atlassian – a very impressive line up – how did you score these gigs? My first internship was via an email request. Who am I? Why am I reaching out? What is in for them? This is the Who, Why, What principal of looking for work. Here is more information about this. 

What advice would you give back to your former Year 12 self?
It’s ok to pivot (move, change paths). It is almost dangerous to just try just one path. Explore. Most importantly – try lots. There is so much to explore out there. Test more stuff. Find out more. Explore more data points.

What advice would you give to our Current Year 12 group? (who have had it pretty tough in 2021) 
Having a very high ATAR can be useful for scholarships. But very quickly the value of your ATAR is replaced by university grades, involvement, interests, extra-curricular activities and skills. I have a friend who got an ATAR in the 60s. He then went on to study Pure Maths and Computer Science at university and is now achieving HD’s (A grades) and now working at a tech startup. My advice would be: 

• Build an online digital presence early as soon as you can. Find things you are interested in now. Create your content now.
• It’s not about who you know. It’s not about what you know. It’s about you knows you.

What skills do you feel Emanuel set you up with for your career now?
Intellectual curiosity. Keeping an open mind to the world and being interested in a lot of different things.

Each school subject has helped:

• Legal studies helped me understand how society operates
• English has helped me writing essays and I now write every day
• Economics taught me how markets work
• Geography with the importance of keeping this earth in a good state
• Biology reminds us of the beauty of life and how it arises
• Maths was very helpful for Computer Science etc. Emanuel exposed me to different ways of thinking. 

Also my social cohort at Emanuel – we were great friends and still are. There is a real diversity of thinkers which is unusual for a small school. I now have  friends who all think differently. 

Thanks so much Dan for sharing your insights with us!

For those who would like to ready more the EarlyWork newsletter has some fascinating content.  

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Head of Music

Mazal tov to our Year 12 HSC Elective Music students who sat their written exam this week!

Instrument Maintenance Check Day Week 8
Tuesday 23 November 2021 – Wednesday 24 November 2021

If you are borrowing any school instrument (for IP, for ISP, or for your ensemble playing) please bring it into the Music Department by 8.15 am on Tuesday 23 November 2021 (or on Wednesday 24 November 2021, if you do IP on that day) to be checked and serviced by our team. Regrettably, any instruments which are not serviced in our maintenance check will need to be taken by parents to be serviced at a music shop at their own expense. Please pick your instrument up on Thursday unless you get an email from us or you are returning it permanently.  Instruments should be clean and have a student name tag attached with the instrument barcode on the reverse. If this name tag is missing, please ask Mrs De Araujo in the music Staffroom to label it for you.

End of Year 6 IP (Instrumental Program) and continuing Music Tuition in High School

For parents of Year 6 students who are coming to the end of the compulsory Instrumental Program, you will receive an email about the return of your School-loaned instrument in Week 8 and your intentions regarding private music tuition and High School ensembles.
Please reply to Joanne De Araujo

Private Music Tuition and Infant Strings Program for 2022

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and ISP enrolments for next year. The deadline for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 1 is Friday 19 November 2021. All students currently receiving private music tuition and students in Years K-1 who are currently participating in the Infant Strings Program will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules for 2022 along with students commencing lessons for the first time. To enrol or discontinue please visit our Music Portal Page and complete the relevant online forms. Formal discontinuation notice must be received to avoid being committed to the full term of lessons and liable for fees. 
Please contact Matilda Grieve  if you have any questions.  

The schedules for Term 1, 2022 will be created at the end of term and emailed in late January.

Kristallnacht

Mazal tov to the Chaggim Va’ad below for producing this virtual Kristallnacht ceremony.

Eden Grynberg

Kristallnacht

Kristallnacht – often referred to as the “Night of Broken Glass” occurred on the 9 and 10 of November 1938. The events of Kristallnacht represented one of the most important turning points in Nazi policy. It marked the commencement of the many horrors that were to come during the Holocaust.

On the night of 9 November 1938, Nazis attacked Jewish businesses and religious sites around Germany, destroying thousands of stores and synagogues. Today we continue to learn about what happened during those nights of terror to ‘zachor’ – to remember, the destruction of life, synagogues, businesses, buildings and culture. We remember the disastrous consequences, which can occur when hatred, racism and tolerance are left unchecked. We think about the message sent by the bystanders, who did not speak or act out against such hatred and destruction.

This year we ask you to think about this phrase – Wisdom to see, Courage to want, Power to act – in order to move forward and not repeat the events of the past, we as human beings must have the wisdom to see what is happening in the world around us, the courage to want better for ourselves and others and the power to act, through Tikkun Olam, doing our part to make the world a better place.
By Eden Grynberg

Modern Genocide

Lily Berger

It is crucial to remember that genocides are far from gone in our modern world. Ever since the end of the Shoah numerous other genocides have occurred, with the same hate and persecution that the Jews faced in the Shoah still prevalent. Although these genocides have generally targeted other religious or ethnic groups, it is vital that we stay educated and vigilant, ready to protest against injustice and stand up for others. 

In 1994 in Rwanda, between 500,000 and one million Rwandans, predominantly Tutsi people, a minority ethnic group in the country, were killed by armed militants at a devastating speed and scale.

In Srebrenica, Bosnia in 1995, 8000 Bosnian boys and men were murdered by the Bosnian Serb forces as they were part of a Muslim minority within the country. At the same time, more than 20,000 civilians were expelled from the area, in an attempt of an ethnic cleansing.

In 2016 Isis committed genocide in its areas of control in Iraq and Syria against Yezidis, Christians, and Shia Muslims. Thousands of these people were executed, sexually abused and displaced from their homes.

Clearly, Genocides are not an act of the past. As we speak today the Uyghur people, a largely Muslim ethnic minority in the XinJiang province of China are experiencing the genocide of their people. Human rights groups believe that more than 1 million Uyghurs have been detained against their will over the past few years and forced into what the Chinese government call ‘ re-education camps’. Within these camps the Uyghur people are being used as forced labour and there are reports of women being forcibly sterilised and of inhumane living conditions and treatment. The treatment of the Uyghurs and the Jews during the Shoah, whilst very different do share many parallels. Both peoples have been forced into hard labour, both have been criminalised because of their religion and beliefs, and both have been subjected to life in a detention camp.

The phrase “never again” is often heard in relation to the Shoah. Kristallnacht was the beginning of this genocide for our people, and as we are here today we have a responsibility to recognise genocides of other people when they are happening and stand up against them. By Lily Berger

Eden Glass

Possibly the most shocking part of Kristallnacht is the role of German civilians. Those who stood by and watched as their neighbours and friends were tormented, harassed, beaten down and eventually killed. As Jewish shops were smashed and burned to the ground they stood by. It’s easy to choose not to get involved when you are not the target. When someone else is suffering, it would only threaten your own safety to stand up for them and fight to protect their rights. That’s why it is such a heroic choice to make. As Jews and good people, it is our responsibility to stand up against discrimination in all forms. Kristallnacht was only a hint of the impending genocide. To many it might have seemed like a once off, a simple event that would soon pass, but it was the acceptance of the event by the German people that allowed the government to continue pushing the boundaries of discrimination, leading ultimately to the Shoah. Similarly, small offensive remarks might seem minor, once off saying a racist or sexist slur or making a hateful comment, appear to be harmless but through your actions you are accepting a culture of discrimination. It is these seemingly minor actions that become normalised and lead to far larger issues.

The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. Call out others for their actions, stand up to even your friends and family and remember that words have power. Refuse all forms of hate and together we can make the world a better place, and ensure that the horrors of the Soah are never repeated. By Eden Glass

Jayda Sacks

 “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out –  because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Similar to the German pastor who wrote this prose in 1946, only after the atrocities of Kristallnacht and WWII did the world come to realise the importance of standing up against injustice in all its forms – against any political or economic status, or ethnicity.

Kristallnacht commemorates the beginning of a catastrophic event, which was in many ways detrimental to the collective culture, morale, and faith of the Jewish people. However, in even more ways, it made us stronger as a people. It forced us to unite, taught us to fight for ourselves and our own nation state. Today, Kristallnacht embodies the hardships that the Jewish people have survived and conquered; and reminds us of the importance of utilising our resources and influence to fight against prejudice and discrimination for all people, and on all levels. 

While eradicating modern genocides altogether may seem beyond your power; it was the combination of the few individuals who made small acts of upstanding during the Holocaust that allowed the Jewish people to stand here today.

Start by educating yourself and others on worldly issues and human rights violations. Sign petitions. Join protests. Follow social action pages and share their information through social media or word of mouth. Subscribe to Amnesty International; an organisation that educates you through emails, makes petitions and catalyses legal action. 

And on smaller levels, make sure you are always standing up against the common hate speech, bullying, the casual sexist, racist or discriminatory comments. Even signs of prejudice and judgement between people. 

We are all the same. We must stand together and speak up for those who need it as we once did. As Martin Luther King Jr once said, “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter”. By Jayda Sacks

Small changes

Lisa Starkey HSIE and Design and Technology Teacher | Coordinator of High School Sustainability Programs | Year 10 Tutor

National Recycling Week 2021 
A celebration of Aussie recycling

The Emanuel School Community is encouraged to celebrate recycling their way!

Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week is celebrating a quarter century of helping Australians recycle right from Monday 8 November 2021 – Sunday 14 November 2021, by asking Australians to celebrate recycling in a way that is meaningful to them. Whether that is by hosting or joining a recycling themed event, brushing up on your recycling knowledge or discovering new tricks to cut down on waste and improve recycling and reuse, it’s all about celebrating the important role recycling plays in our lives.

This week, The Sustainability Va’Ad and myself organised a variety of activities for students to take part in to mark National Recycling Week.

It’s vital that we all do our bit to help maintain our planet and actively seek areas where we can make small, manageable changes in our daily lives to recycle, re-use and reduce our waste. Students have been invited to create an artwork made from recycled/repurposed materials at home and submit a photo of their masterpiece to be judged by Eytan Messiah, Chrystal Rimmer and myself and we can’t wait to see what they come up with.

Fast fashion

Calling all fast fashion fighters!

What is fast fashion? Fast fashion is cheap and trendy clothing that is produced at a rapid speed to meet customer demand. Many of the fashion giants we all know and shop from outsource their production to low-socioeconomic countries, where they exploit the ability to pay workers much less than than the minimum-wage and take advantage of the lack of enforced environmental protection laws.

Due to the damage inflicted on our planet and on our society something needs to be done about this escalating issue. This is our goal – we are the Fast Fashion Fighters.

What are we going to do? We are trying to raise awareness about the immorality of fast fashion, and persuade our community to shop more ethically by providing alternatives such as; shopping from thrift stores and upcycling clothes. We are hoping to start this change within Emanuel school.

Next Friday, 19 November 2021 (Week 7), is Wear Your Second-Hand Clothes Day! We are asking that you wear your second-hand or thrifted outfits and bring in a gold coin donation which will go towards Fashion Revolution Australia, where they seek to create a global fashion industry that conserves and restores the environment and values people over growth and profit.

There will also be a virtual Fashion Show for High School, where photos of the best second-hand outfits will be posted on the official Madstagram account and prizes will be up for grabs! 

During lunchtime you can bring in some clothes that you would like to up-cycle or alter. Go to i23 to have an amazing time with the sewing machines to learn how to up-cycle and thrift-flip your favourite pieces. We hope to see you there (more details to come).

We can’t wait to see your outfits, and up-cycle our clothes with you!

By the Fast Fashion Fighters

Community Notices

P&F

Ruby Berkovic and Jennifer Opit

Hello Everyone,

We hope you are all keeping well.

P&F Meeting

We have one meeting left this year. The meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.00 pm on Zoom. Everyone is welcome so please join us as your support and input is valued. Email Ruby Berkovic if you would like to attend the final meeting of the year on Wednesday 1 December 2021.

Term 4

As we mentioned last week, unfortunately, although restrictions are lifting, there is still too much uncertainty to proceed with things like our challah distribution and the camping trip, but we look forward to next year when we can resume all of these and connect in person once again.

Weekend Brain Teaser (from last week) and answer

Question: A red house is made from red bricks. A blue house is made from blue bricks. A yellow house is made from yellow bricks. What is a green house made from? 
Answer: Glass

Have a nice weekend,

Jen and Ruby

Recipe of the Week

Each week we’ll bring you a tasty recipe passed down by Emanuel families, from the Emanuel School Community Cookbook, The Family Meal. 

From the Kitchen of the Sweller Family and Isaac and Nathan Shammay

Cheese Biscuits

Ingredients

60g plain flour
120g grated tasty cheese
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
1 egg (no larger than 60g size)

Directions

Preheat oven to 175⁰C.
Combine cheeses and flour.
Mix in egg.
Knead mixture with your hands. If too wet, sprinkle with flour.
Flatten mixture to between 2 – 5 mm thick.
Cut into strips or make shaped biscuits using a cookie cutter.
Place on a floured baking tray and bake in the oven until light to medium brown.
Baking time will vary depending on thickness of biscuits.

Serves 4 

You can order the Emanuel School Community Cookbook, The Family Meal, by contacting Ruby Berkovic