From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Learning beyond the curriculum

Our commitment is to provide our students with a range of opportunities, enabling them to pursue their passions and engage in experiences that occur outside the formal academic program. We encourage our students to broaden their experiences and explore their strengths, interests, and values, as they engage in activities of their choice. Sport is one of the avenues available to our students – and we continue to look for ways to enhance the experience and add value to our programs.

“Sport can teach values such as fairness, team building, equality, discipline, inclusion, perseverance, and respect. Sport has the power to provide a universal framework for learning values, thus contributing to the development of soft skills needed for responsible citizenship”. – Values Education through Sport UNESCO

Over the past three years, we have significantly broadened the sport offerings across Kindergarten to Year 6, in recognition of the benefits of early development of skills and game awareness. This investment will reap rich benefits as our students emerge into our High School sport competitions. We have reviewed the responses from the 2021 MMG survey and will continue to work on increasing participation rates, enhancing the pathways for our elite athletes and exploring further use of external sport facilities. Pleasingly, we currently have 630 students registered in our sport programs this term. We have introduced co-ordinators of key sports and we have invested in the training of our ever-increasing team of coaches.

Our plans for 2022 include:

• Introduction of Sport Colours in the Primary School.
• Consolidation of the move to compulsory Sport (Year 8) and preparing for the expansion to Year 9 in 2023.
• Introduction of a broader range of sport competitions, including a Dance program and a Primary After-School program.

Our communication to parents, via our current platforms, is an area we have identified for further improvement. We are also exploring how we can enhance our current facilities and identify additional external facilities that will reduce the amount of wet weather cancellations. 

A Reflection from our Deputy Principal

Our High School assembly was treated to an engaging reflection, based around a quote from famous British playwright, George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950):

“The only person I know who was sensible was my tailor. He took my measurements every time he saw me, whilst all the rest of the people I know went on with their old measurements of me and expected me to fit them.”

Some teenagers have a heightened sense of fairness and can feel they are misunderstood. Ms Lowe encouraged students to see both themselves and other people with fresh eyes, rather than keeping anyone in ‘boxes’ and to remember they can continue to develop their reputations over time, either maintaining a good reputation or improving a reputation, by their ongoing words and actions. As we come out of COVID-19 (we hope) there will be more and more opportunities for students to be ‘seen’ at school. Ms Lowe finished with her (succinct) advice to the students, ‘Be a tailor.’

School Cross-Country Championships 

Both High School and Primary School students participated in our annual cross country event, running on a challenging track around Queens Park. Students participated in age groups, spending a sunny morning at Queens park displaying their running skills. All students showed great enthusiasm, endurance and sportsmanship.

Results can be found in the K-12 sports article this week.

Year 6 Pathways Event

Tanekhim

This much anticipated event was finally held on campus this morning!

Our Year 6 students were joined by their parents for a special Torah reading ceremony, each receiving a personalised Tanekh that was lovingly decorated by their families.

This symbolises the passing down of the Torah from generation to generation and it was very special to watch. You can read more in the Ma Koreh article this week.

Thank you to our Primary Jewish Life team for their commitment to making this event happen for our students, and to our Primary parents for taking part (on campus or live-stream) today. It is an event that is remembered fondly by our primary students as they move into High School. 

Mazal Tov

• We were thrilled to hear of Zac Urbach’s success at the 2022 Little Athletics NSW State Track & Field Championships over the weekend. Zac came 1^st in the 100m final and qualified 2^nd fastest for the 200m final. Zac is now working towards representing NSW at the Australian Junior Championships U18 Men 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in a few weeks time.   
• Sierra Miller who placed 2^nd in the 8 years 50m Freestyle at Primary CIS Swimming Championships on Thursday.                 

Quote of the week

“Intelligence and skill can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong.” John F. Kennedy

From the Acting Head of Jewish Life

Daphna Levin-Kahn – Head of Jewish Studies High School

A Strange Fire – Burning Questions – Nadav and Avihu

Parashat Shemini, Vayikra (Leviticus)
Chapters 9-11,פרשת שמיני

We left off last week at the height of the dedication ceremonies for the new Mishkan, and our Parashah begins with Chapter 9, in the midst of the new regime of sacrifices that constituted much of the holy service by Aaron the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) and the Kohanim, over 4,000 years ago.

Suddenly, without warning, in the first two shockingly brief verses of Chapter 10, we learn:

וַיִּקְח֣וּ בְנֵֽי־אהֲרֹן נָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ וַיִּתְּנוּ בָהֵן אֵשׁ וַיָּשִׂימוּ עָלֶיהָ קְטֹ֑רֶת וַיַּקְרִיבוּ לִפְנֵי יְ-הֹ-וָ-ה אֵשׁ זָרָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא צִוָּ֖ה אֹתָם׃

Now Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu each took his fire pan, put fire in it, and laid incense on it; and they offered before God alien/strange fire, which had not been commanded of them.

וַתֵּצֵא אֵשׁ מִלִּפְנֵי יְהֹוָה וַתֹּאכַל אוֹתָם וַיָּמֻתוּ לִפְנֵי יְ-הֹ-וָ-ה׃

And fire came forth from God and consumed them; and they died before God.

Wait. WHAT? What just happened?!

The Kohanim only just got their instructions on what they were supposed to do, then these young men, sons of the Kohen Gadol and nephews to the great Moshe Rabbeinu, bring their own fire pans and whoosh, gone in a puff of smoke. Where’s the Divine compassion? Where are the “three strikes”, the opportunity to learn from mistakes and get it right next time? The concept of Teshuvah (Repentance)?

A few weeks ago, Rabbi Bergman taught the Year 11 students not to shy away from confronting aspects of Judaism or Torah, but rather to work at finding the meaning, the purpose or the message, even when our first reactions may be to throw it all away. Rabbi Kamins quoted from Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers, 5:22) this week in assembly,

“הֲפֹךְ בָּהּ וַהֲפֹךְ בָּהּ, דְּכֹלָּא בָהּ” …
Turn it (the Torah) over, and turn it over [again], for all is therein…

So, we have to work at it, work it out, find a way to hold this story, to own this story….

We are not alone here – many commentators have tried to work this out. Here are some offerings:

Mekhilta: The brothers brought their fire implements to the holy Tent, not realising that in this celebratory instance, God was going to send a Divine Fire, rather than a manmade fire, to consume the sacrifices, and they simply got in the way of the Divine Flame.

Other commentators are less charitable, accusing the brothers of egotism – by not consulting their father or Moshe before bringing their own fire pans; of entering the Holy Tent drunk – which would explain why the prohibition against priests drinking wine before going into the sanctuary appears in verse 9 of the same chapter; of being casually dressed rather than in the priestly finery and thus showing disrespect. Some suggest that they were impatient to succeed the now-aging Moshe and Aaron and this “strange fire” was the fire of ambition, they saw themselves as the higher authority and disregarded the tradition of their elders (Rabbi S R Hirsch).

The Ohr HaHayyim: offers an intriguing interpretation, one that we see often in the world today – they were motivated by excessive piety or overzealousness. Out of a passionate love for the Divine, they got too close to the Divine Fire, disregarding warnings that their father had received about the dangers of getting too close. They felt that the sacrifices and rituals could not bring them close enough to God, and so only physical proximity would be enough…and then it was too much.

Moshe himself tries to offer an explanation to his beloved brother, Aaron, perhaps as a gesture of comfort:

  וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן הוּא אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּר יְ-הֹ-וָ-ה לֵאמֹר בִּקְרֹבַי אֶקָּדֵשׁ וְעַל־פְּנֵי כׇל־הָעָם אֶכָּבֵד

Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what God meant by saying:
Through those near to Me I show Myself holy,
And gain glory before all the people.”

וַיִּדֹּם אַהרֹֽן
And Aaron was silent

Sometimes, especially when we are so close to the most difficult of questions, the only answer we can offer is no answer at all; we cannot fathom why. And here, all Aaron can offer is silence.

I would love to find out what you think and how you would respond to this confronting event in our Parashah this week… please email me your thoughts!

Shabbat Shalom

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

It took two years and a couple of failed attempts, but we finally managed to celebrate our Pathways Tanakh presentation ceremony with our current Year 6 students and families, whilst also live-streaming the event to families unable to attend.

Year 6 students and parents participated in a special morning tefillah, Torah service and Tanakh presentation ceremony on Thursday.

Morah Gaida and Jewish Life leaders Ashley Unger, Jasper Shraibman, Joel Ginges, Mia Chesler with Mahli Olian led the students in a beautiful Tefillah filled with singing and ruach. Multiple generations of different Emanuel families were involved in the Torah service, to symbolise the passing on of the Torah from generation to generation. It was a pleasure to invite Joey Becker back to Primary School to chant his Barmitzvah Torah portion for us. He read wonderfully and we extended a Mazal Tov to Joey and his family for their simcha this coming Shabbat and weekend. 

During the Pathways ceremony, parents presented their child with his/her own Tanakh, each one was lovingly decorated with family histories, stories, photographs and blessings in preparation for the ceremony. Before passing on the Tanakh to their child, parents were led in the birkat banim – the blessing over the children. This beautiful ceremony was followed by hugs, kisses and the singing of ‘Siman tov u’ mazal tov’. The pride and delight expressed by the children and their families over the giving of the Tanakh was something very special to witness.

Families shared a quiet moment at the end of the ceremony to read over and share the messages and decorations with their child. 

Noa Goodstone and her parents

Lara Isenberg and parents

Camilla Levine and parents

Mahli Olian and parents

Thank you to all the parents and students for their patience and perseverance in sticking with this ceremony and for the love and care put into personalising each Tanakh. 

Mazal Tov to our Year 6 students and Todah Rabah to everyone involved!

Thank you to Ofer Levy for taking beautiful photos of this event. These will be made available next week to our families.

Primary News

Katie Brody – Director of Students K-6

Our new Emanuel Writing Books

Encouraging our students to develop the WILL, the SKILL and the THRILL of being a writer, has been a significant focus over the last few years. Writing to inform, to persuade and to entertain allows people to communicate effectively and is essential to life within and beyond school. To that end, the team in the primary school have created The Emanuel Instructional Model for Teaching Writing.

Scoping a wide range of text forms as part of this comprehensive system, our students are taught the form, language features and purpose of a wide range of texts as they travel from year to year in our Primary School. This includes studying and writing a quality Procedure, Explanation, Email, Podcast, Adventure Tale, Feature Article, Persuasive speech, Advertisement and the list goes on. The teaching and learning process starts with an independent ‘Cold Write’ where teachers ascertain the students’ existing skills and knowledge of the text form and then moves into a highly scaffolded and supported process of building schema through shared exploration of information and understanding of the text conventions including close study of quality mentor texts. Next the teacher administers a modelled and shared writing process grounded in cognitive science and embeds the elements of effective writing. Finally the students complete an independent ‘Hot Write’ in our new Emanuel Writing book.

Teaching the Ten Elements of Effective Writing includes explicit sessions that establish, reinforce and revise the mechanics of writing and and a range of important literary elements: 

The ‘Hot Write’ is essentially a summative assessment that aims to have students show what they know and what they can do at the end of a highly explicit teaching and learning process. This is a special book we have had professionally printed. Inside the book there is a section for each year of Primary and, within each of those sections, there is a space for the ‘Hot Write’ to appear at the end of each term. The teachers will moderate these samples across the grade and will provide students with feedback that celebrates the skills they have applied successfully and sets goals to reach for next time. This magnificent book will be stored at school and will follow each child from Kindergarten to Year 6, eventually becoming part of the Year 6 Graduation gift. 

Cross Country Event – Monday 21 March 2022

The Sport and PE Departments ran a highly successful Cross Country event for Years 3-6 on Monday. With the weather holding up beautifully and the lush grass beneath the feet of our competitors, the students challenged themselves, pushed their endurance and showed fabulous persistence. Much gratitude goes out to our Sport and PE Department for their organisation and the running of this event, as well as to the class teachers who supported the students. It was lovely to be able to invite parents to attend and enjoy the morning outside.

Year 6 Pathways – Thursday 24 March 2022

It was lovely to have parents join Year 6 students for a morning tefillah (prayer service) and Torah reading. Parents personalised their child’s Tanakh with messages, family histories and photographs and formally presented it to their child. After a two year delay due to COVID, it was special to be together to mark this milestone.

Thank you to Mr Carpenter and Morah Gaida for their organisation and creation of such a lovely event.

Parent Teacher Night – Next week

The first opportunity for parents to meet with teachers this year is coming up on Monday 28 March 2022 or Wednesday 30 March 2022. This is a wonderful opportunity to establish academic goals together, as well as a chance to consider any social or emotional aspects. Teachers will have some preliminary feedback and observations to offer and are keen to establish beneficial working relationships with all parents. Please recognise that teachers will be making every effort to stick to the timeframes. Meetings with specialist teachers are 5 minutes but appear as 7 minutes on the schedule and class teachers are 10 minutes, but appear as 14 minutes. Please avoid talking through this transition time so teachers have a moment to gather their thoughts and notes in preparation for the next meeting.

We are now meeting on Zoom on both nights, so please endeavour to have your child’s surname on your profile so you are recognised prior to entry. 

Primary Extra-Curricular Term 2

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

Extra-Curricular Term 2 2022
Including Music, Sport and Recreational activities

We are pleased to announce that Extra-Curricular activities for Term 2, 2022 are open for booking via the Parent Portal. 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 lunchtime clubs which are free for students. Students may join these clubs by approaching the listed teacher.

The Extra-Curricular schedule on the Parent Portal is regularly updated throughout the term. Please 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.

From the K-2 Play Leaders

This week, the K-2 Play Leaders put on a play for the Year 1 and 2 students. We dressed up as Disney Princesses (including one very special Nutella princess!) The Year 1 and 2 students loved the play and we got so much paparazzi. Our role as K-2 Play Leaders is to help guide the students in their play by doing fun things with them. We are showing them how to play kindly and fairly at school and to encourage them to be inclusive in their play. We are so excited to work with the K-2 students and have many activities planned throughout the year. Watch this space!

By Mikah Abraham, Mia Berkovic, Olivia Byrne, Noa Goodstone, Rose Greenberg, Sienna Kantor, Heidi Martin, Annaleise Rodney,  Leah Sebel and Jake Vitek.
Year 6 K-2 Play Leaders

Primary SRC supports the floods

We are devastated at the destruction that the floods have caused to so many communities in the Northern Rivers region. In response, our Emanuel Community would like to support them. Please join us in raising funds for the Flood Relief Fund.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday 29 March 2022
Donation: $5.00
Students to wear blue plain clothes

Funds raised will go to The Flood Relief Fund.         

It is a fund that has been set up by local communities and organisations on the ground to provide flood relief and recovery for the Northern Rivers. 100% of funds go to communities in need weekly, with no admin fee taken.

We’ll remember these days, as the strong community that we are, by how we banded together to solve this.

Thank you for your support

The Primary SRC

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

Arava Twining Program

The Pre-school is continuing with our Arava twinning program that we started last year, with Gan Rimon in Ein Yahav in the Arava in the South of Israel. This is a very exciting partnership, and we are thrilled to have this on-going connection and relationship with Gan Rimon and their lovely Director Din-Din. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children and educators to connect with our wider Jewish community, particularly in Israel. This partnership will provide many opportunities for collaboration, networking, sharing of ideas and cultures across our two countries. We will be learning about the Arava region in the South of Israel, and they will be learning about Sydney, Australia.

As we have a new group of children this year, we have begun introducing this project to the children in meaningful ways, so they can begin to understand who their new friends in Israel are, where they live, what the children in the Gan are learning about and finding similarities and differences. We have set up an Arava corner in the classroom, to connect the children visually to the Arava, and to reflect this partnership and project. We explained that one of the ways we are going to get to know each other is through the languages of drawing, painting and technology.

The Dolphins all drew a special picture to send to their new friends to introduce themselves. We showed the children a map of Israel. We explained that the Arava region is in the desert. We had a short discussion about what a desert is. 

Claudia: It’s where it’s hot and where the teachers went to Israel.

It was interesting to notice the way the children transferred information from one context and applied it to different situations. The children’s comments and responses were insightful and involved their experiences with Shabbat, collecting tzedakah and connecting Israel with the stories related to the Chagim.

What can you see?

Freddie: It’s a map.
Tahlia: A map of the world.
Xander: A map of a car.
Cleo: An Israel map.
Ziggy: Something that tells you where you are.
Noah E: Something you look at and then you don’t get lost.
James C: Something you go to in different countries.
Asher: It shows you where to go.

What are maps for?

Oscar: It says you go to Israel.
Freddy E: I think it’s a storm map.
Fred S: A map is to show you the way to go somewhere.
Michael: Like from Bondi to here, to show where your home is.

Where is Israel? 

Ziggy: Where you make the money and send it here. It’s a country. A country is a different kind of place far away from here.
Noah S: I know that. We send money to this place.
Jack: We send money to the people who don’t have money.
James C:  Where the Red Sea is.

We read a story about visiting Eretz Yisrael:

Grace: Eretz Yisrael. That’s Hebrew.
James C: Shalom means hello in Hebrew.
Freddy: I have falafel for shabbat.

Last week, just in time for Purim, we received a very generous package from the Arava, which contained a beautiful pack of recycled materials, for the children to each make their own rashanim for Purim and a letter wishing us a “Happy Purim.”

The children in Israel, also wanted to know how we get ready for Purim.

Juliette: We are making puppets, shakers and masks.
Freddie: We are making our bags with hamantaschen in.
Matteo: We are dressing up.
Cleo: We are doing role plays about Purim.
Sam: We are singing songs.

We are also very excited that Hagit Bar-On, Head of Hebrew, Year K-6 and Jewish studies co-ordinator, K-2, will be visiting Israel in April and May and she will visit Gan Rimon for us and meet Din-Din and the children in Gan Rimon. This will ensure our connection and relationship will be deepened even further.

Children’s connectedness and different ways of belonging with people, country and communities helps them to learn ways of being, which reflect the values, traditions and practices of their families and communities.

Tikkun Olam

The Pre-school community have collectively raised $1221.00 for our flood relief fundraiser last week. The money has been donated to Lismore and Coraki flood affected families through Gunawirra. We collected $621.00 which was matched dollar for dollar by an extremely generous Kornmehl family, who wish to remain anonymous.

Here are some thoughts from the children on the floods:

Dylan: Their house washed out and that’s why we made rainbow challahs and we got some money, because their house got washed out. There was a lot of rain because the sky filled up with water and that’s why it was raining.
Xander: My great grandmother’s house was flooded. It had another level.
Claudia: When there’s a flood, the house will break, and it will rain for a long time and get heavier and heavier.
Juliette: The rain goes everywhere, and the water goes high.
Michael: And the water makes a river everywhere and it won’t be much fun!
James H: Floods can go high in your house, and you can’t breathe if it touches the roof. You have to go out to take a breath.
Sam: When there’s a flood you have to evacuate your house because it will flood you. 
Mia: It will be like a swimming pool.
Charlie: The animals from the ocean come out.
Jack M: When it rains it makes lots of mud.
Raphael B: Sometimes the flood goes down all the streets.

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to Ella Johns (4), Xander Kogan (5), and Lexi Kalinko (4). We hope you all had a beautiful birthday celebration.

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Finding old family records

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Emanuel School history lesson #2

The building that now houses our Year K classrooms was originally the laundry facilities for the Little Sisters of the Poor in the 1920’s. When the School moved to this campus in 1985, the old laundry was ripped out and totally transformed internally to become the High School Art Block (later named the Lynette Sandra Phillips Art Building) until the Art Department moved to the top level of the Kleinlehrer Family LINC Building in 2015. The Art Block was then completely gutted and rebuilt to become our wonderful Year K classrooms, and since 2016 it is officially known as the Lynette Sandra Philips Kindergarten.

The Old Laundry – 1929

Stars of the East Event

Past Emanuel student, now a Waverley Local Councillor, Leon Goltsman (Class of 1990) pictured here with Emanuel past parents Elliott Kleiner, a life-long friend and Peter Appelbaum, who will be MC at the event in June. Leon says ”I am honoured to be one of the judges at this year’s ‘Stars of the East’ event, a high energy, dance spectacular bringing the Eastern Suburbs together and raising much-needed funds for Cancer Council NSW. I was so very excited to win the inaugural competition in 2016 and now In its 5th year, Stars of the East has raised over $400,000, with 2022 being the biggest year yet!”  

Leon Goltsman, Elliot Kleiner and Peter Applebaum

Adamama Farm

Many of our readers already know about Adamama, Sydney’s first Urban Jewish Farm, a Shalom initiative, perhaps through our online Pickling Workshop during lockdown, or by having visited the farm for various onsite events. Previously located at White City Rushcutters Bay, the farm recently moved to Randwick, where manager, Emanuel alumnus Mitch Burnie says “our new digs will bring possibilities to expand our programs and engage more with the wider community. We are looking for a handful of youth leaders to help us run our school holiday program as well as our Kids Eco-Club. This is a casual paid gig.” 

Adamama is looking for youth leaders:

• ages 16+
• leadership experience required
• $20/h 

Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested. Here is more information. 

Finding old family records

Some of our readers may recall my article a few weeks ago about the World Jewish Relief holding records of people who came to the United Kingdom, fleeing Nazi occupied Germany and Austria before World War 2 – records and documents were found on file that they are now able to release.

Ros Shammay, whose grandsons are in Year 4 and Year 7, sent a message earlier in the week: “After reading an article in Ma Nishma by Sonia Newell, for which I gratefully thank her, I contacted the World Jewish Relief to see if they had any information on my mother, who escaped from Belgium and was interned in the UK. Five weeks later they sent me a whole lot of information.  I learnt, among other things, that my mother and my one-year-old brother were interned in the UK from October 1940 until September 1945. She was employed for a while as a canteen worker for £2.50 per week, out of which she had to pay £1.10.0 every week for full board. My brother was evacuated to a home during that time so my mother could work. Amongst the records I got was a statement showing that they received dental work and my brother had an appendix operation. My mother passed away in 2012 aged 94 and had told me she was treated very well in the UK. I was so incredibly grateful to see these records with my own eyes”.

Ros Shammay’s mother’s records

Ros Shammay – mother and brother’s ID cards

The Choice Foundation

Who doesn’t remember “Nothing is Impossible”, the theme song from the 2020 Paralympic Games, written originally in 2020 by the Choice Foundation with Glassbreakers and then used in countless promo videos.

The Choice Foundation supports disability programs and projects through JCA Member organisations, to create innovative new education, vocation, housing, respite and social services that enable everyone to better contribute to and benefit from the community we all share. Emanuel alumna Jade Reuveny (Class of 2018) and Romi Adler have formed a very special bond through “Weekend Away,” one of their many amazing programs. Jade says ” my friendship with Rom iand the Choice Foundation are two things that are very close to my heart. A huge thank you to JCA The Choice Foundation & JewishCare NSW to have provided us the platform to facilitate “A Weekend Away”, where such special friendships are formed. It’s such a privilege to be a part of something so powerful, please reach out if you’d like to get involved!! 😇 LOVE YOU Romi Adler!!” Watch this video about their special friendship here.

Calling our Grandparents and Great grandparents 

Again, a huge thank you to parents who have been in touch to provide grandparent updates for our database. I should also add we have a number of great grandparents in our community, and I am sure some of them would also like to read about our wonderful school.

If you read my page last week, you may recall the name Ella Blumenthal, one of our great grandparents.

Ella, a Holocaust survivor born in Warsaw now aged 100, lives in Cape Town and is the subject of one of the JIFF films now showing at the Randwick Ritz. I saw her film “I am Here” last week. Just 73 minutes duration, it is a powerful film about resilience in the face of adversity, of survival beyond comprehension and the absolute love of family.

If you have the time, I highly recommend you see this film and some of the many other films at JIFF before the season ends on 4 April 2022. Visit the website for film times.

Parents, if you have previously provided email details for grandparents, can you please double check they are getting Ma Nishma, as we are still getting a lot of bounce-backs. Perhaps their inbox is full, or maybe we do not have the latest email contact for them?

Friendship Bakery

A week cannot go by where I won’t mention this amazing bakery, a social enterprise under the banner of Friendship Circle, located at Mark Moran Vaucluse. Run by volunteers, including Emanuel parent Ilana Akres, and alumna Shoshi Blackman, they are open Monday to Wednesday from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm for their kosher yummy salad bar, quiches, pastries and coffee and on Fridays from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm for their Shabbat Shop. You can also order online.

Friendship Circle (FC)

Volunteers are still needed for upcoming weekend and holiday camps organised by FC for children and young adults with disabilities. The Young Adult Melbourne Getaway is from 1 April 2022 – 3 April 2022.

Some of our readers with older children who might be interested to volunteer for this weekend, should get in touch with: emmasharp@sydneyfc.org.au to register. FC is also planning a fun and exciting Day Camp from 11 April 2022 -14 April 2022 for their younger members, with orientation scheduled for Sunday 10 April. Register here. 

If you have any questions, about Friendship Circle and/or if you or someone you know would like to join their programs as a participant or a volunteer, please email: hello@sydneyfc.org.au.

FC Young Adults Melbourne Getaway April 2022

FC April Day Camp Flyer

Call out for 2022 Careers Event

We are still seeking alumni who left school 10 years ago or less to come back to speak to our current Year 11 and year 12 students for our Careers event on campus on 18 May 2022 from 8:30 am – 11:00 am.

This is an informal and small-group setting, where groups of 5-10 students will rotate to chat to Alumni from all professions – healthcare, design, the creative industries, businesses, human services, the STEM areas, law, government or anything else.

We are also seeking alum still studying for a student-group. The pathway is what interests us, regardless of whether if it was smooth or bumpy! Parents, please pass this request on to your older children who were students here and ask them to complete this form if they are keen to join us and/or for them to pass details on to their old classmates

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.

Diverse Voices, Diverse Choices

Maayan Granot – Year 11

Over the course of the term, Year 11 has been lucky enough to hear some amazing guest speakers in the Jewish Studies Speaker Series. We have heard from an eclectic mix of people, all with differing views on Judaism. The common theme thus far has been Judaism. Even though we may have differing opinions on Judaism, it still plays a part in our daily lives – whether we know it or not. Even if we don’t necessarily agree with all aspects of Judaism, we can still learn and take away the core messages of the religion. 

Rabbi Elton

The first speaker we had was the Great Synagogue’s Rabbi Elton. He spoke to us about Euthanasia and how we can use Judaism to answer big ethical questions. We studied excerpts from the Torah and found ways to apply them to a modern context.

Rabbi Kamins

The next speaker we had was Emanuel Synagogue’s Rabbi Kamins. He spoke to us about the origins and nature of the patriarchy within society and how this ideology pre-dates the Torah. We had an interesting discussion regarding the impacts of the patriarchy on the Torah and Halacha. Even though there were a lot of differing opinions on the matter, the discussions were insightful and respectful. 

Rabbi Bergman

We then had the pleasure of hearing Rabbi Bergman, an Argentinian Rabbi, current President of World Progressive Judaism and former politician. He proposed the notion that climate change is a human right, and that we all must take responsibility for our actions towards the environment. We then applied Jewish values to this idea, speaking of bal tashlicht (do not waste), dugma ishit (leading by example) and kum ve’aseh (get up and do something), finding meaning in our religion and applying it to modern problems. 

The next speaker was someone that impacted Jake Fleischer a great deal. This is what Jake had to say about the talk:

Throughout our Speaker Series we had many interesting speakers, but one that stood out for me was Rabbi Kaiserblueth. Rabbi Kaiserblueth was a chaplain in the US Navy and came and spoke to us about how religion plays a big role in the army and how it influences so many decisions made by all the people involved. One part that particularly stood out for me was the fact that Jewish values coincided with naval values, and this aided the troops in making split second decisions. He also talked about how all religions would come and speak to him and ask for advice. This talk really opened my eyes up to how religion is so universal and how it impacts and has relevance to so many things, some you wouldn’t even expect. 

Rabbanit Judith Levitan

Rabbanit Judith Levitan

Next was my personal favourite speaker, Rabbanit Judith Levitan, the first female Orthodox Rabbi in Sydney. She spoke of a difficult paradox facing Orthodox feminists, which is how two very strong parts of their identity often directly conflict one another. The traditions within Orthodox Judaism and the fundamental idea of equality in feminism. I found her speech so inspiring, as a young Orthodox woman and being a proud feminist. Hearing of someone that faces a similar struggle to me, defying the odds and following her passion for learning Torah and Judaism, within the Orthodox community, was truly moving.

She compared her story to that of Esther, placing value on having loyalty and respect of people around you when you defy the status quo. Rabbanit Levitan, was able to take a monumental step for Orthodox women and I (and so many others) were so grateful to have heard her story. 

Greg Fisher

Greg Fisher

Our most recent speaker, Greg Fisher, shared his very inspirational story with us. He discussed the highest and lowest points of his life.

Here’s what some of my peers thought of his speech:

I’ve always been a fan of “based on true story” movies and books, so to hear such an intense story firsthand (the story of Greg Fisher), ranging from extreme lows, to overcoming those challenges reaching highs in becoming an influential figure was amazing to hear. It gave me hope that even if you hit rock bottom, there is always a way back up, it’s just a matter of how willing you are to turn your life around. By Coby New

Greg Fisher has been one of the most inspiring speakers that we have had in our Jewish Studies Speaker Series. When Greg walked into the theatre on Monday, I thought he was going to talk about business ethics or about the different charities which he manages – I never thought he was going to talk about the struggles he faced in his early life resulting in him being sent to a maximum-security prison. After coming out of jail, Greg started to work with charities such as Thread Together and Our Big Kitchen to help provide clothing and food to the homeless and started studying Aboriginal Studies after experiencing firsthand the injustices that Aboriginal people experienced in jail. Greg’s story teaches us that even when we are at rock bottom, we can still make a change in this world and act on any injustices we see. By Ella Engler

Most recently, we had the pleasure of hearing from an incredibly inspiring speaker, Greg Fisher. He graciously shared his story of transitioning from rock bottom to success and happiness and truly inspired each of us students in the room. His story was one of trials and tribulations however, this did not stop him from making it out the other side a stronger person. By Ashley Goldman

K-12 Sport

Kristy Genc – Director of Sports K-12

Term 2 Sport Registrations

Registrations for all K-12 weekly sport options are now open. All information, including the booking link, can be accessed on the Sport page of the Parent Portal. All students are encouraged to take part in the School Sport Program, and it is compulsory for Years 7 and 8 students to commit to at least one weekly sport option. Registrations close on Wednesday 6 April 2022 and unfortunately, late registrations cannot be accepted as team entries, staffing and venues will be finalised.

Any enquiries can be sent through to the Sports Office. 

Football News

Congratulations to Noah Kessel on his recent selection in the ASISSA Football team. Well done Noah! This is a great achievement. 

Years 3-12 Cross Country

The Years 3-12 School Cross Country Carnival on Monday was a great opportunity for the School’s top runners to shine and for all students to participate with House spirit in this new whole school event. 

Primary Results

Congratulations to the 2022 Age Champions: Shayna Abitz, Kiki Aronstan, Zella Benko, Hannah Green, Noah Kessell, Dylan Pal, Heidi Martin, Vitaly Miron, Cooper Rosen, Brody Reid and Aviv Smily.

Congratulations to overall winning House: Cowan

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High School Results

Congratulations to the 2022 Age Champions: Tamarah Aaron, Daniel Alull Orozco, Riley Carr, Eden Glass, Aden Goodridge, Violet Nathanson, Daniel Newfield, Jake Newfield, Aaron Pal, Rebecca Salamon, Noah Sherman and Toni Sher. 

Congratulations to overall winning House: Rashi  

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Upcoming Events 

• High School Futsal Team Trials: Emanuel teams will be competing in the NSW Schools Futsal Regional Championships throughout Term 2. Trials will be held for boys and girls in 14 Years, 16 Years and Opens Divisions. Students have been notified of the trial dates. 
• Monday 28 March 2022: AICES Swimming Championships
• Tuesday 29 March 2022: CDSSA Touch Football Championships
• Friday 8 April 2022: Years 1- 2 Swimming Carnival

Careers

Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

Macquarie University came to speak to our Year 12s last week.

Last year, Macquarie University was our most popular Early Entry Offers group – with 38 out of our Class of 78 students receiving an early offer through their Leaders and Achievers Program.

Leaders MQ

In short, Macquarie University will give early offers based on Year 11 grades (50%) and an application (50%) that showcases extra curricular activities (two) outside of school.

Some of these activities can be:

• Part time jobs
• Student leadership (Madrachim, School Representative Council, Peer Support Leader)
• Sports teams
• Involvements in any teams, academic, community based groups, music groups etc.

We will probably see an increase in numbers this year. At Emanuel, with so many activities on offer, almost anyone who has been involved in the broader life of Emanuel School has a great shot at this scheme. For more information on this scheme, please click here.

Macquarie University also now runs a myriad of extra points for a variety of reasons – you can access this information here. These points include the Big History Scheme (for an extra three points) and even catchment area, which also gives our suburb an extra five points.

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There are also some great pathway options in via Macquarie College.

MQ College

Year 10

Next week, we will have our Career Avenues debriefing sessions with Year 10. Please note the time and date of your 30 minute session in Edumate between Tuesday 29 March 2022 and Thursday 31 March 2022. Your parents will also be emailed what time this is taking place and can join the zoom session. Your report has been emailed to you in PDF form and is accessible via the Career Avenues dashboard.

TAFE 

Q&A School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships is great resource for students interested in TAFE and a great TAFE Guide for Parents. This will hopefully dispel some myths as TAFE being a secondary option compared to University, but more of a different method for learning, more practical and more hands on, offering lots of degrees such as Business and Electrotechnology.

UAC

2023 UAC Uni Admissions Information Session

Join UAC for the 2023 UAC uni admissions information session on Facebook, 5.00 pm- 6.30 pm Thursday 7 April 2022.

UAC will be discussing 2023 admissions, key dates, early offers, and UAC access schemes.

You can also tune in on their Instagram account.

Question – I’m completing Year 12 this year. When can I start applying for early offers?

UAC applications open on Tuesday 12 April 2022

Once you’ve completed your application for undergraduate study, you can then submit a Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) application. SRS offers are based on criteria other than (or in addition to) your ATAR. SRS applications close on Monday 19 September 2022. The first SRS offers will be released on Friday 11 November 2022.

Many institutions also have their own early offer schemes, which require you to submit a direct application.

ATAR Explainer Video

Here is a quick and simple ATAR explainer video from UAC. The average ATAR is usually around 70 (not 90!), so it is worth watching this.

Gifted and Talented

Craig Moss – Coordinator of Gifted & Talented 7-12

Another busy week of activities run by the Gifted and Talented Department! 

Mock Trial 

Congratulations to our Mock Trial Team who, in their first ever Mock Trial, managed to come out on top against an experienced Ascham team. Our two Barristers, Ella Hart and Jake Newfield, with assistance from our Solicitor Yael Rembach, constructed a strong enough case for the defendant to be found not guilty by the Magistrate. Well done to our two witnesses, Maayan Granot and Sophie Masnick, who remained in character throughout and responded well to tough questions from Ascham’s prosecution team. A final mention must go to Isaac Gorelik, our Court Officer, who led proceedings very professionally. Thanks also to our other team members Luca Calderon-Havas and Ethan Trenaman for supporting the team while they sat out Round One. 

Senior Ethics Olympiad Training Day

On Thursday 17 March 2022 our Senior Ethics Olympiad Team, Gabrielle Utian, Ella Hart, Ashley Goldman, Alice Milner and Gabriel Lee, attended a training day to help prepare them for the Ethics Olympiad event in Term 2. The team had a very thought provoking day, exploring interesting ethical cases with the help of specialists in Philosophy and Ethics.  

What would you do if faced with the following dilemma?

HICES Debating Competition

Middle Division

Emanuel has entered two Year 7 Teams into the Middle Division this year. They were both drawn against each other for Round 1. Emanuel 1 team consisted of Leah Joshua, Julia Manoy and Micah Esra. The Emanuel 2 team consisted of Zarah Golrelk, Hannah Fekete and Seth Nachman. The topic was: That the length of the school day should reflect the age of the student. This was the first debate for the Year 7 teams and they presented some excellent arguments.

Honorary mention goes to Leah Joshua, Micah Esra and Zarah Gorelik.

Senior Division

Years 9 and 10 participated in their inaugural HICES debate on the afternoon of Wednesday 16 March. The topic was: That the secondary school curriculum should include mandatory community service as a prerequisite of obtaining an HSC. There was valuable discussion around the topic and the debate was won by the Year 9 team.

Honourable mentions go to: Eitan Hamilton, Daliah Smagarinsky and Jaime Keyser.

Let’s sign

Rebecaa Gaida – Hebrew Teacher Primary

Israeli sign language שפת הסימנים הישראלית

Shalom! שלום

This week we have Dalia and Jessica Lopis showing you how to say בוקר טוב Boker Tov (good morning) and צהריים טובים Tzohoraim Tovim (good afternoon). I remember it because the sun comes up for the action of Boker בוקר. Can you think what the action might be if you say ערב טוב erev tov (good evening)? 

Win a prize by saying בוקר טוב Boker Tov or צהריים טוביםTzohoraim Tovim to any teacher and letting me know about it! 

Toda, תודה
Morah Gaida מורה גיידה

Earth Hour

Switch off and #ShapeOurFuture this Earth Hour at 8.30 pm local time, Saturday 26 March 2022!

This Earth Hour, make a difference, take an hour to switch off and join a worldwide group of millions to support a stronger action on climate change.

Now, more than ever, it is critical for us to come together as a community to protect our world. Climate change is heavily impacting our own environment, with the Great Barrier Reef experiencing its fourth significant bleaching event in just six years.

We’ve watched Australian communities and wildlife endure raging bushfires and devastating floods in quick succession, and now we’re seeing climate change impact one of our most unique ecosystems.

We still have time to make a difference for the planet we call home. As an individual and as the Emanuel School Community we have the power to shape our future.

Sign up for Earth Hour to show your support and for the chance to win a seven-day adventure for two to Northern Queensland with Intrepid Travel! To experience first hand why the biodiversity of our planet is so crucial to protect. 

Remember to switch off this Saturday at 8.30 pm to make a difference. Our beautiful Earth thanks you.

By Sasha Goldman and Eden Grynberg 
Your Sustainability Vaad!

Parent Safety Group

Thank you to our volunteers for last week
(Monday 14 March 2022 – Friday 18 March 2022)

Saul Berkowitz, Kieran Ginges, Tom Goldman, Steven Trope, Derek Pal,  Alex Hart, Rochelle Hersch, Peter Nothman, Melissa Langbart, Simon Revelman, Mia Kalinko, Sarah Kummerfield, Antony Selby, Adam Pozniak, David Lavecky, Gary Simmons, Peter Michaelson, Dorit Beck, Benjamin Opit, Naomi Hersh, Greg Judin and Shirley Goldrei

P&F

Justine Hofman – Head of P&F

Hi everyone,

We might have missed out on camping, but Years K-2 families turned out in force for our first Friday Chills of 2022. It was great to see so many smiling faces (under the masks).

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Bush Picnic Day
Sunday 21 May 2022 – Save the date 

With Autumn camping cancelled, we thought it would be lovely to offer our families the opportunity to gather in nature for a Bush Picnic and short walk. It will most likely be a short-ish drive (up to 1 hour) so mark it in your diaries. Let’s make a day of it.

Friday Challah for Term 2
Orders open

After a hiatus, it’s back. Families can order a terms’ supply of challah (9 weeks). The challah is from Jesse’s Bakery and you can choose from regular challah without seeds ($4.50) and gluten-free challah ($10.00).

Thank you to Sharon Miller (mum of Ryan Year 4 and Sierra Year 1) for taking on the role of Challah Queen (co-ordinator). If you have any questions, contact her on crew@captainbandanna.com.au.

Register your order via this form before Monday 25 April 2022.

Events to diarise 

Friday 8 April 2022: Friday Chills K-6 families
Friday 6 May 2022: Mother’s Day (Breakfast and Stalls)
Sunday 21 May 2022: Bush Picnic
Friday 26 August 2022: Father’s Day (Breakfast and Stalls)
Friday 4 November 2022 – Sunday 6 November 2022: Emanuel Family Spring Camping 

Shabbat Shalom to all!

Community Notices

For further information 

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 Fraser Family 

Delicious and Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

180g unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups plain flour, sifted
1 tsp baking powder, sifted
150g dark chocolate, chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 180⁰C.
Place the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until pale and creamy.
Gradually add the eggs and beat well.
Add the flour and baking powder and beat until a smooth dough forms.
Fold through the chocolate. Roll 2 tablespoons of the mixture into balls, place on baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper and press to flatten.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.

Allow to cool on the trays.

Makes 12