From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Delivering on our strategic plan

We have reached the halfway point in our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan – a milestone that will be celebrated with the release of our progress report on our 2023 action plan. Much of our focus, funds and planning has been around delivering outcomes (P-12) embedded within our 5 Key Commitments:

• Future-focused learning
• Wellbeing culture
• Inspired Jewish living and learning
• Learning beyond the curriculum
• Sustainable practices

Whilst there and a wide range of ongoing action plans, some key achievements are listed below:

1. Our new Checkpoints (feedback and reporting) was introduced in Year 7, replacing the traditional semester reporting, which largely provides summative feedback, to in-time feedback, provided in a timely manner that can support the cycle of teaching and learning.
2. The review and restructuring of the Opportunity Class (OC) program in Years 5 and 6 has resulted in the expansion of the newly-named Advanced Learning Program to include pathways in both literacy and numeracy.
3. A Primary School Speaker Series has been organised for Semester 2. This will include experts covering the topics of emotional regulation, understanding problematic behaviour, happy and safe students online and helping children/ teens to be confident and capable in their schooling. 
4. Our High School wellbeing team has engaged new external presenters; Consent Labs, Minus18 and ManCave, to address specific needs. These workshops will be evaluated after completion.
5. A revised program of Tefilah for High School has commenced, that includes a new format, (musical instruments, guitar, piano and percussion); a moment of learning, connection and meaning-making in the service, and interactive singing. Concurrent to this, a space has been created for Informal Jewish Life and Jewish Educators to learn more about their own Tefillah content and process.
6. A Batmitzvah Program at Emanuel has been launched, to deepen the Jewish journey for girls from girlhood to womanhood, with a boy’s program to follow.
7. The recently formed Public Speaking and Debating Committee has introduced a Public Speaking and Debating Competition across the Primary School and significantly enhanced our debating coaching program and participation on debating and public speaking.
8. A vacation training program has been introduced for both Football and Basketball, with an interstate Basketball tour planned, to participate in the National Basketball Championships.
9. New Inter-School activities include Emanuel’s Sustainability Symposium, participation in Zero Emissions Cohort through Shalom/Jewish Climate Network, and ongoing meetings and collaboration with Sustainability Co-ordinators from Jewish and non-Jewish schools.
10. An external review of energy usage and introduction of regular review of equipment and facilities (solar panels/air conditioning units etc.) was conducted, to ensure maximum energy efficiency, along with consideration to access external sustainable energy.

Our leadership team and staff remain committed to our mission; that as a pluralist Jewish Day School, we aspire to:

• Develop mensches
• Inspire each student to excel
• Practise Tikkun Olam
• Know and address the needs of all learners
• Produce innovative thinkers; and
• Enable each student to achieve their academic personal best

Parents are encouraged to read these updates and should feel free to send feedback to the Principal’s Office.

A special assembly 

Past CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, current Director on the SBS Board and proud Emanuel Grandparent, Vic Alhadeff addressed our High School assembly. Vic connected strongly with our staff and student audience, sharing a number of stories connecting leadership to courage and integrity. Our students were encouraged to intervene when they encounter discrimination or bullying, whether it be big or small; to be upstanders, rather than passive bystanders. Vic’s message resonated strongly and is very much aligned with our values and the culture we aspire to at Emanuel.

HSC Trials

Our HSC Trial examinations began on Monday. This can be a stressful time for students and I advise them to use their results as an opportunity to determine the areas that require further understanding and to celebrate knowledge gained. These exams give students a taste of what’s to come. My advice? Use this time wisely and know that the work that you put in now will help towards your final goal. A reminder – your Trial results are not the only indicator of success. Your attitude, effort and perseverance are as important and I encourage you to take this time to reflect, reassess and regroup. Your teachers have prepared you well and I know you join me in thanking them for their time, dedication and ongoing support. 

Mazal tov

Fantastic results from our Netball program:

• U15s Netball Team came 3rd at the AICES Schools Netball Cup winning their 3rd v 4th playoff match.
• Opens Netball Team came 2nd and were runners up to SEDA in the final.

Quote of the week

“Goodness is a bright flame within you. Use it to light up the world.” ~ Frank Sonnenberg, author

From the Head of Jewish Life

Adina Roth – Head of Jewish Life

The Torah of the Indigo Girls and Barbie

I’ve been in a Barbie state of mind. Don’t worry, there will be no spoilers in this D’var Torah!

However, my favourite scene in the movie is when Barbie is driving from Barbie land to the real world. It’s not because she is driving in her Barbie convertible! It’s because of the song that was playing on her radio.The song is by a band called the Indigo Girls called to Closer To Fine. Many of us (Emanuel parents) came of age listening to this song on some cassette tape. Closer to Fine is a very important song choice because, as Barbie travels from the land of fake to the land of reality, the song represents something of the inner journey she has to travel. Barbie’s inner journey is about figuring out that life is not simply about a pink house and a pink car and perfect stiletto shoes and a perfect size 6 bathing suit and a perfect looking, but pretty boring, Ken. Life is also about crying and ageing, about mortality and sore feet and dealing with tough things like racism and patriarchy. Life is the full package.

So as she travels from bubble gum Barbie land to the real world, we hear:

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains/I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains, there’s more than one answer to these questions pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive/ The closer I am to fine.

This song hints to Barbie that the answers to life aren’t going to be straight and obvious. Life isn’t simple or easy. The answers lie in more of a crooked line. When we can truly embrace the uncertainties and imperfections, we move CLOSE To FINE. As we say in Hebrew, Kimat Beseder, almost OK.

In this weeks Parsha Eikev, we are reminded of one of our not so fine moments! We recall that Moses smashed the first set of Tablets in response to the Israelites’ worship of the Golden Calf and that God gave us a second chance by writing a second set. In the Talmud we read something startling.

As we travelled through the desert with our ancient ark, we did not just carry the shiny, freshly minted new Tablets, we also carried the broken pieces of the older tablets along with us, ‘shehaluchot ush’vurei luchot munachin be’aron, the tablets and the broken pieces were placed in the ark.’ Isn’t it true of life that we carry the broken along with the whole, the messy along with the neat, the curly along with the perfectly straight GHDd, the Birkenstocks along with the stilettos, the older along with the young, the chaos along with the calm!?

And the more we learn to do this, the closer we will become to fine (the Torah of the Indigo Girls), because the mix of these things is what makes our lives rich and what makes us deeper and more resilient people. That’s one of the messages of this week’s Parsha Eikev – I was so happy that it seemed to line up with the Torah I found in the Barbie movie!

Shabbat Shalom

Tisha B’av 2023

Adina Roth – Head of Jewish Life

This last week was Tisha B’av and  something special took place at Emanuel. Around 15 High School students raised their hands and volunteered to chant the ancient book of Eicha, Lamentations. Believed to have been written by the prophet Jeremiah, Eicha is a lament in response to the destruction of the first Temple and the sacking of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. In its five chapters, the book paints a picture of desolation. It opens, Chapter 1, Verse 1: Alas! Lonely sits the city/Once great with people!/She that was great among nations/Is become like a widow; The princess among states Is become a thrall.

Our students prepared the slow and mournful tune and words through the July holidays, mastering the ancient and foreign melody. On Tisha B’av the entire High School arrived in non-leather shoes, as is the custom of mourning. They sat in circles in the MPH with electric tealight candles lighting up their circles and they all received handouts with the book of Eicha and modern laments against racism and war. And they listened to their friends chanting our song of sadness, the book of Eicha. Everyone was quiet and respectful and connected to the overarching themes of the day.

Eicha means How?! Although it refers specifically to the Babylonian destruction of our first Temple, it is widely understood that the book is meant to be used as a vehicle to contemplate Jewish suffering throughout the ages and to cry out HOW! The word Eicha repeats throughout the book as we raise our voices and say How! How can it be that we live in a world filled with so much history of antisemitism!! However, we don’t limit this day to a contemplation of Jewish suffering alone. We also use the opportunity of Eicha, or asking How, to think about the suffering, loss and brokenness of our world today. Tisha B’av is a day to think about the modern ills that plague us, from global warming to terra nullius of First Nations people, from racism and patriarchy to all kinds of homophobia. We call out How as a form of protest. We call out How as a wail of sadness and we also cry it out as a call to action.

This day of sadness and reflection is meant to move us into action and audaciously, hope! We end the book of Eicha, Chadesh Yameinu Kekadem, Renew our days, as the days of old. The Hassidic master the Kedushat Levi points out that kedem, the word for before or ‘days of old,’ contains a double meaning. Kadimah also means ahead or forward. At the end of Eicha we do not only long nostalgically for a lost past but we ask for the strength to dream futuristically and to create the kind of world that we want to live in.

Inez Calderon-Havas read out a beautiful modern version of Eicha dedicated to climate change. Her powerful speech, which moved all the students, can be read below my article.

It is not easy to stand up and chant Torah in front of your friends – and yet by these students making themselves vulnerable, they created a space where we could all sing the sad song of the day. I was so proud of them! This shows the kind of Jewish community that the students can create at Emanuel, a community where they read Torah for each other and are able to create meaningful spaces  of both celebration and activism which spring deep from Jewish roots. In good Jewish fashion, they were rewarded for their efforts (after the fast), with a large choc-chip cookie from the canteen.

May we all find the courage to raise the question How in our lives and in our world, and may we all find the inner strength as well as the communities that can spur us to action and meaningful change! May Emanuel continue to be that kind of community! 

Shabbat Shalom

Inez Calderon-Havas – Year 11
A modern Eicha  

How can it be that our world is being harmed and we aren’t doing enough to save it? We are not only harming the environment and ecosystems, but we are putting our lives in danger too. How can it be that we can ignore the heatwaves across the northern hemisphere? Ignore the floods and fires that happen in our own cities and the deaths that have come from them. 

How can we give temporary solutions to a long-term problem. To feed those in drought-stricken land and leave it to happen again and again. To let people’s houses be lost in fires and floods and not do anything about what is causing it. How is it we can leave people to rebuild time upon time. How can we revel in the warmer winters while others are dying in the heat that only seems to be increasing. It will soon be us and it is already starting.

So how can it be that we are not doing enough about it. To save the future of the plants and animals and to save our future. How can it be that we are killing our home, risking our livelihoods, and leaving our planet to die. It just cannot be.  

Primary News

Sabrina Hards – Coordinator of Gifted & Talented K-6

Da Vinci Decathlon 

Last week, 16 students from Years 5 and 6 competed in the 2023 Da Vinci Decathlon. This event was hosted by Knox Grammar School, with over 70 schools competing from across NSW. The Da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of Primary and High School students. Students competed in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: 

• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Code breaking
• Art and poetry
• Science
• English
• Ideation
• Creative producers
• Cartography
• Legacy

Congratulations to all the teams for their hard work and huge effort. A special mention to the Year 5 team who came 1st in the Legacy section. 

Year 6 Team

Year 5 Team

What’s coming up in the Gifted & Talented Department in Term 3?

• NSW Junior Chess Competition – Friday afternoons
• Year 6 Maths Cup – Wednesday 6 September 2023
• Australian Maths Olympiad/Explorer (Years 3-6) – Wednesday 6 September 2023
• Australian Maths Enrichment Program (Years 5-6) – Term 3 
• Year 5 National History Competition Showcase – Monday 14 August 2023
• National History Competition – Entries due Friday 25 August 2023
• National Statistics Poster Competition (Years 4-6) – Commences Monday 11 September 2023

What’s new? 

Philosophy Club 

This term we are starting a Philosophy club in the Primary School. On Monday lunch times, students are invited to L22, where they will be investigating life’s big questions each week. Philosophy aims to stir curiosity and impart critical thinking in our students, which will support them both in High School, and in their future lives. Students will engage in discussions and activities that aim to make them think deeply, empathise with others and intellectually challenge their minds. 

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

Year 3 are currently exploring the Torah stories from the book of Genesis. Having read the opening stories they are now looking at the origin story of the Jewish people, starting with Abram and Sarai. After reading stories connected to Parasha Lech Lecha and the covenant established between God and Abram, students read a classic midrash about Abram working in his father’s idol shop. In this midrash, Abram is portrayed as an iconoclast who challenged the status quo of polytheism and idolatry of his time. Through this midrash, the rabbis answered the question of why God chose Abram to begin the Jewish people. Through the actions of Abraham, students also learnt about the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim – welcoming strangers and shalom bayit – making peace within the home and family. 

Students then applied their learning to create their own midrash about why God chose Abram and, inspired by the moral values of Abraham, wrote beautiful ‘moral compass awards’ to acknowledge people in their lives.

Maya

Samara

Kobe

Ariella

Alice

Hannah

Primary Jewish Life

We are only a few weeks into Term 3 and the Primary Jewish Life leaders have been busy involved in a variety of events and activities.

Last week we observed Tisha B’Av, the day of mourning and fasting on the 9th of Av. During our morning tefllah, we sat on the floor as a sign of mourning which also created a feeling of groundedness. We learnt about the events that took place on this day in our history and our prayers and discussions reflected the sombre nature of  Tisha B’Av. In remembering the destruction of the Temples, we also learnt about Sinat Chinam-שִׂנְאַת חִנָּם (Baseless Hatred) which, according to our ancient rabbis, was the reason the Temple was destroyed. Our take-away message was to bring the opposite force into our world, through our acts of love, kindness and respect.

On a more joyous note, the Primary School has shown wonderful ruach in our Friday Shabbat celebrations as we learn new tunes and songs. Combined with our initiative to give percussion instruments to students on the Shabbat table, there is a beautiful energy to our Shabbat celebrations.

Morah Gaida has continued to teach us all Hebrew sign language to accompany our prayers and during  

Birkat Hamazon (Benching after meals). Speaking of Birkat HaMazon, we will soon start learning new verses to add to our routine.

Term 3 is always a jam packed one, with many different exciting events planned. We have been looking forward to this week’s special P&F Shabbat Challah make and 40th Birthday celebration for the school.  Thank you to the P&F, the parent musicians and many parent volunteers for helping to create such a special morning for our school community. Next week we welcome in the JNF for the Israel Passport draw, which many students are super excited about. 

Soon we will be blowing the shofar every day at school during the month of Elul. In the lead up to Rosh-Hashanah, there will be shofar blowing workshops for budding shofar blowers, run by Mr Carpenter and Rabbi Rafi Kaiserbluth. 

We look forward to welcoming grandparents and special friends on Friday 8 September 2023 to celebrate Rosh HaShanah with the Primary School, for a morning filled with songs, ruach, learning and creativity. 

The informal Jewish Life leaders in the Primary School, Lyv Akres and Noah Klein, have been working on many exciting Jewish Life experiences and events for Primary School for the rest of the year. This includes a special collaboration Shabbatot with a group of brilliant Year 10 volunteer leaders who are running a set of fantastic and fun activities for Year 5. This gives the Year 10’s a taste of their first Hadracha (leadership experience), and the Year 5’s some out of the ordinary Shabbat experiences where they will learn about different ways to observe and connect with Shabbat, new songs and prayers and experience creativity through yoga, music and craft. 

By Noah Klein, with the Jewish Life leaders:
Joel Hersh, Mikki Garbus, Mia Sharp and Orlando van der Starre

Jilkminggan Trip

Charli Grynberg – Year 9

Noah Vexler – Year 9

High School
Jilkminggan Trip

Last week, we were lucky enough to be on the trip that travelled around the Northern Territory and went to the community of Jilkminggan. 

In our trip we travelled from Sydney to Darwin and then to Mataranka, learning from, and about, Indigenous people of Australia along our journey. We started off our first day in Darwin by braving a Jumping Crocodile Cruise and trying not to get eaten in the process! We learnt about native plants and spear throwing from a family-run cultural experience called Pudakul. Our trip from Darwin to Mataranka saw us hike up to and swim in the beautiful waters of Edith Falls near Katherine.

During our stay in Mataranka, we spent two days with the kids at Jilkminggan School. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and this was the highlight of our trip. We made friends with kids there and we know those friendships will last a lifetime. The girl I (Charli) became friends with is in Year 4, her name is Shunalle. She taught me a lot about bush tucker, and she taught me how to make a tea out of lemongrass that can treat flu symptoms and chest infections. We read books with the kids and played with them at lunchtime. It was a memorable trip and we already want to go back.

Every single activity we did and experience we had was amazing. From learning with the kids in the Jilkminggan School, to floating down the Bitter Springs thermal pools at night, and to listening to our tour guide Mike’s stories. Every moment of this trip allowed us to learn about the culture of the Indigenous Australians and allowed us to experience and appreciate the beautiful and diverse environment of the Northern Territory. It also allowed us to bond with the kids from the school, as well as creating stronger bonds with our classmates and teachers. We will remember this trip forever.

This trip has truly changed the way we feel about Australia. Thank you to our teachers Ms Lawrence and Mr Ezekiel for taking us on this trip. It was unforgettable.

Sports Success – Hot off the Press

Heath Morley, Head of Sport

Netball success

Emanuel U15s Netball Team came 3rd at the AICES Schools Netball Cup winning their 3rd v 4th playoff match.

The Emanuel Opens Netball Team came 2nd and were runners up to SEDA in the final.

Both these results are huge achievements and a positive indication of the current strength of our Emanuel Netball program.

Congratulations goes to our Netball students for representing Emanuel so proudly with plenty of enthusiasm and in the right spirit.

A big shout out to Erin Archer the Emanuel Head of Netball for preparing the team so well and Reese Corben and Fiona for coaching the teams!

Top job all-round – the Emanuel Netball program is in very good shape 🏐

U15s Netball Team

Open Netball Team

Erin is a Champion

Erin Archer, Head of Netball, was unable to attend the AICES Schools Netball Cup yesterday with the Under 15 and Open Teams – and with good reason. Erin is currently in Ireland playing Oz tag for Australia in the World Oz tag Championships! We are so proud of Erin and wish her all the best for this exciting adventure. 

Primary Grandparents: A Date for your Diary

The Speaker Series

Whacky Walk-a-thon 2023

Poem in my Pocket Day

Celebrate Poem in my Pocket Day

Primary students will celebrate Emanuel’s Poem in my Pocket Day on Wednesday 9 August 2023.

Select a poem you love, carry it in your pocket and share it with everyone one you meet!

Be a part of it! Choose a special poem or write an original one.

All day long, poems will be unfolded and shared.

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

Introducing the Ramon Space program

Our partnership with the Arava Twinning program, Gan Pashosh in Ein Yahav, has continued to grow and deepen throughout this year. It’s a wonderful link for the children to deepen their connection to, and understanding of, Israel as a country for the Jewish people. This year we have shared photos and drawings of the children here and in Israel. We have shared recipes from families for Pesach and made these into a lovely digital recipe book. We have also shared photos of the Chagim – looking at differences and similarities between our two pre-schools.

We were invited to join the Ramon Arava Space program with our oldest group – The Dolphins. The Ramon Space Race Educational Program is designed to provide preschool and kindergarten children with a unique learning experience focused on space exploration. The program is built on the idea that children’s natural curiosity can be harnessed to cultivate their interest in scientific and technological subjects from an early age. The program guides classrooms through a series of activities that are adapted to their developmental and cognitive stages, using a physical activity kit and teacher training course as key tools.

The kit consists of 16 structured lessons, including all the relevant materials and accessories for a playful learning experience. The program is modular and each pre-school can adapt it to its daily plan. The program has been successfully adopted by over 250 kindergartens, reaching 8,000 children aged 3-6. The program’s emphasis on the process of thinking, exploring and creating encourages the development of cognitive skills, linguistic and scientific literacy, STEM thinking, and creative and digital literacy, as well as interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Here is the link to the Ramon Foundation. 

The Dolphin group introduced this program to the children last week. Through discussion and a video, we learnt that Ilan Ramon was the first Israeli astronaut to fly to space. After Ilan’s successful career as a fighter pilot, Ilan was selected to participate in the Space Shuttle Columbia mission (NASA). On his way to the moon, Ilan took several Jewish symbols and artifacts that were meaningful to him, such as the Declaration of Israel’s Independence, a miniature Torah, and the Israeli flag.

Ilan’s dream from a young age was to be an astronaut and fly to space. With hope, hard work and perseverance, Ilan’s dream came true. The space program reminds us to reach for the stars together. 

We posed a few questions to the children. Our intention was to learn about their thinking and ideas and make it visible:

What is a dream? What’s your dream?

Alma: A dream is like a wish, but not a wish. It’s something you think about when you’re sleeping.
Ziggy: A dream is when you are sleeping, but it’s not real, but it might be real. And you wake up and it happens.
Judah: My dream is to go on an aeroplane tomorrow.
Josh: I had a dream about an ice cream truck, and it came true!
Alma: My dream is that my mum won’t wake me up so early.
Freddy: I had a dream once that spiders were chasing me.

How do you think Ilan became an astronaut? What did he need to be an astronaut?

Noam: Go to university, a space suit and you need to know about space, and you can’t go all the time.
Freddy: A rocket ship.
Ziggy: Training, training to be an astronaut. He is in NASA.
Noam: He wished he would be a pilot and an astronaut and he was both!

What is space?

Ella: No one can see space. You need to go much higher, and you can’t see people in space. When you come back down, everyone is so big. You can go to planets.
Alma: Space is like a whole world of planets. If you were born in the hottest place on earth or any planet, you would have to move. Right now, you can only live on earth.
Abbie: Space is where there are stars and it’s all black. Maybe if you go to the moon, you can put a flag on it.
Freddy: Space is something that is black, and it has the moon, planets and stars and it goes on and on and it never ends.
Ziggy: Well, like it may be obvious that space is very long, it’s like a big bubble that grows. Space must be growing from everywhere.
Oscar: Lots of planets in space, you can go anytime you want to.
Ella: Is space always dark?
Asher: Space is where you float, and you will see the moon and other planets. 
Hudson: Space is black, but there are lots of planets like earth and the sun.
Alma: I have a lot of questions about this.

What is your dream? What do you want to do when you grow up? 

Abbie: I want to be a unicorn.
Josh: I want to be a policeman.
Ziggy: I want to be an architect because my dad sometimes builds houses and I want to design houses.
Louis: To be an astronaut.
Oscar: I want to be an artist.
Lexi: A designer.
Ella: When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.
Ethan: I want to be a painter.
Milan: A mermaid.
Judah: I want to be a policeman.
Rose: A doctor.
Noam: A scientist.
Scarlett: A Hebrew teacher.
Freddie: A policeman.
Hudson: An astronaut.
Asher: An astronaut.
Amelie: A doctor.
Alma: A Hebrew teacher like my mum.
Winne: A teacher.

We will be continuing to explore this exciting topic of space through our connection with the Ramon Space Race educational program. We are looking forward to discovering where the children’s wonderings and ideas will take us as we research and learn together.  

Flex your Creativity

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Calling for Years K- 12 students who love to take photos

Head On Festival is an international annual photography festival based in Sydney, showing emerging and established photo artists. Three Emanuel students, Tamar Granot, Daniel Zipser and Dylan Vitek were finalists in last year’s Head On Student Awards, with their photographs on display along the promenade of Bondi Beach, together with the other finalists’ works. As a Year 6 student last year, Tamar was the youngest person to enter the competition with her Self Portrait titled The Garden of Eden, inspired by the Garden of Eden. At the time, Tamar said “I was excited to experiment with my mum’s new phone and created this self-portrait one afternoon while looking for something to do at home.”

Tamar Granot (Year 6, 2022) – Head On Student Awards Finalist 2022

As Year 8 students last year, friends Daniel and Dylan entered their joint photo Find my heart. At the time they said “the image captures the iconic landscape of Clovelly Beach in Sydney just after dawn. The water is almost as flat and still as the concrete that borders it. The straight lines formed by the landscape and painted on the concrete resemble pathways. In the top left corner is a blue heart resting on the ground. The early morning swimmers are out, each in their own world. Each out there to tend to their body and mind, and spirit. This is where they find their peace, their heart.”

Dylan Vitek and Daniel Zipser with their photograph Find my heart

2023 Head On Student Awards is now open and we encourage our keen student photographers to enter their favourite photograph for this year’s competition.

In a message from Emanuel parent Anita Schwartz and her husband Moshe Rosenzveig OAM, Founder and Creative Director of Head, they say “we would love to see more Emanuel students enter this year’s Head On Student Awards and show us what they can do! There is no theme and students can enter work of any photographic genre or style – flex your creativity. The Head On Student Awards are an out-of-this-world opportunity for Kindergarten to Year 12 students across Australia. The Awards are a theme-free photography competition aimed at supporting and celebrating the unique talents of Australia’s student photographers. By entering, students have the opportunity to experience a world-class photography festival, have their work exhibited in a professional exhibition and win from a suite of prizes to support their photographic pursuits!”

Closing date for entries is Sunday 27 August 2023, 11.59 pm (Sydney time). Enter now.

Brave Talks – Wednesday 30 August 2023

Brave Talks is the brainchild of JewishCare and JCA The Choice Foundation, where alumna Danielle Wakerman is Foundation Manager. This event series is helping to break the stigma and cycles of shame associated with mental health. The next Brave Talks evening will be on Wednesday 30 August 2023 – venue to be confirmed. Book your tickets now before this event is a sell-out, as were the first two sessions. Emanuel alumnus Jake Biggs (Class of 2012) was one of the speakers at the very first Brave Talks event last year, held in our Millie Phillips Drama Theatre, where he candidly spoke about his battles with Anorexia Nervosa and his amazing journey to recovery. The event at the end of August features four more brave members of our Jewish Community, who will share their stories with the audience. The speakers this time include Greg Edelmuth, whose wife Samantha (nee Kassell) is an Emanuel alumna, along with Martine Chait, Allie Goldman and Emanuel parent Melissa Goldman. These four powerful speakers will share their experiences of mental health – the challenges, the resilience, and the real events that have shaped them.

This event is already sold out however you can click on this link to join the waitlist.  

Please note this is an 18 year plus event and touches on themes of child loss, eating disorders and physical health trauma, all shared within Safe Story Telling Guidelines and, with onsite professional support available.

Australian Emerging Motion Awards (AEMA)

Alumnus Ethan Cohen (Class of 2017) will be launching a new initiative next week – a competition designed to connect emerging motion designers aged 25 or younger. Ethan, together with fellow alumnus and current parent, Danny Stern (Class of 2004), a motion designer and director, will be judging this competition, which will be open to high school students. Competitors will be able to enter their work across four categories: 2D Motion, 3D Motion, student work (for all university or school work) and Mixed Media/Experimental (for anything else).

Go to the AEMA website for more details.

Sydney Jewish Writers Festival (SJWF) 
Wednesday 23 August – Sunday 27 August 2023

This year’s festival is approaching fast and will be held at Bondi Beach Pavilion. It promises to be an amazing event, held over 5 days with three streams of exceptional writers, poets, musicians, playwrights, comedians and thinkers who promise to challenge us to explore the theme of identity from every angle. Presenters include members of our Emanuel School community – parent Kerri Sackville, author, columnist and social commentator; parent Lee-Anne Whitten, Senior Educator at Sydney Jewish Museum; Kim Slender, past Emanuel parent and was also our School Counsellor for many years, now Psychology and Education Consultant at The Sydney Jewish Museum and past parent Joanne Fedler, an internationally best-selling author. This event is powered by Shalom.       

Joanne Fedler

Kerri Sackville

Lee-Anne Whitten and Kim Slender

Friendship Circle Walk – Sunday 27 August 2023

Starting at Vaucluse Public School, this year’s Friendship Circle walk theme of Friendship, is represented by its AUSLAN sign. They say friendship is at the root of everything they do, and that truly is what Friendship Circle (FC) is all about.  FC provides opportunities for friendship and connections among children and young people with and without disabilities. And often, parents become friends too after getting to know each other as they drop off their child at a program or meet up at one of our Parent Nights. Over the years, FC has been able to create an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome.

FC Walk Poster[72]

UNSW Centre for Ideas – Thursday 7 September 2023

UNSW Centre for Ideas presents a thought-provoking program of event and digital content, bringing the globe’s leading thinkers to UNSW Sydney and also presenting UNSW to the world. On Thursday 7 September 2023, you can hear Emanuel alumnus Sam Koslowski (Head Madrich, Class of 2012) and Zara Seidler, co-founders of The Daily Aus, unpack the big business of youth-focused news, and reveal how digital platforms are transforming the news landscape. The Daily Aus has cracked the code on resonating with young people, distilling the big news stories of the day into accessible, bite sized pieces. From fearless journalists to savvy entrepreneurs, witness the rise of a new generation that’s leaving a lasting imprint: Register Now

Sam and Zara’s new book No Silly Questions: The Daily Aus explains how the world works (and why you should care) is out on Tuesday 5 September 2023.

You can pre-order the book here.

Primary Grandparents and Friends Day – Friday 8 September 2023

We are getting really excited about this very special event next month where Grandparents and Special Friends of our Primary students are invited to spend the morning with our students to help celebrate Rosh Hashanah and share in classroom activities followed by morning tea. 

Remember September 2023

Founded by alumnus Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008), Remember September is leading the charge to find a cure to pancreatic cancer. Ben hopes our School community will get behind this campaign again this year and choose one of their challenges during the month of September to help raise awareness about this dreaded cancer and raise funds for research that will hopefully help find a cure. The theme is Give It Up or Move It this September. You can give up caffeine, chocolate, sugar or alcohol, or you can walk 68 km during September for Australians living with pancreatic cancer. Please note, all donations over $2.00 are tax-deductible. Together, we will remember those we’ve lost and stand with those fighting to survive.

We look forward to sharing our news and yours, so if you have photos and/or news you would like to share with us, please send to Sonia Newell.       

Shabbat shalom, stay safe and have a great weekend.

HSC Visual Arts & Drama Showcase

Please join us on Wednesday 16 August 2023 to celebrate the fabulous work of our HSC Visual Arts and Drama students.

The HSC Visual Arts Bodies of Work will be exhibited in I24 from 5.30 pm onwards. The Drama performances will begin at 7.00 pm sharp in the Millie Phillips Theatre.

This event will be catered by Emanuel School Hospitality students who will be providing delicious light snacks.

We hope to see you there for an evening of fabulous food, amazing art and powerful performances.

Light on the Library

Allison Lee – Head of Library & Information Services (7-12) | HSIE Teacher

Challenge, Create and Play

Starting soon on Wednesdays at lunchtime in the library two of our Year 8 students, Xavier and Tennyson, will be hosting a challenge, create and play space where you can learn to play a new game, solve a puzzle or create something interesting. Look out for an email in your inbox soon!

Book reviews

I was very excited that some students have volunteered to write book reviews for this column. Thank you to Emily Seemann and Leah Joshua for their contributions this week.

I have included content information or a link to Common Sense Media to find out more.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – Review by Emily Seemann

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder written by Holly Jackson, published in 2019 is an extraordinary novel which explores the power of determination, the importance of everyone having a voice and the deception of looks. It is about the journey of a high school girl as she discovers the many layers of right and wrong.

This sensational novel follows a young girl called Pip as she investigates a closed murder case in her small home town, Little Kilton, as a high school project. As Pip conducts interviews and investigates the past, she unravels secrets and discovers what really happened in Little Kilton all those years ago. Through her journey she must decide who to trust and decide how far she will go to find the truth. 

Holly Jackson’s novel is a great read because it provides a unique perspective about crime from an ambitious 18-year-old girl still figuring out the complexities of human nature. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a young adult (13 years+) mystery novel and I have given it a rating of 4.5/5.

Discussion Points

• Has anyone you know had something shared on social media that hurt or humiliated them?
• What precautions have you taken so that your personal photos and posts can’t be shared without your permission?

You can find more discussion points and other useful information about the book’s themes and content here at Common Sense Media

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Review by Leah Joshua

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Read is a touching masterpiece about discovering who you are, misrepresentation in the media and how true love can overcome all obstacles. Published in 2017, this novel has recently gained attention on social media platforms and is certainly worth the hype. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows an eager young interviewer who is asked to write a biography about a prominent and renowned actress, Evelyn. Together we follow Evelyn as she escapes to the streets of Hollywood, leaving her life of tragedy and abusiveness behind and marrying her first husband, Ernie. Throughout the book, we learn about each of Evelyn’s seven husbands and her one true love. Leading a life of discovery, fame, love and tragedy, Evelyn is a compelling and fascinating character who you can count on to surprise you in the most unexpected ways.

Taylor Jenkins Reid portrays Evelyn in a unique and bold way, at a time when women in the ‘50s usually weren’t. It is a heartfelt, emotive novel, and riveting until the very last page. A historical fiction full of love, power, representation, and sorrow, it would be a crime not to give this book 5 stars. Recommended for ages 14+. Strong themes – sexual content and adult concepts.

School TV – Neurodiversity 

Neurodiversity 

“We need to embrace neurodiversity as a tapestry of brilliance, for within each unique mind lies extraordinary potential waiting to be unleashed. By celebrating our differences we create a world of understanding and acceptance.” Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

Here is the link to this month’s edition.

Neurodiversity emphasises the natural variation in how an individual’s brain functions and how they perceive and interact with the world, leading to diverse ways of learning and communicating. While most young people are neurotypical, some exhibit variations in brain development, such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia, making them neurodivergent. 

Embracing neurodiversity involves accepting, celebrating, and supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents without attempting to change or treat their differences. Using respectful language, challenging unhelpful attitudes, avoiding assumptions, and actively promoting inclusivity can help embrace neurodiversity effectively.

Acknowledging the unique ways neurodiverse young people do things and then adapting tasks and activities to ensure their full participation will encourage them to develop strategies that feel natural to them. It will help improve their mental health, wellbeing and sense of self. By recognising and nurturing their strengths, parents and caregivers can contribute to building an inclusive and compassionate society where all young people can thrive.

Learning more about neurodiversity, equips caregivers with insights into effective communication techniques, educational strategies, and parenting approaches tailored to the specific needs of their neurodivergent child. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek help from a medical professional.

A Beautiful Moment in Time

Justine Hofman – Head of P&F

Primary School 40th Shabbat Celebration and Challah Make
A beautiful moment in time

What a wonderful and heart-full morning of sentimentality and Shabbat goodness. Thank you to all the families who joined us to mark our School’s 40th year. We sang and danced to music played by Primary School parents.

We heard an inspiring 40th infused Shabbat story. Then, we joined together for a Challah Make, where adults and children learnt techniques and created a special 40th challah to take home and bake tonight.

Thank you to our wonderful parent and MC, Monica Rosenfeld, who masterfully guided us through the morning. A thank you to Naomi Hersh for her expert challah baking tips shared lovingly with us all and to Adina Roth, Head of Jewish Life, for sharing her wonderful anecdotes and deep knowledge of all things Jewish. Thanks also to the parents who brought the  music: Graeme Pillemer and Adam Chimes.

Thank you to our incredible School team who put this event together: Michelle Favero, Belinda Levin, Stevie Levenston, Adina Roth, Isabelle Anne, Hagit Bar-On, Adam Carpenter, Remington Owen and Ben Marshall. So much work goes on behind the scenes and you created such a lovely and memorable event for our community.

We would also like to thank our 40th committee for their support and volunteering to help out wherever was needed: Naomi Hersh, Amy Friedlander, Odin Kay, Nicole Unger, Lisa Greenberg, Lisa Strous, Lynn Ross, Tanya Goldberg, Carli Rothman, Lisa Pillemer and Leigh Goldberg.

Thank you to the many volunteers who helped set up and throughout the event!

We look forward to sharing photographs of this special morning, taken by Ofer Levy, in next week’s edition.

Father’s Day Breakfast
Classic Childhood Games and Old-School Fun

Join us for a morning of nostalgic games and backyard-style races, coffee, fresh pastries, chats and memory making. It won’t be the same without you!

When: Friday 25 August 2023. Gates open at 7.00 am and the event concludes at 8.20 am.
Where: MPH, Emanuel School
Tickets: Advance $18.00 adult, $10.00 child (pre-sale cut off Monday 21 August 2023). Tickets on the day $22.00 adult $15.00 kids. Please buy advance tickets here as it helps us plan for catering.

New –  Father’s Day Gift Stall on Humanitix

This year you can pay ahead for the Father’s Day gift stalls when you book your Father’s Day tickets on Humanitix. Avoid scrambling for cash and ensure you get your thoughtful $10.00 gift with minimal fuss in our virtually cashless society! Get presents for dad, grand dad and special friends. (For those who prefer cash, this is still an option on the day.)

Please use this link. Please note you can buy gift stall tickets without having to attend the Father’s Day Morning.

P&F Structure
Still Time to Give Feedback

There is still time to review changes proposed to the structure of our P&F and give feedback on our new Charter. You can read about it here.

We welcome your input by the Friday 11 August 2023 to pandf@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au

Dates for the diary

• Friday 25 August 2023: Father’s Day morning (7.00 am – 8.20 am). 
• Friday 25 August 2023: Father’s Day Gift Stall (children shop during school)
• Tuesday 19 September 2023: P&F Termly Meeting (7.00 pm) 
• Pre-loved Uniform Shuk collection week: 18 September 2023 – 22 September 2023
• Monday 9 October 2023: Pre-loved Uniform Shuk Sale 7.30 am – 2.00 pm
• Friday 3 November 2023 – Monday 5 November 2023: Spring Family Camping Weekend

PSG

Thank you to our volunteers for last week 
(Monday 24 July 2023 – Friday 28 July 2023)

Paul Berkovic, Nicky Abitz, Ricky Friedlander, Danielle Jaku-Greenfield, Ian Doust, Yossi Biton, Alan Epstein, Lisa Goodman, Peter Nothman, Mia Kalinko, Lara Levin, Brett Churnin, Larry Narunsky, Raffy Shammay, Ros Shammay, Ben Reid, Bob Kummerfeld, Denise Slot, Jethro Marks, Brett Adler, Danny Fleischer, Yury Glikin, Leon Kantor and Karen Drutman.

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

Important Dates

What’s happening next week 

High School 

Monday 7 August 2023

• Year 12 HSC Trials 
• Year 9 English – Romeo and Juliet
• Year 8 Minus18 Guest Speaker Presentation
• ANVDC Junior Debating

Tuesday 8 August 2023

• Year 12 HSC Trials 
• Year 9 JA Thompson History Debating Elimination Round

Wednesday 9 August 2023

• Year 12 HSC Trials 
• Stretch and Challenge Study Day 
• Twilight Concert

Thursday 10 August 2023

• Year 12 HSC Trials 
• Year 11 History Debating Round Robin 
• Year 8 Mifgash

Friday 11 August 2023

• Year 12 HSC Trials 

Primary School 

Monday 7 August 2023

• ICAS – Writing & Digital Tech
• Year 5 – Interrelate

Wednesday 9 August 2023

• Twilight Concert 
• Poem in my Pocket Day 

Thursday 10 August 2023

• ICAS – Writing & Digital Tech

Friday 11 August 2023

• K-2 Assembly 
• Year 6 Fun Day
• Year K-6 Whacky Walk-a-thon

Kornmehl

Tuesday 8 August 2023

• Seashells to Bush School
• Steps Eye-screening for all 4 year olds

Wednesday 9 August 2023

• Starfish to Bush School 

Thursday 10 August 2023

• Dolphins to Bush School 

Community Notices

Maccabi Mega Camp: YK – Y2 🏆
Dates: 27th – 28th of September
For the first time, we’re offering Mega Camp for YK – Y2 kids! Get ready for two fun-filled days of competitive and social netball, basketball, soccer, handball, and volleyball. The adventure continues with the Amazing Race and Mini Olympics, promising unforgettable memories!

https://events.humanitix.com/mcyrk-2

🏆 Mega Camp 2: Y3 – Y6 🏆
Dates: 4th – 6th of October
Back by popular demand! Our school holiday Mega Camp for years 3-6 will feature high-energy competitions in netball, basketball, and soccer, followed by crazy fun of bubble soccer, laser tag, and more. Three action-packed days await!

https://events.humanitix.com/maccabi-nsw-mega-camp-3-6-october-2023

💰 Early Bird Special! 💰
Sign up before the 25th of August to secure the Early Bird rate and save! further discounts for multiple day bookings – Limited spots available, so hurry!

Shabbat Table Talks has been designed to prompt discussion and learning about The Voice to Parliament. If you would like more information, please follow this link.