From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

Coping with these difficult times

Kim Slender, psychologist, family therapist and consultant to the Sydney Jewish Museum, was invited to address our staff this week. Kim talked at length about how we can best respond to the difficult times (or trauma for some) that we currently face, when the world no longer makes sense. Kim talked about how for many, their core foundation of safety was rocked on 7 October, and the ensuing response across countries, including Australia, has meant that the world for Jewish people no longer felt safe. Our school community continues to feel unnerved by unfolding events in Israel and the daily news feeds related to antisemitism, hostages and violence.

Recovery from trauma is individual, crucial and eminently possible. The 6-pronged advice provided to our staff would be of equal value to our parents and our young ones:

Catastrophe

Trauma inevitably brings about a ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response, resulting in the release of adrenalin and cortisol. This leads people to feel ‘tired but wired’, irritable, not digesting food properly, and for some, experiencing flashbacks and nightmares. Emotional numbness or avoidance, and dissociation may result, showing up as physical symptoms, such as headaches or insomnia.

Care

Self-care strategies can have a powerful impact of physical and mental health. These include eating well, exercising regularly and maintaining good sleep hygiene – having the same routine every night (10 hours after caffeine, 3 hours after a meal, 2 hours after work, 1 hour after screens). Social media consumption should be monitored, with a time limit on exposure to stressful content. Mindfulness and grounding techniques are helpful ways to remain ‘in the present’. Small achievable steps can help to re-establish life goals.

Compassion

When experiencing trauma, exercising compassion for yourself and for others is important. There is no right or wrong way – but being authentic and empathetic, with no judgement is helpful. Developing empathy is a combination of thinking and feeling, leading to action.

Commit

It is also important that we commit to action. Anger turned inwards can be destructive, so we are encouraged to turn our emotions into positive actions.

Connect

Maintaining connections with others who have had similar experiences is important, and we are encouraged to maintain and strengthen these connections over time.

Community

We enjoy a close-knit and caring community, showcasing Interconnectedness, strength, and togetherness. Our community is a force for healing and hope. We are never alone.

Kristallnacht and the Holocaust Survivors Statement

On 9 and 10 November 1938, Nazi forces brutally attacked the Jewish community, resulting in the destruction of more than two hundred synagogues, severe damage to 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses, the arrest of 30,000 individuals, and the tragic murder of 91 Jewish people in Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland. On this, the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, The Australian published a statement by 100 Australian Holocaust Survivors, some of them Emanuel grandparents. They collectively state: “We cannot allow history to repeat itself. In the face of adversity, we have learned the importance of resilience, unity, and hope. We believe in the power of education and remembrance to prevent the atrocities of the past from occurring again. Together, we can strive for a world where every individual, regardless of their faith, regardless of their cultural background, can live in peace and security.” To read the full statement, please click here.

The Free Thinkers Forum

Inez Calderon-Havas (Year 12) gave an outstanding speech at this event on Tuesday, organised by Philosophy in Schools. This forum brings students together to listen and to discuss topics of particular interest to the student. Inez spoke on The Tyranny of Tolerance. I have included an excerpt below:

We can stand up and fight to overcome the tyranny of tolerance and leave our ignorance behind. We can take action for the good of others and the good of the future. So, will you choose to break out of this tyranny? Or will you go back to your daily life as if nothing has happened? No, do something so that the starving are fed, the abused won’t feel so alone, the wars will end and the Earth will not die. Do something so that I won’t have to think of running or hiding.

I think of how much hope there is in the world that can be used to make a difference. I think about how we can help my people and that we as a collective can help others. I think of the abolishment of the tyranny of tolerance. As Anne Frank said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world”. I will strive to stop tolerating and you should too. Start standing for those who cannot, stand with them and stand for yourself. I stand here for my family, for my community, and for myself. You have the power to stand for who you are and take action against tolerance. Use that power to improve this country and improve the world.

A showcase of musical talent 

Our Annual Night of Strings was held on Wednesday evening. As always, the program was full, showcasing the progression of both skills and performance across each age group. Our musicians clearly enjoyed themselves and performed with poise and confidence to a very appreciative audience. Mazal tov to our long list of performers, and a big thank you to Diana Springford, Jo De Araujo, our wonderful music staff and Ofer Levy, for taking such beautiful photos.

Supporting our parents

Parenting expert, Dr Justin Coulson argues that “we are investing more in our parenting than perhaps at any stage in the history of the world, but it is not working for us and it is not working for our children.” He promotes the notion of ‘autonomy support’ – encouraging children to act with a high level of personal choice, in developmentally appropriate ways.  We have organised a speaker series, to support our parents, on topics such as ‘Keeping your Child Safe Online’.

On Tuesday, Clinical Psychologist and former teacher, Dr Judith Locke presented on ‘Developing Confident and Capable Kids’. Judith’s presentation was not only informative but also infused with humour, leaving all attendees with a wealth of valuable insights and takeaways. Drawing from her books The Bonsai Child and The Bonsai Student, she explored parenting strategies that promote healthier family dynamics and shed light on crucial considerations regarding how we are preparing today’s children for their future roles as adults. We are extremely grateful to have had Judith as our guest, and we look forward to the possibility of her returning soon to share more of her wisdom.

Next week, we have the pleasure of welcoming Karen Young online as our final speaker in this excellent series, addressing the topic of “Building emotional regulation and self-control in children.” For more details about this upcoming event, please click here.

Our future business leaders and chefs 

Last Friday, the entrepreneurial and organisational talents of our Year 10 students were showcased, as were the culinary skills of our Food Technology students. The stalls set up on the Basketball Courts, offering a range of products, were well received, with profits going to UIA. Our Business Creator students gained valuable experience in developing, promoting and selling their products.

Mazal tov to all involved, with special thanks to Lara Ephron, Max Friend and Shane Ryan.

Mazal tov 

• Maya Balkin, Year 8, recently competed in the Tap Dancing and Musical Theatre sections of the National Eisteddfod in Canberra. Maya was awarded top first place and top elite first place for her age group, winning a $500 scholarship towards a visit to America to perform her tap dancing item. What a fantastic outcome and opportunity!
• Ben Fram, Maya Hersch, Ariel Solomon, and Ella Bortz, who also play/sing in ensembles/choirs at school, have formed an outside-school rock band, called OFF IT. OFF IT played in the Bondi WAVE program, receiving tuition in song writing and recording and using the recording studios at the Pavilion to record some of their original songs. The students were interviewed on Eastside Radio last week and played two of their songs – Letters and Red. 
• U15s Boys Basketball – runners up in the CDSSA Basketball Championships. 
• Our 1st Basketball team won each game at the annual ‘tri-series’ against Moriah. 

Quote of the week

“My greatest disappointment is that I believe that those of us who went through the war and tried to write about it, about their experience, became messengers. We have given the message, and nothing changed.” ~ Elie Wiesel

From the Head of Jewish Life

Adina Roth – Head of Jewish Life

I’d like to share three seemingly unrelated things that happened to me this week. I have been learning with my group of bat mitzvah girls the story of the daughters of Tzelafchad. These five women, who appear in the book of Bamidbar (Numbers) challenged the gendered laws of inheritance in the Torah. When the Israelites are still in the desert and preparing to enter the land of Israel, all men were apportioned land in Israel. These five women approached Moses and asked for a portion of land too. Their challenge resulted in an amendment to the law; if a man died and didn’t leave any sons, the land would pass to his daughters. Go Israelite feminism circa 1100 BCE! Beyond feminism, I was reminded of an interpretation by Rashi which says that the daughters of Tzelafchad are praised for their love of the land of Israel. Unlike the spies who were scared to enter the land, these women showed desire to connect to the land. Indeed, a shard of pottery has been found in Israel with the name of one of the daughters, testifying to their eventual settlement there. As I said to my students, the daughters of Tzelafchad were ‘the first Zionists.’

The second event that happened is I attended the wonderful night of Strings at Emanuel. At the beginning of the evening, I recited a Psalm for Israel and introduced the singing of Hatikvah. I received an email afterwards from a parent saying how moving this was for him and sharing that a woman behind him was crying. Indeed, the opening line of Hatikvah evokes something ancient and soul-stirring for our people, our connection with and longing for our ancient land; Kol od beleivav penimah, nefesh Yehudi Homiya/As long as the Jewish spirit is yearning deep in the heart.

I then turned to the Parsha of the week Chayei Sarah which recounts the death of our first matriarch Sarah. At the time, Avraham and Sarah had been living in Be’er Sheva (in ancient Cana’an, before it becomes the land of Israel) but Avraham wants to purchase a burial plot for Sarah. He asks to buy the Ma’arat Hamachpelah from Ephron the Hittite and insists on paying the full price. He is thus able to put Sarah to rest on land that he can call his own, in Chevron. This story is written in Bereshit, our oldest book of the Torah about our ancient patriarch and matriarch and their connection to the land of Israel. The Midrash elaborates on the story. After Sarah dies, the king Avimelech of the Philistines died. Avraham leaves Be’er Sheva and goes to the land of the Philistines to comfort Avimelech’s family. The Midrash concludes ‘and afterwards he returned home.’ For our ancient patriarchs, Be’er Sheva was home and Ma’arat Hamchpelah was our burial ground. Our ancient texts, our prayers and our souls have been intertwined with the land of Israel. We are indigenous to Israel, we are part of it and it is part of us.

To hear people today slurring that Jews are colonialist settlers and must return to Europe and the lands that we come from is almost as foreign and untrue as saying that the Torah is not Jewish or that circumcision is not a Jewish practice – it is to rip out the essence of who we are. What’s more, the image of a conquering colonialist doesn’t tally with survivors of Auschwitz who came to the British Mandate of Palestine in 1945 looking for refuge.

Without looking for it this week, I was reminded in three different ways that Jewish people, have an ancient, indigenous connection to Israel. Whatever ways forward we chart with Palestinians after this war (and chart a path forward, we must), we will need our story, our ancient history, to be acknowledged, the simple truism that Israel is our ancient home, in our bones and in our souls. I must say that when I recited the Psalm on that Night of Strings, I choked up a little too.

Please click this link to register for a vigil for the hostages on Sunday.
Please click this link if you would like to read the d’var torah I wrote for my rabbinical school blog this week.

Shabbat Shalom

The Flutters of a Broken Heart

Adina Roth – Head of Jewish Life

Some of you may know that I am studying for my rabbinical ordination through Yeshivat Maharat in New York. I have just started my fourth (and final) year. Once or twice a year, I am asked to write for the Parsha blog of Maharat. This is my offering for this week’s Parsha. It is a longer read for those of you who may feel like it, and also for those who are in need of some comfort at this time.

Chayei Sarah: The Flutters of a Broken Heart

In Mary Oliver’s poem Don’t Hesitate, she makes an understated case for joy in the face of tremendous suffering. She writes, “If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate/Give in to it/There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be…/Still life has some possibility left.” In the last few weeks, a spectre of horror has broken through our world and it feels as if we are huddling together, feeling pain in layered circles of intensity. In the face of this gaping sorrow, we are all wondering what life looks like in this new reality. How can there be healing beyond rupture?  

Sarah’s death, at the beginning of parshat Chayei Sarah, takes place in the aftermath of a great rupture, the Akeidah. Our rabbinic tradition suggests that the Akeidah leaves sorrow in its wake, connecting Sarah’s death to the near-sacrifice of Yitzchak. The Midrash in Pirkei De’Rabbi Eliezer 32:8 tells us that Sarah died because she heard besorat ha’akeidah (news of the Akeidah), that her son was killed or about to be killed, and her soul flew from her. From Sarah’s perspective in the Midrash, the idea of Avraham sacrificing their beloved son cracks her world open, taking her back to a primordial tohu. Tohu is the word used to describe the nothingness that precedes creation and is often translated as chaos or void. It seems upon hearing this news, Sarah moves into a state of utter desolation and rupture. This brokenness is not only Sarah’s load to bear. Avraham names the altar of the Akeidah “Hashem Yeira’eh,” “God will see,” indicating that God has ‘seen’ to providing a substitute, the ram for Yitzchak. The Midrash Tanchuma 23:8, however, suggests that God actually ‘sees’ something of Yitzchak’s ashes on the altar. The Midrash offers an extension to the peshat of the story: Yes, Yitzchak’s life is saved, but his ashes stay on the altar. The image of  Yitzchak’s ashes on the altar suggests that no one leaves the experience unscathed; Avraham sees what could have happened to Yitzchak as if it did happen, while something in Yitzchak is charred from the experience.

Yitzchak’s experience of trauma is characterised in our tradition as a kind of inertia. The Mei Hashiloach observes that Yitzchak embodies the notion of “shev ve’al ta’aseh,” caught in a kind of passivity, stuck and immobile to the flow of life. He cannot get up and seek his own life, or pursue the continuity of life in any way because he is “shoresh l’chol ha’yirot sheba’olam,” “the root of all fear in the world.” 

This notion that Yitzchak represents fear links to an underlying sensitivity expressed in the Midrash that Yitzchak is in part frozen in time by the Akeidah. If his ashes remain at the altar and if he is defined by the position of sitting and inaction, Yitzchak is stuck in fear. He is unable to enter into the flow of the living. Yet, as the parsha continues, Avraham recognizes that, on some level, life must go on. And what more represents the flow of life than the prospect of a marriage? Avraham asks Eliezer, his trusted servant, to go to Haran and seek a wife for Yitzchak. The Mei Hashiloach sensitively contrasts Yitzchak’s frozenness with Avraham and Eliezer’s efforts and energy as they conspire towards life’s continuity. It is as if a flurry of goodness-seeking happens around Yitzchak, while he remains stuck. Then, just before he meets Rivkah, we notice a chance: “Veyetzeh Yitzchak lasuach ba’sadeh lifnot arev,” “And Isaac went out walking in the field toward evening” (Genesis 24:63 ). 

Amidst his sitting and his stuckness, Yitzchak gets up to dialogue in the fields. Why? What impels him to go? 

Bereishit Rabbah (60:14) tells us that Yitzchak was impelled to pray. The Midrash explains that “sicha” is “lashon tefillah,” the language of prayer, and cites Tehillim 102:1 as its source, “yishpoch sicho,” “he shall pour forth his dialogue.” The original context of this verse is instructive in the quality of this “sicha.”    

תְּ֭פִלָּה לְעָנִ֣י כִֽי־יַעֲטֹ֑ף וְלִפְנֵ֥י ה’ יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ שִׂיחֽוֹ׃ 

A prayer of the poor man, when he is low and before God he pours his dialogue/prayer. (Psalms 102:1)

The verse in Tehillim which allows Rashi to link sicha to tefillah, is about a person who is “ataf,” drooping or made low. An additional meaning of ataf is to be wrapped up. Both meanings apply. It is as if the man who moves to prayer starts out entwined in his lowly state. From his place of grief and atifut, the person reaches towards God. The reach towards tefillah or sicha is the indication of a spark of life, the flutter of a broken heart. 

Yitzchak, similarly, is wrapped in grief, yet something in him compels him to go out to the field and pour out his yearnings. The Mei Hashiloach understands that Yizchak’s struggle is profoundly existential. It is a grappling with the question of life itself in the face of utter rupture that tears through every known underpinning. He continues that, at that moment, Yitzchak had a realization. He understood,  

לֹא־תֹ֥הוּ בְרָאָ֖הּ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת יְצָרָ֑ה

God did not create the world for tohu–for desolation and chaos–but rather for settlement, for life. (Isaiah 45:18)

Yitzchak’s getting up is linked to a realization that ultimately the world was not created for tohu, for rupture, chaos and desolation–but for life. The healing power of this recognition is reinforced by the Mei Hashiloach who describes this moment of Yitzchak’s recognition as hitore’rut libo, the awakening of Yizchak’s heart. According to the Mei Hashiloach, Yitzchak’s return to life is not simply about the arrival of Rivkah. It is about his own courage, a turning of his heart and a recognition that in spite of his own encounter with tohu, something in him can still  “give in” to the good, allowing for a return to the flow of life. In Mary Oliver’s words, this is the human spirit, our  way of fighting back. Yitzchak’s stirrings reflect the magnificently tremulous human impulse to turn away from tohu and towards life, even in the darkest and most dismal of times. 

Even before Rivkah arrives on the scene with her sensitivity and her energy, Yitzchak’s stepping out to the field to dialogue with God is the beginning of his willingness to think about love and life again. It is a moment of profound courage, the quiet step before the actual meeting with another person. Like Yitzchak’s moment in the field, Mary Oliver’s poem that quietly encourages us to trust in joy again is a little prayer, a grasp towards the good in the face of gaping suffering.  

Like Yitzchak, the Jewish people are traversing the land of bewilderment and grief. In parshat Chayei Sarah, we find a quiet moment in a field, where Yitzchak reaches out to dialogue with God. This moment, characterised by the Mei Hashiloach as an awakening of the heart, is the reorienting towards life, before Yitzchak goes on to experience ahavah (love) and nechamah, (comfort) with Rivkah. As Yitzchak’s heart flutters open and awake, he becomes unstuck and slowly enters the flow of life again. Tefilah, tzedakah and chesed are all indications that our broken hearts too are already aflutter. Yitzchak in the field reminds us that the burden and gift of life carries with it tremors of longing and vulnerability. Over and over again, like sunflowers, we remember that the world was created for much more than this rupture and we reach toward the good. If right now the thought of comfort feels too soon, let us take rest in the barely imperceptible stirrings of fluttering hearts.  

Primary News

Stevie Levenston – Director of Primary Operations

Blue and White Fridays

Our hearts and minds are with Israel. A reminder that students are welcome to come dressed in blue and white on Fridays, until the end of the term, and are welcome to donate to our UIA Fundraising efforts.

BBQ Day

Our Term 4 BBQ and non-uniform day is on Monday 27 November 2023. All funds collected will be donated to the UIA in support of their commitment to the People of Israel.

BBQ orders should be made here. Orders must be placed by Wednesday 15 November 2023 at 4.00 pm, to allow time for ordering. Unfortunately, no orders past this time will be accepted.

Canteen Closures

The canteen will be closed on Monday 20 November 2023 and Monday 27 November 2023. Please ensure your child brings lunch on Monday 20 November 2023 and feel free to order a sausage for BBQ and Plain Clothes Day on Monday 27 November 2023.

Students in Uniform in Public Places

We ask our parent and carer body to remain vigilant and supervise their children whilst in school uniform in highly populated areas. Unfortunately, we have had instances where students have been confronted by members of the public and we wish to ensure that every child feels safe and secure no matter where they are. Should your child wish, they are welcome to wear a non-uniform jumper or over-shirt when travelling to and from school.

Ma Koreh

Hagit Bar-On, Head of Primary Jewish Studies

Year 1 students have been studying the Hebrew letter “Lamed.” The story they have been focusing on is called “G’lidah,” which means ice-cream. In this story, they’ve been introduced to Auntie Leah, whose name starts with the letter “Lamed.”

Auntie Leah’s is bringing “G’lidah” (ice-cream) to the classroom, spreading joy and excitement among the students. However, a twist in the tale occurs when one of the students falls ill, regrettably missing out on her ice cream. Displaying great kindness, Auntie Leah undertakes a touching journey to visit the unwell student’s home and personally deliver her much desired “G’lidah.”

Today, we celebrated the successful conclusion of this unit, coming together in our classroom to share the joyous experience of enjoying ice-cream. The students truly relished this delightful treat.

A Statement by Australian Holocaust Survivors

A Statement by Australian Holocaust Survivors

We, the undersigned Holocaust survivors are the last witnesses to the unspeakable horrors of the Nazi regime. We are witnesses to the antisemitic propaganda that turned our friends, neighbours and the general public against us in Europe. We remember the six million Jewish lives lost because of this hatred.

On 7 October 2023, we witnessed the horrors of Hamas’ terrorist attacks in Israel and the resulting war, with its terrible loss of life. Since then, we have seen an unprecedented outpouring of antisemitism raging on our streets, on our television screens, on social media and in our universities.

We write this letter now because today marks 85 years since Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass). On 9 November 1938, the Nazi regime murdered Jews and attacked Jewish life, wreaking terror and burning synagogues. Rather than condemn these atrocities, the world stood by and watched.

Never have we, the survivors of the Holocaust felt the need to make a collective statement such as this until now.

Never did we think that we would witness a re-enactment of the senseless and virulent hatred of Jews that we faced in Europe. The actions of Hamas are so familiar, so barbaric, yet instead of condemning this, the response across the globe is a shameful spike in antisemitism. Our memories and our experiences in ghettos, concentration camps and in hiding – seeing our families and communities vanish – compel us to raise our voices and implore humanity to reject hatred, bigotry and violence. To recognise the agenda of Hamas, condemn it accordingly and call for the immediate release of all hostages – men, women, babies and the elderly.

We cannot allow history to repeat itself. In the face of adversity, we have learned the importance of resilience, unity, and hope. We believe in the power of education and remembrance to prevent the atrocities of the past from occurring again. Together, we can strive for a world where every individual, regardless of their faith, regardless of their cultural background, can live in peace and security.

Antisemitism is one of the world’s oldest and most contagious viruses. We ask all Australians to denounce the antisemitism and hatred that we see today in our beautiful country and across the globe. We ask you to stand with us.

ACT: Edith B, Thomas F, Ralph H, Ruth Gerson Landau, Thomas Mautner, Peter Witting, David (Desideriu) Z NSW: Diane Armstrong, Judy Bahar, Dasia Black Gutman, Lucy Chladek, AD, GD, Helen Doctors, Paul Drexler, Yvonne E, Anne Erber, Thomas Fleming, Sam Goldman, Roland Gridiger OAM, John Gruschka, Richard Haber, Peter Halas, Yvonne Halas, Litzi Lemberg, Elizabeth Levy, Maurice Linker, Jack Meister OAM, Peter Nash, Ella Nathan, David Phillips, Susie Phillips, Alice S, Egon Sonnenschein, Mark Spigelman, Joseph Symon, Mimi (Miryam) Wise QLD: Peter Baruch, Prof. Edgar Gold, AM, CM, KC, Sue Goldzweig, Ron Fresco, Stefan Kotzander, Dr Peter Kraus, Suzi Smeed SA: Andrew Steiner, OAM TAS: Dr. Felix Goldschmied, Gershon Goldsteen VIC: Nina Bassat AM, Ester Braitberg, Anonymous, Szaja Chaskiel OAM, Wolf Deane, Anonymous, Garry Fabian OAM, Adrian Factor OAM, Peter Gaspar, Charles German, Susan G, Mordechai Glasman, Abram Goldberg OAM, Guta Goldstein, Bep Gomperts, Bernadette Gore, Dita Gould, Paul Grinwald, Lusia Haberfeld, Irmgard (Irma) Hanner OAM, Rachel Kalman OAM, Gabrielle Khazam, Anonymous, Judy Kolt, Emma Kranz, Dr Henryk Kranz, John Lamovie JP (ret), Prof Gilah Leder AM, Dr Jack Leder, Krysia Lipshutz, Bella Meylikh, Cera Newhouse, Joe Nowoweiski, Roza, Louis Roller AM, Richard Rozen OAM, Sarah Saaroni OAM, Anonymous, Bella S, Eva Slonim, Viv Spiegel, Joe Szwarcberg, Eva T, Netty Tepe-Schoemaker, Edith U, Jack Unikoski, Rachel Unikoski, Dr Paul Valent, Fay W, Diana Zelig, Les Zimmerman, Rona Zinger, Rebecca Gabbay WA: Anonymous, Hetty Verolme.

This statement and photograph appeared in The Australian on Thursday 9 November 2023

Music Matters

Diana Springford – Director of Music P-12

Welcome to our Music Matters page! 🎶

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

Recent Student Performances

Kol Hakavod to the Years 7-8 Rock Band for their performance of Still into You by Paramore at High School Assembly this week, ably supported by their band director, George Nikolopoulos. 

Year 10 Elective Music performed a selection of solo works for clients at the Burger Centre on Thursday 2 November 2023. This was a warm and appreciative audience and a chance for our young musicians to share their talents. Thank you to Daniel Burley for his piano accompaniment.

This term, our musicians have prepared and performed in two very special concerts for packed audiences – the Night of Winds and Percussion in Week 4 and the Night of Strings on Wednesday evening. These events showcased the skills of hundreds of young instrumentalists from Years K-12 performing in a range of ensembles, from concert bands to string orchestras and small chamber ensembles. For many of our younger musicians, this was their first performance for an audience, other than their family. Our Years K-2 members of the Perlman String Ensemble opened the strings concert, while our Years 3–6 students, who are learning to play an instrument in our compulsory Instrumental Program (IP), performed in ensembles comprised of their year groups. It was impressive to see the progression in skill level achieved by each successive year of tuition and practice. With both younger and older musicians performing in the same events, these concerts were a lovely opportunity for students who are just starting to learn an instrument to see the dizzy heights scaled by our most senior musicians. 

Mazal tov to all performers and thanks to parents for their ongoing support of their children’s musical endeavours. These concerts cannot happen without a great deal of organisation behind-the-scenes. I would like to thank the whole Music Faculty, our amazing team of music tutors, accompanists and conductors and Ben Marshall for sound reinforcement at both concerts, assisted by Aaron Berkowitz and Dylan Budai. Our photographs are courtesy of Ofer Levy, a member of our parent community, who has again captured superb images of our performers.

The video of the Night of Winds and Percussion is available here on vimeo. We will share the link to the Night of Strings Concert as soon as it is available.

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Term 4 Dates and Events for your diary

• Year 9-12 Rock Band Joey’s Battle of the Bands Performance – Sunday 12 November 2023
• Extra-curricular Music Ensemble photos – Tuesday 14 November 2023 (see separate article).
• Years 7-9 and Years 9-12 Rock Bands Assembly Performances – Tuesday 14 November 2023.
• B’Yachad Building Opening – Sunday 19 November 2023: Jazz Combo and Klezmer Ensemble.
• Senior Chamber Choir Assembly Performance – Tuesday 21 November 2023
• Twilight Concerts (tutor-nominated performances) – Wednesday 22 November 2023.
• Instrument Maintenance and Stocktake – Tuesday 29 November 2023 and Wednesday 30 November 2023.

Private Music Tuition and Infant Strings Program

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and Infant Strings Program (ISP) enrolments for next year. The deadline for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 1 is Friday 24 November 2023. All students currently receiving private music tuition and students in Years K-1 who are currently participating in the ISP will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules along with students commencing for the first time. To enrol or discontinue please visit our Music Portal Page and use the links to the relevant online forms. Formal notification of intention to discontinue must be received now to avoid being committed to the full term of lessons and liable for fees. 

Please contact music@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions.  

The schedules for Term 1 will be created during term break and emailed in late January.

Please visit our Music Portal Page for information about:

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

K-12 Sport

Heath Morley, Head of Sport

CDSSA U15’s Basketball Championships

Emanuel sent three teams on Monday the 30th of October to the U15’s CDSSA Basketball Championships at Hills Basketball Association. Emanuel’s Division 1 Boys team participated in the Championship Division won their pool games against Reddam (37-30) and IGS (40-34), to move them into a semi-final against Pittwater, where after a tightly contested first half they ran away 43-17 winners.

In the final of the competition, they played Moriah College and, despite the back and forth nature of the game, the score ended 52-35 in favour of Moriah College. Xander Keller was a standout on the day with some aggressive drives to the ring and hot 3-point shooting.

Emanuel Division 2 Boys team participated in the Shield Division and finished 4th. After losing to Galstaun by 24 in their pool game matchup they were tied at half time in the 3rd place playoff. The Emanuel boys ended up losing the game narrowly, but their toughness and positivity throughout the day was highlighted by this improved performance against a tough opposition. Leo Masnick was a standout with his leadership, hustle and determination.

The Emanuel Division 1 Girls participated in the Championship Division of the tournament ,despite the team consisting of only Year 7 students. They were playing against girls 2-3 years older than them and were very brave, making an incredible effort, despite this age disparity. The day finished with Emanuel defeating Kesser Torah in the 5th place playoff and the girls represented themselves incredibly well with their sportsmanship and persistence, despite the level of challenge presented to them. Aimee Danieli led the way as the top scorer and Zara Keller, Lexi Butt and Tamar Granot brought the defensive intensity.

Emanuel U15 Boys Basketball Team

Emanuel U15 Girls Basketball Team

Emanuel U15 Boy Basketball Team U15 Runner Up

Emanuel Open Girls Basketball Team vs Kesser Torah

Jake Joffe shooting

Emanuel 1st Boys Basketball v Moriah (Tri-Series)

After Emanuel defeated Moriah College 58-23 in the JDS Cup in Term 3, Emanuel was set to host Moriah College for the 2nd game of the annual Tri-Series competition between the two schools.

On the 19 October 2023 the two teams met at Emanuel with Gideon Allam leading the way with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Marcus Tsimbler chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds. Xander Keller and Joseph Becker had 11 and 9 points respectively. The boys led by 17 during the 3rd quarter, but a late run by Moriah College in the 4th quarter saw the game finish 60-58, making for a very entertaining spectacle and saw Emanuel clinch the Tri-Series.

On the 26 October 2023 the Emanuel 1sts travelled to Moriah College for the final game of the Tri-Series tournament. Despite having already won the series, the boys were at their best for this game. The boys were without multiple regular members of the team all those who suited up brought the energy. The 1st quarter finished 19-8. Midway through the 3rd quarter, the boys pushed the lead to 20 and were eventual winners 61-50. Gideon Pozniak was everywhere with 6 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Gideon Allam (16 points and 15 rebounds) and Alex Kirievsky (13 points and 12 rebounds) dominated in the paint all game long.

Emanuel Open Boys Basketball Team Vs Moriah in the TriSeries

Easts Basketball League Update

As we reflect on the first few weeks of the Easts Basketball League season, our standout team has been the U14 Girls. This is the same team that has competed in multiple U15 tournaments this year, despite their team consisting of  Year 7 students. They have won their first two games convincingly 20-9 and 29-8. They’re developing each session and game and their progress is very promising for the future of the Emanuel Basketball Program.

Sharon Fairfax – Gymnastic Coordinator

IPSHA GYMNASTICS CARNIVAL
(Independent Primary Schools Heads of Australia)

Last Thursday our Emanuel Team headed to this annual competition, which hosts 30 Independent Schools from all around NSW at SGAC (Sydney Gymnastics
and Aquatic Centre).

Our gymnasts rose to the occasion to attain fantastic results:

• Level 2 WAG (Womens Artistic Gymnastics) Division 3
  Team 1st Place; Claudia Hochroth, Talia Gellert, Ella Cohen Peace and Kayla Weiss
• Individual
  Vault 1st Place: Claudia Hochroth
  Floor 1st Place: Kayla Weiss
  Floor 4th Place: Ella Cohen Peace

• Bars
  Equal 2nd Place: Claudia Hochroth and Talia Gellert
• Beam 2nd Place: Claudia Hochroth
• Level 3 WAG (Womens Artistic Gymnastics) Division 3
  Team 2nd Place: Samara Kahn and Akira Aronstan
• Individual
  Bars 3rd Place: Samara Kahn
  Beam 3rd Place: Samara Kahn
  Vault 4th Place: Akira Aronstan
  Floor 4th Place: Akira Aronstan

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Letter to Friends

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

As the war in Israel continues, here on the other side of the world, we continue to support our brothers and sisters in Israel as best as we can. Through all of this, we thank Communal Security Group (CSG) and all volunteers for their never-ending dedication to keeping us safe here in Sydney, as we pray for the safety of everyone in Israel and the return to peace as well as the safe return of all hostages. We have many families in our School community with friends and relatives living in Israel and alumni on active service in the IDF.

Last week, I included a poignant letter from one of our past parents Kirtsyn Sadra, whose daughter Eden (Class of 2019) is a Lone Soldier. I have also been in touch with a number of alumni living in Israel now, some of whom are in the IDF whilst others are not. Alumna Ondine Sherman (Class of 1990) has been living in Israel since 2012 with her Israeli-born husband, twin sons and daughter Jasmine. Ondine was an Emanuel student in Primary School before the family moved to Israel in 2012. Jasmine’s three first cousins are here in High School – their father Emile Sherman is Ondine’s brother. Jasmine, now 19, is currently serving in the IDF. 

Ondine’s letter was written a month ago but essentially, as Ondine tells me, nothing much has changed since she wrote these words:

Letter to friends/colleagues – Tuesday 10 October 2023

Letters sent to soldiers

A lot of kind people have asked how we’re doing and I’ve been struggling to find an answer. I’m attempting to describe the no-words-to-describe. We are safe, thank goodness, scared but safe. Jasmine is doing shifts in her army base, and it’s terrible to be separated from her, we don’t know when she’ll be home. Dror has organised a neighbourhood watch, 120 men have signed up, and he did the 2-5 am shift last night, because there’s panic in the streets. Dov and Lev are in a bubble of protection, thankfully. I’m overwhelmed, in tears, trying to be a safe harbour for my boys and my daughter, trying to figure out the best way I can help. The country is in a state of trauma, scrambling, feeling powerless and desperate. The last four days are a whirlwind of shock, pain, grief, anger, anxiety and fear. There’s one degree of separation here, often less. And each hour, a new atrocity makes headlines, more names listed. Everyone holds their breath. Sirens scream and people run to bomb shelters. Some don’t have them close by. Overhead, you can hear the explosions of Hamas missiles by the Iron Dome, and windows rattle. Communities are organising food and clothes for displaced families, and care-packages for young soldiers on the frontlines. There’s a huge sense of unity and care. Knowing what’s happened and happening to the 100s of hostages at the hands of Hamas, stuff I don’t want to say out loud because it’s too evil to speak of… Imagining the pain of the families whose children and parents have been murdered…… It’s too much to process. Incomprehensible. Some accounts and images one struggles to unhear, to unsee… they are traded amongst friends because they’re too hard to carry alone. These are my inadequate words….

Sending love to all, and praying for peaceful days ahead and the protection of all innocent lives.

Ondine

IDF Beanie Project continues

Spearheaded by Emanuel grandmother, Pam Wertheim, the huge call-out for knitters to help knit 350,000 beanies needed for the IDF soldiers in Israel has been an overwhelming success but nowhere near the number of beanies still needed. There are now knitters in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, New Zealand, San Diego, Florida, Boston and London.

First three boxes of beanies leaving Sydney

Whilst the first three boxes of beanies knitted by our community left Sydney for Jerusalem, with messages in the boxes made by our participants at Jewish Care, Pam tells us many more beanies are nearly ready to go too. Pam now asks those who cannot knit, if they can at least tell their friends who can, to please join in this project and/or help donate in other ways.

Here is Pam’s latest request;

To all our non-knitters out there who would like to contribute to our IDF Beanie Project, you can buy black beanies without fleece lining and pom poms, that would be greatly appreciated by our soldiers. To all our knitters please keep those needles clicking. If you would like more information about the beanies and/or cannot knit but would like to make a financial donation towards the freight costs of getting the beanies to Israel, please email for further details.

The first batch of beanies left Sydney last Friday for Jerusalem. The Michael Levine Base are very appreciative of our fantastic Sydney Community. We could not have done it without each and every one of you who contributed by knitting and donating beanies. Please keep on clicking those needles, we have a long way to go.

Pam says I got a call on Monday night asking for 10 beanies to be collected for an IDF special force soldier for himself and the soldiers in his unit – he is leaving for Israel. Thanks again for all your support, knitters and non-knitters. She is getting messages of thanks and gratitude from all over the world, including this one: “Hi Pam – your knitting warms my heart. My son is serving and it makes me smile to think of IDF soldiers having their heads warmed by Australian beanies! Thank you”

Loom bracelets update

I previously wrote about 5 year old Sloane Orski, daughter of alumnus Avi Orski (Class of 2003), who decided to make blue and white loom bracelets to sell, raising money for Israel. Sloane and her helpers have certainly been hard at work. Avi sent me an update to let us know that sales of these bracelets has now reached over $80,000. No, that is not a typo – yes, $80,000 and rising, with all proceeds going to Israel through MDA. Sloane and Avi want to say a huge “thank you” to our Emanuel Community for their support and to let you know that there are still more bracelets for sale. Please send Avi a direct message via Instagram: @aviorski

Sloane Orski

On the topic of bracelets for Israel, past parent, Lee Avshalom, has asked me to share an event she has organised for this Sunday 12 November 2023 – please see below. For further information please call Lee on 0401 830 764.

Sculpture by the Sea 2023

Although this event finished on Monday, some of the awards are yet to be announced. Did you or your children vote for your favourite sculpture? Past parent Dr Ilan Avshalom had his sculpture “Florb” made from reclaimed wood in the exhibition, and alumnus Joel Adler (Class of 2011) had his winning sculpture from last year on the front cover of this year’s catalogue.

Dr Ilan Avshalom and his sculpture Florb

Art Show

Janice Eliovson, a current parent and Assistant Educator at Korrnmehl Pre-School, writes: “When I picked up a brush and tube of paint to try find a way to sooth my shattered soul, following a very traumatic personal moment, I couldn’t have ever imagined that the unfolding that would lead me to exhibiting my artwork in numerous exhibitions and be accepted to participate as a finalist for art prizes in Sydney. Dropping into a flow state and benefiting from it is a massive reason why I continually return to fill a canvas with paint. This thing we call art really is some kind of  magnificent magic which has helped me reconnect within and I’m so thrilled to be able to share it with you all. Looking at art in person is always better for the viewer so please join me at @wonderland_art_fest  on until tomorrow followed by an amazing all day Best Gift Market at Coogee Beach, on Sunday 3 December 2023, 9.00 am – 6.00 pm.”

Artwork by Janice Eliovson

Janice Eliovson

The Big Dog

The Big Dog, a new motion picture, was released yesterday, Thursday 9 November 2023 and the soundtrack album is now streaming wherever you get your music. Alumnus Sam Weiss (Class of 2012) says this soundtrack is the culmination of a mammoth collaborative effort with director @danemccusker. It could not have been more fun to write this music. It’s especially significant as it’s my first soundtrack album to a feature film.- happy listening! 

The Big Dog

Head On

Parents Moshe Rosenzveig OAM and Anita Schwartz invite you to come check out this amazing photographic exhibition.

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 good weekend.  

Specialist Learning Centre News

Dr Lynn Joffe – Director – Specialist Learning Centre

News from the Specialist Learning Centre (SLC)

In both Primary and High School sectors, most students who benefit by Specialist Learning Centre (SLC) intervention in its various forms are thriving and often exceeding expectations – often their own! We thank them and their parents and guardians for partnering with us in areas of skill building and the social and emotional aspects that are inevitably part of the package. The input provided by external specialists is often part of the fuller program for a student. The information below speaks to this.

External Specialists on Campus

With the opening of the B’Yachad Building (aren’t we fortunate to have it!), we are now pleased that we have some flexibility in terms of teaching spaces, so will be able to accommodate external therapists on campus, within certain parameters. We thank everyone for their patience during the time that having these allied colleagues on campus was not possible.

Our aim always is to ensure that we are enabling essential intervention for our students that has the least impact on their school learning. We view the services that external specialists provide as complementary to school learning but, given that we are a school that provides exceptional teaching, we are mindful that we need to ensure that external sessions do not conflict with learning time in classrooms, as far as possible.

We are trialling a new system; we will make available suitable venues for Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists and other specialists at the following times:

• 7.45 am – 8.45 am: Monday – Friday
• 12.45 pm – 2.15 pm: Monday – Friday
• 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm: Monday and Thursday

We would ask that parents and guardians organise sessions at these times wherever possible.

In the few cases that these times might not be workable, please let me know and we will consider what else might be possible but, please know that, even with the new building, space is limited at different times.

Although we are galloping to the end of the year, there are a few weeks of term left, so, if you require spaces for allied professional services, please contact me. Again, please opt for the times above wherever possible for the rest of this term and for 2024.

Thank you to all the students, parents, guardians, teachers and specialists who work with the SLC Team and our colleagues who teach Years K-12 for another year of mutual learning, development and progress.

Primary Charity and BBQ Day

Community support for Israel

Bookings can be made here.

The Speaker Series

Music and Extra-curricular Photo Day

Music and Extra-Curricular Photo Day

On Tuesday 14 November 2023 we will be taking music and extra-curricular photos.

Uniform requirements

• Years 5-12 students involved in the various photos will be expected to wear their blazer and tie on the day.
• All other Primary students who may be involved in a photo will wear Summer uniform.

Photo Schedule

PAC

MPH

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

School Readiness

Early Childhood Services are well placed to contribute to the foundations for children’s long and short-term success at school. The first five years of a child’s life are critical to a child’s lifelong development. By supporting all areas of children’s development and focusing on building strong, responsive relationships with young children, we provide children with the skills and confidence to continue along a path of life-long learning. 

Early experiences influence brain development, establishing the neural connections that provide the foundation for language, reasoning, problem solving, social skills, behaviour, and emotional health. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we prepare and develop our children’s potential and ability to learn in these early years.

Young children’s social and emotional development is the foundation for their cognitive development. Supporting children’s school readiness is about assisting them to develop their skills in areas such as literacy, numeracy, and self-care when they are ready for this, and at their own pace. Children’s social competence is at the core of their readiness for school and effective school transitions. Social skills such as sharing, turn taking and playing well with other children are essential in assisting children’s short and long-term success at school. Responsive, positive relationships between children and their educators are also crucial in building children’s self-esteem and resilience, which further assists them to make effective transitions from early childhood settings to school environments. 

Emotional maturity implies that a child has reasonable control over their emotions. This influences important aspects such as self-confidence and self-esteem. It develops over time. The link between social and emotional skills and school success is a strong factor that needs to be considered when deciding if a child is school ready or not. Having good social skills and being a confident learner sets the foundations for a lifetime of learning.  

School readiness is integrated into our program from the time a child starts at Pre-school. We aim to prepare children for school by promoting all areas of their growth and development. A program that closely observes and responds to children’s needs and interests will provide opportunities for encouraging the skills and attributes needed for starting school. We also focus on pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills, which are taught in a fun, hands-on way and embedded into our play on a daily basis.

We focus on using children’s current skills and interests as the basis for promoting their development, rather than requiring them to complete structured, more formal academic tasks. We know that young children learn these skills best through play.

Our focus is on preparing the children for their transition to Year K. Next week, we will discuss the many ways that we do this.

Burger Centre Visit

This week both the Starfish and Dolphins visited the Burger centre in Randwick. It’s always such a treat to visit this wonderful facility and to be able to see first-hand the benefits of inter-generational connections. On Tuesday, The Starfish were invited to be part of an incursion with the Taronga mobile zoo. The ranger, Ryan from Taronga Zoo, was knowledgeable and sensitive by being able to cater to both his audiences – young and old and presented an interactive and informative hands-on workshop, that delighted us all and kept everyone mesmerised for over an hour.

Ryan brought five special Australian native animals to visit us. We learnt lots of interesting information about these beautiful creatures:

• The Blue Tongue Lizard – a fruit and salad eater who loves to eat snails, slugs, and worms too.
• The Shingle Back Lizard – who shows his teeth and muscles to scare his predators and his tails grows back if it comes off.
• The Bearded Dragon – who’s mouth is yellow inside to scare off predators and her skin feels like sandpaper.
• The Carpet Python – named “Darling” from the Murray Darling River who lays 20 eggs and shivers her body to cause friction to keep her eggs warms.
• The Ornate Box Tortoise from the USA called “Zippy” who was found in someone’s suitcase and rescued by Taronga Zoo.

The highlight of the animals was “Leroy” the Echidna, who delighted us as she walked closely amongst us, and we got to experience her prickles and unique cuteness up close.

Thank you to The Burger Centre for inviting us to join you all for this wonderful incursion and see first-hand the vision of this incredible intergenerational exchange that took place through spending time together and all experiencing such joy, wonder and delight, whilst learning about these beautiful native creatures.

We all felt very privileged to have this incredible experience.

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National Bandanna Day

On Friday, we raised money for Canteen to support children and teenagers suffering from cancer. We all purchased colourful bandannas and wore them to Shabbat. We are proud to be able to support others in our community and to instil compassion and caring in the children from this very young age.

We also enjoyed a special visit from Jim and Jeany Kornmehl, who joined us for Shabbat. 

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to Aimee Schnapp (5). We also wish Justine Robertson and Terry Aizen a very happy birthday. We hope you all had a beautiful and special birthday.

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P&F

Justine Hofman – Head of P&F

Weekend Camping Success

We had a wonderful camping weekend! Having a small, intimate group of families was very special and it meant that everyone got to speak to everyone and it felt like one little community. We spent a lot of time around the communal campfire, with interesting chats and activities enjoyed by all ages. Thank you to Ronny Schnapp who ran a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat – there was grape juice and challah for everyone, thanks to the P&F.

The weather on Friday and Saturday was perfect, with families enjoying activities like horse-riding, playing on the lily pad on the river, and a special treat of delicious Nutella filled eclairs roasted over the fire.

As in all times, there is bitter and sweet. We were able to share a beautiful Havdalah, around the fire, which ended with the heavens opening up, leading to a wet pack up the next day. All in all it was a beautiful, relaxing weekend, it was so nice to connect with each other and get back to nature.

A special thanks to Ilan Bloom, who put in so much work, even though he wasn’t able to be there. A big thank you to the camping committee, who went above and beyond, to ensure that the weekend was a success. There was a considerable amount of administration to ensure the safety of all participants, thank you David Eliovson, Gail Eliovson, Neil Shilbury and Mary Glikin for their time and efforts – we are so grateful.

P&F Meeting next Wednesday

Our final P&F meeting will be held this coming Wednesday 15 November 2023 at 7.00 pm at school (location tbc). All are welcome to attend.

Dates for the Diary

• Friday Chills: 3.15 pm – 4.00 pm every Friday afternoon 
• Monday 4 December 2023 – Thursday 7 December 2023: Pre-loved Uniform Shuk collection week
• Monday 29 January 2024: Pre-loved Uniform Shuk Sale: 7.30 am – 2.00 pm.

PSG

Thank you to our volunteers for last week
(Monday 30 October 2023 – Friday 3 November 2023)

Josh Nassi, Joanne Rose, Shaun Gross, Andrea Sher, Rachel Szcekely, Ben Reid, Sarah Kummerfeld, Florette Ickowicz, Avner Silberman, Ella Israel, Vitali Kanevsky, Guy Olian, Doron Kalinko, Harley McKenzie, Jessica Mendoza-Roth, Andrew Nabarro, Warren Satusky, Val Balint Halmagyi, Darren Isenberg, Alan Nathan, Alina Kirievsky, Gary Gordon, Anna Lisa-Palmer, Jackie Elias, Larry Simon, Debbie Sullivan and Steven Durbach

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

Important Dates

What’s Happening Next Week 

High School

Monday 13 November 2023

• Year 10 and 12 Drama – Norm and Ahmed 
• Years 7-12 Writers Awards 

Tuesday 14 November 2023

• Year 9 Be the Change to Chifley Public School 
• Co-curricular and Music Photo Day 

Wednesday 15 November 2023

• History Mastermind Competition
• Year 8 Allwell Testing 

Thursday 16 November 2023

• Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Camp

Friday 17 November 2023

• Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Camp
• Non Uniform Day – Blue and White

Sunday 19 November 2023

• B’Yachad Buidling Opening

Primary School

Tuesday 14 November 2023

• Kindergarten Orientation – families A-K
• Co-curricular and Music Photo Day 

Wednesday 15 November 2023

• P&F Meeting 

Thursday 16 November 2023

• Year 2 to Royal Botanic Gardens
• Kindergarten Orientation – families L-Z
• Primary School Guest Speaker Series – Karen Young 

Friday 17 November 2023

• Year 2 Pathways, Shabbat and Siddur decorating 
• Year 6 Fun Day 

Sunday 19 November 2023

• B’Yachad Buidling Opening

Kornmehl

Monday 13 November 2023

• Starfish – Open Session for Parents for Playball

Tuesday 14 November 2023

• Starfish to Bush School
• New Parents Information Evening

Friday 17 November 2023

• Dolphins to Bush School 

Community Notices