From the Principal

Andrew Watt – Principal

When People Step Up
A powerful story of humanity

The impact of the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 has been far-reaching, with 200 000 Israelis displaced due to the evacuation of communities near the Gaza border. Some 360 000 army reservists (each someone’s friend, colleague or family member) have been called up to defend Israel. The resulting toll of this ongoing conflict has been injuries and death. Israel has been traumatised by the brutality of the murders and kidnaps and remains a country in mourning.

In the light of this distress and loss, it has been inspiring to see so many within and outside Israel spring into action to rescue and support their fellow citizens. A large number of businesses have volunteered to evacuate families, provide accommodation for the displaced families and to distribute food and medical supplies. Volunteers from the hi-tech sector have assisted in the forensic identification of missing and kidnapped individuals. There are many reports of staff taking on larger workloads, to cover for the reservists and volunteers.

Inspirational examples include:

A cooking school in Tel Aviv has been transformed into a humanitarian hub for the displaced, preparing and delivering over 1 500 healthy meals each day.
At a massive underground parking lot, hundreds of volunteers were unloading donated equipment, unpacking and sorting it, and repacking it into boxes for transport all over the land.
Almost every truck and bus company in Tel Aviv had volunteered vehicles to transport civilian equipment around the country, with teams of 18 at any one time matching transport solutions to needs.
Without governmental direction or resources, teams of psychologists and social workers voluntarily established emergency trauma centres nationwide, bringing hope to a population where it was desperately required.
Initially working from their homes, a group of friends quickly established a situation room at Kama Junction in southern Israel, which is still operating, and by 11 a.m. they were dispatching volunteers, not all of them armed, to rescue people under terrorist siege.
Well known musicians, David Broza and Hanan Ben Ari have been visiting the army bases and hospitals, to sing and provide comfort for the IDF and for those injured and their families.

There has also been significant support from the Diaspora. As one very small piece of the jigsaw, our Emanuel School community has sent videos and cards to the IDF, with messages of encouragement, gratitude and comfort. Our many fundraising efforts have all been directed to the United Israel Appeal’s (UIA) Victim of Terror Fund. We donated a number of laptops to Israeli schools following a call out by Operation Golda; 20 Mitzvah Meals made by Emanuel parents were delivered by them to parents of Lone Soldiers along with beautiful cards written by the students; P&F volunteers are making a meal for the CSG every Monday and delivering them along with students cards of support; CSG staff who are stationed at the School are receiving free meals and coffee from the School canteen, along with a challah every Friday and cards from the students. We will also be preparing care packages for families in the South of Israel. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the people of Israel.

Security

At a meeting yesterday it was comforting to hear Assistant Police Commissioner Whyte emphasise our community’s safety as a top priority, reassuring us that there are no known threats or incidents of physical assault. He addressed the incident involving 10 motorcycles in Coogee last weekend, clarifying that the situation was handled appropriately, despite media reports that may have exaggerated the events, drawing parallels to the Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Melbourne last Shabbat. Assistant Commissioner Whyte noted that only a small minority of Pro-Palestinian supporters have been particularly disruptive, while community leaders are seeking calm. A clear and repeated message from the police was the desire to be even handed and allow freedom of speech, as expected in a democracy, which does not include flying terrorist organisations’ flags. The CSG echoed the police’s stance and stated that students should continue with their daily routines, including wearing school uniforms.

A Showcase of Outstanding Literary Works

Each year, the student works on display at the High School Writer’s Award evening are both interesting and impressive. Genuine literary talent is on display, growing in depth and sophistication each year. In addition to the presentation of Writer’s Awards, students from each Year Group described their journey within the English Program across each term, followed by a reading of a sample of their work. The highlight of the evening was each of the four selected extracts from our English Extension 2 submitted works, read to a very appreciative (and proud!) audience. Many thanks to David Camp and his dedicated English staff, for teaching and inspiring our students, and for a great evening.

English Extension 2 students Arielle Melamed, Scott Reuveny, Jack Simon and Leah Wolf

The Year 7 (2024) Ma’avar Program

Year 7 Ma’avar Program

The first step in our induction program for our Year 7 (2024) students took place last Friday morning. Both Emanuel students and new students participated in High School Kabbalat Shabbat, followed by a range of engaging transition activities with their new Year 7 Tutors.

This was followed by a welcome session run by their Peer Support Leaders. The purpose of the Ma’avar Program is to ensure a smooth and anxiety-free transition to our High School, through meeting the key staff and student leaders in the support process. The students enjoyed the morning and departed secure in knowledge that they will be well looked after.

It is hoped that the Year 7 camp, held early in Term 1, will enable our students to get to know each other and to consolidate friendships.

Many thanks to Year 7 Co-ordinator, Alice Bowman and Director of Students, Adam Ezekiel, for creating and conducting the program.

Cast of High School Production 2024 – Wendy and Peter Pan

Mazal tov to the students who have been selected to perform in the 2024 High School Production of Wendy and Peter Pan. We look forward to the performance with great anticipation.

Mazal Tov

Ben Fram, Year 10, won the prize for “Most Promising Drummer” in the St Joseph’s College Battle of the Bands competition. Ben was the drummer for the Years 9-12 Rock Band performance of Kilby Girl last Sunday morning. Kol Hakavod to Ben and the other Rock Band members.
The following students participated in the Kids Giving Back community program, in the last holiday break: Oscar and Zachary Bernstein, Jesse and Mika Churnin, Sapphira Davis, Leo Fisher, Dan Garfinkel, Adam and Juliette Gavshon, Aaron Eisenberg, Jory and Savannah Jochelson, Ivy Kery, Mai Oken, Nadav Pollak, Katya Rose Sandy, Juliette and Oliver Mendoza-Roth, Abbie Schnapp and Nava Weiss. Close to 700 young people were involved, producing over 5 000 hot meals, salads, fruit kebabs, breakfast boxes and care packs.

Quote of the Week

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

From the Head of Jewish Life

Adina Roth – Head of Jewish Life

Toldot – Children of Humanity

This past week has not been an easy one for Jewish communities around the world as we see fighting, hatred and polarising from Caulfield to Coogee to Cape Town! I was talking with my rabbinical school study partner Miriam and she was expressing concern that because Jewish people don’t feel safe in the outward world, we are turning inward and creating a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy of loneliness. She said, ultimately this doesn’t serve us, we need to be an outward looking people, seeking dialogue, inter-faith discussions and universal connections. I reflected to myself that in these few weeks, so much trust has broken down and I have become inward looking, relying on the warmth of the Jewish community, of Emanuel School, of our allies and supporters. It feels as if there is a lot of hate out there and it feels safer and more comforting to stay closer to home.

This week’s Parsha, Toldot, speaks wisely and sensitively to this concern of inside and outside. At the beginning of the portion, our matriarch Rivkah become pregnant with twins. We are told immediately that ‘the twins struggled within her.’ Rashi is interested as to why the twins were struggling and he offers two incisive ideas. One interpretation of the struggle points to differences between the boys. He says that when Rivkah walked past the ancient Yeshivot or houses of Torah study, Yaakov would kick to get out and study Torah. In contrast, when she walked past the places of idol worship, Eisav kicked to exit. This first interpretation kind of parodies the boys as super different from each other; ‘Torah boy and pagan boy.’ It is ‘easy’ and sometimes lazy to point to seemingly superficial differences between people. Rashi however doesn’t stop there, he offers a second interpretation. He says Yaakov and Eisav were ‘fighting with each other as to who would inherit, in this world and the mythical world to come.’ This second interpretation is borne out by the plot of the story as the entire energy of their story is about a struggle as to who will get the blessing, Yaakov or Eisav. Avivah Zornberg wisely points out that Rashi’s first interpretation (God vs idols) highlights differences between the boys but the second interpretation suggests something profound, which is that at the end of the day, these seemingly different boys wanted the same thing!!

This kind of insight is important when considering raising families. Sometimes differences between siblings become highlighted, ‘the academic one, the sporty one, the more mainstream one, the individual.’ It might also be helpful to think about our children as ultimately wanting the same things, to feel joy, to feel loved, to feel belonging. This perhaps becomes even more prescient at the moment, where it feels as if the events since Saturday 7 October have drawn sharp distinctions between people, ‘us’ and ‘them’. While Israel battles a threat to its existence, I am drawn to my Chevruta Miriam’s concern that if we end up constructing a reality based on differences, it becomes self-fulfilling and we actually experience ourselves as radically different from each other and retreat inwards. The second interpretation of Rashi is an ethical invitation to remember our commonality. As humans there is much we share in common. We long for joy, love, belonging. At the moment, there is great woundedness in our world and many of us are sitting with feelings of alienation from each other and a breakdown in trust. But this small ‘second’ interpretation in our Parsha reminds us of a deeper truth, most humans share a great deal in common. I pray for a time when we can return to dialogue, openness and multi-culturalism, to embrace our beautiful Jewish inheritance and also look to each other with open eyes and hearts as children of humanity.

Shabbat Shalom

Ma Koreh

Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

During Hebrew art lessons, Morah Martine worked with the creative Year 2 students to imagine and design artworks expressing solidarity with Israel and our desire for peace.

Primary News

Samantha Rogut – Head of Library & Information Services (K-6)

Primary Library Wrap Up

Many exciting activities are taking place in the Primary Library during Term 4. Students have been able to enter the ‘Book Bingo’ competition, adopt a book from our collection, join the ‘Games Club’ at lunchtimes and take part in the hotly contested ‘Book in a Bottle’.

The Primary Library will close for borrowing from Monday 27 November 2023, as library staff prepare the library for stocktake and the move into its newly refurbished space, the former Kindergarten rooms.

Whilst the library is closed for borrowing, students may read books from the playground Bibliotree, their classroom libraries or listen to a story on Storybox Library. Re-reading favourite books that they have at home is another great way to encourage a reading ‘habit’. One suggestion is to re-read your bookshelf in the order the books are shelved. Students might also like to recommend one of their own books to a friend and have a ‘book swap’ with one another. This idea works well during the holiday period as well as during term time.

Holiday Ideas

During the end of year break there are many interesting events and exhibitions taking place that are suitable for children. Many are organised by local libraries and museums.

You may find something interesting to attend in the list below:

Waverly Library – Events Page
Woollahra Library – What’s On Page
Randwick Library – Classic Comics & Brain Games for all Ages
Visit the Children’s Library at the State Library of NSW
Take Part in the Book Lovers Club – State Library of NSW
Visit the Australian Museum
Visit the Octopus Garden Immersive Experience Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
Listen and Watch a book being read aloud on Storybox Library:
Username: Storybox Emanuel
Password: Storybox

Important Primary Library Dates

Book Bingo entries need to be completed and handed in to library staff by Friday 24 November 2023 (Week 7A)
Book in a Bottle entries will be drawn Monday 27 November 2023 (Week 8B)
Primary Library closes for borrowing from Monday 27 November 2023. Please return all borrowed books.

We have an exciting few weeks ahead of us and so many wonderful things to look forward to as we prepare to move into our new library space. Until then, don’t forget that we are open at Recess and Lunchtime Monday to Thursday. We look forward to seeing you some time soon.

Years 4-6 Inter School Sport

Stuart Taylor – PDHPE Teacher

ASISSA Thursday Sport

In Term 4, students have enjoyed playing both T-Ball and Cricket on Thursday afternoons against other schools in the ASISSA association. There have been amazing performances throughout the term from the Emanuel students.

Thank you!

To the wonderful Emanuel staff and coaches. Your enthusiasm and energy during before school training and Inter School sport competitions have been wonderful. Our students are lucky to have such dedicated mentors. It is very much appreciated.

Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

Chanukah

In our discussions and learning about Chanukah, we are focusing on the chanukiah, light, miracles, counting and symbols such as dreidel, latkes and sufganiot.

As it is National Recycling Week, we have been using loose parts and recycled materials to create installations of Chanukiot. Families have been invited into the Pre-school to create and make beautiful Chanukiot with their children, using recycled materials.

We provoked the children’s thinking by placing beautiful Chanukiot and dreidels on the table for the children to observe closely and draw. We have been learning and singing lots of Chanukah songs.

In the lead up to Chanukah, we asked the children if they knew what a miracle is:

Ella: It’s when something that you actually wish comes true. It happens.
Alma: It’s when you wish for something. It might come true or not.
Josh: It’s magic!
Ziggy: When you wish for something amazing to happen, and it comes true
Asher: When you do something, and it disappears
Lexi: It’s when something you really want to happen, comes true.
Oscar: It’s when you dream about something special.
Scarlett: When you feel something that can come true
Alma: Maybe miracles can happen if you really believe.

Transition to School

The Starfish and Dolphins have been discussing going to Year K next year. As part of the orientation process, we have informally been visiting the Year K classrooms this term. We take small groups of children up to Year K on most days. During the visit, the children stop and look at what they can see on their way up to the classrooms – canteen, blue ocean, playground, reception area, offices, where to hang their bags and where the toilets are. This way, the children become more familiar with the school grounds and surroundings. We aim for a smooth and effortless transition.

We have been discussing and helping the children work through their feelings about going to big school. We discussed experiencing more than one feeling at a time when thinking about going to school. We might be feeling very excited and yet we could also feel sad or nervous or worried.

Ella: You can feel it because sometimes I feel it. Sometimes I feel six types of different feelings in one day!
Noam: One day you were one feeling, and the next day you were another feeling.
Teya: I am happy and excited
Raphi: I am happy and excited, I got my school uniform today, maroon pants and a white shirt.
Joseph: I’m happy to go to school next year and I will see some of my friends.
Dylan: I’m feeling excited to go to school and I am going to be in the green house.
Zach: I feel good because I’ll get to play piano and do maths and I’ll get to wear the uniform.
Allec: I’m excited because I’m going to learn to write and read books. I will learn maths and play the guitar.
Aimee: I feel good about playing the violin and viola when I go to school.
Drew: I’m feeling excited and a bit nervous because there are going to be new children and maybe I’m going to be in the green house or maybe a different colour.
Asher: I don’t know if I am going to Year K or going to be a Dolphin, I can only go to school if I follow the rules and sit nicely and listen.

Concerts

The children from all three groups have begun preparing for our end of year concert. We are excited to perform for our mums and dads. We look forward to sharing this special time with all our Kornmehl families. What a lovely way to end a beautiful year together.

Wednesday 29 November at 9.00 am – 10.15 am: Starfish Concert and graduation
Thursday 30 November at 9.00 am – 10.15 am: Dolphin Concert and graduation
Friday 1 December at 9.00 am – 10.15 am: Seashell Concert

Each of the concerts will be followed by a morning tea on the Kornmehl deck. The morning will finish around 10.00 am.

Happy Birthday

We wish a very happy birthday to our special educators Justine Robertson, Terry Aizen and Avital Rein. We hope you all had a wonderful day.

Supporting our Community

Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

As the war in Israel continues, we support our brothers and sisters in Israel as best as we can, as well as our families in Sydney. Over the past two weeks, I have included letters from members of our School community about their thoughts and feelings about life in Israel for their children in the IDF and for them as a family over there and here in Sydney. Many of our readers were at the Vigil last Sunday morning at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. Here are some poignant words from alumna, Lisa Solomon (Class of 2013), who attended the Vigil with her parents and two sisters, also Emanuel alumni:

The last time I draped the Israeli flag over my shoulders, I was marching into Auschwitz bearing witness to what remained of the atrocity that saw 6 million Jewish lives brutally taken by the hands of Nazis, my Papa’s entire family among them. Today I wear the flag once more as we remember the 1400 lives brutally taken by Hamas terrorists and demand the return of the 241 hostages taken 36 days ago. The grief I felt 11 years ago in Poland as I tried, but failed ,to make sense of what I’d seen was overwhelming, but the knowledge that “Never Again” was a promise the world vowed to keep helped ease the burden. The devastation and despair I feel today as global antisemitism rises to 1930’s levels in the wake of the most horrific terror the Jewish people have seen in our lifetime is suffocating and it is debilitating. Every day feels like an eternity, yet my mind and heart haven’t left October 7. I fluctuate between broken hearted disbelief, rage and a sense of hopelessness that terrifies me, but, above all else, I feel an immense amount of pride in being Jewish.

Our very existence is miraculous – I owe my life to Papa’s strength, for without him, I wouldn’t be standing here today wrapped in the flag of my people with the steadfast belief and deepest understanding that we will survive this too. After all, survival courses through our veins today, as it has done for the last three and a half thousand years. So, while I don’t believe that this is the world we’re living in, I know with my whole heart that Am Yisrael Chai, the people of Israel will live.

We continue to thank the 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. A group of Sydneysiders have banded together to organise meals for CSG members and, as you will have read, some of our Emanuel parents prepared and delivered meals to families here in Sydney with sons and daughters serving in the IDF. Kol Hakavod to everyone for your help and support in these dark times.

Black Beanie Project Update

As many of our readers already know, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has asked for help worldwide for a number of provisions, and one of the things they have asked for is beanies for our IDF soldiers. Winter is approaching in Israel and the weather can be bitterly cold, especially the nights. They need 350,000 beanies and Emanuel grandparent Pam Wertheim has spear-headed this project. The huge call-out for knitters to help knit these beanies has been an overwhelming success, but nowhere near the number of beanies still needed, even with beanies being knitted not only from here in Sydney but also now from almost all corners of the world. Pam says “Thanks again for your tremendous support for this important project. I am once again appealing to your generosity. Due to your tremendous and continuous support, the cost of getting the beanies to Israel will be very high. Donations towards this freight cost will be greatly appreciated. The first three boxes of Australian-knitted beanies arrived in Israel this week and are ready for distribution to some of the IDF soldiers. Please support the Black Beanie Project. To our knitters, please keep those needles clicking, to those who wish purchase Beanies, please note they must be black, no pom poms and no fleece lining. Beanies are available from Federal Workwear at a cost of $2.50. Please support this amazing company, who have donated over 100 Beanies already – they are members of our community: Federal Workwear, 69 Ebley St, Bondi Junction (next to Spotlight).

“All beanies can be dropped off – address will be provided on request. The beanies will be sent to the Michael Levine Base in Jerusalem, where they will be distributed to our IDF. Please contact me on blackbeanieproject746@gmail.com if you would like any further information and/or for banking details if you wish to donate towards the cost of getting the beanies freighted to Israel. Thanks again and Am Yisrael Chai.”

Surf’s Up

Maccabi NSW All Abilities, together with support from JCA The Choice Foundation, are running The Surf Program again this summer for community members with a disability, starting this Sunday 19 November 2023. This five week program at Bondi Beach is all about having a blast whilst improving your surf skills.

Head On Photo Festival
On until Sunday 3 December 2023

Parents Moshe Rosenzveig OAM and Anita Schwartz invite you to come check out this amazing photographic exhibition which you can see at various locations, including the Promenade at Bondi Beach, with more than 10 amazing installations, including “The Lonka Project” – you will see just some of the portraits from this ongoing photo exhibition, which consists of some 455 individual portraits of Holocaust Survivors, including our very special Emanuel great grandparent, the late Eddie Jaku OAM and Sir Frank Lowy AC.

The Best Gift Market – Goldstein Reserve, Coogee
On Sunday 3 December 9.00 am – 6.00 pm

Join Artist/Mothers, Emanuel parents Janice Eliovson and Anthea Ben-Naim at the BEST GIFT MARKET on Sunday 3 December 2023. Both Janice and Anthea will be sharing their passion for paint and selling a delicious creative array of original paintings and products.

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.

Light on the Library

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

Lego in the Library and Lunchtime (continued….)

A huge bag of miscellaneous Lego has been donated to the Library so lunchtimes just got more creative! Thanks to Jasper Shraibman, we now have a number of boxes of all sorts of Lego pieces that you can use to build something amazing. You can work on a project over a number of days or weeks, or just a lunchtime. If you are proud of your work, we would love to display this in our Senior Library with a note to say who made it.

Book recommendations

To keep up to date on new books, try subscribing to the newsletter, blog, review page or reading guides from your favourite independent bookshop. Here are a few tasters:

Gertrude and Alice (Bondi Beach)
Berkelouws (Paddington)
Better Read than Dead (Newtown)
Kinokuniya (City Centre)
GleeBooks (Glebe)

You can then ask us to order in a book to add to our collection. Emanuel School Senior Library is doing all it can to support independent bookshops in Sydney.

Happy reading everyone!

Writers Awards 2023

David Camp – Head of English and Library, Year 11 Tutor

The Emanuel School Writers Awards were held in the Millie Phillips Theatre on Monday 13November 2023. Students were recognised on the night for the high quality of their writing throughout the year, with their work displayed. Their works included essays, short stories, feature articles, speeches, book reviews, and poetry. Two winners were chosen from each year group – a Most Dedicated Writer and a Writer of the Year.

Our Most Dedicated Awards go to the students who have worked to improve their writing or who have shown great consistency in their writing this year. Our Writer of the Year awards go to those students who have produced the most consistently excellent writing this year. Congratulations to all of the winners!
Below are the nominees and winners for 2023:

Year 7

Lexi Butt
Phoenix Gien
Tamar Granot
Zara Keller
Alicia Randall
Leah Zipser

Year 7 Most Dedicated: Tamar Granot
Year 7 Writer of the Year: Leah Zipser

Year 8

Hannah Fekete
Leah Joshua
Noah Revelman
Maya Roth
Cyrus Waldner

Year 8 Most Dedicated: Hannah Fekete
Year 8 Writer of the Year: Leah Joshua

Year 9

Orlando Gien
Amelie Mueller
Eva Nabarro
Elke Selinger
Daniel Zipser

Year 9 Most Dedicated: Eva Nabarro
Year 9 Writer of the Year: Daniel Zipser

Year 10

Leah Doust
Jamie Keyser
Jessica Linker
Zachary Sherman
Gabriella Solomon
Liberty Waldner

Year 10 Most Dedicated: Liberty Waldner
Year 10 Writer of the Year: Leah Doust

Year 11

Tamarah Aaron
Maya Foreman
Willow Gelin
Kian Hamburger
Alice Milner
Yael Rembach

Year 11 Most Dedicated: Kian Hamburger
Year 11 Writer of the Year: Tamarah Aaron

Year 12

Julian Baruch
Ruby Brody
Ashley Goldman
Lucinda Labi
Joshua Leslie
Ruby Miller
Toby Akres
Ethan Berkovic
Jesse Carpenter
Ma’ayan Granot
Alexander Itzkowitz
Ella Kirschner
Eden Levit
Saul Magner
Arielle Melamed
Scott Reuveny
Jack Simon
Leah Wolf

Year 12 Most Dedicated: Arielle Melamed
Year 12 Writer of the Year: Jesse Carpenter
Emanuel School’s 2023 Writer of the Year: Jesse Carpenter

Below is an extract from Writer of the Year Jesse Carpenter’s English Extension 2 Major Work, a critical response:

The Beast of Meaning

To separate the postmodern from capitalism is to imagine the sky without Atlas, or perhaps the superstructure without the base. The postmodern is a facet and extension of the capitalist system, it is what literary theorist Frederic Jameson would label as the “apotheosis”7 of capitalism, and so late-stage capitalism becomes the insidious agent responsible for the death of the sign and the splintering of meaning within our labyrinthine condition. As meaning fractures within late-stage capitalism, the relationship of the sign to the signified diverges, it is no longer able to be understood by the tools of structuralism nor poststructuralism — neither the dyad of Saussure nor the différance of Derrida can explain the peculiarity and fickleness of meaning in our milieu.

So, what can?

Marxist literary theory has long since been eclipsed, yet it is still adhered to by its devotees; perhaps Zizek returns to polish the statues of Trotsky and Althusser, tipping his hat to Lacan and spitting at the feet of Harold Bloom. I too am drawn to these dusty statues, wishing to reframe Marxist theories that are more relevant today than they have ever been. I wish to apply and synthesize the works of Benjamin, Voloshinov, Brecht, and Althusser, to study the nature of meaning within the “ever-widening labyrinth”8 of postmodern capitalism.

My methodology, and curiously, perhaps also my answer, is hip-hop.

Before this, I must correct myself. The death of the sign is hyperbole, it is precisely because the sign is living and breathing that meaning must be studied. In the Postscript to the Name of the Rose, Eco envisions a bizarre game of referencing, in which meaning is restored through the purposeful refolding of a sign, a dance between responder and composer.

I envision a different game, one more closely tied to praxis, the reality of life in the postmodern. Foundational to this concept is the idea that it does not just matter that Barbara Cartland has written the words I love you madly, it matters that she has sold them.

Let it first be said that the concept of a sign is a curious one — in seeing the sign as an attempt to capture meaning, we can begin to view meaning as a great and ever-changing beast.

The Beast of Meaning is a fast and fluid creature, perhaps part sly chameleon and part elusive unicorn, with a dash of nimble Jabberwock or toothy hydra, but ultimately, it only matters that this beast is ever-changing, and something to be hunted for. Signs become material reflections of the Beast of Meaning, clues of its location. Sentences become inky footprints, words are split by punctuation as twigs are broken underfoot, pages are brushed aside and scattered like the leaves that drift through the labyrinth of the postmodern. All signs are indicators of the presence of the Beast of Meaning, and so consumption can then be viewed as a hunt, in which the responder looks through the signs, piecing them together within themselves to find the ephemeral Beast of Meaning.

A Brilliant Life

Book Launch at Emanuel School

Michelle Favero, Manager, Marketing and Communications

Sydney Jewish Writers Festival, in partnership with Emanuel School, is delighted to host the Sydney book launch for A Brilliant Life on 29 November 2023 at 7.00 pm at Emanuel School.

A Brilliant Life is the powerful true story of a Holocaust survivor told by her daughter – a tale that reminds us of the resilience of the soul and the ability of the heart to heal.

Journalist, Rachelle Unreich will be in conversation with Magdalena Ball. Bookings are essential, tickets are $15.

Over 70 had passed since Mira Unreich was freed from a concentration camp in Germany. On that spring day in 1945, she found herself alive, against all odds. In the decades that followed, she never explained the mystery underpinning her survival. How could Mira say that in the Holocaust ‘I learned about the goodness of people’? When Mira’s journalist daughter Rachelle realised time was running out for Mira, who was ill with cancer, she resolved to ask her mother questions. It would be the most important interview of her life: a chance to discover the secrets to her mother’s joy, and an opportunity to fit together the jigsaw puzzle pieces of her own life. Rachelle discovered so much more than she ever expected. Mira’s words would lead her along a surprising path, where she learned for the first time what a truly extraordinary life her mother had led.

A Brilliant Life weaves together the past and the present to capture the powerful connection between a mother and child. It reminds us of the resilience of the soul and the ability of the heart to heal. It is an unforgettable story about fate and chance, love and grief, and the deepest kind of faith.

Rachelle Unreich started her journalism career when she was completing her Arts/Law degrees at Monash University. In addition to studying writing at UCLA, she has lived in New York, Los Angeles, Sydney and Melbourne. She has been a journalist for over 37 years, and has had regular columns in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Herald Sun and Elle magazine. Her work has appeared extensively in Australia, the US, UK and South-East Asia. She currently lives in Melbourne.

Magdalena Ball is a novelist, poet, reviewer, interviewer, and managing editor of Compulsive Reader. Her stories, editorials, poetry, reviews, and interviews have appeared in a wide number of journals and anthologies and have won local and international awards. She is the author of several novels and poetry books, most recently, Bobish, a verse memoir published in 2023.

Information provided by the SJWF

Innovation Showcase 2023

Joshua Aghion – Co-ordinator of Innovation (K-6)

All Invited to the Innovation Showcase 2023

On Thursday 30 November 2023 from 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm the new Primary Imaginarium, Gallery Space and High School Tech Zone will be open for parents and students to explore 2023 Innovation Projects from K-12. During this time, we will hold our final VEX Robotics Competition where three teams from Years 5 and 6 will compete for the Emanuel VEX Championship. Come and explore the thinking, finished work of our wonderfully talented students and learn about some exciting future projects.

More information to follow next week.

Year 9 Drama

Samantha Bauer – Head of Drama

Year 9 Drama take to the Stage…

Year 9 Drama students brought the lyrics of Taylor Swift and Rick Astley, as well as songs from Hamilton and Wicked to life in their monologue exam performances. Performances were funny, creative and provocative and kept me thoroughly entertained. Well done Year 9!

HSC students at the National Art School

National Art School
HSC Intensive Studio Practice

Three students from Year 12 were fortunate enough to be a part of the National Art School HSC Intensive Studio Practice Course of 2023. This was an incredible opportunity and we – Tamarah Aaron, Milly Ginzberg and Ella Sherman – would love to share our experiences. You can see more of our artworks here.

Tamarah Aaron

I am Tamarah. The course that I was accepted into was Life Drawing which offered a mature and practical space to practise drawing the human body from life. Drawing times would range from two minutes to two hours with 30-minute intermissions for the model. Materials included charcoal, ink and pencil which were explored sporadically over the two weeks. Drawing the figure from sight taught me incredible observational skills and allowed me to recognise the fluid motion of every pose. The human figure has always been interesting to me, and this course has given me the proper skills to use this interest in my body of work and even abstract it appropriately to communicate my own concepts. It was also inspirational to watch the methods of the teachers, witnessing their acute and impressive eye for technical critique.

Milly Ginzberg

I am Milly. The course I was accepted into was Black and White Darkroom Photography, which taught me the foundations of photography right from its origins. We first used pinhole cameras, one of the first methods of photography that was invented, which gave us insight into how a photograph is taken. Then we experimented with making cyanotypes where we used nature and negatives printed on perspex, to create images with the sun. For our body of work, we used SLR cameras with black and white film. We each decided on a concept for our series and spent two days around the NAS campus taking photos. Along with developing our photos in the darkroom and curating our works in the gallery, this experience was amazing for helping me develop my interest and practice in photography. It was great to spend time with like-minded people my age who shared the same passion of art as I did.

Ella Sherman

I am Ella. The course I was accepted into was Ceramics, where I was able to experiment with different types of clay, glazes and techniques. We began with a simple form, pinch pots, to become familiar with the different types of clay we had available. From there, we were encouraged to experiment with clay, testing techniques and developing ideas. Towards the middle of the first week, most students had begun creating their final work. There was a range of works in my class, including sculptures, vessels and pieces made using moulds, in various shapes, sizes and numbers. This course not only provided an environment full of creative student minds, but presented an opportunity for feedback from an artist who specialises in ceramics. I was able to challenge myself and produce a final piece of art that I was extremely proud of, alongside many other students who shared similar creative passions.

The HSC Intensive Studio Practice course is a 60 hour NESA endorsed course run by the National Art School in Darlinghurst. Out of 390 applicants statewide, an impressive three Emanuel School students were accepted. The course is split into two sessions that run during the mid-year and Term 3/4 breaks respectively. Our students completed both sessions, which culminated with a beautiful exhibition on the grounds of the exclusive Art School.

Spotlight on Night of Strings

With thanks to Ofer Levy for these beautiful photos:

PSG

Thank you to our volunteers for last week
(Monday 6 November 2023 – Friday 10 November 2023)

Peter Goldberg, Adam Schwartz, Jen Nathan, Danielle Jaku Greenfield, Nicky Stiassny, Richard Miller, Brett Churnin, Steven New, Avi Sharabi, David Eisman, Barry Odes, Larry Narunsky, Simon Revelman, Adam Tsipiris, Vlad Yakubson, Candy Mervis, Tammy Been, Michael Pollak, Gary Simmons, Benjamin Zipser, Benjamin Opit, Gil Laishevsky, Daniel Mendoza-Jones, Darryl Sacks, David Weinberger, Lisa Bognar, Richard Lawton, Peter Nothman and Ryan Melman

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

P&F

Justine Hofman – Head of P&F

Mitzvah Meals for the CSG and Israeli Families

Our beautiful Emanuel community is finding ways to help each other through these difficult times. We wanted to highlight a couple of initiatives championed by parents in our community.

As a small gesture of our gratitude to the CSG who are working around the clock to keep us all safe, a group of Emanuel parents lovingly cooked them up a beautiful lunch. A meal roster has also been established to deliver weekly lunches to the CSG until the end of the year. If you are interested in joining the roster, you can register here.

Our Mitzvah Meal volunteers also delivered 20 meals to parents in the Jewish community who have children fighting in the IDF. Thank you to the Primary students, whose words and drawings accompanied each delivery. These cards will bring much appreciated support to the recipient families. A big thank you to Carli Rothman and Deb Pollack, who have been driving this initiative.

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.

Important Dates

What’s Happening Next Week

High School

Tuesday 21 November 2023

Year 9 Be the Change – The Good Box Workshop

Wednesday 22 November 2023

Twilight Concerts
The Quest – Academic Competition
Ethical Leadership Day

Thursday 23 November 2023

The Quest – Academic Competition

Friday 24 November 2023

Step Out Speak Out Walk

Primary School

Sunday 19 November 2023

B’Yachad Buidling Opening

Monday 20 November 2023

Year 5 Excursions to Taroonga Zoo