Arevim 2024 Impact Report

AREVIM: A JOURNEY OF JEWISH IDENTITY, RESPONSIBILITY & RESILIENCE An Impact Report Sponsored by Gandel Foundation, Six Year 11 Families (2024) and Emanuel School Foundation December, 2024

INTRODUCING THE AREVIM PROGRAM In December 2024, 26 Emanuel School Year 11 students embarked on the inaugural Arevim Program, a transformative journey through Jewish history and identity. Over two weeks, they explored pre-war Jewish life, learned about the rise of Zionism, confronted the horrors of the Holocaust, and engaged with thriving Jewish communities across Europe. This journey deepened their understanding of Jewish resilience, unity, and responsibility.

For over a decade, Emanuel School’s Year 10 students, with the support of Y2i, have had the extraordinary opportunity to spend six weeks in Israel on Chavayah, a defining milestone that strengthens Jewish identity, deepens connection to Israel, and unites the year group.

Following the tragic events of October 7, the 2023 Chavayah program was put on hold, and ongoing conflict made a 2024 trip impossible. Determined to uphold its commitment to immersive Jewish education, Emanuel became the only Jewish Day School in Sydney to pivot, creating the Arevim Program, an alternative journey through Jewish history and identity in Europe.

This would not have been possible without the generosity, trust, and leadership of our donors, who shared our belief in the program’s transformative power. Their support enabled us to provide our students with a profound and lasting experience, one that strengthens their Jewish identity and inspires them to take responsibility for the future of our people.

A JOURNEY THROUGH JEWISH HISTORY AND IDENTITY The Arevim program is an immersive, transformative journey that takes students deep into the history, identity, and resilience of the Jewish people. Over the course of the program, participants travel through Prague, Berlin, and Poland, retracing the footsteps of Jewish communities that flourished, suffered, and, in many ways, endured.

Each location serves as a powerful chapter in the story of Jewish life. In Prague, students explored the historic Jewish Quarter, walked through the centuries-old Altneuschul, and stood in silent reflection in the Old Jewish Cemetery. Berlin revealed the complexities of modern German-Jewish identity, where the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the Topography of Terror Museum challenged students to grapple with the mechanisms of memory and justice.

CONFRONTING THE PAST, EMBRACING THE FUTURE Poland was where the emotional weight of the journey reached its peak. From the vibrancy of pre-war Jewish life in Kraków’s Kazimierz district to the unbearable silence of AuschwitzBirkenau, students encountered history in the most visceral way possible. They stood in the barracks where Jewish families had been torn apart, read names on the walls of synagogues, and held each other as they recited Kaddish in places where entire communities were erased.

As we stared into the dark absence of humanity in Auschwitz, and the unimaginable terrors the Jewish People faced during the Holocaust, one specific story stood out to me. Knowingly marching towards their death, a group of Czech Jewish families defiantly sung Hatikvah, an anthem of hope, representing their incredible strength during the darkest hour of our humanity.

– Violet Nathanson, Year 11 We witnessed the sites where the greatest atrocities were committed against our people, yet I left them with hope – Liberty Waldner, Year 11 Yet, amidst the darkness, there were moments of incredible resilience and hope. The students visited the Opokowa Cemetery, where they learned about courageous figures who resisted the hardships of the Ghetto. At the Polin Museum, they explored the origins of Polish Jewry through an interactive and beautifully designed exhibition, tracing how Judaism has evolved in Poland over centuries. They walked the Path of Heroism, retracing the Warsaw Ghetto’s history and the inspiring acts of resistance during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Seeing memorials of young leaders, some the age of our students, was deeply moving. And at the Rappoport Monument, the group united in song, hearing a survivor’s testimony, and reflecting on the journey’s impact. ... students who were inspired by the stories of resistance fighters and have now chosen to become advocates. Our students are committing to attending synagogue more regularly so that they can be part of the unbroken chain of Jewish continuity... they chose to confront the past in order to strengthen their Jewish identity and embrace the responsibility of shaping the future of our community.

– Sidney Melamdowitz, Assistant Head of Jewish Studies Arevim is a journey of confronting history, engaging with memory, and embracing identity. By walking through these places together, students strengthened their commitment to Jewish continuity, not just as an abstract idea, but as a lived responsibility.

A PROFOUND IMPACT ON IDENTITY At its heart, Arevim is more than just a journey through Jewish history, it is a deeply personal experience that leaves an enduring mark on each participant. Through moments of challenge, inspiration, and connection, students and educators alike found themselves transformed by the power of memory, responsibility, and Jewish pride.

Arevim was the most transformative educational experience I have ever been lucky enough to participate in. This journey delved deeply into the rich Jewish history of the region and the tragedy of the Holocaust, but it transcended a mere history tour.

— Kobi Bloom, Head of Informal Jewish Life For many students, Arevim provided an opportunity to confront their Jewish identity in a new and profound way.

Stepping into centuries-old synagogues, standing in the streets where Jewish resistance fighters once defied oppression, and reflecting on the endurance of Jewish life left a lasting impact.

I have never felt prouder to be Jewish, and moreover, to be a young Jew. The stories of Antek and Zivia will stay with me forever. The memories made in all these shuls around Europe—where we didn’t always speak the same language but nonetheless felt connected—will remain a core part of my Jewish identity, I am sure.

— Liberty Waldner, Student

THE FUTURE, CONTINUING THE LEGACY

The Arevim journey does not end in Europe, it continues as students return with a renewed commitment to their Jewish identity and community. They carry the responsibility of remembrance and action, ensuring that history informs their future.

This program would not have been possible without the generous support of Gandel Foundation, six Year 11 families (2024), and the Emanuel School Foundation. Their commitment has provided students with an experience that will shape their Jewish journey for years to come.

By the end of the program, every student felt a profound commitment to taking responsibility for the Jewish people and Israel, leaving with a renewed sense of purpose as Arevim.

Kobi Bloom, Head of Informal Jewish Life Call to Action We invite our community to help grow the Arevim program, ensuring that future Year 11 students can embark on this journey of connection, learning, and Jewish pride.

SUPPORT US Emanuel School is more than just a place of learning, it is a vibrant community dedicated to excellence, innovation, and Jewish pride. Through the Emanuel School Foundation, we ensure that current and future students have access to the very best educational opportunities, fostering a love of learning, leadership, and connection to Jewish heritage.

Your support makes a difference.

Sustain excellence – Help us provide world-class academic and cocurricular programs.

Drive innovation – Invest in cutting-edge learning spaces and educational initiatives.

Nurture Jewish identity – Strengthen our students’ connection to community, history, and values.

Expand opportunity – Ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, has access to an Emanuel education.

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Join Us in Shaping the Future Email: foundation@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au Call: 0488-101-802 Visit: https://foundation.emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au/

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Together, we build a legacy of excellence, innovation, and Jewish pride.