Grandparents & Special Friends Day, September 2025
Grandparent Rosealie Marishel with grandson, Hugo
The Foundation Board, the School Board, and the School Executive team are deeply committed to carrying this work forward Already, there is much to celebrate, from the Brender Moss Project to new initiatives bringing learning to life in meaningful ways, and a growing culture of giving that is strengthening Emanuel for generations to come.
Rosh Hashana invites us to reflect, renew, and recommit to our families, to our community, and to the future of Jewish life. May this year be one of resilience, connection, and blessing.
Shana Tova U’Metuka may you and your families be inscribed for a sweet, healthy, and peaceful year.
Warmly,
Lisa Pillemer Foundation, CEO
Grandparents & Special Friends Day
Nearly 500 Primary School grandparents and special friends joined us to welcome Shabbat and help our students prepare for Rosh Hashana. The morning was full of hands-on activities: joyful singing, shofarmaking, classroom learning, a warm morning tea, and a small gift shuk with stalls from Print35 and Orah Sydney.
Grandparents were invited into classrooms to read, create and learn alongside their grandchildren, showing, in real time, what community looks like
In her remarks that she shared on the day, Lisa Pillemer, Foundation CEO stated:
As my ancestors planted for me, so do I plant for those who will come after me.
There are really no words to describe the excitement and engagement that has resulted from the visit of Dr Ben Montet and Margo Thornton. They have awed our students with their knowledge, shown them worlds out there in the Universe that the students had no idea about and demonstrated that Science is something for everyone to get involved in It has been a unique experience that has touched everyone at Emanuel, from Kornmehl to the teaching staff - a once in a life-time opportunity.
Jennifer Selinger,
Head of Science
This term, Emanuel School welcomed five Israeli madrichim Yarden, Shaked, Ido, Koby and Yael, who embedded themselves in school life for the entire term. From morning assemblies to classroom workshops and lunchtime conversations, they connected with students across year levels, sharing their love of Israel and Judaism, and strengthening our community’s relationship with both.
The residency was delivered in partnership with the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) and The Jewish Agency, whose support made it possible Our madrichim modelled leadership and ruach, leading tefillah and song, facilitating identity discussions, and designing age-appropriate activities that helped students reflect on what Israel and Jewish life mean to them.
Program highlights
Year 10 Ayekah Camp: A week-long experience, including a Shabbaton, that deepened Jewish learning and connection to Israel through workshops, peer leadership and reflective sessions
Day Camps across year levels: Each year group participated in a full-day program guided by the madrichim, prompting students to explore their personal relationship to Judaism and Israel through hands-on learning, stories, and creative activities.
On-campus engagement: Drop-in “ask me anything” sessions, Hebrew and culture moments, music and dance, and classroom collaborations that brought contemporary Israel into daily school life.
Throughout the term, students met Israeli role models close to their own age, leaders who live their values and generously shared their stories The result was tangible: stronger knowledge, deeper curiosity, and a warmer sense of belonging to Am Yisrael
