Dear Community,

As I am sure that you are aware, this week The King David School Foundation held our Annual Giving Day. This annual event is vital in the life of our school as it generates crucial donations which allow us to achieve our mission of growing great humans by providing them with a wonderful holistic education.

At King David we are determined to delight our students with deep and joyous celebrations of Jewish life. We wish to ignite a life-long sense of belonging and pride in their emerging Jewish identities.  

As cost of living increases make independent school fees challenging for many families, charitable donations are more important than ever before in ensuring that we can provide access for students who otherwise could not afford a Jewish education. The number of families who need support is growing and we really do rely on the generosity and selflessness of our community members to ensure that we can continue to offer the blessing of a KDS education for those who it would otherwise be out-of reach.

This year, we were honoured that five donors chose to champion our appeal. They committed to collectively matching the donations given by other community members. This has allowed us to double our impact and ensure that the appeal will provide even greater assistance. We were thrilled to achieve our collection goal and are so thankful to those who helped in our success.

 

Korach*

Candle lighting 4.49pm

Havdalah 5.50pm

Our parasha sees the rebellion against the authority of Moshe (Moses) and Aharon (Aaron), led by agent provocateur Korach, their first cousin. “They combined against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and God is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above God’s congregation?” (Numbers 16:3)

In Jewish tradition this is seen as the paradigm of a disagreement based on ego, pride and conceit. “Every dispute that is for the sake of Heaven, will in the end endure; But one that is not for the sake of Heaven, will not endure. Which is the controversy that is for the sake of Heaven? Such was the controversy of Hillel and Shammai. And which is the controversy that is not for the sake of Heaven? Such was the controversy of Korach and all his congregation.” (Avot 5:17)

It is not that Korach’s claims have no merit. They are logically coherent and rhetorically clever. The midrash (Rabbinical stories to teach a moral point) posits that Korach asks “A garment that is entirely made of techelet (azure wool) – does it still require tzitzit (ritual fringes, one on each corner which would have been made of techelet)?” He continues, “A house filled with Torah scrolls – does it still require a mezuzah (with Scriptural verses within it)?” He makes valid points but “their aim and ultimate intent was to achieve honour and power, and the opposite was achieved” (Bartenura - Italy/Jerusalem, 15th/16th century - on Avot 5:17). The ground swallowed up Korach and his followers.

Year 12 students were privileged to hear from two Australian olim (immigrants to Israel) who returned to Australia for a recent visit. David Chester and Mia Parry spoke about their immigration and absorption experiences, including in regard to Hebrew skills, national service, higher education and employment. Avital Feldman, from the Israel Student Authority, also spoke about the support the Authority offers new immigrant students. 

We are thankful to Sara Ribner Grabin, from the Jewish Agency for Israel, for facilitating this visit.

In Year 3 Hebrew, we read a story about Tamar’s dad getting ready for her birthday. We learnt about the rooms in the house, with a special focus on the kitchen, and practised new vocabulary throughout the unit. We also talked about our favourite cake toppings and types of cakes. The highlight of the unit was becoming chefs ourselves! We decorated our own cakes while revising the Hebrew sentences we had learned, and at the end, we enjoyed eating our delicious creations.

See a collection of photos from the class here

Our Thursday library lunchtimes have been buzzing with innovation and excitement! Our weekly Scratch and ITCH Club provides a dedicated space for students to dive into the world of digital creation, where they are encouraged to experiment and build at their own pace.

Students have been utilising a variety of professional and educational tools to sharpen their "coding and making" skills:

• Scratch & Google Slides: Students are bringing their own stories and games to life through block-based coding and interactive presentations.


• Canva: Budding designers are creating stunning posters and videos, learning the fundamentals of visual communication.


• Typing Club: Learners are working to improve their digital fluency and keyboarding speed.

Year 6 students heard from Aryeh Myers, a Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedic. Myers spoke about MDA's role as Israel's ambulance, blood bank and human milk services, and about the emergency services dispatcher system. 

As a Zionist school, we are always happy to partner with organisations like MDA, and are proud that our community raised almost $100,000 for the organisation after October 7.

The Year 9 Drama students presented their Suitcase Series performance to a small group of family members and staff last Friday 5 June. A video of their performance has been uploaded to the Malthouse Theatre Suitcase Series portal and will be shared with teachers and students from other schools across Victoria. As part of this program, our Year 9 Drama students created a performance that explores the issue of Climate Change.

The Suitcase Series is an award winning Malthouse Theatre education program which has been running since 2010. It is an innovative program that offers students an opportunity to develop and expand their theatre-making skills. This presentation was created by our students using a range of play-making techniques including - researching, brainstorming, improvising, scripting, editing, rehearsing and refining.

Our Years 7 and 8 basketball players participated in the annual Maccabi Cup, facing Bialik, Yavneh, and Beth Rivkah.  Our two Boys' teams played strong games against both Bialik and Yavneh, while our girls put up dominant wins against Beth Rivkah, as well as a great fight against Bialik. 

In all 3 divisions, King David made the Grand Final and brought home a Finals win! 

A special Kol HaKavod goes to Sam Z for winning the sportsmanship award for King David. 

Congratulations to all of our basketball players, for showing us true pride both on and off the court! 

On Friday last week, Gan Seorah Kinder students visited Emmy Monash and shared Shabbat with the residents. This is the first of a number of intergenerational programs this year involving our Senior Kinder children.

The encounter was a beautiful reminder of the power of community and empathy. The children plaited challot with the residents, and then gifted flower pots to each person and sang Shabbat songs.

Bringing these two generations together was about sharing the invaluable gifts of friendship and mutual respect.

The World's Greatest Shave is a nationwide fundraiser that raises money for the Leukaemia Foundation, assisting people affected by blood cancer.

Participants are encouraged to shave or cut their hair as a sign of support and solidarity. Donations play a vital role in funding research, treatment, and support services.

Hosted by our Va'adat Tikkun Olam, students, staff, and parents got behind this fundraiser in a BIG way, and last Friday, the final result tallied was a staggering $22,287! A phenomenal result.

Thank you to all the courageous participants and supporters!

For a selection of photos from the shave, click here

Last Wednesday 3 June, the Year 8 Drama students presented their Pop Up Globe Performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream to family members, English staff and the entire Year 8 cohort. Kol ha'kavod to all of the students involved. Their performance skills were clearly evident and their use of pre-recorded music, simple props and costumes, greatly enhanced their performance work. The audience feedback and response has been overwhelmingly positive.

When you're both a member of TBI and a KDS family, you can enjoy discounts across both that add up to make TBI membership essentially free for KDS families!
Membership with TBI offers a wide range of benefits and opportunities to connect with youth programs and other Progressive Jewish families.
Join a fantastic, welcoming community, with an engaging B'nei Mitzvah Program, monthly Shabbat services, and family events for the High Holy Days and other chagim!
For more information, call TBI on (03) 9510 1488 or email info@tbi.org.au.

Kedem invites you to attend a life long learning session. Presented by Rabbi Micky Boyden Should Converting to Judaism be Difficult will be a fascinating discussion about Peoplehood, Covenant and Becoming Jewish
Date: Sunday 14 June (2pm - 5pm)
Venue: in a private home (includes afternoon tea)
Please register : https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1587254 Non Kedem and Non PJV members $20.00

We invite parents in the community with girls in Years 3 to 6 to attend an information session that navigates the transition to adolescence. It is well known that the social world of girls can change dramatically in Years 3-6.
This will be an important session for all parents of girls; it will include people who have worked in this space for many years and a small panel of older girls to discuss their experience.
Please RSVP your attendance here
DATE: Tuesday 23 June 
TIME: 7pm
VENUE: Kobritz Auditorium, Junior School, 373 Dandenong Rd, Armadale 

Calling all students from Years 3-12! Join Netzer's Winter Camp  (30 June 5 July).
Sign ups open now: register here
See attached for detail or contact campvic@netzer.org.au

The next session of Storytime with Savta will take place on Sunday, 21 June  at 10.30am in the Junior School library (373 Dandenong Road). Please register here.
Children aged 3-5 years old and their families are welcome to join us where stories are read b'Ivrit (in Hebrew). 
When: Sunday 21 June, 10.30am
Where: Library at our Dandenong Rd Campus, 373 Dandenong Road, Armadale