The Tikkun Olam Va’ad (Giselle, Leo, Mimi, Raquel, Timna and Tali) hosted a lunchtime activity today at Magid Campus in honour of Movember. This is a global movement and charity that promotes men's health by encouraging participants to grow moustaches during November. 

Students could wear "moustaches" and have a go at pinning the moustache on a teacher.  Successful pinners received a small treat! Click here for some images

Dear Community,

This week there has been significant media coverage regarding the Federal Government’s social media ban which will come into effect on December 10. This will make it illegal for children under the age of 16 to have accounts on most social media platforms.

The Government recently announced that it was adding further services to the prohibited list. The list now includes TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, X, Kick, Reddit and Threads. Currently there are some exemptions which include WhatsApp, Messenger, Google Classroom, YouTube Kids and a few other services.

The laws are intended to target the platform providers and do not create criminal consequences for children who still access social media that is prohibited.

Responses to the new laws have been varied. Recently, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explained the rationale and details of the proposal to interested world leaders at a UN event. The proposal was viewed favourably by some in attendance. An article in the ABC quoted European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen who said "It is obvious this is plain common sense … We in Europe are watching and will be learning from you … it is up to us to step up for the next generation.”

Additionally, in October, Denmark announced that it would create a social media ban for children under the age of 15.

At King David, education reaches far beyond the classroom. Our Outdoor Education program is a vibrant and integral part of our holistic approach to learning - designed to empower students with essential life skills, resilience, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

And this extensive co-curricular program starts in the Junior School where Years 3 & 4 students learn resilience, self-esteem, independence and teamwork on their camps.  

This week the students have been challenged by mountain bike riding, canoeing and tree surfing and most importantly, making memories together. Please click here to enjoy a selection of photos from the camp.

Last Friday Year 9 students were privileged to hear from Hona Dodge from Unpacked for Educators, who led a session on "Zionism: The story we tell ourselves". We are thankful for our ongoing collaboration with Unpacked.

Our first Parsha and Pizza club session for the new Jewish year was facilitated by Year 8 student Jesse Zelman, who taught an engaging session on Avraham and Lech Lecha. There are only four more sessions for the year so come along to M1.04 (opposite JLife) during Friday lunchtimes.

Candle lighting 7.43pm| Havdalah 8.45pm

Our parasha Vayera teaches us about two important mitzvot – bikkur cholim (visiting the sick) and hachnasat orchim (hospitality). God visits Avraham (Abraham) while he is recovering from his circumcision. When we invoke The Name in our prayers, speech and thought, we can follow God’s dugma ishit – personal example – and walk in Divine ways, ensuring that we too visit the sick. This might involve calling to check on a friend, visiting someone who is alone, or even sending an UberEats voucher to a sick member of the community so that they can order soup. 

These acts might seem mundane and not holy. The opening two verses of our portion might teach us that Revelation has two elements - that of Divine action (“God appeared to” Abraham (Genesis 18:1)) and that of human perception (and Abraham, upon “seeing this” (Genesis 18:2)). Perhaps the repetition of the word Vayera/Vayar in these two verses is teaching us that kedusha (holiness) exists in our everyday lives; we just need to open our eyes – and our hearts – to see it. 

Gan Tamar has been exploring the theme of Kindness and having read The Kindness Book by Todd Parr, discovered that there are many different ways to be kind. Kindness isn’t just something we only show to our friends and families, it can also be shown to our natural environment, the creatures living in it, the world, and even to ourselves. 

To help bring their learning to life, a Kindness Fairy visited and left behind a Kindness Jar! She explained that while spreading kindness is her special job, it was too big to do alone. Therefore, she asked for the children's help. Each time someone in Gan Tamar does or say something kind, a pompom is given to add to the jar to represent that act of kindness. The children could also nominate a friend they observe has shown kindness. Once the jar is “overflowing with kindness,” the Kindness Fairy will return with a little surprise for the class.

Ahead of World Kindness Day next week, the class will be baking cookies and making cards to share with people around the School, a sweet way to brighten someone’s day!

Let sisters-in-law Tammy and Zoe Kanat welcome you into their circle. Experience Tammy Kanat: Circle of Her through the eyes of the artist herself with a guided tour, followed by a meditation session led by yoga nidra guide, meditation and mindfulness practitioner Zoe Kanat. Meditate among the artworks to fully immerse yourself in the exhibition.
Jewish Museum Australia, Thursday 27 November, 6.30-8pm. Please click here for more information. 

Bring in Shabbat with the whole family in a short, engaging Shabbat. With after-school snacks and Shabbat treats, lively music, Shabbat songs and storytelling ...and home in time for Shabbat dinner!
Aimed at Primary School aged children, all are welcome! No registration required.
Time:4.15pm, every 2nd Friday of the month
Date: 14 November
For more information: https://tbi.org.au/youth-and-children/