Candle-lighting 4:55pm | Havdalah 5:57pm

The parashah begins with the law of the parah adumah (red heifer): “This is the ritual law that Adonai has commanded: Instruct the Israelite people to bring you a red cow without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which no yoke has been laid" (Numbers 19:2).

The ashes of the red heifer were used in a ritual that purified people from tumah (ritual impurity) -- even the most severe kind, that which results from contact with a corpse (tumat ha’met).

At first glance, this law can feel distant and difficult to relate to today. But if we look more deeply, there is something extraordinary here: the kohen (priest) who gathered the ashes became impure himself. What might this teach us now?

Helping others often comes with a cost. We invest our time, energy, money, and emotional bandwidth – all finite resources. The kohen who performed this ritual was restricted in many ways, unable to enter parts of the Temple or partake in certain foods and gatherings. Yet, he fulfilled his role to help others regardless of these costs.

If we all could embody this spirit – helping others even when it demands something of us – we could build stronger, more just communities: in Kesher classes, year levels, sub-schools, and across our entire school.

Shabbat shalom!

Ilan Bloch, Director of Jewish Life and Learning

This week Gan Seorah had the most wonderful adventure at Collingwood Children’s Farm! The children were full of excitement as we explored the beautiful grounds and met all kinds of friendly farm animals. From patting the goats and Guinea pigs to watching the big pigs and chickens, there was so much to see, touch and learn. Please click here to see photos from the excursion. 

We loved watching the chickens having a dust bath — it helps keep their feathers clean and free from bugs! The children were fascinated to learn that guinea pig poo can actually help plants grow, just like fertiliser. These little moments sparked lots of curiosity and conversation about how animals and plants work together on the farm.

We also spent time walking through the gardens, observing how vegetables grow, and talking about where our food comes from. The fresh air and wide open spaces gave the children plenty of opportunities to run, explore, and connect with nature.

Thank you to our tour guide Milena, and our amazing parent helpers, Brent, Amanda and Emi who made this special day possible — it’s one we won’t soon forget!

Last week Year 3 visited the Polly Woodside ship, a beautifully preserved tall ship docked in Melbourne. Please click here to see photos from the ship. This visit gave us the opportunity to step back in time and experience history first-hand. We have been learning about the courage and resilience it took for people to leave their homes and journey into the unknown. They explored for trade, to spread their religion, to expand their empire and to increase their wealth.

On the ship, we saw what life was like, including the cramped conditions where the sailors slept and the rope they used in the bathroom. We were also taken under to the cargo hold and asked to ‘scrub the deck’. If Taryn and Mrs N were the captains, they weren’t sure that we would make good first mates - our scrubbing skills are not up to scratch!

There was a buzz at our Magid Campus on Wednesday as Year 9 students put on ‘Artivism’, a showcase of performances celebrating the link between art and change that raised money for the Cancer Council. Please click here to see photos from the evening. Throughout Term 2, Year 9 students explored justice, governance, and the many ways people drive change. 

Students worked in groups to produce creative responses to contemporary issues. These included: exploring ‘off-grid’ living through making a documentary about a self-sufficient family in Daylesford; working with renowned cartoonist Badiucao to create political posters; writing slam poetry with Ren Alessandra; creating allergy inclusive recipes with Beck Smith; looking at inclusivity through nature photography with Jade Karp; creating a dance response to the pressures women face today with Charli Cantoni-Bud (Class of 2023); composing and playing music that addresses loneliness; and designing and painting a vibrant mural for the School’s outdoor kitchen with the artist Angharad Neal Williams.

Artivism showcased the end results of the students’ creativity, with an exhibition of political posters and photography, the premiere of 

On Tuesday lunchtime King David, for the very first time, facilitated the World’s Greatest Shave, organised by the Tikkun Olam Va'ada. The World’s Greatest Shave is an amazing charity group that supports those affected by leukaemia, by having people volunteer to get their hair cut or shaved in front of the whole school in order to both show support for the cause and to fundraise donations. Please click here to see images from the event.

Six students: Harrison Gladwin (Year 6), Cooper Burcul (Year 7), Jeremie Belkin (Year 8), Itai Singer (Year 8), Avi Goldwaser (Year 12), Hugo Black (Year 12) and one teacher, Hani Ron, participated in the shave, managing to raise more than $8,600 from donations across the KDS community. 

It was an amazing event, with nearly the whole school packing into the RMC hall to cheer on and support the incredible volunteers, and truly an outstanding school achievement for such a worthy cause. A special thanks to the hairdressers who helped with the shave, Kate McCleary and Adam Ouliel, who graciously volunteered their time and expertise that allowed the shave to take place!

It was a privilege to have such a resounding success. Hopefully, the World’s Greatest Shave will be run again by King David in the future!

Thank you, The Tikkun Olam Va'ada

Midway through Term 2, our Year 9s embarked on a mammoth two-week outdoor adventure camp in the beautiful Grampians. Please click here to see photos from their adventure. Frosty weather greeted our mornings, which turned into glorious sunny warmth as each day progressed while our Year 9s enjoyed a host of activities that kept them busy, tired and basking in the glow of achieving new things, including mountain biking, learning how to rock climb and abseil, a workshop in the fundamentals of map reading and navigation, and hikes to Boronia Peak and Halls Gap. A large group of students were so keen on the Boronia Peak hike that many of them asked our staff if they could do a speedy version before dawn broke one morning, in order to experience the sunrise from this majestic location. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and engagement in the opportunities being presented. By night, different groups of students were in charge of preparing fun and games, with chef Oded cooking up a storm under the related theme. We then had a relaxing and festive Shabbat experience with the arrival of our Jewish Experiential Team and the spirit and energy was palpable during our Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah ceremonies. 

Whilst the cabin-based week one activities kept students busy and challenged, week two raised the bar somewhat, with students sleeping out

The VCE Theatre Studies class attended Wednesday Night's performance of '1984' by one of Australia's leading contemporary theatre companies - Shake and Stir. The production was adapted from George Orwell's dystopian fiction of the same name. The students found the production very compelling and powerful. They will be analysing this performance as part of their class work.

Eli Erez, Head of Performing Arts 

As part of our Kesher Gadol program, Year 8 students had a special visit from the gardening team at Bunnings Hawthorn. The visit marked the launch of our Healthy Eating topic —a hands-on component of the wellbeing program aimed at educating students about nutrition, food origins, and the benefits of growing their own produce.

Bunnings, who are generously sponsoring the initiative, led an engaging session where students explored the types of vegetables they could grow right here at school. Discussions covered everything from companion planting and seasonal crops to how different plants support each other when grown together.

One of the highlights of the session was learning about heirloom plants and how they compare to commercial varieties commonly found in supermarkets. Students were fascinated to discover that heirloom vegetables are not only more flavourful but often richer in nutrients, thanks to their natural, small-batch cultivation methods.

The visit was full of fun facts, thoughtful discussions, and plenty of inspiration. Our students are now buzzing with ideas and excitement as they prepare to roll up their sleeves and begin planting their seedlings.

Thank you to Bunnings Hawthorn for supporting our learning and helping us nurture the beginnings of a healthier future.

Joshua Cohen, Senior School Teacher

Storytime with Savta met on Sunday with two dozen 3-5 year olds coming to the Junior School library to enjoy stories, music and activities in Hebrew with Savta Hani Ron (who teaches Hebrew in the Middle and Senior schools). This is an incredible opportunity for your child or grandchild to learn (more) Hebrew, meet other children, and enjoy themselves on campus. Open to both KDS and (not yet-) KDS families. Our next session will take place on Sunday, 27 July at 10.30am in the Junior School library. Register here and spread the word.

Ilan Bloch, Director of Jewish Life and Learning

Over the last couple of weeks the Recital Room has hosted a number of student assessment soirees. This was a wonderful opportunity for our instrumental music students to receive professional feedback on their work. The range of musical styles and instruments on display at the soirees was particularly impressive, so too was the standard of our young student musicians. This is largely due to the excellent tuition from our amazing instrumental music staff at KDS. Should you wish your child to be enrolled in our Instrumental Music program please fill out an enrolment form via myKDS (myKDS/myStudents/Forms/MusicEnrolment). Please note that continuing students do not need to re-enrol. 

Eli Erez, Head of Performing Arts 

In the lead up to Tisha B'Av, Kedem and KDS invite you to a study session with Director of Jewish Life and Learning, Ilan Bloch. Sunday 20 July, 10.30am. Please see the attached flyer for more information. 

This month we have the opportunity to have a strong voice in the future direction of Israel, through the elections for the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC). For the first time, the makeup of the WZC will be decided by direct vote. Your vote in the World Zionist Congress election is crucial to securing liberal values in Israel. 
A Vote For ARZA-Masorti is a vote for:
Religious Tolerance; Gender Equality; Cultural Pluralism; Empowering Youth; Civil and Human Rights; Climate Action.
Please see the attached poster and click here for more information, including a link to vote. 

Bring in Shabbat with the whole family in a short, engaging Shabbat, with after-school snacks and Shabbat treats, lively music, Shabbat songs, storytelling and home in time for Shabbat dinner!
Aimed at Primary School aged children, all are welcome! No registration required.
4.15pm Every 2nd Friday of the month at TBI, 76 Alma Road, East St Kilda 
Next event: 11 July

LBC's next Torah Tots session is on Saturday 5 July at 11am. These are hands-on, joyful learning experiences for Toddlers and Pre-school aged children. 
Please see the attached flyer for more information. 

You don't want to miss this! Please join the School community for a thrilling evening of Heroes VS Villains, raffle prizes, delicious food and wonderful entertainment!
Saturday 23 August, 6:45pm arrival, 10:30pm finish time. $40 per ticket
Abundant grazing box included per table. Cocktail on arrival included
Click here to book your seats! 
Dinner and drinks available for purchase throughout the evening
Spot prizes, including for themed best dressed 
There are Raffle tickets for sale and a silent auction - please click here to bid. The raffle and silent auction is now live! 

Do you have a musical idea waiting to be heard? The King David School invites all aspiring composers to enter our 2025 Composers Competition!
We're looking for:
An original work by one or more students
A composition with at least three parts – for example: melody, chordal accompaniment, bass line
A duration of 2–5 minutes
Instrumental works or pieces that include vocals are both welcome!
You could win:

It’s been almost 18 months since two historic moments reshaped the First Nations and Jewish communities: the Voice referendum and October 7. In that time, both communities have faced pain, reckoning, and growing calls for solidarity and understanding. 
Stand Up invites you to a powerful and timely panel discussion featuring Marcia Langton AO, Marcus Stewart AM, and Melissa Castan, three bold leaders who bring deep insight, lived experience, and unwavering commitment to justice. Tuesday 29 July at 6.30pm (Elsternwick location) Please click here to book. 
Both Marcia and Marcus have been leading Indigenous voices in standing with the Jewish community since October 7, offering support, speaking out against antisemitism, and showing what real allyship looks like. Together with Melissa Castan, they’ll share personal reflections, speak hard truths, and explore practical steps forward. What does solidarity look like now? How can our communities show up for one another? What does real allyship require?

Melbourne….. Breaking news…..
In a world where misinformation, disinformation and outright falsehood are abundant, Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier are offering a rare glimpse of unvarnished truth.
As masters of musical form for 4 decades, endurance has proven the verity of their songs. Age has truly burnished them, not dimmed them.
Asked to comment Conway and Zygier assured us that the only thing they will be presenting are Songs You Can Trust. They remarked in perfect unison, “Be assured, truth can be confronting but ultimately truth will set you free. Rock on!”
Please book your ticketes here. 

Wednesday 6 August, 7:45pm – 9:45pm
Central bayside location – venue to be shared closer to the event
Please join us for An Evening with Eitan Chitayat
Israeli advocate, creative director, and founder of #I’mThatJew
Empowering our children – building Jewish pride in an age of rising antisemitism
Are you that Jewish parent? That cheering-in-the-freezing-cold AJAX parent? That serially-late-for-pick-up parent? That pre-order-Zelda parent or will-only-watch-Sky-News parent?
Whichever kind of parent you are, one thing unites us all: the need to connect with each other and raise strong, proud Jewish children – together.
For the first time ever, Jewish school communities across Melbourne are uniting for a meaningful and uplifting evening of shared purpose and connection.
Eitan brings a powerful, creative perspective shaped by global experience and deep cultural roots. His message is one of strength, empathy and identity – and it’s one every Jewish parent should hear.
Please click here to purchase tickets. 

Children aged 3-5 years old and their families are welcome to join us for Storytime with Savta, where stories are read b'Ivrit (in Hebrew).
When: Sunday 27 July, 10.30am
Where: Library at our Dandenong Rd Campus, 373 Dandenong Road, Armadale
Please register here and spread the word to your Hebrew-speaking friends with young children.

Early Learning educators and researchers are invited to our inaugural Early Learning conference, ‘Fostering Independence in the Early Years: Harnessing the Power of Play and Building Cognition’.
This will feature keynote presentations by Dr Rachel Jones (Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong) as well as Lili-Ann Kriegler (Founder of Kriegler Education). There will be a series of breakout sessions with each of the above presenters as well as Dr Rosalyn Muir, who developed the SOWATT (Executive Function) Framework which has been used at The King David ELC for the past 8 years.
Monday 21 July, 9am – 4pm, Dandenong Road Campus.
Please click here for more information and to register.