Dear Community,

There has been much written in recent weeks about the Manosphere. This is a sub-culture which has grown significantly in the western world and is characterised by a mixture of so-called hyper-masculinity, pining for a return to traditionalist gender divides, blatant misogyny and a veneration for those displaying their “success” through purchasing expensive cars, clothes and houses. The key figures in the Manosphere movement heavily utilise live streaming and lifestyle content to generate followers and income. In so doing they have garnered an army of followers that they can call on to bully opponents.

Louis Theroux's documentary Inside the Manosphere has drawn scrutiny to the inherent exploitation that underpins much of the popularity of figures in the Manosphere. In his investigation he identifies the hypocrisies evident in the practice of how proponents of the Manosphere espouse that women should return to ethics of conservative traditional femininity while promoting and financially exploiting those whose lifestyle choices eschew such norms. Additionally, he shows how the promises of wealth and success that capture the minds of so many adherents proves to be illusory and yet another means of exploiting adherents.

In an article published this week in The Age, psychologist and researcher, Zac Seidler, describes a research project undertaken through the Movember Institute that seeks to examine males’ interactions with the Manosphere. The research involved analysing TikTok content consumed by 142 men aged 16 to 25. Seidler states that the findings were somewhat surprising as the degrading, misogynist content that typically raises concerns around the Manosphere represented only 6% of the content. The largest category related to lifestyle, self improvement and pop culture which made up 38%.

Seidler explains that they found that this other content acted as a platform that supported the more damaging messaging that lies at the core of the movement. He pointed out that the more benign content becomes a pipeline through which the algorithm feeds the more sinister material. He states that “[y]oung men don’t need to seek out extreme content for it to shape their sense of masculinity. Once they engage with what interests them, the platform does the rest.”

Bamidbar 

Candle lighting 5.01pm

Havdalah 6.00pm

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a nineteenth-century American writer, famously said that “Life is a journey, not a destination.” This is an apt quote as we open the fourth book of the Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), which deals with the journey of B’nei Yisrael (the Israelites) in the desert. Although their destination of Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel) is, of course, of great significance, the journey itself has an importance of its own.

Twentieth century American anthropologist Clifford Geertz wrote about liminality - in-between and transitional time and space. This is our ancestors’ experience as they traverse the wilderness to the Promised Land. It is here that the nation is forged, trying to move beyond the trauma of Egyptian enslavement, and before coming home. It is here that our first of many transformations takes place, bonding the Israelites to God and to one another - as free people. 

A special Renaissance experience took place in Year 1 and 2 Art this week. After learning about Michelangelo and discussing the difficulties and great challenge he faced when painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, students took part in a fun learning activity. They had to lie on the floor with their painting stuck to the underside of the tables and imagine they were up high under the roof of the Sistine Chapel. They then used water colour paint to paint printed images from the Sistine Chapel ceiling while lying on their backs and reaching up to their paper.

This week, 40 of our best endurance athletes competed in the BDPSSA Cross Country Carnival.  Our students had been training for 3 weeks leading up to the event and performed very well with many stand out results.  Each race featured 60+ students from 8 schools.

• Jagger (Year 3) who is 8 years old competed in the Yr 9/10 age group, placing an impressive 9th position overall. 


• Ayalah (Year 6) was our best performing athlete, achieving 6th place overall and qualifying for the Beachside Division event later in the month.


• Charlie (Year 6) finishing in 9th position and Eitan (Year 6) placing 14th, both supported each other to achieve great results.


• Ziggy (Year 4) ran passed an injured athlete, stopping to assist her. Ziggy showed true KDS sporting spirit.

After four incredible performances, the curtain has officially closed on our Years 6 to 12 musical - Beauty and the Beast. From our youngest stars in Year 6 to our graduating legends in Year 12, this cast brought pure magic to the stage!

Eli Erez (Head of Performance) describes this beloved story as one with the enduring message that "true beauty lies within. In a world increasingly shaped by appearances and first impressions, Beauty and the Beast reminds us that kindness, empathy and integrity define who we truly are".

We are so incredibly proud of the hard work, talent, and energy of all involved that made this show a total triumph. To the cast, crew, orchestra, and everyone who joined us in the audience—thank you for making this a sold-out success!

Please enjoy a selection of photos here. The full collection can be found in Photo Gallery on myKDS.

Gan Tamar had a very unexpected (and feathery) guest join us in our outdoor space! A lost cockatiel flew into our yard this week.

Of course, a lost bird needs a safe place to rest, so we called in some help. A huge thank you to Matt from our Maintenance team, who came to the rescue and provided a safe, cozy cage for our visitor.

The children immediately decided she needed a name. We chose Tzip Tzip, which means "tweet tweet" in Hebrew! Adding to our vocabulary lesson, Naveh shared with the class that the word for bird in Hebrew is tzipor.

Having Tzip Tzip visit us turned into a beautiful, spontaneous learning moment. Gan Tamar had a wonderful discussion about how we could help her find her home, and the children brainstormed some incredibly creative and empathetic ideas. The children created posters with pictures of Tzip Tzip and wrote, "Lost Bird at KDS" to be posted around the School.

The Senior Sport EISM Softball team capped off an incredible season, finishing undefeated and winning the grand final. Made up almost entirely of Year 12 students, it was a great way to enjoy playing together one last time for King David. We chose softball after winning it back in Year 8/9 and wanted to run it back, which made the result even more special. The only non Year 12 player, Sean (Yr 10), played amazingly in the Final. It wasn’t an easy start, falling behind 2–7 early, but the team showed resilience by coming back to win 13–7 and bring home the trophy. It was a true team effort, with everyone contributing to the win.

Sam Lazarow (Year 12)

Our first group of Year 2 students have reached an exciting milestone: completing their Hebrew Script unit! To celebrate, students received special certificates acknowledging their dedication to mastering this new way of writing.

Students used shaving cream to practice letter formations, allowing them to explore textures while refining their fine motor skills.

Year 12 students heard from representatives of various Israel programs at a recent Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) Israel Program Fair, held at the School.

We are proud to partner with the ZFA and other similar communal organisations to help promote a love for, and understanding of, the land, people, state and language of Israel. 

Participation in an Israel program is a transformative experience which changes participants' lives in regard to their relationship to their Judaism, their engagement with Israel, and their understanding of themselves. 

Join KEDEM for a warm, engaging, and thought-provoking Tikkun Leil Shavuot!
More than cheesecake, more than learning — it’s a night of encounter!
Together, we’ll explore big questions in Jewish life and hear from guest presenters and share in the joy of Shavuot learning.
See attached for more information.
Date: Thursday 21 May 2026 (5 Sivan)
Time: 7:00pm – 12:01am
Location: At a home in East Malvern
To register, please click here

Thursday 21 May
4.30pm - Brave the Trail to Sinai's Summit at "The Great Sinai Adventure"
TBI's Family Activities for Shavuot 2026. Craft activities and challenges, obstacle course to the summit of Mt Sinai, 10 Commandments, dairy treats and more!
6pm - Service
7pm - Potluck Community Dinner
7.30pm - Movie Screening - "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"
Kids’ alternative for the Tikkun Leil Shavuot hour, ideal for families with parents who want to attend our learning opportunities. With popcorn!
Link for more info and registration: https://tbi.org.au/shavuot/

Held once every five years, the Hall of Fame recognises individuals who have made a lasting contribution to sport and have a strong connection to Maccabi Victoria.
This includes athletes, coaches, administrators, and volunteers, many of whom have given years of service to their communities.
If someone comes to mind, take a few minutes to nominate them.
Nominations close 31 July.
Submit a nomination: https://maccabi.com.au/hof-nominate-26

The next session of Storytime with Savta will take place on Sunday, 17 May 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 17 May, 10.30am
Where: Library at our Dandenong Rd Campus, 373 Dandenong Road, Armadale