Parashat Tzav, by David Opat, Vice-Principal Wellbeing and Head of Junior School

Candle-lighting 7.03pm | Havdalah 7.59pm

Parashat Tzav deals mostly with the requirements of sacrifice, when to do it, how to do it, what to wear, which parts you should eat, which parts you definitely should not eat, etc. It reads a little like a sacrifice etiquette manual. The korban (sacrifice) on the Temple altar must have been quite a spectacle. It was carried out in a very strict, exacting manner with the aim of honouring God.

When you read this parashah there is a specific word that is repeated over and over again, not surprisingly it is the word, fire. Specifically, in Vayikra 6:6 it states, "A perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar, not to go out." This sentence stands out amongst all the other instructions and rules. Fire has a fascinating history in Judaism and appears throughout the Torah. There are the “fiery snakes” in the desert, there is the pillar of fire that God leads by, there is, of course, the burning bush, to name just a few.

In Devarim (4:23-24) we are warned to: "Take care, then, not to forget the covenant that your God concluded with you, and not to make for yourselves a sculptured image in any likeness, against which your God has enjoined you. For your God is a consuming fire, an impassioned God."

Fire is dramatic, cleansing, devastating and ominous. We Australians are particularly cognisant of fire as we have been ravaged so many times by

Dear Community,

Thanks to significant momentum built from our community and the leadership of the survivors of Bondi, the Federal Government formed the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. 

Together with School Council President, Jeffrey Leigh, I have been working on our school’s submission to the Commission and I would like to share with you a summary of what we have presented and requested in our submission.

Before I go into the details, I would like to encourage all members of our community to consider making an individual submission. I believe that the Royal Commission marks a significant investment in understanding the problem and our community is obliged to take the responsibility to tell our stories while there is a body which has responsibilities to listen. No story is too small to tell. There is a wonderful free resource that can help facilitate this -  ShareYourStory (www.shareyourstory.org.au) is a practical guide for families through the process.

Putting together The King David School’s submission has been a challenging task that necessitated a serious reflection on the substantial surge in antisemitic incidents that members of our school community have been subjected to in recent times and also on the manner in which we have acted to reinforce and improve our security and safety mechanisms to respond to the situation.

We are tremendously proud of the hard work that we have undertaken in close partnership with CSG, the PSG, our Security Adviser and relevant authorities to ensure that we are able to create a protective environment where our students can freely enact and develop their rich Jewish identities while taking pride in their Australian heritage.

We began by outlining who our school is and by emphasising that as a Progressive Jewish school in Australia that we are dedicated to our students being proud Jewish Australians and that we also see Zionism and the centrality of Israel as key components of Jewish life. 

Our Dandenong Road campus has been filled with frogs, Pharoahs, and matzah as our Junior School engaged in their Pesach S'darim this week. Students remembered the fifteen steps of the Seder with a special melody ('Kadesh Urchatz'), enacted the Magid (story) of Pesach through costume, songs and props, welcomed Eliyahu haNavi, searched for the Afikomen and, of course, ate lots of crunchy matzah!

Prep - Year 2 students shared their S'darim with family members and friends, while the Years 3 - 5 students delighted in sharing the tradition with each other. Please click here to see photos from the Prep - Year 2 Seder, and click here to see photos from the Years 3 - 5 Seder. Please note there are more photos on the myKDS Photo Gallery.

Thank you to our magnificent Jewish Life and Learning team for ensuring a meaningful and celebratory learning experience for our students, and particiularly to Louise Lowinger and Nissim Ben-Salamon for so beautifully leading each of the S'darim.

Chag Sameach! 

What an amazing event on Sunday at the Twilight King's Carnival. With plenty of sunshine and KDS community spirit, we hosted over 1500 people with sensational entertainment, delicious food, fun games and crafts and wonderful stalls to delight young and old! There are plenty of photos on the school photo gallery... please click here to see a collection.

Carnival is truly a team sport... and we couldn't have pulled it off without all of YOU! THANK YOU! With over 250 parents, grandparents and students volunteering their time, we are so proud of what our King David community can do when we all help out. We would also like to thank our sponsors, Cupra, Gary Peer and Moose as well as the many donors of products for stalls and prizes for our raffle.

As always, we welcome your feedback, so please don't hesitate to email kdspa@kds.vic.edu.au with what you think worked well and ideas for improvement. If this event has inspired you to get more involved in the Parents' Association and our events - please reach out and join our planning committee for the next big event!

Our Year 7 students stepped outside their comfort zones while still having lots of fun on their camp adventure.

This full and varied outdoor education program included morning yoga, walks along the beach, surfing, bodyboarding, a lifesaving session, a high ropes experience and beach games. Please click here to see photos of the students' adventures.

The best part? Seeing everyone step up, support one another and find out just how brave they really are.

A group of parents joined together on Thursday night for “Pesach, Pizza and Pilsner,” during which they explored insights from the Haggadah in preparation for the Seder next Wednesday night.

Our next parent Jewish education evening, “Torah, Taquitos and Tequila”, with guest presenter Raf Dascalu from Beit Midrash Oz, will take place on Thursday, May 7 at 8:00pm. If you would like to attend, please register here. 

Ilan Bloch, Director of Jewish Life and Learning

Congratulations to our Year 8–12 students who represented KDS at the EISM Swimming Carnival. Despite a date change due to venue issues at Albert Park, which unfortunately meant our Year 7s couldn't compete, the team stepped up remarkably. Even without our youngest cohort, KDS secured 4th place overall.

Boys' Team: Placed 4th, finishing a nail-biting 2 points away from the podium!

Girls' Team: Placed 5th with a series of strong performances, only 4 points from 4th place! 

Team Spirit: Our students showed incredible sportsmanship, stepping up and filling gaps in races and lots of high fives after races finished!

We won the 'highest achieving small school award' And Marc Light was present to give the award to our students!

A shout-out to Gemma H, Olivia K, Sam Z, and Koby G, who took on a heavy schedule of events. They showed incredible endurance and consistency throughout the day. We also want to thank the students who stepped into extra races at the last minute to cover for absences and injuries, your 'team; attitude made all the difference.

Well done to those students that also took part in the team for the first time ever, every races result counts.

Lesson for the future- As always, we walk away with some valuable (and practical) takeaways for next year:

At the ELC we have been learning that we don’t eat chametz during Pesach (foods made from grains like wheat that can rise). This comes from the story of Pesach when the Jewish people had to leave Egypt very quickly and there was no time to wait for bread dough to rise, so they baked flat bread instead.

This week the children participated in a cooking experience: using a Pesach friendly recipe, they made coconut macaroons.

Before we began cooking, we carefully explored our ingredients to make sure they were all free of chametz, supporting the children’s understanding of what makes food appropriate for Pesach. We used coconut, condensed milk, sugar, and eggs. 

A highlight of the experience was investigating the coconut. We passed it around, encouraging the children to look closely, touch, and smell it. Many of the children were unsure what it was at first. However, once we tasted it, a few children excitedly recognised the flavour and identified it as coconut! This sensory exploration supported their confidence in trying new foods and using their senses to learn.

We enjoyed our homemade macaroons together for afternoon tea.

Amy Samowitz, Kindergarten Teacher

Our Year 6 students have had an incredible learning opportunity visiting Canberra this week. The cohort have bonded strongly as they experienced history, science, and a few high-profile surprises!

During the tour of Government House, the Governor General made a surprise appearance to greet the group! She fielded questions, giving our students a rare and personal insight into her role.

The civic lessons continued at Parliament House, where students were treated to visits from Dr. Monique Ryan MP and Mark Dreyfus MP.  

Between these political deep-dives, the students also visited Questacon, The War Memorial & Old Parliament House, Cockington Green Gardens, The Mint and the National Museum and Gallery. Please click here to see photos from the camp.

It has been a transformative journey of discovery and friendship!

After many weeks of researching, discussions and anticipation, The King David School Years 9/10 debating teams made their debut at the Caulfield DAV competition. Our team, consisting of Tal G, Gemma H, Jake B and I, had an incredible victory. We were arguing that governments should not ban overbooking airlines. Our first speaker, Tal, made a very strong opening and introduction to our case whilst affirming our views. Our second speaker, Jake, laid out our proposals incredibly well. Our third speaker, Gemma, made great rebuttals and a memorable closing. The other team, consisting of Georgia R, Kira P, and Charlie T, all spoke incredibly well about why camping in national parks should not be free, making very compelling arguments, but unfortunately lost.

Special Kol Hakavod to Tal, who was crowned best speaker for his debate! It was a fantastic opportunity, and none of us can wait for the next debate in a little under a month!

Eli Rogers, Year 9

Last week our Unit 1 / 2 Geography class went on a two day camp to Phillip Island for our research report on tourism and how it affects the island. We were surprised to find that contrary to what we thought, tourism actually had a positive effect on the wildlife of Phillip Island as the money raised from the Penguin Parade was able to support other conservation programs such as repopulating the endangered Bush Stone Curlew birds and the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. 

Whilst we were only there for one night we put it to good use and went to visit Churchill Island, the home of the endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoot which was thought to be extinct up until the late 1980s. They were reintroduced to the island after predator control programs eliminated all foxes from Phillip Island and Churchill Island. The population has more than quadrupled and the bandicoots have spread all across Phillip Island.

We visited the Summerland Peninsula, the Penguin Parade and Cowes. We finished the camp off by visiting the Koala Reserve where we went koala spotting while learning how they breed and take care of the koalas in order to preserve Victoria’s koala population before finally heading home to King David.

We learned so much about how tourism is a key part of Phillip Island and the local economy and how that has affected 

Across the Junior School the sounds of Pesach are in the air as children sing and act their way through the Haggadah. On Seder night we will discuss the imperative: "In every generation, it is our duty to consider ourselves as if we had come forth from Egypt."

Reliving the Pesach story, the Prep and Year 3 students enjoyed incursions by the Matzah Factory and baked their own shmurah matzah, a hand made, ‘guarded’ matzah. Rabbi Yossi set the students to task grinding the wheat kernels into a fine flour before starting the clock in the 18 minute countdown to preparing the dough, rolling and baking. Please click here to see photos of the matzah making. Our students have explored the duality of matzah in representing our simple food as slaves and also its significantly sweeter taste as our freedom-meal, as the Jewish people hastily left Mitzrayim and ventured into the midbar (desert), as bnei chorin (a free people). Chag Pesach kasher v’sameach!

Louise Lowinger, Learning Area Leader Jewish Studies K-5

Our VCE Theatre Studies students recently enjoyed two inspiring excursions, attending both a major mainstage production and a celebration of top student work.

On Tuesday evening, we travelled to the Melbourne Theatre Company to see West Gate, a powerful new Australian play staged at Southbank Theatre. This production tells the story of the 1970 West Gate Bridge collapse — Australia’s worst industrial disaster — focusing on the lives of workers whose concerns about safety were ignored, with devastating consequences. The play explored themes of responsibility, resilience and the human cost of industrial progress. Students were particularly struck by the minimalist staging, dynamic ensemble performance style, and the emotional impact of the climactic bridge collapse, all of which brought this significant moment in Melbourne’s history vividly to life.

The following morning, we attended the Top Class Theatre Studies 2026 Concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre. This annual showcase celebrates

Eden from the JNF visited the Junior Kinder this week and spoke with the children about tzedakah (charity), Israel, and the important work of JNF. She collected our tzedakah coins and explained how the money will be used - to help create a land where everyone can live, including building playgrounds for children, planting trees, and supporting communities.

Eden also spoke to us about Pesach, focusing on the matzah and the Afikoman. She read us a storybook about finding the Afikoman, and then the children decorated their own Afikoman bags to take home for their Sederim.

Jen Duband, Kindergarten Teacher

Thirteen students came to our second meeting of the "Parsha and Pizza club" last week, learning about the parashah, eating pizza, and spending time with friends. The next session will take place on Friday 17 April at lunchtime in M1.04. You can already register here.  

Ilan Bloch, Director of Jewish Life and Learning

Developed by the University of Melbourne, Tuning In To Kids is a 6-week group learning program that explores practical skills for emotionally intelligent parenting. By recognising and responding to children’s emotions, parents and carers strengthen their connection with their young person and help them learn how to understand their big feelings and better regulate their behaviour. Participants frequently report a decrease in tricky behaviours such as tantrums, and increased confidence in and enjoyment of their parenting experience. Tuning In To Kids is aimed at parents of children aged 2 – 10 years.
Facilitated by compassionate and experienced facilitators with sensitivity for the needs of our community, Jewish Care has been delivering this highly-regarded program for a number of years with wonderful feedback about its impact for families.
Full details are in the attached flyer. For further information or to register your interest for the upcoming program, please contact cbarrett@jewishcare.org.au
Please note: the program is heavily subsidised and spaces are strictly limited. A firm commitment to attend is required.

Please join Director or Jewish Life and Learning Ilan Bloch on Thursday 7 May 8pm for Torah, Taquitos and Tequila. This evening will feature guest teacher Raf Dascalu from Beit Midrash Oz. Please click here to register. 

Join us THIS TUESDAY (some tickets still available!) for a fun-filled Seder where we retell the story of Pesach through the delicious medium of chocolate!
An interactive Pesach experience aimed at Primary School–aged children (all welcome!) that explores Pesach traditions in a fun, engaging way - with plenty of chocolate along the journey.
Come along, bring your family and enjoy Pesach in a way that’s meaningful, memorable and delicious!
Registrations essential - last chance, don't miss out. Book now!
Register at https://tbi.shulcloud.com/event/chocolate-seder-2026

Join Netzer for their Wild West Winter Camp, 30 June - 5 July 2026. Camp is for students in Years 3-12. To sign up for camp, please click here. Please see the attached flyer for more information and contact details. 

As science and technology redefine the human lifespan, how will business, the economy and social structures adapt?
Join us on Thursday 28 May for an afternoon of high-impact insights as we host a powerhouse panel to explore one of the most significant shifts of our era.
Whether you are looking to network with industry leaders or gain insights on future trends, this is an event you don’t want to miss.
Secure your table or individual seats now: 2026 Business Lunch
Sponsorship: Limited Gold & Silver opportunities remain. Contact foundation@kds.vic.edu.au

JCAS enables Jewish children with extra needs to attend mainstream Jewish schools. Through our teacher aide program, the children we support enjoy the same opportunities as other children, improving learning outcomes and social inclusion. JCAS aims to be a catalyst for change, shaping a future where every Jewish child, regardless of ability, is embraced, valued and empowered.
Please support their 2026 campaign - click here to find out more and to donate.