Dear Community,

Yesterday, we held our annual Back to School Service at Temple Beth Israel. The event was led by our student leaders, the Hanahagah, who chose a theme of Outer Space for the service. Here is an extract from the address I delivered:

“Students, something about me that you did not know is that when I was a little boy I wanted to be a rabbi and an astronaut. Now while neither have occurred yet, in choosing the theme for today’s Back to School Service, the Hanhagah have helped me to fulfil a lifelong dream. I get to talk about space from the bimah!

One of my favourite space related stories relates to a visit that the American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy made to NASA at the height of the space race. This was a time when the USSR and the USA were locked in a battle to become the first to land humans on the moon.

The story that I will relate occurred when President Kennedy visited Cape Canaveral in 1962 to encourage those who were working on NASA's moonshot. 

As he toured the facility, the party came across a janitor who was holding a broom. The President asked the janitor what he was doing. The janitor replied, “I am helping put a man on the moon, Mr President.”

I love this story for two main reasons. Firstly, I love what it says about NASA. The fact that the most famous astronauts, technical engineers and janitors all shared the same mission and felt that everything that they were doing was directed to achieving this, is incredible.  

Secondly, I love how it recognises that every single person contributes in a meaningful way to our collective success. This is important to remember.

Yesterday afternoon, 80 Year 11 and 12 students heard from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, together with students from other Jewish day schools and members of the general Jewish community. Herzog was here for a solidarity visit in the wake of the Bondi tragedy in December. His visit strengthens Jewish peoplehood, engagement with Israel and the value of kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh (all Jews are interconnected). 

Year 12 student Ebony Lewis represented King David with distinction in co-leading the singing of the anthems.

We are thankful to the Zionist Federation of Australia, Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal, Zionism Victoria, AIJAC and ECAJ who sponsored the event.

Special thanks to the volunteers of the CSG who secured the event, protecting Jewish lives and way of life.

Ilan Bloch, Director of Jewish Life and Learning

Candle-lighting 8.03pm | Havdalah 9.01pm

By Eden Cantoni-Bud (Year 12)

This week's parashah is Mishpatim and I’ll start off by being completely blunt, for the most part Mishpatim is a fairly tiresome parashah. The word Mishpatim means ordinances or orders, and the parashah itself is composed almost entirely of 53 mitzvot, most of which go something along the lines of one who does x should be put to death. I am not going to bore you by going into the nuances of all these mitzvot, most of which don't apply today.

Instead I want to focus your attention on one specific line almost at the very end of the parashah. When Moses conveys God's commandments to the people of Israel they respond in one voice, "Na’aseh V’nishmah". We will do, and we will listen. This moment represents a turning point for the Jewish people, and represents the revelation of Israel to the presence of God. The words Na’aseh V’nishmah like the rest of Torah can be interpreted in a myriad of ways, but I'll start with the most simple: "We will do and we will listen" - the people of Israel are pledging their allegiance to God. At face value all this means is that the Israelites will now follow the mitzvot just conveyed to them by Moshe, and follow all future commandments laid out by Hashem. And when viewed through such a lens Mishpatim is just as I said earlier ‘tiresome’. However this line when analysed deeper represents more than just a pledge, it reveals the nature of Torah study and the intuitive presence of divinity in humans.

In my research for this drash I came across a talmudic debate that I thought was particularly relevant to this quote. “is learning greater or is deed”, in other words what is more important, study or action? When asked this same question,

Our 5786/2026 Back to School Service was 'out of this world!'. Wonderfully run by our Vaadat Yahadut, Jewish Life Year 12 leaders, and our Jewish Experiential educators, the Back to School Service engaged our Years 6-12 students with meaningful drashot, prayers and songs from our tradition.

With a space theme, Principal Marc Light reminded us not to take our existence in the universe for granted and to focus on being the best version of ourselves possible. 

Ami Majman spoke about her personal relationship to Judaism, which she said was based on living Jewish values, caring for others, and her actions. 

During our Torah service, a new student (Harry K) and new teacher (Jaimee Reichenberg) received an aliyah l'Torah, welcoming our myriad of new students and staff to our community. Staff Keren Gengut Moshinsky and Danielle Sacher were honoured for their service to the school, and Year 12 student Mimi L was called to Torah, becoming Bat Mitzvah. Mazal tov Mimi! Eden C-B gave a powerful drash on Mishpatim, emphasising action and exploring the relationship between doing and learning. Please note, photos will be placed on the myKDS Photo Gallery as we receive them.

Rabbi Dr Allison Conyer gave the Year 12 students advice, reminding them that there are many paths to achievement and wishing them well for VCE. Cantor Michel Laloum, alongside Rabbi Conyer, gave Year 12 the Birkat Kohanim, the priestly blessing. Thank you to TBI for hosting us, and to Co-Presidents Jacky Magid and Saul Ryan for their support. 

Thank you to our amazing Vaadat Yahadut and our Jewish Life and Learning team. We already can't wait for next year! 

On Tuesday morning, the Year 3 students took part in a truly special and meaningful Kabbalat Siddur ceremony, celebrating an important milestone in their Jewish learning journey. With pride and excitement, each child received their Years 3-5 Siddur, symbolising their growing connection to prayer and Jewish life. Through Tfillah, we were reminded that prayer connects us to ourselves, to one another, and to God. It was a joyful and reflective moment that brought students and their families together in shared purpose and spirit. Please click here to view photos from the ceremony. There are more photos on the myKDS Photo Gallery. 

Rachel Ben - Atar, Jewish Studies Teacher

We are excited to introduce a new and engaging activity every afternoon called the Secret Box. This is our special twist on traditional show and tell, designed to build confidence, language skills, and critical thinking in a fun and meaningful way.

Each day, one child brings one special item from home and places it inside the Secret Box. Instead of showing the item straight away, the child will give the class some clues about what is hidden inside. The rest of the children will listen carefully, ask questions, and try to guess what the mystery item might be.

The Secret Box is a wonderful learning opportunity for the children. It encourages them to:

Use descriptive language and expand their vocabulary

Practice speaking confidently in front of the class

Develop listening and questioning skills

Think critically and make predictions

Waiting patiently for their turn

Most importantly, it is a joyful and inclusive way for the children to share something special from home while feeling supported by their peers.

We are really looking forward to seeing the children’s excitement, creativity, and growing confidence as they take part in our Secret Box activity. 

On Tuesday our Year 2 students flew to ancient Persia to prepare for Purim! They successfully completed security checks, watched the safety video and enjoyed inflight snacks and entertainment. While in Persia they are going to retell the the story of Purim and learn about the four Mitzvot we perform at this special time: 

Mishte (feast)

Megillat Esther (hear the megillah)

Matanot L’evyonim (gifts for the poor)

Mishloach Manot (gifts for friends).

We can't wait to celebrate Purim together soon!

Sophie Oppenheimer, Team Leader Jewish Life P-5

Three Year 6 students from The King David School, Jonah T, Daniel M and Jordan L, won the FIBA 3x3 MCBA basketball tournament on January 19 at MSAC, competing in the U13 Boys division against ten teams from across Melbourne. The trio, known as The Kings, exceeded expectations in a physically demanding tournament, showing resilience and teamwork well beyond their years.

The seven-match campaign was highlighted by two remarkable long range shots from Jordan Levin in the closing moments of the semi final, intelligent ball use from Jonah T throughout the day, and outstanding skill and confidence from Daniel M against strong opponents. The victory was a fitting reward for a group that combined determination, composure under pressure and sportsmanship to claim an impressive tournament win. Mazal tov Jonah, Daniel and Jordan! 

King's Carnival is back this year as a twilight event. Make sure you've got Sunday 22 March, 3-7pm in your calendars! It'll be an afternoon of fun and community at our Magid Campus, 517 Orrong Road.

Please join us at our Junior School for the first Storytime with Savta for the year, on Sunday 1 March at 10.30am. This KDS program is for all families with 3 to 5 year olds, whether from a Hebrew-speaking background or not, whether KDS students or not yet enrolled in the school. It includes reading stories, playing games, dancing and doing arts and crafts activities in Hebrew (with some English for those who need).
We will celebrate the joy of reading Hebrew together. Please register here to attend.

Don't miss the incredible Purim Carnival! A fun-filled day of costumes, activities, songs and treats. Dress up, come along and enjoy festivities including petting zoo, jumping castle, circus workshop, bubbles, arts and crafts, BBQ, fairy floss and more!
Details: 10am-1pm Sunday 1 March at Temple Beth Israel
To register or for more info, including TBI's other Purim activities (performances, service and more!), please visit tbi.org.au/purim/

Want to help keep our children secure as they enter and exit our school? 
The King David Parent Security Group are looking for parents or grandparents (or other relatives) to be extra eyes and ears that will work alongside the ESS security guards. 
There are morning (drop-off) and afternoon (pick-up) shifts available. 
To volunteer, you must undertake a training session with CSG. See the flyer below for more information. Sessions are throughout February and into early March. 
To sign up for a training session, please click here. 

With Bar Mitzvah year on the horizon for many families, Stand Up is inviting fathers and sons to mark this milestone together. 
Stand Up’s Father & Son B’nei Mitzvah Retreat on the Mornington Peninsula offers a nurturing Jewish space where families can slow down and connect with their values in a unique environment that empowers B'nei Mitzvah age boys to deepen their exploration of social justice and responsibility.
Led by an incredibly skilled team of facilitators, participants will journey through guided activities outdoors. Grounded in Jewish values, like Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), the retreat helps turn this important moment into a meaningful and memorable journey for sons and their parents alike.
Father & Son Retreat Details:
Who: Year 6 & 7 Boys in 2026 and their fathers or carers
Where: Victoria's Mornington Peninsula (approx. 1 hour from Melbourne)
When: 5.00 pm Friday 13 March  - 5.00 pm Sunday 15 March
What's included: 2-night glamping accommodation, all meals and programming. Also includes pre- and post-retreat workshops.
Find out more - Spots are filling up fast. https://www.standup.org.au/parent-child_retreat_melb_13-15_march_2026_payment