Candle-lighting 8.06pm

Havdalah 9.11pm

By Max Kark, Year 11 student 

This week's parasha is Parashat Vayetzei. This parasha begins with Jacob traveling and meeting his love, Rachel. It is said that when he saw her, he was so in love that he started weeping. (Bereshit 29:11). Laban, Rachel's father, said that he could marry her in exchange for seven years of labour, “but it felt just a few days for his love for her” (Genesis 29:20). Although after this, Laban swapped Rachel with her sister, Leah, on her wedding day. After this Jacob then worked another seven years in order to finally end up with his love, Rachel. 

This parasha comes after the story of Jacob and Esau, where Jacob tricked Esau into giving up his birthright. In Vayetzei, we are presented with two characters, or rather, two pathways for us to continue on after deceit or mistakes, the Laban path, or the Jacob path. Laban is a mirror to Jacob, showing where trickery and deceit lead without repentance and self-reflection, into Laban's eventual downfall, and Jacob's eventual rise. God uses Laban and Jacob to show two pathways of people, where dishonesty leads, and where truth leads. 

Further through the story, Jacob begins having children. The Torah does not explain to us why God left Rachel barren, although Chazal (our Sages) in Yevamot 64a says God leaving her barren was not a punishment, but instead a way of deepening her relationship to God. Throughout Bereshit (Genesis), God tests people on their faith in order for them to gain a deeper understanding of God, and for Rachel this was not different. Instead of turning away, Rachel deepens her bond, gives tefillah (prayer) to God, and finally bears her children. 

KDSPA hosted a "Thank you Breakfast" to thank all class reps and Parent Safety Group (PSG) volunteers this morning.

Jeffrey Leigh, School Council President, and Marc Light, Principal addressed the volunteers and thanked them for their incredible work and time given during 2025. Our community is stronger because of you and Marc reflected that the KDSPA is the heartbeat of the School. For some photos from the event, click here

Following the breakfast, KDSPA held its AGM with outgoing President Laurelle Ritz giving a heartfelt speech about the impact KDSPA has on our families' experience at KDS and in building our KDS community.

Thanks were given to volunteers who have their children graduating Year 12 and leaving KDS including Jacqui Dubs, Carrie Kausman, Danielle Lamovie and Paola Wisniak. Between them they have volunteered countless hours for KDSPA and they will be missed!

The new Leadership Executive was voted in we welcome the following members: Ora Glickman (Treasurer), Jordie Nirens (Secretary), Shelley Blankfield (Strategic and Planning Coordinator), Kate McCleary (Fundraising and Events Coordinator), Eva Lasky (Fundraising and Events Coordinator), Tara Kornhauser (Community and Inclusions Coordinator), Lori Chait (Class Rep and Volunteer Coordinator).

General Members elected were Nadine Barkay, Monique Cosgrove, Aviv Gafni, Rosalyn Gladwin, Zoe Heinrich, Ilana Nahum, Sarah Popper and Britt Weinstein.

If you would like to get involved in KDSPA events in 2026, please don't hesitate to reach out via kdspa@kds.vic.edu.au

Dear Community,

I would like to share with you an extract from the words that I offered the Class of 2025 at their Graduation Dinner last night.

“[In this speech] it is customary to express that now you have reached the point where you are ready to graduate into the big wide world and experience real life. But I want to let you in on a secret - there is only one world and this is it. You have been in it. There is only one life and you have been living it. This means that you do not have to be different.

Yes, you will go to new places, meet new people and experience new things. But fundamentally the core ingredient in how you interact with the world is you. Your character, your identity, your attitude and your values.

And that’s why I know that you will be a success.

The best advice I can give you as you enter this next stage is to be yourselves, take confidence in the character and personality that you have developed through the mutual efforts of your wonderful families, teachers and friends.

There is a lovely parable that I shared with your parents at an information evening a few years ago. It was shared with me by my predecessor at KDS, Michele Bernshaw. It involves a family who packed all their belongings into a cart in order to move from one town to the next one. They completed the journey across a number of days. When they finally arrived at the outskirts of the new town they encountered an old woman sitting on a rock and they went up to her and asked if she was from the town. She said that she was. They asked, “What are the people in this town like?” She responded, “Tell me, what were the people in your last town like?” 

Two championships were yesterday for KDS! Taiso as the students’ coach was an amazing inspiration for the players. Both Years 8/9 girls and boys' teams were top of the ladder going into the grand final. The boys’ team took the trophy, defeating Bialik 2-1 and the girls’ team claimed a convincing win of 4-1 against Kingswood. Way to go champions!  Click here for some photos of our winners!

Creativity on display at the Junior Creative Arts Expo with every student highlighting their favourite artistic piece from 2025 and performances from our choir and ensembles, showcasing our Instrumental Music Program. Thank you to our wonderful visual and performing arts teachers for their guidance and inspiration. See a selection of photos from the expo here

This week, our Middle School community was treated to two wonderful evenings of music as our annual Middle School Soirées took place on Monday and Tuesday evening. Across both evenings, audiences were captivated by the skills, confidence and musicianship of our burgeoning young artists, who presented an impressive range of styles, genres and instruments.

The various vocal performances, string, woodwind, brass and percussion items, each reflected the hours of dedicated practice and the student's genuine love of music. What stood out most was not only the technical growth of our students, but also their poise, expression, and willingness to take creative risks in a supportive environment.

These soirées were a testament to the remarkable work happening every day in our Instrumental Music program. Our talented and passionate Instrumental Music staff continue to nurture, guide and inspire our young musicians, helping them grow both as performers and as confident learners. We extend our deepest thanks to our incredible Instrumental Music team, whose commitment to excellence ensures that our students flourish under the outstanding leadership of our Instrumental Music Coordinator, Libby Choo. Their collective efforts have created a vibrant, encouraging and inclusive musical culture—one that was beautifully on display this week. 

This term, our Year 1 classrooms have been buzzing with excitement as students took part in a very special hands-on project. It all began with twelve tiny monarch caterpillars—six in each classroom. Students observed them closely each day, learning and marvelling at the changes they noticed.

After plenty of munching on fresh milkweed leaves, the caterpillars entered the chrysalis stage of their life cycle. We waited patiently as the transformation unfolded inside the protective green casings. This became a fantastic opportunity for students to explore the concept of metamorphosis, practising careful observations and deepening their understanding of how living things grow and change. The classes even named each chrysalis: Sunny, Violet, Disco, Ellie, Chubby, Bob, Big Mama, Scarlett, Rose, Lily, Cheryl and Lexi.

At last, the moment we had all been waiting for arrived— the chrysalises began to open, revealing stunning monarch butterflies! Students were delighted to witness the incredible transformations firsthand. A few days after each butterfly emerged, they were released into the school garden, giving them the freedom to continue their journey in nature in search of milkweed - where they will lay eggs and begin the cycle once again.

Did You Know?

Monarch butterflies can travel up to 4,000 kilometres during migration.

They lay their eggs only on milkweed plants, which provide all the food their caterpillars need.

This week, our talented Middle School Ethletes; Gemma H, Natey T, Ethan W, Jesse Z and Asha Z proudly represented KDS in the Middle School Ethics Olympiad.

The team competed against three other schools, tackling a series of complex ethical case studies. These included the moral value of life, whether an artist’s ethics should influence our judgement of their work, and the role and ethics of AI in the classroom.

Throughout the Olympiad, our students spoke eloquently, listened respectfully and exchanged thoughtful ideas. They confidently used philosophical terms such as consequentialism and utilitarianism, demonstrating excellent critical and creative thinking skills, all while maintaining a fun, collaborative and respectful spirit.

Kol Hakavod to our KDS Middle School Ethletes! 

We are incredibly proud of your effort, insight and sportsmanship.

Prep students have been exploring their beliefs and expanding their wonderings about God and Creation in Prep Jewish Studies. They have encountered a variety of texts, artworks and imagery that have triggered deep questions and conversations about the Torah’s description of Creation, the idea of a Creator and the mind-blowing question of what was there before anything?? Click here for photos from the class.

• God is like a heart connecting with everybody in the world - Sasha


• God is like a family, strong and protective - Amalia


• God is like a castle, safe with walls that are mighty and strong - Leor


• I think that tohu vavohu was all black and white swirls because I think that it outlined everything, and then colours came - Marlon


• I think that tohu vavohu is swirly whirly out of control mixed up chaos - Miri


• My tohu vavohu looks like pitch black because there was no light created yet - Teddy

We are proud to share that Zach K (Year 6) has been awarded the Maccabi Victoria School Spirit Award, a recognition given to students who embody leadership, positivity, and commitment to their school and wider community.

Zach was selected for consistently demonstrating outstanding teamwork and sportsmanship — core values deeply rooted in the Maccabi ethos. Whether on the sports field or in group activities, he is known for playing with fairness, encouraging those around him, and helping create an environment where everyone feels included and supported. His cooperative nature and ability to bring people together reflect the true spirit of community participation.

Beyond his enthusiasm and positive attitude, Zach leads by example, contributing to a vibrant, respectful, and engaged school culture. His dedication, kindness, and willingness to uplift others make him a deserving recipient of this honour.

Last Friday, Year 8 students were privileged to hear from Dr Shachar Shapira, head of Sheba Medical Center's Humanitarian and Disaster Response Center. Shapira spoke about the Center's role in helping in disaster zones around the world, assisting vulnerable communities, strengthening medical diplomacy, and enhancing Israel's emergency preparedness. 

Shapira's work serves as an inspiration for tikkun olam in action, setting an example for others to step up and help in their time of need in order to help repair the world.

We are grateful to the Australian Friends of Sheba for sponsoring Shapira's visit.

The 2025 Science Talent Search attracted entries from 175 Victorian schools, with 2,050 submissions received. Students from The King David School achieved outstanding results, reflecting their dedication and scientific curiosity.

Students in Years 4 & 5 dedicated lunchtimes and after-school hours to exploring scientific principles linked to their personal areas of interest. Each participant undertook the challenge of designing an invention, conducting an experiment, or constructing a model that demonstrated creativity, rigour, and innovation, supported by a comprehensive written report.

This year our students gravitated towards exploring themes of sustainability and human health. Among the standout investigations were the design of a nitrogen-powered refrigerator with a reduced environmental footprint and analyses of water purity from a range of sources across Victoria.

Our students are to be commended for their effort and achievement. The following results were attained:

Bursary

Harry L and Alessi Z - Testing Waterways

Poppy B and Goldie D - Watering Plants with Substances

The Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) is recognised as Australia’s largest school-based mathematics competition, both in scale and reputation. It presents uniquely designed problems created by leading Australian educators and academics, highlighting the importance and relevance of mathematics in students’ everyday lives.

On Tuesday 5 August, Mathematics Extension students in Years 3, 4 and 5 took part in the competition with focus and intent. They applied sustained concentration to a progressively challenging set of questions, with some students obtaining solutions to the final, most advanced problems. The results reflect their strong ability to apply knowledge and understanding, perform accurate calculations, and approach problems with logical and creative thinking.

Congratulations to all Mathematics Extension students on their outstanding achievement - three credits, five distinctions and five high distinctions.

In November 2023, barely a month after the horrific events of October 7, Millie Zelman (my student at the time) gave me a hand made bracelet woven from blue and white string. I was deeply moved by this gesture and promised that I would not take the bracelet off until the war was over and all the hostages were released. 

From that day, I kept my promise. Day and night, through countless showers and gym sessions, the bracelet remained on my wrist. Though the strings began to visibly wear with the passage of time, and despite occasionally slipping off only to be coaxed back onto my wrist, the bracelet remained steadfast. 

When I was in Australia earlier this year in July, I came to visit at King David and as I passed Millie on the corridor, I lifted my hand up. “You’re still wearing it,” she exclaimed, excitedly! 

On the first night of Sukkot this year, we were at the home of shule friends, having dinner in their sukkah with people we had not met before. All the guest had made aliyah at some point and we all recounted tales from our past. During the second course of the meal, my blue and white bracelet finally reached its sell-by date, splitting in half and landing on the table. 

I gingerly picked it up and interrupted the flow of conversation at the table, recounting to the other guests the story of the bracelet. I told them of my promise not to remove it until the war was over and all the hostages were home. And now it had come off. “Imagine if the war actually ends this week,” I marveled - and left it at that. 

Make your own sundae, connect with other families and learn more about our B’nei Mitzvah Program! 
A Progressive Jewish partnership between TBI, Etz Chayim and Kedem - this is the perfect opportunity to see if this B’nei Mitzvah Program can shape your child’s Jewish journey.
Details:
5.30pm-6.30pm
Wednesday 10 December
Registration Essential: https://tbi.shulcloud.com/event/bm-info-25