As Sukkot is quickly approaching, Year 11 students who have been participating in a leadership program run by Jewish Life Department were involved in leading fun Sukkot related activities for Years 3-6 students.

They brought palm tree leaves and decorations with them as they transformed the Middle School tent into a Sukkah. They then led three Sukkot activities: a 7 species of Israel tasting, a build your own sukkah booth, and a sukkah decoration making booth.

“It was a really joyful experience! It embodied the joy that the holiday is all about and really showed how different parts of TKDS are one community” Lucy Zilberman said of her experience.

This Wednesday, 16 September, several students from Year 9 attended 'The Spirit of ANZAC' Youth Challenge Program. They were Jacob Chizik, Maya Magen-David, David Makogon, Shannon Polevoy and Erin Spitz accompanied by Margaret Pagone. Held at ANZAC House in Collins St, the headquarters of the RSL, it was a program run by Ryebuck Media, on behalf of the RSL and the DVA to investigate the significance of the Anzac spirit for Australia and local communities in this centenary year of the ANZAC campaign.

When we arrived, we were introduced to the different schools we would participate with and were given a run through as to what we would gain from the program. Alongside understanding the qualities that an ANZAC should uphold, we were lucky enough to meet several ADF and RSL members who serve or once served for our country. Throughout the day, we listened to their stories and they shared with us their experiences whilst working in the ADF. The Returned and Services League (RSL) members

On 16 September, seven King David students; Avishai Conyer, Hugo Burstin, Noa Abrahams, Miriam Rubinstien, Romi Lazarus, Adam Black and Rafael Ungar, attended the Interschool Philosothon Competition, where we were given the opportunity to discuss a variety of significant and relevant ideas in depth.

The night consisted of four discussions, where students were able to express opinions and bring forward ideas on topics such as; ‘What it means to be human’, and ‘Does the future even matter?’. Throughout the discussions, judges awarded points for philosophers who demonstrated great ability to communicate their thoughts, build on others’ ideas, contribute to the discussion, and ask provoking questions. After a plethora of group discussions with students from nine other schools, the King David School students came to showcase their analytical talents, placing 2nd overall.

Thanks to teachers Michelle Bass and Gordon Dorin who prepared the students over several weeks and to Mic

Our Junior Debating Programme for 2015 saw 19 enthusiastic Year 7 and 8 students participate in weekly training sessions and debates throughout August and September.

Students came together in their teams to debate against other schools on topics relating to extreme sports, the benefits of learning Asian languages and the cost of petrol. Students received thorough and constructive feedback after each debate, highlighting their strengths and providing them with suggestions on how to improve their debating style. Congratulations to all our junior debaters; Benji Jacobson, Benji Kabillo, Camilla Burrows, Chantall Kirzner, Daniel Vernikovski, Ella Freeman, Ethan Mileikowski, Ethan Vaserman, Georgia Burstin, Hayley Meydan, Jacob Moulton, Jake Hayman, Jessica Rosen, Jordan Engel, Jordy Rogelberg, Liam Elbaum, Marnie Danos, Max Max, Willow Ziguras.

This year there were six Year 11 students who made up the Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) team for the Lord Mayor's Foundation. They were Rafael Ungar, Liat Swieca, Rebecca Freedman, Eliza Wingreen, Michelle Maraynovsky and Georgia Lehrer.

The team were given financial instructions by volunteer mentor Alan Kaufman and guided at School with meetings held over Terms 2 and 3 by Geoff Garber. They then visited 3 charities; Berry Street, the River Nile Learning Centre and the Jewish Cultural Centre & National Library Kadimah. Each organisation gave a presentation explaining what the organisation did and how they would use the money which they had requested.

From the moment we arrived at the campsite, we were welcomed by the incredible madrichim who put hours into planning interactive, challenging, and thought provoking activities. To be on this camp meant developing a deep sense of pride for Israel, not only the pros, but also the challenges. The main thing I took away was a deeper complex understanding of how Israel is a community.

My favourite program was tent city which explored different social justice issues that people protested in the 2011 Tel Aviv protests. I loved that you could pick which issues you felt most connected to or wanted to learn more about.
Having the madrichim from Israel elevated the excitement of the camp, and getting to know them was my highlight. They really engaged everyone successfully throughout using a lot of creative peulot.
Most of all, without the students it wouldn’t have been the same. Everyone in the grade got much closer with each other. The teachers were awesome, the food was incredible, an

Two weeks ago the Junior School celebrated EnviroWeek. This gave us the opportunity to think more about the environment and sustainability. As part of EnviroWeek we made an effort to reduce the amount of waste on Campus with the launch of the NUDE LUNCHBOX challenge.

Every day from Monday to Friday we counted the number of Nude lunchboxes. At the beginning of the next week, during the Monday assembly, the class that made the biggest effort won the Golden Bin! Congratulations to Prep Renay for this outstanding effort.

The Nude Lunchbox challenge will continue in Term 4 on a nominated day. More information to follow. It was great to see the students make an effort to clean up their campus and understand the effect of modern packaging on the environment.

Year 11 and 12 Vocational Education and Training (VET) Fashion students modelled their creations in a Fashion Parade at Broadmeadows Shopping Centre recently.

The money raised by ticket sales went to two worthy causes;
• the White Ribbon Foundation that supports women involved in domestic violence and
• Berry Street that supports children who are also affected by the same issues.

The students looked very glamorous in their outfits.

The Maths Department invites all KDS students to participate in the 2015 Maths Challenge. Have fun resolving weekly Mathematical problems and win a prize at the end of the school year. Please e-mail your full solutions to yulia.dozortsev@kds.vic.edu.au . Congratulations to Daniel Freidgeim (Year 9), Alexandra Kiroi (Year 8 and Raphael Schwalb (Year 6) who submitted the correct solution for Tal Shuval's Maths Challenge 21.

Last Friday, 11 September, the KDSPA held a unique event, a Pink Morning Tea to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Spearheaded by Deb Schmideg and Fili Bolgi and team, the morning was to bring the School and wider community together to engage in 'tikkun olam' (repairing the world) and give back to a cause that has touched so many. Over 100 people came to enjoy beautiful cakes, coffee and company as well as a fabulous raffle and silent auction.

The highlight of the morning was listening to the truly inspirational guest speaker, Sally Capp, who is Chief Operations officer of VECCI (Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and a director of numerous boards as well as a cancer survivor.

On Tuesday 8 September, voice students from Years 8-10 participated in a Choir Exchange with Girton Grammar in Bendigo.

This was a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, make music together, and put on a short but powerful workshop performance. Laura Rickhuss and Adam Yee also accompanied the students, and had productive meetings with the Girton Heads of Music and Drama at both primary and secondary campuses. It is our hope that this can become a regular feature in the performing arts calendar.

A huge thanks is due to our tireless vocal team, Libby Choo and Georgia Brooks.

A Sukkot experience for the whole family at Temple Beth Israel. 27 September at 4pm.

Rabbi Danny Schiff, internationally renowned Jewish ethicist will lead Kedem’s 2015 High Holyday Services. Venue: The King David School, 117 Kooyong Rd, Armadale All welcome!

TBI’s High Holy Day program is packed full of musical, craft and learning activities for kids and their families. See attached full details.

Join the Etz Chayim community for engaging, meaningful, and child-centric Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Services held at Glen Eira Town Hall. See attached for more detail.

Our Years 3 to 12 Vocal and Orchestral Ensembles are sure to entertain at the 2015 Spring Concert. Hope you can join us this Sunday!

The Prep to Year 2 Southwick Twilight Concert will be held at the Rebecca Magid Centre on Monday 12 October 2015. Bookings are now open via our website or with this link: www.trybooking.com/160522