Mishenichnas Adar marbin b’simcha. When the Hebrew month of Adar comes it is said that we increase our joy in the lead up to the delights of Purim. This makes it an opportune time to discuss happiness and what we can do to ensure that our young people are experiencing this in abundance. Until recently, […]
Mitzvot as a map for happiness Read More »
Since the horrors of October 7 2023 and the ensuing devastating war, we have all experienced the full gamut of human emotions. There has been shock, rage and despair, as well as the brief moments of hope and jubilation, such as when we have seen hostages reunited with their families. We have often been bitterly
All of Israel is responsible for one another Read More »
I hope that you will allow me the indulgence of using this column for something personal this week. Tomorrow is my Bubby (grandmother), Helen Light Senior’s 100th birthday [To avoid any confusion, my late mother, Dr Helen Light, and paternal grandmother Helen Light shared the same name]. While we celebrate Bubby’s significant milestone I would
From Lomza to Melbourne Read More »
Yesterday we held a wonderful Back to School Service. I would like to share with you an extract from the speech that I offered to our students to welcome them to the event. “Students, one of the great things about being in a school is that each year you are delivered a fresh start. Some
Small steps lead to big changes Read More »
Welcome to the new school year! I would like to share with you an extract from the speech that I offered to our students at the Magid Campus opening assembly. “Students, last week I met with the staff to launch our planning for the new school year. I told them what I consider to be
It is a bitter-sweet time to draw the school year to a close. Sadly we do this in the shadow of last week’s terrible terrorist attack on the Adass Israel shule and the surge in domestic antisemitism. Yet we must also acknowledge the joy of our community and the blessings of a school year that
Reimagining the mundane Read More »
Next week we will farewell our longest standing employee, Cathy Kaiserman. Cathy began at The King David School in 1989 and has devoted the last 35 years of her life to giving her all for the achievements of our school, her colleagues and our students. Over her time at our school there is barely an
Honouring Cathy Kaiserman Read More »
Like so many of you, I spent last Sunday at our famous King’s Carnival. Alongside the nervous members of the King David School Parents’ Association, I experienced a sleepless Saturday night with repeated checks of various weather apps looking for a second, third and fourth opinion in the hope that the expected rain would stay
Community spirit soars at King’s Carnival Read More »
I would like to share with you an extract from the speech I delivered to our Year 12s (Shichvat Lavi) at last night’s Graduation Dinner: So Shichvat Lavi, your time has come. You have reached graduation and are ready to be let loose on an unsuspecting world. Many of you have had B’nei Mitzvah, indeed
Going into the world with integrity and care Read More »
In his global bestseller The Anxious Generation, acclaimed American author and social psychologist, Jonathan Haidt, opens with a powerful hypothetical. Haidt offers a fictional scenario where the reader’s 10 year old daughter has been selected for a spot on an exploratory mission to Mars. The reader does not recall consenting to her application. Haidt writes: “unbeknownst
Addressing the challenge of social media Read More »