New building opened at Emanuel

Federal Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull and Israel’s ambassador to Australia Shmuel Ben-Shmuel have affixed fixed two mezzuzot to classrooms in Sydney’s the Emanuel School’s new Kleinlehrer Family LINC Building.

LINC is an acronym for Lead, Inspire, Nurture, Create.

32 years ago the vision of Rabbi Brian Fox and supporters of Temple Emanuel  gave birth to the school which at which the minister and the ambassador attended the opening of the new purpose-built building.

The state-of-the-art building includes eight flexible classrooms, a 200-seat theatre, the Leadership and Learning and Wellness centre and an art precinct which spans an entire floor. Construction began only
18 months ago with the demolition of a two storey demountable block and was made possible by the generosity of the Emanuel and wider school community, following a success Capital Appeal in 2013.

It did not take long for the soil to be turned and within an astonishing 18 months the Building was ready.

Over 400 people attended the opening. In his address, Malcolm Turnbull, refered to Emanuel as “the only pluralist Jewish dayschool in New South Wales” opening the Kleinlehrer Family LINC Building surrounded by students, parents, grandparents and friends.

Bruce Notley-Smith, State Member for Coogee, said he enjoyed the Junior Choir and Jazz ensembles who performed for the guests.

Governors of the JCA, Councillors from Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Council, Jewish day school Principals and many significant and generous benefactors were present at the opening.

Dr Gene and Brian Sherman followed the student art trail to the Sherman Art Precinct.  The Angles family spent time at the HSC Art display in The Angles

Leadership and Learning Centre and Mr Aron Kleinlehrer and his granddaughter delighted in the successful opening of the Kleinlehrer LINC Building, an acronym for Lead, Inspire, Nurture, Create.

The Millie Phillips Theatre came alive with HSC music and drama performances.

Anne Hastings, Principal of the School, commented: “Removing the demountable buildings and completing the construction of The Kleinlehrer Family LINC Building are symbols of our transformation from temporary to permanent, from standard facilities to state-of-the-art, forward-thinking facilities, from a lovely little school to a force to be reckoned with on the grand stage. We have shown that we can dream big and, with the help of many, achieve that dream. No one can measure the potential in each person to do amazing things, but the combined potential of many who work together is breath-taking.”

President of the Board, Grant McCorquodale, spoke to the audience about the school community’s passion for and commitment to the new building: “We have the most supportive parents, grandparents and friends and this building has a piece of each of us in it. The excitement and anticipation for its conclusion has made for the most positive atmosphere across our campus and we thank everyone who has contributed to its success. Our donors, be they the children who gave up their pocket-money or well-known community benefactors, have all made a difference to the future of our students’ education. To watch the students play, learn and grow in this new building is a privilege.”

Head Madrichim, Asher Klein and Jessica Lax shared how the LINC Building has transformed their learning. Asher, who convincingly played the leading role of Tevye in the recent performance of Fiddler on the Roof in the new Millie Phillips Theatre, said: “As a student who has been at the School since Year K, I have witnessed firsthand many of the changes the School has been through. As I’ve matured so has the School. I feel strongly connected to it. The LINC Building is beautifully designed, endlessly useful and has that Emanuel feel about it and that’s not something you can really put your finger on. I’m astonished at how seamlessly the building has fitted in and, when future generations come to the School, I can feel really old and say, ‘I remember when that was just a hole in the ground’.”