27 May 2024
October 7 last year brought into focus what really matters.
It’s easy to take things for granted when you live in a peaceful, beautiful city like Sydney.
Since October 7, it’s hard to be complacent about things like Jewish continuity, Jewish identity, and Zionism.
As the news broke of the terrorist attacks, our thoughts instantly went to Israel.
However, soon, things felt different here, too, as the threat of antisemitism became more present.
In the next couple of weeks, we will be celebrating Shavuot, when Hashem gave our people the Torah. The Torah records the covenant Hashem made with Avraham establishing the perpetual bond between the land of Israel and the Jewish people.
As we gather here tonight, our hearts and minds are with our brothers and sisters in Israel, and we pray for the speedy release of our hostages, and the safety and protection of the people of Israel, and for our brave soldiers.
We are unequivocal in our steadfast support of Israel and stand staunchly and proudly in solidarity with Israel and our heroic IDF.
On school and university campuses across Sydney, young Australian Jews are confronted with the questions of what being Jewish means to them and how they feel about Israel, and it has shown us how important it is that our children are educated about our Jewish heritage, and imbued with pride in their Jewish identity, and a deep and enduring love of our homeland.
The answers to these questions are shaped in the formative years.
That’s why ‘where’ and ‘how’ we choose to educate our children matters.
That’s why Moriah matters.
Education is why the Jewish people have survived and preserved our heritage over time. We don’t invest in hate; we invest in educating the next generation.
Moriah has been doing this for over 80 years, instilling modern Jewish Orthodox values, and fostering a love for Israel. With over 1600 current students and thousands of graduates, Moriah is the cornerstone of continuity for the Sydney Jewish community. The best way to combat antisemitism is to raise the next generation of proud, confident Jewish Australians.
During my tenure as President, we’ve certainly invested in educating the next generation: Putting more rigor behind everything we do, reestablishing academic excellence by getting back to basics, hiring and retaining outstanding educators, building a positive education culture, reinvigorating Jewish life on campus and engaging more often and more openly with the Moriah Family.
In my final address, I particularly want to highlight why Moriah has mattered over the past year and, indeed, the past six years of my term.
Firstly, Moriah matters…because we demonstrate Jewish values in action:
We saw this in the way our leaders, educators, and students responded to October 7.
We saw it in the beautiful campus display in honor of the hostages, with small stones decorated to represent each hostage and their days in captivity.
We saw it in the initiative to design kippot and sell ‘bring them home’ ribbons and bracelets.
We saw it in ELC morning meetings which evolved into large group gatherings to sing Hatikvah daily.
We saw it in the hundreds of people who joined a blue and white challah bake, and in the incredible Am Yisrael Chai music video that went viral on social media.
And we saw it in the way the Moriah Family opened our homes and classrooms to welcome more than 40 Israeli students and their families, affected by the terrorist attacks.
Our students are fortunate enough to see Jewish values in action every day and that has a lasting impact.
Much credit for this goes to our College leaders, who act as role models for living our values.
Looking back, one of the Board’s top priorities when I took on the role was to re-establish strong leadership. I’m pleased to say we now have a talented, diverse leadership team at all levels.
For this, we owe a great debt to Rabbi Smukler’s immense contribution. His vision and dedication, delivered through the School Improvement Program, were instrumental in setting Moriah up for success.
He also led us through the turbulent Covid period, ensuring that Moriah set the benchmark for online learning excellence. As a result, we have emerged as a school on a solid upward trajectory.
And we will only soar higher.
Mira HaSofer, who was appointed our new College Principal and commenced in the role in January this year, is evidence of Moriah’s impact on Jewish continuity.
Mira is a graduate of the College, returning after 28 years.
And this has been an incredibly proud moment for me to have Chaired the selection committee which appointed Mira as our first alumnus to be College Principal and the first woman to hold the position.
When Mira joined, she shared her personal credo, which featured many values that she learned right here at Moriah. She is now bringing these values to life for the next generation. Mira is a superb educator and leader, with the vision, passion, intelligence, and experience to lead Moriah from strength to strength, and her impact has already been felt. In a simple, telling example, one of her first acts was to introduce the Just Say Hello initiative, which has amplified a spirit of kindness, inclusion, and community on campus.
The Board is excited to collaborate with Mira to develop the next phase of our evolution.
However, Moriah’s strength comes from vibrant leadership at all levels of the College.
Our Early Learning Center team, led by Dalia Ottensooser and campus coordinators, encourages belonging and connection for ELC families right from the start of their Moriah journey.
In the Primary School, Lynda Fisher and her team continue to develop innovative best practices that set an excellent foundation for students to enter high school.
While in the High School, our leadership team has reinforced both the core building blocks and the more holistic aspects of education, while nurturing a sense of community.
Speaking of community, the exciting Jewish Life that now fills the campus is a testament to the inspiring leadership of our College Rabbi, Rabbi Gad Krebs.
I’d also like to recognise Roberta Goot, our College Vice Principal, as well as all members of the College Executive. Each of you play a pivotal role in the leadership of Moriah College, and for this I am extremely grateful.
I mentioned earlier that education is an essential factor in Jewish continuity. So, in addition to the values we instill. Moriah matters because we help students reach their academic potential.
We focus on academic excellence through an exceptional secular and Jewish education, and this is seen in our HSC results: For the third year in a row, we were ranked in the top 30 of the State. We stay true to our value of inclusivity and still outperform: Moriah is one of the top nonselective, independent, co-ed schools in the state, and in 2023.
- 11 students achieved >90 (Band 6) in at least ten units of study
- 29% of Moriah students achieved an ATAR of 95+
- More than half our students achieved an ATAR of 90+ and over ¾ scored an ATAR of 80+
This is testimony to the fundamentals of our approach. We’ve continued to refine our exam structures for Years 7–10 and provide students with a wide variety of resources to better prepare for exams. In the Primary School, we’ve administered standardised assessments to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses early on, and to track relevant data as they progress.
Moriah celebrates talents where each individual can shine and build confidence, and aside from our flagship Music program, and our ever-growing sporting program, we provide countless other co-curricular activities and opportunities for our students.
This brings me to what I believe is fundamental to Moriah’s success: outstanding teachers and support staff. They nurture the critical thinking skills, creativity, and character of the next generation.
So, investing in and supporting quality educators is a top priority. For example, we have instituted a multi-year professional development plan and benchmarking process that gives clarity on performance. We’ve also taken steps to actively promote staff wellbeing and ignite their passion and purpose in the classroom.
While clear values, the pursuit of academic excellence, and the retention of quality educators are all essential building blocks, so too is the environment in which students experience them.
Moriah matters because we create a unique environment where each student can thrive.
An integral part of the environment we create is the experience of Jewish Life on campus. It’s one thing to develop knowledge about Judaism; it’s another to develop a lifetime connection to it.
This begins in the classroom with the Jewish academic curriculum. For example, in the High School, Jewish Studies and Jewish History classes were combined into a single subject, enabling students to learn about our history and faith, while understanding their relevance to their lives today.
The College’s Jewish-life experience extends far beyond the curriculum.
The Bitachon Israel Advocacy program initiated by Talya Wiseman, is a tangible way for students to activate their connection to Israel –giving them the tools to articulately advocate for Israel and confront antisemitism.
Other flagship Jewish experiences now have added significance too, including Counterpoint and, of course, IST. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing students in Israel on two prior ISTs, and to me, that is the epitome of experiential learning about one’s Jewish identity.
Of course, the Jewish-life experience starts at a young age. Now five years strong, the Kesher program creates a meaningful, ongoing connection between the Moriah ELCs and the Primary School, building a shared sense of belonging and Yiddishkeit.
Last month, I saw this first-hand at multiple Primary School Demonstration Sedarim. People asked me why I attended so many of them. The answer is simple: seeing smiling Jewish children in 2024 partaking and retelling the oldest story in our religion was so uplifting and such a clear sign of Jewish continuity that I welcomed every opportunity to experience it.
Moriah also showsstudents what it means to be part of a caring, supportive community. The College works best when parents and grandparents step off the sidelines and get involved as part of the family.
One of the best examples of this is the tireless work done by the P&F.
Through their ongoing ‘friend-raising’ initiatives, they draw people in to engage with the College. And behind the scenes, they juggle parent WhatsApp groups, set up for Jewish-Life events, send meals to families, arrange parent catch-ups, host welcome BBQs and so much more.
So, to the P&F, which has been in existence since the College started in 1943 and serves as a link between the parents and the College as a whole, I say a heartfelt thank you.
Our definition of community extends beyond the College too, as students have multiple opportunities to engage with our wider Australian community and begin a lifetime of contribution to this country.
Finally, Moriah matters because we’re building a strong future for our students and for the Sydney Jewish community.
An important measure of the College’s future outlook is found in our enrolments. I’m pleased to say that our position is very healthy with our enrolment numbers remaining constant over the last 5 years, with many full years in Primary School, increasing numbers entering Year 7, and at full capacity at our ELC’s with waiting lists. And led by Lauren Koseff, Director of Enrolments & Engagement, we have proactively created welcoming onboarding experiences and increased social connections for parents and grandparents.
A prosperous future starts by setting a firm financial foundation.Looking back to where we were 5-6 years ago, we’ve come a long way.We’ve been able to make critical capex investments of $14.4m across all areas, including buildings, IT, transportation, security, and more.
This was made possible by prudent financial management, which brings me to Gavin Sher, our Chief Financial Officer. Gavin, your arrival marked the beginning of a pivotal turnaround for our finance function and team. With discipline and rigor, you rebuilt confidence in our financial systems.
Your care and love for Moriah are evident in every decision you make—a true mensch, whose personal integrity and professional excellence have greatly enhanced our institution.
While we are deeply sorry to see Gavin depart at the end of this year, we are immensely grateful for the generous transition period he has provided. This extended handover exemplifies Gavin’s commitment and thoughtfulness, ensuring that our financial stewardship remains strong and uninterrupted.
As we bid farewell to Gavin, we also warmly welcome Lance Rabbie to the role. Lance, we look forward to your contribution, and are confident that you will greatly benefit from working alongside Gavin during this transition.
One of our most consequential decisions was to purchase the land on which the College sits. At the time, which was 2011, we were paying the government an unsustainable ~$2m p.a. in rent. In the last five years, we’ve made significant principal debt repayments of $12.3m and have a 2% fixed interest rate hedge on the remaining $18m of debt. This has had a very real positive impact on the College.
For example, the annual savings from purchasing the property vs. renting it are approximately $3.0 m, equating to a 6% saving on school fee increases per year. Likewise, by fixing the interest rate at 2%, we achieve an annual saving of $1.5 m, equating to a further 3% saving in school fee increases per year.
On that note, we recognise that inflationary pressures don’t make paying school fees easy. Yet these measures and others mean that over the last five years, fees have risen below market increases—the average Year 12 fee increase over the five years has been 4.1%—this is despite record Capex investment, Debt Repayments, and investment in both our staff and students.
With the generous support of the JCA and the Moriah Foundation, we’ve also been able to provide fee assistance and support to more students than ever before: $16.5m provided to over 1,300 students in the last five years. The Foundation has worked tirelessly to expand our bursary and scholarship programs, and together with the assistance of Y2i has ensured that no child missed out on the transformative IST experience due to financial barriers.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to The Moriah Foundation, its Director Ryan Kassel and his team, its board of directors, and, in particular, to the Foundation President Judy Lowy OAM for her stellar leadership and her continued commitment to building Moriah’s Foundation.
There is no doubt that Moriah would not be the school it is today without the support of our donors and benefactors.
And by investing in Moriah, they have not only shaped the lives of tens of thousands of children but have strengthened the very fabric of Jewish life and Jewish continuity in the Sydney Jewish community and beyond.
It’s been 81 years since Abraham Rabinowitz established Moriah and arranged financing to buy the site at 115 Glenayr Avenue.
And as I reflect on all our donors have done over the last 80 years, I know that they will be unwavering in their continued support for the next 80 years as we stand on the shoulders with all those who came before us and invest in our children now and for generations to come. If we are going to celebrate 100 years, and then 150, we need to plan for the needs of the future.
It is incumbent upon us to ensure that our facilities provide our children with the best possible learning environment in which they can thrive. Our high school was built more than 30 years ago, before the digital revolution, and is no longer meeting the needs of our children.
Facilities do matter, and 13 years after our last capital appeal, the time has come to renew our ageing High School.
That is why in September this year, we will be embarking on our most exciting and ambitious capital appeal in Moriah’s history. And I am honored to be Co-Charing this Capital Appeal with Judy Lowy, President of the Moriah Foundation.
And now a few personal messages and thanks you’s.
And now I would like to say something to Judy.
Your passion for Jewish education and your unwavering belief that Jewish children belong at Moriah College, is second to none, and you have given of yourself to the College, tirelessly and in countless ways.
Judy joined the Board 16 years ago, a year after me. Neither of us knew each other then, but I can honestly say that you have become a very close friend and confidante. Judy, I want to thank you and Steve for your friendship and support in so many ways, over so many years, both to me personally and in my role as President. And I’m proud and excited to be leading the capital appeal with you.
To all my fellow directors, Robbie Blau, Dani Sher, Rina Michel, Teri Esra, Jacqui Scheinberg, Warren Jacobson, Danny Sekers, Dan Kramer, Mark Leigh and Michael Gottlieb thank you for your unwavering commitment and for the spirit of collaboration that has defined our time together. It has been an absolute privilege to lead such a dedicated group of individuals. While it hasn’t always been easy, and we haven’t always gotten things right, the Board’s commitment to the success of Moriah has prevailed, and has truly been a team effort.
I want to acknowledge and thank the many Board members that I have served with over the last 17 years, and to the Past Presidents who have been generous mentors to me along the way. I have worked with so many incredible people over the years and have formed many long-lasting relationships and friendships that have enriched my life. Each of you made an enormous contribution to Moriah College.
Tonight we farewell Dan Kramer who is retiring after 5 years on the Board. Dan joined the Board in 2019 and has been an invaluable member of our Corporate Governance subcommittee, having chaired this committee for the last 4 years. During Dan’s tenure, he served on the following Committees of the board –
- Building & Infrastructure
- Corporate Governance
- Jewish Life & Learning Consultative
And was one of the Board Representatives to the NSWJBOD.
On behalf of the Moriah family, I want to thank Dan for his contribution to the College.
I would like to thank Robert Goot AO SC, Chair of the Trustees, and to all our Life Patrons and Trustees for their ongoing support of me as President, for their guidance, and for their undoubted love for Moriah College. (and thank you to Robert Simons and Robert Gavshon for being here tonight).
I extend my gratitude to Dani Sher, our treasurer, for the management of our financial governance. The efficiency of our meetings under your guidance have been incredibly valuable, helping us make well-informed decisions swiftly and effectively. As we look to the future, I am confident about the continuing support Dani will provide to Robbie and the new board. Your expertise and commitment are invaluable assets that will undoubtedly aid in their success. Dani, thank you for your outstanding contribution.
I would also like to extend a special thank you to Rina Michael, our honorary secretary. Rina, you have undertaken the unenviable task of managing the secretarial functions of our board with exemplary dedication and efficiency. And you have been a great support to me in managing the governance processes of the Board.
And now I extend a particularly heartfelt thank you to my deputy president, Robbie, who has served as Deputy President for the entire six years of my Presidency. I record unequivocally that I would not have been able to fulfil my duties without Robbie’s wholehearted support and dedication. Robbie, you are not just a colleague but one of my closest friends. Our daily conversations, sometimes multiple times a day, and at all hours of the day and night, will be missed. Your guidance and support have been invaluable, especially during the most challenging times.
When Brenda was ill and subsequently passed away, you and Lauren and your family were there for me, Adam and Daniel in ways that went beyond friendship and professional duty and it is something that I will never forget.
Robbie, as you step into the role of president, I have no doubt that you will lead with the same strength, empathy, and dedication that you have shown in both your personal and professional life. You have an exceptional ability to manage a multitude of responsibilities with grace and effectiveness, and I am confident that under your leadership, the board and Moriah will continue to thrive.
I will always be there as a sounding board, to provide you with the support if and when you need it. Today, as I pass on the mantle to you, my friend, I do so with utmost confidence for the future of our school, and a message and a wish.
We have been fortunate to receive such a precious legacy – that is Moriah College.
How lucky are we
Don’t take it for granted
Stay true to our ethos, and to the founding vision of Moriah – a core value that every orthodox Jewish family should be offered an outstanding secular and Jewish education and ensure that Moriah remains a school of excellence, educating our children to be knowledgeable and upstanding members of society, proud of their Jewish identity, imbued with our modern orthodox Zionist values and determined to contribute positively to the world.
Jane – EA to College Principal, I am sorry that Jane is not here tonight as she is unwell, but I want to thank Jane for all her support and assistance over the years. Jane is always positive, always smiling and always ready to tell a few jokes, and her friendship and close working relationship with Daisy is incredible.
And now I want to take a moment to express my profound gratitude to Daisy, our Executive Officer to the Board of Directors.
Your responsibility for accurately recording minutes, tracking deliverables, and ensuring the implementation of resolutions has been crucial to our governance. Despite the often complex and multiple requests for amendments to the minutes, and having to chase Directors who have not responded to deadlines, you have handled these challenges with professionalism and meticulous attention to detail.
Daisy, you are a vault, and treat confidentiality as sacrosanct. Your role is fundamental to the operations of the Board. Thank you for your steadfast commitment and for ensuring that our board’s activities are well documented and executed.
You have been a pillar of support throughout my tenure and indeed for my entire 17 years on the Board.
Your care and genuine interest in not only my professional life but also in the well-being of my family have been remarkable. Daisy, you were an amazing friend and colleague to Brenda, and have always shown immense concern and affection for my boys, always eager to celebrate their achievements and offer support during challenging times.
Your unwavering professionalism paired with your personal dedication have made my role not just easier but truly enjoyable. Thank you, Daisy, for everything. Your support has been a cornerstone of my experience on this board, and I am deeply grateful for both your professional excellence and more importantly your personal friendship, and I’m going to miss you.
It wouldn’t be an AGM with a President stepping down and not quoting the famous Mishnah from Pirkei Avot.
לֹא עָלֶיךָ הַמְּלָאכָה לִגְמֹר, וְלֹא אַתָּה בֶן חוֹרִין לִבָּטֵל מִמֶּנָּה
It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it either.
We’re in a time between Pesach and Shavuot that our rabbis tell us that the students of Rabi Akiva died, ‘Shiloh n’agul k’avod ze lazeh, because they did not show the requisite level of respect to one another. This being despite the fact that Rabbi Akiva himself was the one who said, Ve ahavta larecha kamocha, love your neighbor like you love yourself, which is a critical element and fundamental principle within Judaism.
But there’s another element of Rabi Akiva, and it is a story that’s based on a Pasuk in the Book of Kehelet, which is – In the morning you shall sow your seed, But in the evening, you should not allow your hand to rest. And the Talmud brings this as an example. On one hand, it says you should have children when you’re young, and you should have children when you’re old, because you never know whether the children of your youth or the children of your maturity will be more successful.
But Rabi Akiva quotes it in a different context. He says, If you taught students when you’re young, do not desist from teaching students when you’re old. The story says that between Pesach and Shavout, the 24,000 students of Rabi Akiva’s died. These students were the Jewish leaders of the time and without them the whole Jewish world would have collapsed.
And Rabi Akiva, who, having seen all of his work, come crashing down as those students passed away, could have given up hope. Yet he picks himself up goes down to the south and finds five new students, and says, We will rebuild. And he does that, and through them, he was able to rebuild Judaism within the world.
And that’s the spirit of Rabi Akiva. The individual who’s able to look at the world and say we cannot rest on our laurels and we cannot think that we are finished. לֹא עָלֶיךָ הַמְּלָאכָה לִגְמֹר means don’t think that you’re going to come into this role and finish the role. The role will never be finished. The role will continue after you have passed on. I only hope that in my contribution, I’ve taken the College to a place that is in a better place than it was when I inherited it. And that’s what my message is to all of us this evening.
As I close, I’d like to share some thoughts on why Moriah matters to me personally.
As I retire as College President after serving six years in the role, the maximum permitted under our constitution, and after 17 years on the Board of Directors, most may think that this is a relief for me, but I can assure you that this is certainly not the case.
I feel humbled to have served for so many years It is truly a great honour and privilege to have served as president of this amazing school.
The responsibility of being a director and especially of being President is great. I have always had tremendous support around me. The position has afforded me the benefit of forming relationships and friendships from which I have learnt and grown. It is hard to think about what my life will look like after 17 years of dedication to the school and especially the last six years as President.
Six years ago, when I was deciding whether to take on the role of President, it was a difficult time, at a personal level. My late wife Brenda was very ill; she worked at Moriah and had this deep love and passion for the College, and she strongly encouraged me to take it on. She understood how critical the success of Moriah was and she genuinely believed that I could make a difference. She gave me some wise words of advice,
Understand that leadership is not a popularity contest
Always act with integrity
Lead with conviction
And always have with the College’s best interest at heart
Taking on this role is not possible without the love, support and understanding of one’s family.
I was truly blessed to have had a wife who understood how important this was. Without Brendas understanding and tolerance I would never have been able to serve for so long and so effectively, and I only wish she would have been here to see what has been achieved, and how Moriah continues to go from strength to strength. She would have been so proud!
To my sons Adam and Daniel, I am so happy that you are here tonight. This is the 1st AGM Daniel has attended, and I think it’s the 2nd for Adam. You mean the world to me, and these past six years in particular would not have been possible without your unconditional love, support, and encouragement.
You have made many sacrifices to allow me to fulfil this role, and you have always conducted yourselves with dignity, never allowing my position in the College to affect your relationships with staff or students.
Thank you for showing me the appreciation and gratitude for the incredible education and experience you both had at Moriah.
At great sacrifice, my parents provided me with the gift of a High School Jewish education. That opportunity and experience instilled in me a love for and commitment to Jewish Education. Thank you to both of you, and to Jo for always being so supportive and so understanding of my commitments and time.
None of this would have been possible without all of you.
Six years ago, I made the commitment then to ensure I left Moriah in a better place after my time as President. As I stand here tonight, I do believe that the College is in a better place, and I feel so proud and so grateful.
Grateful to my colleagues on the College and Foundation boards for their commitment to our wonderful school, to our College Executive and our educators for their dedication to our children, to our parents for entrusting the education of their children to us.
And I am proud. Proud of our students, our wonderful school community, and of our Moriah family.
I am proud of the way we have stood by our homeland during this devastating time since the atrocities of the 7th October, the resilience we have shown in the face of the uprising of antisemitism that we have faced and continue to face, and the moral clarity to stand by our values of kindness, respect, responsibility, commitment, and integrity.
So, while there’s a lot of uncertainty and still much to be concerned about, I am confident in our future. This confidence is due to the investment we have all made in our children’s education.
Regardless of what comes their way, Moriah students will have clear answers to who they are, what they value, and what Israel means to them.
And ultimately, that is what really matters.
Am Yisrael Chai
Thank you.
STEPHEN JANKELOWITZ
COLLEGE PRESIDENT
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