This week’s Torah reading, Lech lecha, tells of the command given to Avraham to circumcise himself and his descendants. Although the bris has become the most widely observed mitzvah in the Jewish world, our Rabbis raise the fact that Avraham himself wasn’t convinced that performing the ritual was a wise decision. Avraham had three close … Continue reading Being different

One of the greatest joys of working with teenagers is that you can never predict what they are going to do next. It is a time of great uncertainty and unpredictability for them, their parents and their teachers. In fact, after having worked with teenagers for over three decades now, the only thing that I … Continue reading Trust me, your teenagers will make mistakes – it’s how parents respond that’s important

We wish our Year 12 students much success on their HSC exams, which they begin as we return to school. It is very opportune for us to come back to school while it is still the festival of Sukkot. It’s magnificent to be able to take all our staff members and children from ELC, Primary and High School, into the sukkah and to shake the … Continue reading Welcome back for Term 4! 

(Precis of Rabbi Smukler’s address at the Year 12, 2022 Graduation; inspired by Rabbi Lord J Sacks z 'l) As we approach Rosh Hashana, it is a time for us to reflect on our lives as we commence the new Jewish Year. It is time for us to reflect on where we came from and … Continue reading JEWISH PRIDE AND COURAGEOUS THINKING; THE THIRD APPROACH

The passing of Her majesty, The Queen, will become one of those moments that will change the course of history. There are only a handful of moments that I can recall in my lifetime that may compare to the significance and magnitude of such an event. This past Shabbat, the Rabbi, in his sermon, made … Continue reading A leader for the people