KDHS in the News 2013-14
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Wed 26th March 2014
Sixth Form Address by Rev Steve Williams on Easter |
Rev Steve Williams spoke to Sixth Form students about the season of Lent and Easter. He began by debunking popular belief that chocolate eggs and bunnies are related to the Christian story.
He contextualised the Christian narrative within the Jewish tradition and explained where Jewish rituals feature in the story. Visual aids were used to tell the story with Rev Steve making the sign of the cross on his head and waving palm branches as was done in the Easter story. He stressed that Christian teaching makes it clear that the Jews were not responsible for the crucifixion and that any antisemitism is a corruption of the original narrative. |
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Wed 26th March 2014
KDHS Invited to Interfaith Meeting with the Lord Mayor of Manchester |
In recognition of the school's interfaith activities, Rabbi Rickman was invited to join the Lord Mayor of Manchester for lunch together with other faith representatives.
Rabbi Rickman is pictured second from the left. |
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Sun 23rd March 2014
Leket bag Pack at Sainsbury's Cheadle |
On Sunday 23rd March, seven Year 9 girls from The King David High School decided to spend their free Sunday morning raising money for their school campus charity entitled Leket. The girls decided to pack people’s shopping at the Sainsburys Cheadle branch. The girls designed their own specific T-Shirts and together with a number of Leket collection boxes they placed themselves in strategic places at the checkouts. They packed shopping and had the opportunity to describe the role of the chosen charity and how the organisation strives to alleviate hunger for children their age in Israel. The event enabled the girls to work together as a team with a unified goal and desire to help others. When talking with the girls they mentioned that they felt that: “It was nice to see how generous people were to give money to Leket Israel. We raised £327, it made us feel so proud to raise this amount of money in such a short time.”
Pictured: Charlie Freeman, Talia Foxler, Georgia Groundland, Georgia Levin, Judith Shonfield, Zoe Vure, Georgia Harris. See more pictures on the Leket School Charity page. |
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Fri 21st March 2014
6th Form Assembly with Mike Shaft , BBC Radio Manchester |
Rabbi Rickman hosted radio DJ Mike Shaft who shared his life story with sixth form students. Born in Grenada in the West Indies and moving in 1968 to the UK where he was one of two black kids amongst a 1000 students pushed him to be a fighter and work to achieve what he wanted from life. His talents lead him to Radio and after many rejections he joined Radio Piccadilly presenting a weekday show and becoming Head of Music in 1993. During the summer of 2002 Mike was invited to present Breakfast and to look after the music at BBC 2002 Commonwealth Games Radio in Manchester. He continues to present the Multi Faith Sunday Breakfast show on BBC Radio Manchester, several King David students and Staff have been on the programme over the years. Mike concluded with giving students two pieces of advice, “talk to G-d and make sure that you enter a profession you love.”
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Tues 18th March 2014
MDA Defibrillator Presentation |
On Tuesday 18th March, the entire High School campus came together to attend a presentation assembly led by Rabbi Goodman and joined by Mr. Daniel Berger (Chief Executive of Magen David Adom). The assembly began with Rabbi Goodman describing the wonderful efforts that the students showed in 2012 and how they had worked together to raise a grand total of £14,125 over a period of 9 months. This enabled MDA in Israel the opportunity to purchase a MDA first responder motorbike number 11151. Rabbi Goodman also expressed to the students the way their collective efforts had helped to save countless lives of people living in Israel. The students were able to hear of how the bike had responded to 741 calls since the beginning of its service. Mr. Daniel Berger then described the role of MDA in Israel and how the students can volunteer for the organisation in the future. Finally, Mr. Berger presented the school with two defibrillators as a token of MDA’s appreciation for the school’s efforts and contribution that was raised in 2012.
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Fri 14th March 2014
Campus Leket Bingo Raises £3000 |
The pre-Purim Activity Afternoon began with a fund raising bingo session during lunchtime. Rabbi Goodman decided to hold a charity bingo event at lunch time for years 7 – 10 in order to raise money for Leket. The event was a huge success and the students that participated raised £3000 and had a great time whilst playing bingo. ....See the Bingo Gallery Here..... The afternoon continued with lots of fun and
educational activities which were delivered by the Jewish Studies Dept and Aish
Manchester. The activities included Purim treasure hunts and a Purim themed team
building game and many more events.
Students in year 7 also had the chance to learn about separating Challah
and experienced a practical demonstration delivered by Mrs Pearson who is manager
of the kitchens . After her
demonstration students had the opportunity to make Hamantashen which they all
ate by the end of the afternoon. ......See the Activity Gallery Here....
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Mon 10th March 2014
Rabbi Akiva Tatz Speaks at Yavneh Boys and Yavneh Girls |
 Rabbi Tatz addressing Yavneh Boys
The renowned author and lecturer Rabbi Akiva Tatz spoke in the morning to upper school Yavneh Boys and in the afternoon to upper school Yavneh girls. Both groups were spellbound by both the content of his talk and his delivery.
Speaking to the girls Rabbi Tatz went on to explain why the heroine of the Purim story was Esther, a woman. Women have the capacity to be Ne’eman- faithful to have the power of Emuna whereas men are more focussed on Emet- truth. Whilst it is important to know what it is right it must be translated into action. He related a few stories to illustrate the point and there was great audience participation throughout. He explained further that up until the Purim story G-d was seen and felt in a more revealed manner and from then on there were no more ‘open miracles’. It is our duty now to find G-d’s presence in our daily and mundane existence. After his presentation there was a question and answer session which unfortunately had to be cut short due to time constraints. We are sure he will return again in the future |
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Mon 10th March 2014
Social Media Presentation with @TangerinePR and the Juice Academy |
The Juice Academy offers the UK’s first ever industry-led social
media apprenticeship and they came to talk to the students about an alternative
pathway into the world of work. There is a huge digital skills gap in the UK,
limiting the sector’s growth and prosperity and there are thousands of bright
young people out there, many of whom – due to the changes in university fees -
might decide the apprenticeship route is more attractive than ever. Couple this
with the fact that these young people ‘live’ on social media channels more than
ever before, and the UK’s first workplace-based social media
apprenticeship (The Juice Academy) is born. The course is the brainchild of
Tangerine PR, a Manchester-based PR agency committed to supporting the next
generation of ‘bright young things’ into the marketing profession. For more
information visit http://www.juiceacademy.co.uk/the-apprenticeship/
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Sun 9th March 2014
Sixth Form Students Talk 'Purim' on BBC Radio Manchester |
Rivka Simons (left) and Malka Sills (right) accompanied Rabbi Rickman early Sunday Monday to BBC MediaCity to speak on BBC Radio Manchester where they spoke about the festival of Purim on the Mike Shaft faith programme.
With 250,000+ listeners the two year 13 Yavneh Girls spoke with confidence and enthusiasm on live radio and were complimented warmly by Mike Shaft at the conclusion of the interview. It's wonderful that King David students are able serve as ambassadors for the Jewish people. |
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Fri 7th March 2014
Neil Lazarus, Sixth Form Seminar on News, Media and Context |
Neil Lazarus entertained and inspired our Sixth Form students with a talk about media bias, the Middle East and Israel advocacy. Using news clips he exposed the bias and the agenda of news agencies and a need for all people to understand the context of what they are hear and see on the news.
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Wed 26 February 2014
6th Form Assembly with former Refusenik, Rabbi Yosef Mendelvitch |
Sixth form students were mesmerised as they listened to Rabbi Yosef Mendelvitch tell his story from growing up in Soviet Russia behind the Iron Curtain until winning his freedom and his life in Israel today. Rabbi Mendelvitch described his youth in a secular atheist family and his yearning to connect to his Jewish roots, the underground Torah classes that he developed with his friends and the failed plan to steal a plane and fly out of Russia. He spoke vividly about his time in prison and his deepening connection to God and Judaism. He was most animated when he described his victories over his captors and their failed attempts to break his spirit whilst in prison. His presentation was inspirational with teaching staff and students moved by his power of will commitment and pride in being Jewish. He concluded with a wish that students would discover their own pride and realise that Am Yisrael Chai!
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Fri 14th February 2014
Y7 Bat Mitzvah Group Charity Drive with the Fed. |
These Y7 girls are raising money for the Fed's Bat'Mitzvah appeal.
They are doing varied sponsored events to raise £1000: silences, runs, swims, bake sales, selling cards, donating some money that they receive from their bat mitzvahs in order to pay for at least one piece of equipment for the outdoor play area that the FED want to try and build which will be appropriate and accessible for children with severe disabilities. The girls are completing their Bat Mitzvah with Mrs. Mazal Steinberg. (L-R) Arielle Cohen, Cate Levinson, Olivia Goldman, Libby Crane, Anya Levinson (top row)Isabella Darnley, Victoria Almond, Galit Tamam, Maya Cohen (bottom row) |
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Tues 11th February 2014
Israel Science Day |
A special day of cutting-edge science lectures were held at KDHS.
Professor Zaccai talked about her research into the identification of the causative genes of rare genetic diseases and aging; Rebecca Khalandovsky talked about using tissue engineering approaches to growing pancreatic cells that can then be implanted in diabetic patients to ameliorate or treat the diabetes; Eyal Baro spoke about a review of and cognitive approaches to understanding Alzheimer’s Disease. These lectures were attended by Y10 superset science students, Y11 separate sciences and students of A level Biology......Continue Reading...... |
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Year 13 Science Biology
Nowgen Centre, Manchester |
A Question of Taste
Year 13 Biologists went to the Nowgen Centre in Manchester where they were exploring the correlation between genotype and phenotype. They were investigating their own responses to Phenythiocarbamide and the density of tongue papillae, then examining their own genotype. This involved isolating their DNA and using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to amplify a specific gene TAS2R38, which encodes a specific taste receptor. They digested their DNA with Hae III restriction endonuclease to look for the presence of specific alleles for this gene. The was a fantastic opportunity to put their understanding of the theory behind modern genetic techniques into practice. |
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Fri 7th February 2014
Y11 and 6th Form Science Masterclass on 'Computers and the Brain' with Prof.Steve Furber |
Professor Steve Furber FRS, CBE, is Chair of the Computer Science department at the University of Manchester. His lecture was about ‘Computers and Brains’, attended by Sixth Formers and Year 11 students. He gave a fascinating insight into the development of modern computers, including the importance of British scientists in the design of computer chips at the heart of portable computers......Continue Reading.........
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Wed 5th February 2014
Sixth Form and Year 11 Assembly with David Bouskila, former Mayor of Sderot |
Rabbi Rickman was delighted to welcome and introduce Mr David Bouskila the former Mayor of Sderot. “There are individuals in our community that dedicate their lives to Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, people who experience life very differently from the way we do in the UK.”
Students from years 11-13 listened to Mr Bouskila describe life in a town where 15 seconds is often the difference between life and death. Students were shocked to hear how different life is for people living in Sderot; playgrounds with bomb shelters, schools with special protective windows that can’t open, children as young as two knowing what to do when a siren is sounded and how the first words spoken by children are Tzeva Adom- red colour the siren that is sounded when a rocket is imminent. Mr Bouskila presented the economic dilemma of spending $128,000 to send two rockets to knock down the makeshift ones coming in from Gaza that cost a few hundred dollars to produce. The community is proud and strong and thanked the help they received from JNF UK for building a playground for the children of Sderot. L-R: Dana Kirsch, Hannah Waxman, Ilana Finke, Rafi Rubin, Sam Pliener, Rabbi Benjy Rickman, Mr David Bouskila the former Mayor of Sderot. |
Sixth form students had a talk by an NHS Blood Donation team. They heard about how easy it is to donate and why blood donation is vital to the NHS.
Rabbi Rickman organised and introduced the assembly by emphasising the importance of saving life in Jewish thought and how something as simple as donating blood gives us the opportunity to connect to this important principle. "I have donated blood for over two years and really want to encourage more members of our community to do so, it makes a Kiddush Hashem when the nurses see Jewish people getting involved," said Rabbi Rickman. Over 25 students signed up to register as potential donors." |
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Tuesday 28th January 2014
BBC Asian Network and Radio Salford Reports on HMD at KDHS |
Here are two radio recordings reporting on the Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations at King David High School with KD Grammar and MIHSG.
The first is the from the BBC Asian Network, first broadcast on 28th January 2014. The second is from the "Jewish Hour" on Radio Salford, first broadcast on 27th January 2014. |
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Monday 27th January 2014
'Holocaust Memorial Day' Assembly |
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Sunday 26th January 2014
KDHS Pupils Speak about 'Holocaust Memorial Day' on BBC Radio Manchester, Media City UK |
KING David High School pupils were invited to BBC Radio Manchester to speak about the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day and about the work they have been doing by teaming up with two Muslim schools to tell the story of Muslims who saved Jews in the Holocaust.
Pictured here are Year 10 students Danielle Jeffries and Harriet Dean together with Rabbi Rickman, Head of Jewish Studies. Listen to their broadcast below. |
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Sunday 26th January 2014
Manchester Jewish Museum and KDHS Pupils marks Holocaust Memorial Day with exhibition and performances |
To mark International Holocaust Memorial Day, Manchester Jewish Museum remembers the stories of Kindertransport children and artist Gary Spicer makes a personal encounter with the Holocaust.
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, Manchester Jewish Museum will open a new exhibition ‘Encounter with the Holocaust’ on Sunday January 26. The museum will also host a series of performances based on the stories of Kindertransport children. This year’s chosen theme for Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘Journeys’, intended to remind us that forced journeys are characteristic of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. Continue Reading.......... Article from Culture24.org |
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Sunday 19th January 2014
Weizmann Institute Safe Cracking Competition, 2014. |
Year 12 had an experience in the real world of science that they will never forget. KD once again took part in the Weizmann institute safe cracking competition. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and the culmination of many months hard work as the students planned and built their entry.
Continue Reading........ |
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Friday 17th January 2014
83 Y9 Pupils and their Amazing Shabbaton to Kingswood, Sheffield. |
A record number of pupils enjoyed a fantastic weekend away on the year 9 Shabbaton over the 10th-12th of January. The Kingswood Centre , Sheffield, was the setting for 83 King David pupils and students from King David Liverpool, who returned from the experience declaring that, ‘it was one of the best weekends ever’.
After a coach ride, which set the tone for the weekend,the children were welcomed to the centre and given time to prepare for Shabbat. A number of the staff remarked on how smart and well-presented the pupils looked, showing that they clearly respected the need for dignity as well as celebration. Continue Reading....... |
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Monday 16th January 2014
Holocaust Memorial Day Preparations: KDHS and Muslim High Schools Collaborative Learning |
KING David High School will mark Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27 by teaming up with two Muslim schools to tell the story of Muslims who saved Jews in the Holocaust.
Jewish studies head Rabbi Benjamin Rickman said: "Empathy is the ability to tell someone else's story and share their pain. There is so much that unnecessarily separates our two communities. This project seeks to begin the path to greater understanding and tolerance." Students from Manchester Islamic High School for Girls and Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boys met at KD High for a kosher lunch and worked in groups to put together an assembly. They focused on a description of what happened to the Jews, how Muslims played a part in rescuing Jews from death and concluding with scriptural readings from the Koran and Torah on the theme of saving lives and respect for all people. Muslim students also held afternoon prayers in the school and invited their Jewish peers to observe how Muslims pray. Photograph: King David High School pupils with students from Manchester Islamic High School for Girls and Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boys |
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Monday 9th January 2014
KDHS Celebrating Oxbridge Offer Success |
Offers from other top universities such as Imperial, Durham, Bristol, UCL, LSE, Kings, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds etc have also been outstanding . Medical students generally hear about their applications later in the year, but one student, Fabianne Viner has already received an early ‘offer’ from UCL.
Cambridge Offers: Harry Lewis – Economics; Shmuli Tesler – Economics; Mia Hamburger – Theology and Religious Studies; Tamar Prais [YAVNEH ] – Mathematics; Gabi Lapedus –English; Cambridge ‘Pooled’ Students: Joe Landes – Natural Sciences; Ellie Hyman - English Oxford Offer: Daniel DeWijze – Science |
