Celebrating a 60-year reunion
Without the distractions of modern technology, the students formed stronger personal connections and lasting friendships.
A group of Jewish past students at Elwood High School recently came together for their 60-year reunion.
During the 1960s the public school was predominantly Jewish as most of its students were children of immigrants from World War II who lived in the local catchment area, with many from Hungary and Poland.
Sam Parasol, a councillor with Glen Eira City Council, one of the organisers said, “The 60th reunion was significant as the school had not previously celebrated its history.”
He went on to say, “The school was probably 60 to 70 per cent Jewish and when it was a Jewish holiday, you would find that all of a sudden a lot of people became Jewish.”
Without the distractions of modern technology, the students formed stronger personal connections and lasting friendships.
“These initial bonds as a young person stick with you forever,” Parasol said.
“The school was a valued part of your life back then as it was a central hub where we interacted with each other. Some of the kids from school are now very high achievers in a variety of fields.”
Parasol, his wife Ruth, and Michelle Lasky, all prefects at the school, worked for six months organising the reunion.
Twenty-four former students attended the reunion held at Souper Kitchen & Bistro, a Jewish charitable organisation and social enterprise on Balaclava Road.
Parasol said, “It was an important event that allowed the alumni to reconnect and rekindle those meaningful relationships from their school days.”
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