Celebrating fifty years of Yavneh

IN 1962, Leibler Yavneh College was established on Balaclava Road with 53 students.

A dream to attain high standards in Jewish and general studies nourished a school that by 1989 had opened three campuses educating students from years prep to 12.

This year, the college, with a student body of 600, is celebrating its jubilee – kicking off with a Siyum Torah next month, where every child will have purchased a letter in Yavneh’s Jubilee Sefer Torah.

“We are very excited to be celebrating this incredible milestone in the life of the college. The impact on and contribution to the Melbourne Jewish community has been profound. Yavneh is a very special place, with a very specific mission,” said college principal Roy Steinman.

Parents, friends and families of the college can also choose to a purchase a section of the Torah, which was commissioned and donated by the Wyman family in honour of the school’s 50th year.

“We are thrilled that [the sefer Torah] has become the catalyst for raising funds for the incredible Informal Jewish Studies Program. Informal education allows the college to touch the lives and souls of our children in exciting programs beyond the ­confines of the classroom. In particular, funds raised will go towards building a ‘hub’ or ‘maon’ – a centre and meeting place for the college’s informal programs,” said Andrew and Helena Wyman.

Meanwhile, a commemorative photograph of all staff and students will be taken later this year, while a time capsule with students’ belongings will be planted at the school with a view to unearthing it in 50 years time.

Steinman said the courageous decision to establish Leibler Yavneh College had been justified in many ways.

“Through the celebrations of the year, we aim to highlight this significance and look back in order to stretch forward into the future,” he added.

An aim to reconnect staff and students with graduates and friends underpins a ceremony on August 14 at Crown Palladium, which will showcase the music and talent of five generations of Yavneh collegians.

Seats for the ceremony can be booked online at www.trybooking.com/BFPU or facebook.com/LeiblerYavnehCollege. For more details contact Dionne Abramowitch on d.abramowitch@yavneh.vic.edu.au

or (03) 9982 5726

LIVIA ALBECK-RIPKA