02 Dec Our Heritage, Our Future
On Monday, the Year 9 students together with their families gathered for The Roots Project Presentation Night. During the evening students shared stories about their families that highlighted the diverse background our students come from. We only heard a tip of the iceberg of the information from the Roots Project. While my colleagues feel sorry for me for having to mark so many projects, I see it as a privilege. The lesson that I took from the projects is the incredible resilience we have as individuals and as a nation. I read about children evacuated in the Blitz, ancestors fighting in wars, people who strived to keep their Judaism alive in impossible conditions. Stories of dangerous Aliyah journeys and more.
Below is the speech Sonia Slonim made on the night.
It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since the war in Israel began. Equally heartbreaking is the fact that the hostages have been in captivity for 401 days, with no resolution in sight.
This past July, I had the privilege of attending a conference at Yad Vashem titled “Teaching the Holocaust in the Current Global Context.” The gathering brought together 140 delegates—Jews and non-Jews from 40 countries—to grapple with the immense challenge of teaching the Holocaust in today’s world. As we marked the anniversary of Kristallnacht this weekend, and in light of the disturbing events in Amsterdam last week, we are left with pressing questions: How do we stand against hatred in our own lives? How do we ensure that the world learns from history instead of repeating it?
This week’s parasha, Vayera, offers profound insight into the theme of continuity, even in the most difficult circumstances. Lot’s daughters believed that the destruction of Sdom had wiped out humanity, similar to the devastation of the flood. According to Rabbeinu Bechaye, the daughters’ desire for continuity was so strong that they overcame their modesty and acted on what they believed was necessary to preserve human life. They were ashamed to ask their father directly for relations, which would have been permissible under Noachide law. The Midrash adds that G-d facilitated their actions by placing wine in the cave, enabling them to achieve their goal.
The elder daughter, driven by a desire to preserve life, named her son Moav (“from father”), a name that openly acknowledged the origins of her child. As a result, Moshe was later permitted to disturb but not declare war on the nation of Moav. The younger daughter, on the other hand, chose a more discreet name, Ben-Ami (“son of my nation”), avoiding direct reference to her son’s lineage. Because of her modesty, Moshe was commanded not to harm the descendants of Amon at all.
Surprisingly, many Midrashim view the actions of Lot’s daughters in a positive light. Their intent to ensure continuity was seen as noble, despite the unconventional means. As you have learned in Tanach this year, King David himself descended from two complex and far-from-ideal relationships: Lot through his mother and the union of Yehuda and Tamar on his father’s side. These stories remind us that continuity—preserving a legacy—is a core value of our people.
Reflecting on the 46 Roots projects I’ve read this year; I am struck by how deeply the theme of continuity resonates in your lives and in our collective history. Time and again, despite immense hardships, we as a nation have prioritized the unbroken chain—ensuring the future through our children and grandchildren. Jewish continuity isn’t just about having children; it’s about preserving our traditions, embracing our identity, and being proud of who we are.
As I look around the room tonight, I know some of you are thinking, “Good riddance—she won’t be chasing us anymore!” while others are lamenting, “Oh no, I have four more kids still in school!” Yes, I saw the recycled projects where names hadn’t been updated, but I also saw remarkable new insights and additions. Those projects reflect your families’ determination to preserve and share your roots, enriching your sense of identity and pride.
May we continue to draw strength from our history, knowing that every story, every tradition, and every effort to ensure continuity is a testament to our resilience and purpose as a people.
To echo the words of Mr Giracuza, principal of Carmel school in Durban who wrote this in the Ulpan magazine in 1984.
“I firmly believe that this was an experience we shall never forget. If I were to say what is the single greatest effect that this Ulpan has had on you, my temporarily adopted family, it would be this: that you came as individuals conscious in varying degrees, of your individual Jewishness and that you are going back with the realisation that what makes Israel different is that there exists here a sense not of individual, but of communal commitment and survival. The lesson of Jewish responsibility has been firmly implanted in your minds.”
I feel that you set out to write your Roots Project as individuals but after tonight you realise that we are a part of what makes up the tapestry of what we call the Melbourne Jewish community.
I feel that it is therefore fitting that we sing Vehi She’amda before I call Mrs Wonder so say some closing remarks after which we will sing Hatikva and give out certificates.
Congratulations to Zoe Zilberman, Lily Cher, Noya Idan and Josh Gochin whose work will be displayed at the Jewish Museum for a year.
We will be choosing some project to enter to the ANU competition and announce the winner for the written component at assembly on Friday. We thank the family of Michael Neuhauser for their generous donation towards the Roots Project.