ATHLETICS

TEAM, RESPECT AND PRIDE

At Les écoles Azrieli we are committed to educating the Leaders of Tomorrow. Participation in athletics provides opportunities outside of the classroom for natural leaders to expand their skills and for developing leaders to gain confidence. Our Athletics program is based on two overarching perspectives. The first is the physical development and the honing of motor skills. The second is athletics as a vehicle for Jewish values, Jewish expression and Jewish leadership.

Athletics is about developing as a whole human being, as a member of a team, and as a learner who is coachable, committed and willing to challenge himself (or herself) and who is ready and willing to take risks. The important Jewish values of Respect (Kavod), Pride (Ga’avah), Joy (Rinah), Compassion (Lev Tov) and Jewish Peoplehood (Amiut Yehudit) are cultivated throughout the programs. We see the playing field as a forum for exploring Jewish behaviours in an authentic space. There are few endeavours in life that require and develop critical life skills more than competitive sports. Teamwork on the court mirrors the Chevruta approach of learning which encourages friendship, shared responsibility and shared achievement--authentic opportunities for social and emotional learning.

In 2023, Herzliah Athletics experienced impressive growth. With 25 highly competitive teams, the school embraced the value of inclusivity in sports by launching the innovative Pro Skills program. This unique offering provided high-level coaching sessions for both novice and advanced athletes, reinforcing the importance of skill development in sports. To further foster a sense of community involvement, Herzliah Athletics introduced several new events, such as the father-son and motherdaughter basketball evenings, the Women in Sports panel, and the end-of-year 3x3 basketball tournament. In addition to promoting teamwork and camaraderie, the intramural leagues offered a fun and exciting way for all to engage in daily exercise, complete with real-life budgets, drafts, trades, statistics, and rankings.

Physical Education At Talmud Torah

Movement and healthy habits plays a vital role in promoting the overall development of young students. At Talmud Torah we focus on improving physical fitness, motor skills, and cultivating a healthy lifestyle through a variety of activities and sports such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, dancing, and team sports. Our kindergarten classes have recently incorporated yoga into their curriculum, and the outcomes have been exceptional. Experienced educators lead these programs with an emphasis on not only enhancing physical abilities but also fostering social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Our students benefit from collaborative work, learning sportsmanship and fair play, and gaining self-confidence through participation in these programs. This year, we are proud to announce the addition of a grade 5 basketball team that participated in a Jewish Day School tournament. We are excited and eager to expand our sports offerings each year.

for Seniors to plant, tend and harvest Herzliah’s rooftop Green Thumb Garden. The primary goal of this multigenerational initiative is for students to see the garden as a metaphor for their ability to repair the world. The project has provided a hands-on learning opportunity for our students in areas of horticulture, environmental sciences, scientific innovations, mathematics and community responsibility, all in the context of the fragility of our world. In a world that puts great value on speed and the wonder of technology, our seniors have inspire our students with a more balanced approach, by underscoring the satisfaction and beauty inherent in working with one’s hands and seeing the fruits of one’s labours.

Our garden has become a source of fresh produce which is sold in farmer’s market type sales, the proceeds of which goes to local food banks.

If ever we could think of ways of breaking down stereotypes the generations have of one another, it would be to offer more opportunities for them to share meaningful projects such as the Green Thumb Garden Project! All is brought back to the essence of giving, sharing and enjoying each other’s company! Of course, getting your hands dirty helps as well!

- Lynn Gordon

As a retired school nurse I always looked forward to Thursday morning. I would be at Herzliah High School with an extremely friendly staff along with very eager students on the rooftop garden. Planting, watering, weeding was on the schedule. It was a huge success and yielded a large crop of vegetables.

They were sold at a market at Herzliah and the money was given to community groups. We all are hoping to be able to carry this intergenerational project forward for the next year. It gave both seniors and teenagers the opportunity to connect with one another in a concrete and meaningful way.