A Home away from Israel

Bialik provides support and friendship for this Israeli family

WHEN THE GENDLER family travelled to Toronto from Israel in 2021, they planned to enrol sons Oded and Gilad in public school. An ophthalmologist, Shai Gendler is currently completing a twoyear surgical fellowship at the University of Toronto where he is specializing in cornea transplants.

The boys participated in a summer camp at Bialik that helped open the family’s eyes to the possibility of a scholarship that could make the school accessible to Oded and Gilad during their time in Canada.

“Financially, I couldn’t consider private school,” says mom Meital, a dentist and oral medicine specialist who took a leave for the fellowship period. “Other parents encouraged me to research the support available and I saw that we could achieve something that is more suitable for the kids as foreigners here.”

This was particularly beneficial for Gilad, who is now in Grade 1. He had minimal knowledge of the English language, while Oded, in Grade 4, found it easier to adjust.

“The fi rst two months were rough for Gilad; he couldn’t communicate well, but the kids in class were so nice and kept trying,” says Shai. “In two to three months, he came to life, started speaking English and it all fell into place. They have so many friends now.”

What stands out to Shai and Meital is the communication from Bialik’s teachers, who they describe as very at- tentive. They regularly share how the kids are doing and ways that they can continue to excel. As Shai points out, the school is focused on ensuring the kids have a good time. It’s not just about meeting curriculum or test scores, but about enjoying their learning.

As Shai points out, it’s not just about meeting curriculum or test scores, but about enjoying their learning.

“They can fi nd their interests in the school. Even if it’s not in the curriculum, it’s easy to fi nd what they love to do and develop it,” says Meital. For Oded, that’s included coding for LEGO robotics as well as performing in class plays — he loves practising all the songs at home. Shai was reminded of his grandfather’s voice when Oded fi rst spoke Yiddish that he learned as part of Bialik’s language program.

Now the boys are so happy to go to school that Shai is amused when they ask, after they’ve been off for a long weekend or holiday, when they get to go back. As well, both Gilad and Oded continue to make strides in Hebrew to ensure they are on track for their return to Israel.

“We are planning to go back to Israel since it is a two-year contract, but if there’s one thing that makes us sad, it’s to leave Bialik. We are so thankful for the opportunity,” says Meital, adding that the kids say, “We wish we could take the school with us and, if not the school, then the friends.”