Winter 2022

Kol Bialik WINTER 2022

‫קול ביאליק‬

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BIALIK.CA

Community builder Beverley Young retires

16 Shaping our student leaders

26 Creating a beautiful Jewish future

Kol Bialik is published annually by Bialik Hebrew Day School’s Advancement Department.

HEAD OF SCHOOL Benjy Cohen EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Marlene Brickman DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS KOL BIALIK EDITOR Lydia Levin DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Heather Gutmann DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS Danielle Waltman VIEWMOUNT BRANCH MAIN OFFICE 2760 Bathurst Street Toronto, Ontario M6B 3A1 416.783.3346 THE BEN AND EDITH HIMEL EDUCATION CENTRE ON THE JOSEPH & WOLF LEBOVIC JEWISH COMMUNITY CAMPUS 180 Ilan Ramon Boulevard Vaughan, Ontario L6A 4P6 905.417.3737 HIMEL EAST KIMEL FAMILY EDUCATION CENTRE 9600 Bathurst Street Vaughan, Ontario L6A 3Z8 905.417.3737 KOL BIALIK COORDINATOR Jessica Waks PHOTOGRAPHY Bialik Staff Caley Taylor Photography Justine Apple Photography CONTRIBUTORS Chuck English Janet Gottlieb Sailian Lydia Levin Lisa Rostoks Liana Sandberg Jessica Waks facebook.bialik.ca @bialikhds

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Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

HEADLINES

HEADLINES Benjy Cohen Head of School

L

ast November, we enjoyed a fascinating overlap between the Hebrew and Gregorian calendars. The first day of Chanukah, Kaf Hey B’Kislev 5782, coincided with November 29, 2020, the 74th anniversary of the dramatic United Nations vote to create the State of Israel. These two events of historic importance to Jews, 23 centuries apart, were both celebrated at Bialik on a single day. This synchrony got me thinking more about our calendars and how unique events impact the way we mark time.

The Hebrew calendar marks years from the moment of creation, as understood in the Bible and Jewish religious tradition, so that time, in effect, only began when the world was formed.

Traditionally, the Gregorian (Christian) calendar defines years as being BC or AD. In this model, the birth of Jesus heralds the beginning of a new calibration of time.

In many ways, we see Bialik transitioning into a new era right now. As we deal with the challenges of the pandemic, we longingly refer, only somewhat tongue-in-cheek, to a different understanding of the term BC — Before COVID. And, we are beginning Bialik’s year AD — Anno Doctrinae, in the year of our learning — with a renewed focus on educational excellence and innovation.

As the children have returned to our buildings, now with the benefits of vaccinations, we have focused our attention on reintegrating students into a rigorous, in-school learning experience. To do so effectively, we have focused on “the whole child,” recognizing that students will only reach their academic potential if they feel safe, secure and understood in their classrooms and peer groups. Teachers and support staff are taking time to talk with students about their feelings, to help them work through the emotional impacts of the pandemic and remote-learning experiences. We have ramped up academic learning gradually, allowing each child to re-acclimatize to in-school

learning at their own pace and in their own way. This approach has paid off, with classroom learning now closely resembling that in our BC era.

I am very proud of the way our school leaders and staff are continuing — even as the COVID challenges continue — to work on creative new learning programs and we look forward to seeing the results for our students. In General Studies, for example, we have added new weekly art and coding lessons for Grade 1-5 students. In Jewish Studies, our commitment to Hebrew-language learning is bolstered by Hebrew-speaking assistants in all SK classes, new learning materials in the Elementary grades, and a new Ulpan program in the Senior Division. We are also excited by our unique Moreshet program — combining the study of Jewish history and traditions — inviting students to ask questions about their own Jewish heritage.

And our STEM program is once again flourishing in our spacious STEM facilities at each branch, challenging students, within the framework of the design thinking process, to develop the creativity and problem-solving skills so critical to success in our modern world.

The setting of “Year 0” in our Hebrew and Gregorian calendars conveys much about what is important in each of those traditions. Other moments in time signal the end of one era and the beginning of the next. For the Maccabees, this moment was the defeat of the Assyrians and the rededication of the Temple. For modern Jews, the founding of the State of Israel was a turning point of profound importance. And here at Bialik, we are marking the 5782/2021-22 school year as a period of great significance — transitioning from our own BC to AD, rededicating ourselves to the holy work of making Bialik a model for outstanding Jewish day school education.

As you read through the pages of this issue of Kol Bialik, you will see what I mean.

IN MANY WAYS, WE SEE BIALIK TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW ERA RIGHT NOW.

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RETIREMENT

A COMMUNITY BUILDER WHOSE HEART BEATS BIALIK BLUE W hen Beverley Young, Principal of the Himel Branch, made Canada home four decades ago, she also found a home at Bialik. When she sings, “Walking down the halls, Bialik is my home,” Beverley truly means it, as she now reflects on her long career ahead of her retirement this June.

After arriving in Canada from South Africa, Beverley joined Bialik as a part-time French teacher. A self-described “high energy” person, she loved teaching français à la carte, literally rolling a cart of supplies from one classroom to the next.

“Every 30 minutes, there was a new lesson, new students to teach. I could think creatively about how I’d bring Jewish holiday themes to life through song, and inspire a love for the language,” Beverley says.

And the longer she stayed, the more she built her life here. Beverley and her family lived in the Viewmount community, with fellow Bialik parents as friends and neighbours. All the while, Beverley grew too. She moved on from teaching to become Viewmount’s Senior Division Coordinator, a role that later became Vice Principal, and, in 2013, she opened the Himel Branch as its Principal.

Beverley put all her energy into building the strong, vibrant and connected community we now have at Himel. Under her dynamic leadership, the branch grew from 64 students in its first year to well over 525 students enrolled this year!

“I am so grateful to the people who believed in me, gave me opportunities for learning and personal growth, and the chance to be part of this amazing journey,” she says. “I am also grateful to the donors who helped Bialik expand in the north.”

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Himel Principal Beverley Young is excited for her next chapter.

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

RETIREMENT

Not only did Beverley build a career, a community and a family here but she also saw the construction and expansion of new facilities at both Viewmount and Himel Branches. “I lived through many phases of construction to see dreams come true through bricks and mortar,” she says.

Beyond the many ribbon-cutting ceremonies, Beverley played a role in numerous Bialik milestones including the celebration of our school’s 40th and 50th anniversaries and the Jerusalem 3000 production. Other programs that bear her signature include the introduction of Flag Day at Himel, Panorama in Senior Division, the I ❤ Bialik Living Room Concert and the online student talent show during COVID. “When parents choose a school and a Jewish education, they are looking not only for an excellent program but also for a community and a place to belong,” she says. “That’s part of our success.

Our families become part of a larger collective of supportive relationships.” Community building is something Beverley’s proud of, although she speaks of the success as a team effort.

With her total commitment to Jewish education, Beverley’s impact is evident in many curricular and extra-curricular developments — such as the maturation of the Mechanech program, the expansion of Bialik’s athletics program, and our very dynamic House program. And, as a community builder, Beverley leaves an indelible mark.

The special school ceremonies and parties that connect the community are some of her most important memories. Now, it’s time for her to be available to attend her family’s simchas.

“I have 10 grandchildren. There have already been two Bnei Mitzvah, my son’s wedding is coming up and there are more simchas down the road. I look forward to being able to attend all of them,” she says. That will mean travel to visit her children’s families in Australia and Israel. Beverley is looking forward to the new adventure, saying, “The canvas is ready to be painted.”

As she reflects on her Bialik career, Beverley speaks most passionately about her students.

She refers to the special relationships she’s formed and the joy she derives from their successes. This attention to her students as individuals has allowed her to maintain strong connections with alumni, many of whom have become Bialik parents or staff.

She expresses the hope that Bialik students, past and present, will continue to celebrate their Jewish identity and embrace a strong sense of heritage, both of which have never been more important. There’s no question that Beverley has laid a strong foundation for many students, as well as for her family, to take this path.

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WHEN PARENTS CHOOSE A SCHOOL AND A JEWISH EDUCATION,THEY ARE LOOKING NOT ONLY FOR AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM BUT ALSO FOR A COMMUNITY AND A PLACE TO BELONG.

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

WELL-BEING IS ESSENTIAL TO STUDENTS’ W SUCCESS Teaching the Whole Child

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alk into a Bialik hallway after the morning bell and you’ll see students lined up along the wall. Before entering the classroom and heading to their seats, each student connects briefly with their teacher, giving and receiving personalized greetings.

Greetings could be in the form of an air hug or high five, a quick dance or a kindly hello.

Setting the stage for the rest of the day, this quick interaction provides “an immediate one-on-one connection between teacher and student,” explains Jake Gallinger, Principal of the Viewmount Branch.

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

Bialik recognized how closely students’ academic success is interlinked with their emotional well-being.

“Returning to school post-pandemic, it’s clear that taking care of our students’ social-emotional well-being, and ensuring they feel well cared for is more important than ever,” says Jake.

Early reflections on students’ progress during the pandemic showed that they had not necessarily fallen as far behind as anticipated on curriculum or test scores, but that the social aspect had become stalled. This has become a priority at Bialik, with social-emotional well-being being incorporated into all aspects of school life.

The teachers’ usual introductory phone calls with Bialik parents at the start of the school year became so much more significant this year.

“Those calls helped uncover how kids are doing and what we can do to support them,” Jake says.

In planning for the school year, Bialik recognized how closely students’ academic success is interlinked with their emotional skills, their identity, sense of well-being, and their relationships with peers. The school wants to make sure that each and every child can be successful as they return to being part of the whole in-school community. This includes providing differentiated student support to cater to the individual needs of each child and directly addressing all aspects of “the whole child.”

The teachers’ warmth and their interactions with each individual student demonstrate this philosophy. But the school is going even further. Based on research and consultation, Bialik is focusing on four themes for the students’ well-being that will complement the school’s academic program: inclusivity, social-emotional learning, mental health and sex education, and digital citizenship.

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“The morning greeting time ensures each child is included,” says Jake. Identifying and naming emotional states during the “well-being check” not only supports social-emotional learning but also the four themes. He points out that for instance, a teacher might discover that, a child is struggling because of something they saw on social media, providing an opportunity to teach and address issues of good digital citizenship.

All of this reflects the school’s efforts to integrate students’ wellness into the daily experience at Bialik, rather than as a curriculum to be taught once per year or as an issue to be handled by the School Counsellor. All teachers are already participating in increased professional development on how to include these concepts in their everyday practice.

IT’S CLEAR THAT TAKING CARE OF OUR STUDENTS’ SOCIALEMOTIONAL WELLBEING AND ENSURING THEY FEEL WELL CARED FOR IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

Ultimately, Bialik’s Branch Principals will know that this team effort is succeeding by the nature of the frequent conversations they have with parents indicating that kids are well and progressing. Another clue will be a decrease in the number of visits to the School Counsellor, as will fewer behavioural issues resulting in visits to the Vice Principal’s office.

In fact, Jake hopes that some of the efforts to address the four themes of teaching the whole child don’t stand out as being special.

“They should be natural, daily occurrences that are woven into our cross-curricular conversations,” he says. When students have strong relationships, identities, emotional skills and an overall sense of well-being, they have the foundation for continued success at Bialik and beyond.

FOUR THEMES FOR STUDENT WELL-BEING Bialik has set up the following joint admin-faculty committees to focus on creating a learning environment that promotes the needs of the whole child:

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING Meeting the social and emotional needs of all Bialik students is an integral aspect of our mission.

The Social-Emotional Learning Committee aims to create a common and shared vocabulary that all Bialik students, teachers and staff can use to understand and support each other. The committee will evaluate all areas of school life and determine how to ensure that our students’ social and emotional needs are being met throughout all grades.

INCLUSIVITY This committee will continue its work from two years ago, using our inclusivity mission statement.

It will now turn attention to curricular connections at all grade levels and across both curricula. It will help plan how to mark Pride Month in a way that will be meaningful and integrate logically with our mission of Jewish education.

MENTAL HEALTH AND SEX EDUCATION The focus of the Mental Health and Sex Education Committee will be on helping students learn the skills and knowledge they need to lead healthy, active lives and make healthy and safe choices. The committee will create a scope-and-sequence plan that includes social-emotional learning skills, mental health literacy, connections between physical and mental health, body image, consent and online safety, and age-appropriate sexual health education.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP The goal of the Digital Citizenship Committee is to help students develop responsible and appropriate online behaviours and to support teachers with a meaningful integrated curriculum to teach positive digital citizenship. Topics will include digital etiquette and safety, digital footprint and communication, digital literacy, digital rights, and digital health and wellness.

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

RED WRIGGLERS TEACH W hat do vegetable scraps, Red Wriggler worms, garbage and paper scraps have in common? Normally, one’s response may be “ew,” but that’s not the case at Bialik, where these are all important components of our new, hands-on STEM composting program. This year, SK students were introduced to concepts of food sustainability, composting, reusing and recycling. Most importantly, they learned that even the smallest of adjustments to their practices and routines can make a big, positive impact on the world around them.

Working with STEM Coordinator Shawn Stevens, or Farmer Shawn as he’s known, students learned that not everything belongs in the garbage can. They sorted through items typically thrown away, categorizing them as “green,” “brown,” or “non-compostable,” discovering that many items not fitting these categories may be reused or repurposed. The goal was to teach the students that we all need to do our best to divert items from going into landfill in order to keep the earth healthy.

Students learned that Red Wiggler worms are effective composters. One enthusiastic student remarked, “My favourite part about worms is that they poop — that was so funny!” What students soon discovered is that worm castings are important in the composting process.

According to Shawn, the most important part about growing a healthy garden is to have healthy soil, rich with nutrients. “Many believe that we start with the seeds, but it’s actually all about the soil. Any farmer will say that you’re actually growing soil and anything that comes out of that is a bonus,” he says.

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Each SK class received their own green composting bin complete with moist shredded paper and Red Wiggler worms. When asked about their favourite part of the unit, the students’ unanimous response was: “Feeding the worms!” One student pointed to the chart on the wall and relayed that it was very important to put the right food in the compost bin.

SK Himel teacher, Vannessa Lang, is very impressed with how much the children understood about taking care of their compost bin. “Our students have been taking very good care of our worms,” she says. “They make sure that they are fed the correct foods and that the lid stays on nice and tight so the worms are in a dark and safe space. They are looking forward to spreading the compost soil on the school garden. I’m very impressed with how much information they have retained.”

Shawn received an email from a parent who was thrilled with this project, explaining that their child previously did not enjoy going outside to play because they didn’t like to get dirty. Now, they’re digging in the backyard looking for worms, looking through the garbage to find vegetables, and explaining how these worms help to fertilize the soil so we can grow more food.

The students are really looking forward to the next steps in the program, when Farmer Shawn will show them how to harvest the worm castings and refill their compost bin.

They are particularly proud to know that their compost will be used to feed the many vegetables grown at Bialik, bringing this process through its full cycle.

Food sustainability, composting, reusing and recycling

STUDENTS HAVE BEEN TAKING VERY GOOD CARE OF OUR WORMS.

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

TEACHING AND LEARNING

IMMERSED IN IVRIT AND MORESHET

H

ebrew fluency and a strong connection to Israel have long been hallmarks of a Bialik education. There is nothing like our Nachas when we hear stories of our students visiting Israel for the first time and being able to converse with Israelis. But last year, our educational leaders asked the question: How can we deepen the connection to our Jewish heritage, culture and language even further?

Inspired, our Jewish Studies faculty began research, brainstorming and shaping of ideas to develop several exciting new initiatives. The first was the creation of an immersive Hebrew environment in Senior Kindergarten, placing Hebrew-speaking assistants in every class; the second was the introduction of the Moreshet course in the Senior Division.

After the first term, we are already seeing great results in Senior Kindergarten. “Parents are giving us wonderful feedback about how excited their children are to share all the new Hebrew words they’re

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learning,” says Viewmount Primary Division Vice Principal, Karen Lidor. “We’re seeing students who have the same zest for Ivrit as for their other academic and extracurricular activities.”

“Hebrew-speaking assistants provide authentic, immersive opportunities for learning Hebrew throughout the school day,” explains Director of Curriculum Shoshana Taitz. “The SK students are showing a real interest in speaking and learning the language.” This increased interest not only fosters an early love for the language, but sets our students up for success in Grade 1 when the split curriculum of Jewish and General Studies begins.

In the Senior Division, the Moreshet course is also breaking new ground. “Moreshet is the only course of its kind in North American day schools, combining the study of Jewish history and traditions. It invites students to reflect on their personal Moreshet, or heritage, throughout the learning journey,” says Adi Barel, Associate Director of Jewish Studies.

The course was shaped through a collaborative curriculum design model that saw our Head of School, Benjy Cohen, join Shoshana and Adi to engage in hours of discussion with our seasoned Jewish Studies teachers, who were very keen to take on the challenge of “re-examining and reframing.”

The course is taught in English, enabling students to connect deeply to its rich contents on a variety of levels — personal, communal and global. Students explore historical and present-day Jewish texts and realities, while honing their critical-thinking skills.

Topics studied include Ancient Israel, Zionism, the Holocaust, Modern Diaspora and Israeli communities. Says Adi, “It leverages inquiry-based learning to teach our children to be curious, to wonder, to consider and reflect.”

As we continue to develop these programs, we are further strengthening our students’ ties to their Jewish identity and creating the next generation of reflective community leaders.

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S U P P O RT I N G B I A L I K

FUNDRAISING SUCCESS FUELS BIG DREAMS The Bialik community rises to the challenge.

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Z

oom fatigued or not, the Bialik community has come together over the past year, grateful for opportunities to connect in meaningful ways. From online house parties, to trivia nights, a celebrity chef demonstration and a glittering virtual donor recognition evening, people joined in with warm hearts. And they also gave generously.

“Bialik has created a great sense of unity this past year,” says Tina Erlich, a parent of two Viewmount students and Chair of the school’s Development Committee. “We see it not only in the generous giving but also in the way that enrolment has grown.

Jewish families are seeing just how important a Jewish day school education is at this time and they want their kids to attend Bialik.” Bialik re-opened its doors in 2021 with 1,388 students across both

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

S U P P O RT I N G B I A L I K

THE SCHOOL HAS BIG DREAMS AND TUITION CAN ONLY ACCOMMODATE SO MUCH.

branches, an increase in enrolment of 57 students over last year. While the pandemic placed a new layer of complexity on the school’s fundraising plans, everyone adapted to the situation and philanthropy returned — gaining a momentum that few would have imagined.

“We saw what the school did for our kids, making sure that everyone had laptops, staying connected and providing a sense of normalcy,” says Tina. “These actions provided a reason for people to give,” she adds, noting that the pandemic highlighted Bialik’s commitment to academic excellence and care for each and every student.

Typically, the school hosts several giving events annually. The pandemic meant none of these opportunities for connection and community-building could take place in person. But the need was greater than ever.

With a commitment to ensuring students could continue at Bialik, even as some families experienced financial hardship, funding was crucial. Not to mention the unexpected COVID-related costs to keep kids safe and healthy when in-person learning resumed.

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“The school has big dreams and tuition can only accommodate so much,” explains Heather Gutmann, Director of Development. “Beyond the curriculum, the enhancements that allow Bialik to provide unique programming for the students require additional funding.”

She points to the recently opened Aronson Family STEM Learning Commons — a space that was built to support students’ hands-on learning, design thinking and problem solving, all important skills for our students’ future progress. The space provides a platform for learning and experimentation, while sending the message that kids can be imperfect and that learning through trial-and-error is part of the process.

“Bialik prides itself on academic excellence,” Tina says. She’s quick to point out that it’s not just the learning, but the facilities that support education, whether in arts or STEM. “I feel lucky, every day, that my kids attend Bialik.”

Yet, the main reason that Tina gives back through her fundraising work is to help ensure every Jewish child can obtain a quality Jewish education. Fundraising helps other kids who may need financial support. “We all want the best for our kids,” she says.

And, that spirit came alive over the course of the year’s efforts, as a large number of new donors stepped up to support the Bialik community. During last year’s Day of Giving, a record 792 donors contributed. With every little bit counting, the community also generously attended our special online events and more people came forward to volunteer.

One of the unexpected benefits of being online was the opportunity for grandparents to connect via Zoom from anywhere in the world — and grandparents were thrilled to log on from all over Canada, from the U.S. and Israel to enjoy events with their grandchildren. Tina spoke to many grandparents during her Day of Giving calls and heard countless stories of gratitude at being able to stay connected in this way. “It showed a real strength in our community,” says Heather. “There was a desire to give to something that we all collectively love and that really shines in both good and more challenging times.”

“To describe the last year, silver lining doesn’t do it justice,” says Heather with heightened emotion.

“We were blown away; the support was unbelievable. Our families have truly shown us their tremendous commitment to Bialik and all that the school stands for. We feel enormous pride in being part of this amazing community.”

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O U R FA C U LT Y

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE There are no mistakes in art.

Just happy accidents!

Tanach is the foundation of who we are today as a people.

GUY MANNHEIM

SUZANNE RAPOPORT

What were your career highlights before coming to Bialik?

What were your career highlights before coming to Bialik?

I had an international opera singing career as a soloist with the Israeli Opera for 15 seasons and was privileged to work with conductors Daniel Oren, Ashger Fisch and Zubin Mehta at the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. I had the unique experience of performing a leading role composed for me in a modern opera commissioned by the Israeli Opera. I also spent time working in Germany, where I performed leading Wagner roles, which, as a Jew and an Israeli, was very meaningful. I have also taught for a long time, initially at Tel Aviv University. I developed educational programs about music and opera that I taught in schools.

Prior to coming to Bialik, I worked in the field of art education and had the opportunity to work at several galleries and museums. I even worked with a Baroque orchestra! I have always loved museums and a career highlight was when I had the opportunity to work, and develop hands-on material, for the Discovery Gallery at the Royal Ontario Museum. It was very inspiring to interact with other museum professionals and to work with interesting artifacts. Being able to roam the ROM galleries, day-in and day-out at a museum I grew up visiting, was memorable.

What inspires you every day?

Do you have a quote or saying that you live by and why?

My students inspire me every day. There are many similarities between performing opera and teaching. The opera audiences absorb the music and the experience stays with them outside the theatre, and your students absorb learning in class and the experience stays with them after school. It is a joy for me to see our students applying knowledge to their lives, as they become young Jewish thinkers.

One quote that my students often hear me say is: “There are no mistakes in art. Just happy accidents!” These are the words of the infamous Bob Ross who brought the joy of painting to the masses. This quote captures the ability of art-making to provide students with the opportunity to not only explore new ideas and materials but, most importantly, to develop a growth mindset. Everything is fixable, everything can be transformed.

What would your students be surprised to know about you?

I truly enjoy diving into the Tanach text to reveal the depth of our history and the drama in the stories. When I was studying theatre, I memorized Tanach tracts, which led me to go on to my masters in Jewish education. But my students would be surprised to know that when I was at school, I didn’t enjoy learning Tanach at all!

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What is your superpower?

My superpower is my ability to multitask. I think every teacher has this superpower. We can be handing out a Band-Aid, answering a math question, helping a student find their shoe, and sharpening a pencil, all at the same time!

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

O U R FA C U LT Y

LIVES OF THEIR STUDENTS There is always a way to tackle something

The inspiration for me

challenging or

is to find that I learn

when things don’t

something new

go the way you

from my students

expect them to.

every day.

IRIS PERLMAN

ORIANE FALKENSTEIN

What were your career highlights before coming to Bialik?

What were your career highlights before coming to Bialik?

Before teaching at Bialik, I taught for 12 years in Israel in a community called Tel Mond. I was a history and Arabic teacher in Grades 7-12 and a Mechanechet in Grade 12. My special moments were preparing students for the Bagrut tests — nationwide matriculation tests that are written at the end of twelfth grade. We worked together for many hours and the students used to come to my house in the evening to prepare for the exams. The special connection I made with them lasts to this day. Every year, when I started a new school year, my students who enlisted in the army would visit my class wearing their uniforms. It was a very exciting moment. One of the roles that I found greatly fulfilling was being the social activities coordinator; I was in charge of the student council and led special projects that contributed to the social aspect of the school.

When we lived in Los Angeles, I headed up a new Jewish day school for seven years. There was a huge focus on infusing value-based teaching in the curriculum on a daily basis — even naturally at recess. When students disagreed, we would talk it out, encourage them to be accountable, take ownership and figure out how they would handle things if the same problem occurred the next day!

What inspires you every day?

Do you have a quote or saying that you live by?

The inspiration for me is to find that I learn something new from my students every day. I always enter the classroom with a carefully prepared plan but thanks to the students’ inquiry, I get to touch on aspects that I did not plan.

Yes it’s “find a way,” and I have passed that on to my students for 20 years at Bialik. There is always a way to tackle something challenging or when things don’t go the way you expect them to. It’s my middle name!

Do you have a quote or saying that you live by?

What would your students be surprised to know about you?

The best way to start each morning is by following this quote from Steve Jobs: “The only way to do a great job is to love what you do.” I love teaching and being in the company of young people who are thirsty for knowledge. I enjoy exploring new and interesting areas with them, and it keeps me young and enthusiastic.

This would probably be that I can’t ride a bicycle because it was really dangerous in Johannesburg and my parents discouraged it. Funny thing, I taught all three of my own kids to ride their bicycles. My students would probably be surprised that I actually like a lot of rap music, among many other genres!

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What inspires you every day?

I love to teach and every day is “a new day.” I love to see students do a complete 180-degree turn and prove that they “can do it” when they follow my advice — backwards plan, use their time, advocate and seek support. It’s never about marks with me; it’s about building skills and confidence.

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THANK YOU, TEACHL YEOR S U DO! FO R AL

nurturing

inspiring

supportive

motivating

creative

dedicated

encoura ging

‫תודה רבה‬

We are so grateful to our teachers for their dedication to our students. caring

dynamic

O U R B OA R D

MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS We are pleased to introduce our new Board members and new Board President MICHAEL VALO’98 Michael is a Bialik alum and parent of two Viewmount students. He is the Ontario Regional Director at the Society of Construction Law and is a partner at Glaholt Bowles LLP, specializing in international construction arbitration.

ERROL TENENBAUM Parent of a current Viewmount student, Errol has served on Board committees since 2017. He serves as Regional Director of Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University, is on the Board of JIAS and is a member of UJA Audit Committee. As a partner at Robins Appleby LLP, he practises in taxation, business law and estate planning.

JAY ROLNICK Parent of two current Himel students, Jay has extensive leadership experience in the financial sector and is the Senior Director of Commercial Performance at Sofina Foods.

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MELISSA KRAMER Melissa Kramer is the parent of two recent Viewmount graduates. She practised corporate law for 20 years and was the Co-Chair of Bialik’s Annual Campaign from 2018 to 2021. She also volunteers with Women’s College Hospital.

BARRY KURETZKY Barry Kuretzky returns to the Board as a past parent and current grandparent to six Viewmount students, with a seventh starting in JK next year. He chaired Bialik’s former Personnel Committee and served as a member of the most recent Head of School Search Committee. He is a partner at Littler LLP, where he practises employment and labour law.

JUDY NAIBERG Judy is the grandparent of four Viewmount students. With extensive community fundraising experience, she serves as Director at the Association for the Soldiers of Israel (ASI) and is a docent at the Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre.

NEW BOARD PRESIDENT

JOANNA GROSSMAN’97 As a Bialik alum with two young children at the Viewmount Branch — Benji in Grade 4 and Orly in Grade 1 — it was an easy decision for Joanna Grossman to get involved with Bialik. Having recently served as Vice President of Bialik’s Board, she also worked on the Executive, Finance, Governance, By-Law, Tuition Advisory, COVID, and Head of School Support and Evaluation Committees before assuming the role of Board President.

“Bialik instilled in me a passion for learning and critical thinking, together with the core Jewish values that define me,” says Joanna. “I am proud of the emphasis that Bialik places on Zionism while fostering academic excellence in a non-denominational environment.”

Currently the Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary at Home Trust Company, Joanna has always recognized the importance of hard work and community engagement. “There is a real sense of pride that comes with this role and the example I am setting for my kids.”

Joanna’s goal during her term of office is to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy Bialik’s unique approach to Jewish education. With this in mind, a key priority will be to enhance Bialik’s culture of giving, which has never been more important than during these past few years. “The pandemic made us acutely aware that nothing can be taken for granted,” says Joanna. “The sustainability and accessibility of Jewish education is critical, and our community has a particular obligation to ensure that future generations can benefit from the great education at Bialik. Fundraising makes possible the many special programs that distinguish our school and it is imperative that we continue to make this investment in our Bialik community.”

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OUR STUDENTS

SHAPING OUR STUDENT LEADERS

Student-led projects have included a baking class led by a Grade 6 student.

“

S

tudent leaders are made, not born,” says Lauren Damelin, Himel East Vice Principal. Even quiet, introverted young people can shine among their peers when given guidance and support.

It’s all about building creativity and confidence.

“I’m very passionate about helping students become leaders,” says Lauren, who has worked on student leadership initiatives for Grades 4-8 schoolwide over the past year. “It’s important for them to learn how to lead in a safe, supportive environment and to explore growth opportunities.”

Beginning in Grade 2, Bialik students are placed in one of four Houses, named for Israeli universities, to build teamwork and school spirit. Even during the disruptions of the pandemic, Bialik students from both branches stepped up as leaders and mentors.

They found innovative ways to have fun while raising points and dollars for their Houses.

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Jessica Zak, Grade 8 Student Council President at the Himel Branch says, “I love being a part of the House events, assemblies and games because of the home-like environment and positive energy they create. Our Student Council raises a lot of money for charities including Chasdei Kaduri, breast cancer awareness, childhood cancer awareness, diabetes awareness and many more. For Chanukah, we sent eight candle-lighting videos and cards to Reena residents.”

She adds: “Bialik teaches many lessons about leadership. Older grades are role models for younger grades and all students have the chance to perform leadership roles many times every year.”

In Grade 5, leadership is built into the curriculum, with students participating in Project Give Back. This long-standing program teaches students about leading by keying into their passions as they give back to

the community. Weekly sessions with Project Give Back facilitators inspire students to develop meaningful relationships with their community, learning many hands-on leadership skills along the way.

With teachers’ support, Grade 7 and 8 students lead assemblies that recognize Yom Rabin, Remembrance Day and other important occasions. For the school’s yearbook, all content is produced by Grade 6 to 8 students — from photos, articles and layout to final production.

“It requires dedication,” says Lauren. “We tailor the building of skills to each student’s abilities, interests and personality. We try to draw out students who are quieter and find something to suit every individual.”

Samantha Foucault’21 recently graduated from the Viewmount Branch and is now in Grade 9 at TanenbaumCHAT. She reflects: “The supportive and caring community at Bialik enabled me to become an active member of the Student Council and sports teams, and participate in speech competitions. I felt well-prepared to step into high school this year and continue seeking new opportunities to get involved.”

When Senior Division students developed leadership projects last year, creative concepts exploded.

“They came up with all kinds of crazy ideas, but once they started to plan and implement, they realized the complexity behind leadership,” notes Lauren. “They found that they needed sharp verbal communication skills to conduct an engaging activity on Zoom in front of 300 kids.”

Popular student-led projects have included a baking class led by a Grade 6 student on Zoom and an art project for the youngest grades, led by Grade 6 students. “They were taken aback by how hard it is to teach,” says Lauren.

“These students gained new respect for teachers when they realized the types of questions that need to be answered: What materials will this activity require? How will I teach it? How long will it take?

The planning process was a key leadership-development opportunity.”

“The socialization element students missed out on during remote learning was huge,” she says.

“Now life is opening up again and there is a hunger for more in-person activities.”

Bialik students, teachers and administrators are embracing both the good times and the challenges as the school gets back to a more normal, in-person school life. And our emerging student leaders are confidently showing us the way.

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

OUR STUDENTS

YOUNG MENSCHES Tzedakah is not just giving to charity.

W

hen our school community raised over $34,500 and walked over five million collective steps for the UJA Walk for Israel last year, we truly shepped nachas. While the figures far exceeded our expectations, this wonderful feat is just one success story to come out of Bialik’s multi-layered Tzedakah program. Bialik has always had a proud tradition of Tzedakah for worthwhile institutions, both Jewish and secular, in the GTA, Canada, Israel and worldwide.

“We teach our students to care about others and build empathy for those less fortunate,” shares Viewmount Senior Division teacher and Student Council Advisor, Oriane Falkenstein. “They learn that Tzedakah is not just giving to charity, but fulfilling a Jewish obligation.”

From drives collecting goods, to fundraising days for causes such as breast cancer awareness and diabetes, many of these initiatives are planned and led by our Student Council members, demonstrating their strong leadership and Menschlechkeit.

“Being a part of Student Council enables our students to explore what it means to be a leader, to show empathy and to help meet the needs of others,” says Himel Senior Division teacher and Student Council Advisor, Shelby Baum.

We’re proud to share some highlights of the Tzedakah projects our students have been involved with this past year.

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TZEDAKAH DRIVES Our families always heed the call when it comes to collecting items to benefit members of our community who are in need. We are so proud of the generous giving to food drives for North York Harvest Food Bank and Chasdei Kaduri, toy drives for Chai Lifeline and book drives for The Children’s Book Bank. Families also contributed to our Matzah Mountain, organized by the National Council of Jewish Women, the #one2give school supply drive and more. Annually, for over 37 years, we have raised funds to support Na’amat’s Dollars for David campaign. Students participate in classroom activities to learn about Na’amat’s work in Israel, while parents can honour their children’s teachers with a donation to Na’amat daycare centres.

In participating in these programs, our students learn that it is the learning and giving, not the amount, that matters. They learn the important value of Tzedakah and supporting both our community and the greater world.

BIALIK WALKS FOR ISRAEL Bialik families showed their solidarity with Israel by turning UJA’s 52nd Annual Walk with Israel into a wonderful school-wide House

competition. Not only was it a great Tzedakah initiative, it also encouraged our families to stay active, get outdoors and spend quality time together.

“When I saw that the UJA walk went virtual last year, I envisaged Bialik forming a team while also offering our Senior Division students an opportunity to earn House points. The result was amazing, with Bialik consistently featured on the website as a top fundraiser,” says Oriane Falkenstein. Mazal Tov to Hebrew U for taking the top spot with over 1.9 million steps and to Haifa Technion for coming in second with over 1.7 million steps.

SPREADING LIGHT TO OUR NEIGHBOURS Our students spread light during Chanukah, both literally and figuratively, with their initiatives for the residents of Baycrest Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged, Viva Retirement Communities and Reena. Students created beautiful cards with messages of hope and kindness that were distributed to the residents. In addition, our Student Council leaders recorded beautiful videos reciting the Brachot and lighting Chanukiyot that were played for residents each night of the holiday.

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OUR STUDENTS

GRADUATION N othing could prepare us for the sense of celebration we felt during our 2021 Graduation ceremonies. The sun beamed across the playgrounds as our 90 Grade 8 students — including the pioneering Grade 8 class at our Himel Branch — walked across the stage to be handed their diplomas. There was an immense sense of pride from our families who had watched their children grow up together and prepare to move on to the next chapter of their lives. But, the fact that they were able to celebrate the milestone in-person was also extremely meaningful.

With just a few days to plan, thanks to changing COVID regulations, the Graduation Committees and our dedicated administrators coordinated outdoor, socially distanced Diploma Ceremonies for each Grade 8 class. Each branch also enjoyed special Pre-Graduation Ceremonies and Virtual Graduation Ceremonies on Zoom, where they heard from our eloquent valedictorians and celebrated the achievements and memories of the largest group to graduate in Bialik’s history.

We wished our students well on their journeys from Bialik.

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“How exciting, now, to see what memories you’ll make as you move on to the next chapter and begin high school. No matter what the future holds, with its experiences and highlights to remember, we wish you ‫ !הצלחה ובריות‬Congratulations on all your wonderful achievements. We are quite certain there are many more to come!”

- Benjy Cohen | Head of School

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

OUR STUDENTS

“As pioneers, you have learned to seek and seize opportunities. Be prepared to walk through doors when they open and be ready to open doors for yourselves. Walk through those doors with confidence, proudly carrying your Jewish identity and your values as a badge of honour. Embrace your community and make wise choices.”

- Beverley Young, Principal, Himel Branch “As the pace of your life beyond the walls of Bialik picks up, it’s a good practice to pause regularly, slow down, and think about all the privileges you experience in your lives — and I encourage you to avoid taking anything for granted.”

- Jake Gallinger, Principal, Viewmount Branch

OH, HOW WE CELEBRATED!

“At Bialik, I learned many lessons about life and Judaism. Bialik taught me to never give up and work hard for things.”

- Corey Bensky, French Valedictorian “Now, as I venture off to high school, I take three lessons with me: the first, to always assume the best in people; the second, to always appreciate others and what they can contribute; the third, remember we cannot stand on our own — we have to work together for the common good.”

Our Valedictorians responded with wise words about their treasured Bialik experiences.

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“Bialik has instilled in us a love for Israel, Menschlechkeit and a strong Jewish identity.

We must remember these Jewish values and keep them close to our hearts as they are the foundation we will need as future leaders to remain strong and vocal for our people, now more than ever.”

- Abby Mandelcorn, English Valedictorian

- Jacob Mann, Hebrew Valedictorian “At Bialik we are taught that Mitzvot are performed from the heart and not for credit. Our experiences at Bialik have given us the tools to be a Mensch, to preserve Yiddishkeit and our Jewish identity and to make a difference in our community and globally.”

- Katie Ossip, Yiddish Valedictorian

19

OUR STUDENTS

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS CHAT and Bialik work

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

A WINNING PITCH

together online.

Prioritizing mindfulness and self-awareness

HELPING HIGH SCHOOL HANDS Our classrooms, or rather, our Chromebooks, hosted 40 TannenbaumCHAT students who volunteered their time to work virtually with our students in small groups on their classwork. These high school students — many themselves Bialik alumni — offered academic support and one-on-one learning opportunities to our Grade 1 to 8 classes as part of their community service program. Whether it was reading together, helping kids brainstorm, or connecting with remote learners in both Jewish and General Studies, they had a great time together.

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Mental health is health. Exemplifying our commitment to teaching “the whole child,” our support team of Psychologist, Dr. Dana David, and Counsellors, Lauren Meisels, Laura Mincer and Dr. Debra Danilewitz, have been actively working with students this past year. Our Counsellors engaged our students in a variety of activities that prioritized mindfulness and self-awareness. From art projects expressing their individuality, to reading books with themes of kindness and self-confidence, to breathing exercises, students learned strategies for managing anxiety, stress and the demands of daily life. In addition, our support team curated helpful articles and videos for “Counsellors Corner” in our weekly newsletter, as an additional resource for our families.

Watch out Sharks — Bialik students have some major bite! Our Grade 6 students really impressed us with their winning pitches in their school-wide Shark Tank Competition. Each student researched a global issue from a chosen country and was tasked with creating a potential “solution.” Students presented their creative pitches about their solution to a panel of Bialik Sharks, comprising members of our educational administrative team. Mazal Tov to Maya C. from the Himel Branch for taking the first-place win with her presentation of the PPP — “Proper Pepper Protector” — a can of pepper spray combined with a tracker and an emergency siren designed to help women address gender-based violence.

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

OUR STUDENTS

DESIGNING BEYOND TWO DIMENSIONS

The group met every Sunday to study.

CHIDON HATANACH Our hearts were so touched to see fifteen of our students come together, week after week on Zoom, to meet for Chidon HaTanach lessons. Despite facing the challenges of the pandemic, the group, including students from both branches, met every Sunday to study Bible virtually. They even completed practice sessions during the Winter and Mid-Winter Breaks. Every single student made it to the national level. Thank you to Hanna Isaac for her unwavering support and leadership of Chidon HaTanach each year.

CITIZENS OF THE WORLD Our Grade 7 students enjoyed participating in JCAT — Jewish Court of All Time — a wonderful program run by the University of Michigan, where Jewish day school students assume roles of historical and contemporary figures in a court case simulation. “We chose a character and got to help solve conflicts from a different point of view,” explains Sadie D., who played the role of Rabbi Sandra Lawson, one of the first openly gay, female, black rabbis. We are proud of the way JCAT exemplifies Bialik’s commitment to encouraging inclusivity in our students, as their role-playing and research help develop empathy and increase their perspectives. “Bialik students once again exceeded all expectations for their ability to reflect maturely on their own work, to identify and respond to big questions, and to beautifully articulate their thinking processes,” says Jeff Stanzler, Educational Studies Faculty from University of Michigan School of Education.

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Our Grade 8 Viewmount students have been working hard in Tinkercad. As part of a grade-wide competition at our Viewmount Branch, they designed new, three-dimensional school logos. Zachary L.’s winning logo knocked the socks off of our judging panel, made up of the members of our Marketing and Communications team. The judges were very impressed with Zachary’s well-thought-out design, creativity and mastery of designing in three dimensions. The finished product was printed in our Aronson Family STEM Learning Commons, using our 3D printers.

ORANGE SHIRT DAY As we nurture our Jewish identity rooted in social justice and engagement, our students learn about the Jewish obligation to reach out to those needing support, regardless of their background. On September 30, Bialik marked Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by reflecting on, and spreading awareness of, the tragedies experienced by Indigenous people as a result of the former residential school system. Together with many others in Canada, we set out on the path to being part of the reconciliation process. Promoting respect, inclusion and moral action strengthens our commitments to each other and our communities at large.

21

O U R CO M M U N I T Y

DEVOTED TO EDUCATION E

ducation is a key theme in Elsa Chandler’s life. As Bialik’s longest-serving Board member, an elected School Board Trustee for 20 years, and a former Chair of the North York Board of Education, Elsa has devoted her life to schools and young people. For Elsa, “The most gratifying part has been sharing my love of education and seeing the difference it made in the lives of children.”

Elsa was born in 1932, the daughter of well-educated parents. Her father, a lawyer, and her mother, a pianist, emphasized the importance of a good and varied education for their children. Sadly, their dream was interrupted. Elsa’s parents and younger brother perished in the Holocaust, while she spent the war years in a number of concentration camps, finally being liberated from Bergen-Belsen in 1945.

Elsa arrived in Canada in 1948. She attended high school, then met and married her husband, Howard, and had children of her own. That, in turn, led to involvement in a number of school and parent associations.

She was first elected as a Trustee in 1977 and held that position for almost 20 years. In 1996, she became Chair of the North York Board of Education.

“That was the pinnacle of my professional work,”

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Elsa recalls proudly. “I was able to implement practices and programs that are still having impact today.” An example was the introduction of the secondary school Holocaust curriculum in 1984.

Elsa’s first contact with Bialik was as a parent.

“As a curious individual who was particularly interested in education, I wanted to see what the

THE MOST GRATIFYING PART HAS BEEN SHARING MY LOVE OF EDUCATION AND SEEING THE DIFFERENCE IT MADE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN. school offered,” she recalls. Her son, Mark, attended Bialik from JK to Grade 6. Elsa is also the proud grandmother of two Bialik alumni. With the family’s strong commitment to education, her daughter, Bonnie, served on the Board as a Bialik parent.

Elsa joined Bialik’s Board of Directors in 1979 and, in recognition of her outstanding contributions, she

was made a Life Board Member in 1999. “I felt that with my background in public education and my experience as a Trustee, I could bring some of my experience to Bialik,” Elsa notes. In fact, Shana Harris, former Head of School at Bialik says that “Elsa had insightful perspectives on best practices in education and generously offered good advice at our meetings.”

Elsa has served on many different school committees and a priority for her was ensuring that Bialik fostered a love for Israel. She is also proud that Bialik embraces the study of Yiddish and has maintained a non-denominational approach.

“We feel very honoured to have Elsa on our Bialik Board and part of our community, as a parent and grandparent of alumni. We have felt the impact of her many knowledgeable contributions to the Board and are enormously appreciative of all that she has given to Bialik over the years,” says Head of School, Benjy Cohen.

As she looks forward, Elsa sees a bright future for Bialik. “It is a school that continues to grow physically and educationally. I think Bialik is a world class Hebrew day school,” she observes. There is little doubt that Elsa’s devotion to education at Bialik has helped to create those future prospects.

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

O U R CO M M U N I T Y

SHARING HER LOVE OF BIALIK

A

s Co-chair of Bialik’s Annual Campaign, Hila Meisels has asked many people to consider making a contribution to the school. Surprisingly, what’s most important to her about each of those conversations is that it’s not about getting a gift. Rather, it’s the opportunity to share her love for Bialik. “As an ambassador for the school, I want to get across that love, whether or not it results in a donation,” she says.

In her twelve years at Bialik, Hila has seen many positive changes. As she puts it, “It started out as a great school and only continued to get better. Today, it’s a mature school with a very young and fresh feel.”

What hasn’t changed is the positive experience that Hila and her kids have had at Bialik. “All four of

bialik.ca

my children love Bialik and have absolutely flourished,” she exclaims.

Currently, Hila and her husband, David, have twins — Arielle and Ben — in Grade 4 at Viewmount.

They also have two Bialik graduates who are both at TanenbaumCHAT. Shiraz is in Grade 11 and Brit is in Grade 9. “Bialik prepared them exceptionally well for high school,” notes Hila. “They are thriving at CHAT because of the foundation they received at Bialik.”

Hila is a volunteer par excellence. It began when she joined the PTA, first serving as a class parent, where she made sure that families were kept connected and informed throughout the year. As she continued to build community, Hila became very immersed in the life of the school and saw opportunities to make more of an impact.

Her first Bialik fundraising effort was when Arielle and Ben celebrated their birthday and she asked people to make donations to the school in lieu of gifts. “After that, I was drawn toward raising the funds necessary to make the school a better place and a more current place,” she recalls.

Becoming involved in school fundraising gave Hila the opportunity to share her ideas and work

closely with the school’s administration, especially in her role as Co-Chair of the Annual Campaign for two years. In her words, “Working with the school’s leadership has been amazing. They are receptive, respectful and open-minded.”

IT’S A MATURE SCHOOL WITH A VERY YOUNG AND FRESH FEEL. The highlight of Hila’s fundraising involvement has been Bialik’s successful Day of Giving campaigns. “On those days, you really feel the sense of community and excitement,” says Hila. “Each year, we have raised more money. When we reach our goal it’s thrilling and very important.”

Reflecting on her experiences with Bialik, Hila reminisces, “All my kids have had so many amazing, beautiful moments at the school and I’ve had a lot of smiles.” Clearly, those positive moments fuel the love for Bialik that Hila is so eager to share.

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FA M I LY S P OT L I G H T

LESSONS IN CARING

R

Everyone worked so hard last year to make online learning the best it could be.

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eturn to classrooms and the end of remote learning has brought relief and normalcy to many Toronto families. Ashley Faust, a litigator, and her husband Lorne Burger, in Communications with the Office of the Attorney General, are delighted to have their two children settled at the Viewmount Branch.

Lorne is a Bialik alum and Ashley attended USDS, “So we were both products of the Jewish day school system in Toronto,” says Ashley.

Son Shael is in Grade 2 and daughter Noa in SK. “Bialik has a very nurturing, loving environment,” notes Ashley. “There’s a real sense of community at the school that fosters my son’s passion for creativity and learning.”

Remote learning last year was challenging for the young family, as parents worked from home while monitoring their children’s learning. “We became the teacher’s assistant,” says Ashley. “Our daughter would have been as happy to play with her own toys.

But she had a very energetic, engaging JK teacher to keep her focused.”

“Everyone worked so hard last year to make online learning the best it could be,” she adds. “The kids did make progress, though they missed out on individual attention with the teacher going from desk to desk.

The lack of the social aspect was hardest.”

Teachers and parents strove to make school special, even while online. Ashley led a couple of edible art classes for her daughter’s cohort. “The Hebrew teacher, Einav, set up a full Hebrew classroom in her home, just as if they were in school. Teachers put their all into making lessons high-quality and keeping the kids interested.”

Ashley understands that remote lessons were equally difficult and frustrating for teachers. Ironically, with students back in classrooms and parents navigating the new world of hybrid work, she says, “I miss that daily connection to the teachers and the learning. But there is no substitute for the playground and for all the unwritten lessons kids gain from being in the presence of each other and their teachers.”

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

FA M I LY S P OT L I G H T

OUT OF CHAOS CAME JOY

R

ecall 2020 when COVID-19 unleashed chaos into all our lives. Now, imagine having two cases of the virus and a new baby join your household in a single month. Such was the Zimner family’s experience.

In fall 2020, Rachel and Noah Zimner’s son, Zev, aged 4, was in JK at Bialik. Daughter Mia was 2, and Rachel was well along in her third pregnancy.

An unwelcome visitor suddenly descended on the household in those pre-vaccine days. “Noah was tested and confirmed positive with COVID-19 on November 11 — Remembrance Day,” Rachel recalls.

She prepared a separate bedroom for her husband’s isolation. “That was hard for the kids, with bedtime and other routines disrupted and their dad closed away.”

Soon, Rachel developed symptoms and was also diagnosed with COVID. “I was upset and a bit panicked,” she says. “I so hoped my children wouldn’t get sick. And you feel terrible at the prospect of your child causing a classroom to close.”

As the parents recuperated, Bialik swung into supportive action. “The School Nurse was very concerned, not only about Zev, but also about Noah and me,” Rachel says. “Zev’s teacher, Brittany Lepofsky, was a superstar. There was constant communication. She kept Zev well-connected with his peers.”

Bialik families stepped up too. “Kids dropped off toys for our kids. Parents brought bagels, checked in on us and got groceries. I had to swallow my pride and accept the help, because we needed it. I’m very thankful.”

Finally, the crisis eased. “We got incredibly lucky because neither kid got sick,” she sighs. “I was released from isolation one day before Ari was born on November 23.”

The school routine for Zev, now in SK, has been a great relief. He’s a happy student. “He missed out so much on socializing.” Mia, now 3 and in day care, looks forward to JK next fall.

Rachel reflects on pandemic lessons. “We get so stuck in routine and expectations. I hope we’ve all learned to be flexible and resilient from this experience.”

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I hope we’ve all learned to be flexible and resilient from this experience.

25

O U R A LU M N I

CREATING A BEAUTIFUL JEWISH FUTURE R achel Rosenbluth’04 is at home on the road and feels most alive when she is in the Holy Land. “Bialik’s emphasis on the cultural experience of Judaism really allowed me to feel comfortable in Israeli society and that’s not something I take for granted,” she says.

Rachel, or “Bluth’’ as she’s been known since the nickname stuck as a 9-year-old at Camp Shalom, makes her home between Toronto and Tel Aviv. Yet she lives a nomadic life, frequently traveling to explore different cultures, religious and spiritual communities.

It’s the cultural and social connections from Bialik that she really values, calling two Bialik school friends her closest to this day. The many songs she learned are still part of her repertoire now as a Rabbi.

“I got a good foundation of values and cultural education, a positive relationship with Israel that has led me to continue meaningful work there,” she says.

As a teenager, Rachel spent summers in Israel working on farms, on a kibbutz or taking whatever volunteer trips she could. She studied both international development and religion at McGill University, combining her values of social justice with her desire to seek more spirituality.

She always thought she’d be a doctor, veterinarian or even an architect. As she continued to question the root causes of world issues and furthered her spiritual studies, she found a place for her love of organizing groups, ritual and Jewish joy.

“The issues of the world called me to address them through Jewish spiritual and communal work,” she says. “How we show up every day affects the world.”

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WE HAVE A STRONG COMMUNITY THAT CAN COME TOGETHER IN CREATION OF A BETTER WORLD.

So Rav Bluth calls upon her Jewish orthodox rabbinical training, in addition to Hasidic teachings and multiple sources from the Jewish spectrum and beyond, to empower people to live more meaningful lives.

“I love the beauty and aesthetic of Judaism and offer a way to learn, have ownership and participate in Judaism with creativity, critical thinking and curiosity,” she explains. That includes working with the organization Living Jewishly to develop a curriculum to help people understand the vast spiritual toolbox available to them.

“The way we teach Shabbat is to talk about it in the context of our lives, worklife balance and the value of rest as it relates to our hectic lives today,” she says, adding, “Prayer is a tool to ground ourselves.”

Rachel brings this accessible and creative approach to her ongoing work supporting Israeli-Palestinian justice. She was the founder and program director for Achvat Amim’s Ruchani Track fivemonth volunteer program in Jerusalem, completed the Israeli-Palestinian Center for Regional Initiatives (IPCRI) program “Women Entrepreneurs Leading Change,” and was recently accepted to the International Dialogue Centre’s (KAICIID) fellowship, an interfaith program bringing together leaders committed to improving the world.

Rachel sees that everything we do affects our world — both close to and far from home. “How do we respond? Judaism feels like a place of integrity for guidance,” she says of her continuing spiritual path. “We have a strong community that can come together in creation of a better world.”

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

O U R A LU M N I

DRIVEN BY DESIGN Design drives F or most kids, the tendency to carry around a beloved toy is a phase. While Jonathon Markowski’06 eventually left his Hot Wheels at home, his love of cars was unyielding.

“I was always obsessed with cars, loved things that move,” he says. “I would sit outside my father’s store and watch cars drive by.”

Jonathon’s parents indulged his obsession by taking annual outings to the Canadian International AutoShow. They even travelled to Detroit for the North American International Auto Show, where, at the age of 12, he spoke to exhibitors from car design schools and learned he could turn his love into work.

“I’m good at math, but I always thought I’d be a designer or an artist,” Jonathon says. Despite the common perception that students must choose between art and STEM, Jonathon never felt that pressure at Bialik. He’s grateful the school exposed him to both.

“To get into design school, you had to have math and physics. I enjoyed calculus, which makes shapes beautiful — it makes curves catch light the way they do.” Still, Jonathon most fondly recalls his time in art class.

“In the lower grades, you’d hear about the art classes you’d have in the Senior Division and this art teacher, Ms Fleury,” he remembers, adding how important it was to have a dedicated room and time for art in Grades 6 through 8. “She was so influential. She wanted us to do things hands-on and really explore.”

Jonathon and his sister were so moved by their now-retired teacher that they are working together with Bialik to raise funds for a gift to the school that will be dedicated to Ms Fleury.

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Art led Jonathon to Northern Secondary School because of its specialty classes. Before committing to study car design in one of the handful of schools globally — none is in Canada — he first earned a degree in industrial design at Carleton University in Ottawa. He then worked in product design, including 3D-printed props for Toronto’s film industry.

Eventually, he followed his passion and moved to California for ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, obtaining a master’s degree in transportation design.

“I was like a kid in a candy shop,” he says, of the fascinating challenges he worked on. From exploring the user experience of self-driving cars to working on advanced design at BMW after grad school, Jonathon realized his dream.

Today he’s working with TomTom. As one of only three companies globally that has a complete map of the world, TomTom provides navigation and other services through in-vehicle touchscreens. From Detroit, Jonathon leads the US research program to identify future products.

“I like answering big questions,” says Jonathon, who thinks a lot about how people navigate places. And he continues to stay in touch with Bialik. He’s been a Senior Division guest speaker, teaching aerodynamics in car design to students undertaking their model car project.

Seeing their rapt attention during his presentations, he may very well be helping them navigate their futures.

“I want kids to know it is possible to have a career in design,” he says. “Design drives the way our world works.”

the way our

world works.

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O U R A LU M N I

NURTURING COMMUNITY THROUGH FOOD C hef Shauna Godfrey’06 started her first food business in Grade 8 selling apple pies “under the table.” While she has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, she didn’t ever think she’d be a chef.

“I’ve always loved food. I collected cookbooks from a young age and had my first pasta maker at the age of 11 or 12,” she says. “I was obsessed with food, but didn’t know where to take it.”

Shauna thought she might be a nutritionist or work in science. After attending Bialik and then TanenbaumCHAT for high school, she moved to Ohio, earning an undergraduate degree from Oberlin College, majoring in biology. Oberlin provided her with a grant that she used to start selling bread at farmer’s markets in Muskoka in the summer.

“I used to make my Bubbie’s challah recipe,” she says. Her grandmother figures prominently in her cooking to this day. Learning Yiddish at Bialik offered Shauna a way to connect and bond with both her grandmothers during that time.

She recalls Bialik as being the perfect place to grow up, thanks to its academic rigour, while still feeling nurturing. “I always felt supported there,” she adds.

Although she worked in some of Toronto’s and New York City’s upscale restaurants after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Shauna prefers nourishing people with satisfying comfort food that’s “not fancy.”

In November 2020, she started Godfrey’s Supper Club. It was an experiment and a way to occupy her time as she explored the next step in her career, having left her role as Sous Chef at Momofuku in Toronto earlier that year.

Now, her club is a thriving community, with regulars who anticipate the weekly menu shared on Sunday and look forward to their interactions with Shauna when they pick up their orders on Thursday. Her grandmother’s challah is a menu mainstay. Each week’s offering features Shauna’s take on the Jewish food that she found comforting growing up. Still, her 92-year-old grandmother often weighs in.

“She’s an avid texter and pitches tasty things for me to cook,” says Shauna. “During the pandemic, when I couldn’t see her all the time, it helped us to stay connected.” Through her endeavour, Shauna has been pleasantly surprised at the relationships she’s developed with her customers too.

“I know what’s going on in their lives and I’m so appreciative that people want to take the food I make and serve it to their families in their homes,” she says.

“That’s why I like to cook — food helps us connect with people.”

While Shauna had no expectations of how her supper club would pan out, she is pleased to have gotten to know many of her regulars over the past year.

“It’s cool that it hits home for them,” she says.

“Now that I’m cooking Jewish food, it’s like I’ve come full circle to my Bialik pie days.” And yet, she continues to explore. Recently, that’s meant having pop-ups at Contra Café in Toronto. Shauna is also working towards opening a bricks-and-mortar restaurant, where she can continue to provide comfort and connection through food.

THAT’S WHY I LIKE TO COOK — FOOD HELPS US CONNECT WITH PEOPLE.

28

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

O U R A LU M N I

ARI GOLDKIND’88 STILL SPEAKS OUT T I spent one hour in the Toronto Old City Hall courthouse, and I just knew.

bialik.ca

une in to Toronto’s TV news programs and you may just see Bialik alum, Ari Goldkind, being interviewed. As a successful criminal defense lawyer and natural storyteller, Ari has helped audiences understand everything from the Trump investigations in the U.S. to court proceedings closer to home.

Known for his quick thinking and staunch support of the underdog, Ari’s success comes from his persistent challenging of authority — something he recalls showing up during his days at Bialik, which he attended from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

“I do remember the amount of time I was in the Vice Principal’s office; I can still visualize that office,” he says. “I was in trouble, but I never really got in trouble because I wasn’t misbehaving ... I was thinking, questioning, challenging ideas.” And that’s just what he’s doing today. Ari questions authority.

He knew from a young age that he would go to law school. Not necessarily to practise law, but because he didn’t want to stop with just a bachelor’s degree. He saw a law degree as a springboard to opportunity.

He was just 17 years old when he began studying at Queen’s University, a school chosen because it was “the hardest to get into.” He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in just three years. The University of Toronto’s Law School was another place known for its challenging admissions criteria, so Ari wanted it on his resume.

He worked several years in corporate law, but it “made him snore.” Despite assuming criminal law wasn’t for him, Ari followed the advice of a friend who was a crown prosecutor and attended court proceedings for a day.

“I spent one hour in the Toronto Old City Hall courthouse, and I just knew,” he says. “Now, I don’t dread work. I get paid to cause trouble.”

Looking back, Ari can see that his interests in drama classes and debate teams were never misplaced. “I’m a Broadway actor who has the courtroom as my stage,” he says. “It’s all about storytelling and advocacy and you learn the legal pieces over time.”

He recalls feeling like a loner and underdog as a child. That’s part of what drives him to defend accused criminals.

“I don’t want to be one of the 20-person team prosecuting someone; I want to be the one person they have to get them through,” he says, pointing out how easily people can lose everything — jobs, relationships, homes — just by being accused of a crime. “There should be a test in that court before we destroy someone’s life.”

One of the key habits that have led to his success is being able to simply “get it done.” And that’s something he credits Bialik with teaching him.

There are no shortcuts in life.

“At Bialik, they say you work hard, put in the time and make your parents proud that they invested this money in you,” he says. “There is something to be said for sitting down next to fellow Jewish students and knowing that they and their parents are committed to doing great things in life.”

29

A LU M N I W E D D I N G S

SIMCHAS AND STORIES

Nothing brings us more joy than hearing about all the Nachas our alumni are enjoying since graduation. From weddings to babies, we share some of their special celebrations:

Matthew Librach’06

Adam Gurza’06

and Jessica Gottlieb

and Dani (Tavroges) Gurza

Heidi Solomon’06 and Noah Sliwin

Ben Shapiro’98

UPDATE US!

and Rachel (Cosman) Shapiro

Rosalie Springer-Fox’06 and Daniel Fox

Send us pictures. Share your special memories. bialik.ca/alumni 30

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

A LU M N I B A B I E S

Andi Raine Pozner

Parents Sam Pozner’01 and Amy Pozner

Teddy Max Wolkowicz

Parents Marni Blustein’03 and Michael Wolkowicz

Jax Peyton Gross

Parents Stephanie (Goldberg) Gross’00 and Corey Gross

bialik.ca

Kai Izzy Sas

Parents Geoffrey Sas’99 and Mor Dagan Sas

Riley Evan Hamovitch

Parents Emily and Noam Hamovitch’01

Ivy Sofia Tobe

Parents Ariel (Waks) Tobe’06 and Zachary Tobe

Maxwell Simon Zuk

Parents Carly(Gallinger) Zuk’01 and Seth Zuk

Jack William Banack

Parents Mara Silver Banack’00 and Adam Banack’96

Hannah Sydney Jerusalim

Parents Eve Hurowitz’06 and Adam Jerusalim

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G E N E R O U S S U P P O RT

OUR GENEROUS DONORS Thank you to our community for making a difference in 2020-21! Your generous gifts ensure that we are able to offer our students enriched academic opportunities founded on Jewish values and traditions. We truly appreciate your ongoing support of our school.

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN DONORS Donations received from July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 In support of Health and Safety, Tuition Assistance, Professional Development, Essential Technology and Bialik’s Greatest Needs.

All lists have been checked for accuracy but errors may have occurred. If you have not been appropriately recognized, please email the Advancement Department advancement@bialik.ca.

32

Anonymous (10) The Felicia and Arnold Aaron Foundation Yoel and Karen Abells Roni Abrahamsohn Benjamin Abramov and Shari Golberg Mitchell Adelstein and Jennifer Kaufman Adelstein Eli Alter and Jessica Fenton Mark and Susanne Alter Jillian Altman Elaine Altshuller Gerry Anklewicz Simmie Antflick Alan and Rona Applebaum Jeffrey Appleby and Shayna Rosenbaum Adam and Jessica Armeland Ronnie and Debra Aronson and Family Dan and Susan Aroosi Karen Assaraf Jerry and Ellen Babbin Phil and Deborah Bacal Sandra Bain Alex Baker and Rayna Laiken Baker Larry and Margot Baker Elliot Balboul and Rachel Goldgut Alex Ball and Suzan Kerner Assaf and Shirley Bar-Menachem

The Baram Family Henry Barkin Dale and Nicole Barrett Georgy and Yulia Barsky Bram and Ilana Belzberg Jacob Benbihy and Rachel Moses and Samuel Benchitrit and Sharon Telem Alan and Jennifer Bensky Gary Bensky Orlee Benson Gord and Ruth Berger Steven and Deborah Bergson Patricia Berkovic Ana Berman Trevor and Debbie Berns Carrie Betel and Darien Sussman Michael and Liora Betsalel Bialik Social and Gift Fund Earl and Eva Biderman Ronna Birnboim John Bohnen and Anne Matlow Jeremy and Shauna Bornstein Mel and Joyce Bornstein Howard and Abby Brass Shirley Breido Marlene Brickman

David Bronfman Allon and Pnina Bross Daniel and Jessica Browman Melvin and Sandra Brown Matthew Buchalter and Robin Mandel-Buchalter Lorne Burger and Ashley Faust Georganne Burke Wayne and Ann Caplan Jonathan and Terri Carr Giacomo Cascone and Tiki Madar Barry Cayen and Dara Maker Jack and Sandy Cayne Leo and Bayla Chaikof Howard and Elsa Chandler Casey Chisick and Sophie Milman John Cleworth and Yvette Mondesir Neil J. Closner and Family Benjy Cohen and Jane Rimmer Jeremy Cohen and Adee Bross Oz and Yael Cohen Avi and Leora Cole Bruce and Shayla Cole Abigail Colucci Italo and Ruth Colucci Congregation Beth Haminyan Matthew Connors

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

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G E N E R O U S S U P P O RT

Lior Cyngiser and Ilana Gould George and Lynne Czutrin Elliott and Sally Dale Robert and Alisa Daly Eva Danon Raphael and Andrea Danon Lorraine Darling Benny and Michal Daskalo Larry and Carolyn Davidson Martin Day and Martina Borchardt Eitan and Daniela Dehtiar Howard and Mirah Detsky Jaimee Diamond Kelly Diamond Richard and Rhonda Diamond Stuart Dicker and Heidi Miller Dicker Marcus Dickler and Jaimie Kudlats Berta Dilouya Jennifer Dolman Michael and Stefanie Dorfman Nathaniel and Kelly Dostrovsky Mark and Naomi Driman Marvin and Miriam Dryer Shane and Katie Dubin Fred and Anita Eckhaus Peter Edrey Effort Trust Sam and Erin Elfassy Elliott and Cheryl Ellison Bruce and Nancy Elman David and Laura Elman Michael and Jayne Elman Adam and Tina Erlich Rob and Mary Erlich Alexander Etkin and Shira Goldberg Annette Exton Mark Federman and Marina Gutman Elizabeth Feld Ariel Feldman and Karen Lidor Ra’anan and Diane Feldman Shane and Laci Fenton Karen Fenwick Lawrence and Annette Filler Benjamin Fine and Ronit Ossip-Fine Kenny and Janis Finkelstein Michael and Jamie Finkelstein Richard and Caren Finkelstein Darryl and Shelby Firsten Michael and Sandra Florence Daniel and Sharon Fogel Renee Fogelbaum Allan Fogul and Julie Zimmerman Seth and Carly Foucault Jamie and Elisa Fox Michael Frankel and Irene Bass Ben and Laura Freeman Richard Fridman and Aviva Lowe Linda Friedlich Alan and Michelle Friedman Earle and Phyllis Friedman Stephen and Sari Friedman Joshua and Michelle Frost The Fruit Cart Xavier Fux and Melanie Hogan Morty and Sharon Gaines Shayna Galante Lauren and Jacob Gallinger Steven Gallinger Celine Garry Sarit Gazman Yaniv Geler and Yulia Vokhmina Gregory and Tara Gelman Eldad and Rachel Gerb Abe and Karen Gerstein Henry and Carole Gerstel George and Eleanor Getzler Bradley Gibbert and Tamar Lee-Gibbert

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Jonathan and Susan Giddens Newton and Laura Glassman Josh and Kari Gleicher Daniel Glick and Danielle Pessah David and Marilyn Glick Matthew and Nadia Glick The Lillian and Norman Glowinsky Family Foundation Leonard and Celia Golberg Nancy Gold Charles Goldberg and Carole Gruson Steven and Lori Goldenberg Harry and Gayle Goldgut Richard and Jennifer Goldhar Bradley Goldsmith and Michelle Markowitz Aily Goodis David Goodman and Jessica Waks Pamela Goodman Noah Gordon and Michelle Burger Jack and Anita Goren Vadim and Yana Gouterman Aaron and Ilana Graben Jeff and Jordana Grad Michael Grad and Tova Bar-Dayan Daniel Green and Amanda Kushnir Eric and Karen Green Robert Green and Family Louis and Shirley Greenbaum Mark and Lauren Greenbaum Harry and Roslynne Greenberg Jack and Anita Greenberg Neil and Natalie Greenberg Tsvika and Anat Greenberg Jason and Sarah Greenspan Ira and Shelley Greenspoon Todd and Hayley Greenspoon Allan and Fauna Grill Matt and Elana Grinstein Alexander and Bella Groisman Bernie Gropper and Elise Stern Gropper Lee and Aliza Grossman Yana Guterman Heather Gutmann Sandra Haberman Dan and Ziona Hagler Andrew and Judy Halasz Gregory Hamovitch and Pamela Cappe Willie and Mary Anne Handler Jonathan and Shana Harris Nicholas and Rina Hartmann Karel and Bluma Heimlich Douglas and Judy Hendler Agnes Herczeg Sharon Herman Mel and Elaine Hershenfield Stewart Hershenfield and Marla Engelberg Harry and Shainey Himal Mel and Pamela Himel David Holland and Ilana Zeidel Sam and Sonya Holtzman Russell and Barbara Houldin Gershon and Heather Hurwen Infranovate Inc. Linda Ingber Darren Inspektor and Joanna Winter Norman and Janet Ironstone Hanna Isaac Renata and Norman Issley Hyman and Rosette Itzkovitz Noah Ivers and Ilana Halperin Darren and Ania Kagal Michael and Joanna Kagal Shahar Kalininsky and Ariela Levy Adam and Reesa Karch Arnold and Judith Katz Oren and Adrienne Katz Ronny Katz and Rivka Krakofsky

Shane and Lara Katz Jesse and Renee Kaufman Joshua Kaufman and Daniella Saguy David and Avital Kellerstein Don Kirsh Ernest and Norma Kirsh Michael and Stacey Kirshenbaum Elliot and Perri Kirshenblatt Robert Kizell and Samantha Zive Jamie and Jaclyn Klayman David and Lisa Klein Les Klein and Toby Rose David and Joy Kohn Clifford and Katy Korman Neil Kozloff and Susan Himel Justin and Melissa Kramer Felix Kreichman and Lauren Nightingale Simon and Ruby Kreindler Sidney Kremer and Zoe Mandel Jonathan and Janna Krieger Jessica Kudlats Elaine and Barry Kuretzky Josh Kuretzky and Anndra Schwartz Deborah Lambert Rachel Landen Gavin and Corrine Lange Marvin and Merilyn Lean Steven and Miriam Leder Hartley and Sara Lefton Matthew Leibowitz and Gillian Lindzon Alan Lerman and Sharon Cohen Ron Levi and Ronit Dinovitzer Eric and Lana Levin Lydia Levin Ruth Levin

Aubrey and Shelley Levine Robert and Amanda Levine Stephen and Marnie Lewis Stephen and Robyn Libin Dov and Marilyn Lidor Mark and Naomi Lieberman Michael and Carla Lieberman Neil and shelley Linden Daniel and Ashley Lindzon Jay and Yael Lipman Hertzel and Naomi Lipner Jonathan Madras and Tracey Hendler Madras Mark and Eva Madras Joey Maimon and Michelle Simons Maimon Larry and Pauline Maker Lawrence and Elana Mandel Marie Mandel Efrem and Fara Mandelcorn Alejandro Manevich and Tamara Blitz-Miller Randy and Danielle Manis Rani and Lisa Mann Darryl and Andy Margau Shael and Rachel Markin Arlin and Shawna Markowitz Eva Marx Michael and Sharon Mawas Bernie Mayer and Andrea Plotnick Lev and Ilana Mazur MBC Managed IT Services David and Hila Meisels Doron Melnick and Shana Haberman Elijah and Rivka Melnick Daniel and Lisa Metrikin Sean and Jessica Meyer Mitch and Julie Miller

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G E N E R O U S S U P P O RT

Jack and Michelle Milner Michael and Lynne Mitchell Aaron and Suzanne Mocon Andrew and Rebecca Moffs Assaf Mordachay and Tatyana Shteynberg Andrew Morris and Anna Aleinikov Stephen Mortfield and Donna Edelstein Joanna Mosko Stewart Moskovitch and Janie Goldstein Sean and Stacey Moxley Noah and Amanda Murad Na’amat Canada Edward and Hyla Nagel Harvey and Barbara Naglie Matthew and Blair Naiberg Abe and Linda Neufeld Mark and Sheryl Nightingale Aaron and Arlene Nisker David and Leah Noon Paul Orlander and Helayna Shekter Mary Orzech Neil and Naomi Orzech David Ossip and Devra Baryshnik Gila Ossip

34

Judy Osten Mel and Rhonda Pearl Eddy and Deanna Peranson Ariel and Irene Perets Jeremy and Romy Pilarski Philip Plotnick and Bonnie Zelman Ron and Carolyn Polster Martin Pont and Cecilia Alterman John Poole and Deborah Goren Property Vista Dean Rabie and Michelle Jacobson Harry and Elaine Rakowski Sammy and Jessica Redlick Tal Regev Les and Mary Richmond Rise Developments Michael and Gita and Ritov Steven and Leah Rodin Jay and Rachel Rolnick Mark and Alyssa Rolnick Mitchell Rose and Natalie Pancer Cory and Nicole Rosen Gerry and Sonia Rowan David and Inna Rubenstein

Ruby Seas International Inc. Eyal and Melita Sager Joel and Ora Sager Mark and lisa Sager Martin Saipe and Adina Lubek Andre and Rhoda Salama Frank and Irene Salomon Mark Salsberg and Elisa Cogan Kevin Sanders and Nina Hay Jonathan Sandler and Tamara Kerbel Elan and Lynne Satov Dan and Betsy Sauder Michael and Alana Saxe Honey Schein Noah and Jennifer Schein Louis and Mary Scheinman Akiva and Judith Schreier Lawrence and Sharon Schwartz Michelle Schwartzberg Charles and Mina Schwarz Even and Marnie Selby Madison Seller Carmela Serebryany and Gilad Levy Serving Solutions Trays Shlomo and Varda Shalev Leonard Shalit Samantha Sherman David and Francine Shields Jordan Shnier and Gillian Tessis-Shnier Jeffrey and Joanna Shore Van and Sonia Shron Barry and Rochelle Shulman Ken and Rhona Shulman Brahm Siegel and Paula Feig Stuart and Dara Siegel Eric and Leah Silber Jay Silber and Mara Cole Amanda Silver Susan Silverman Jay and Rebecca Singer Kali Singer Darren and Stephanie Slavens Harvey Sliwowicz and Erika Krausz Lorne and Debbie Small Sarah Smelyansky Carl and Shera Smith David and Karen Smith Mike and Ellen Smith Neville and Doris Smith Norman and Miriam Smith Ben and Barb Smuskowitz David and Christine Sokoloff Arnold and Renata Somers Rosie Sosnowicz David and Janis Spinner Adam Stecher and Jacqueline Schwartz William and Sylvie Steen Joey and Elaine Steiner Scott and Leah Steinman Jared and Karen Stekel Galit and Rachel Sugar Michael and Shoshana Taitz Eitan and Jodi Tanentzap Jay and Sandra Taradash Stan and Marilyn Teitelbaum Doron and Michal Telem Carol Tenenbaum Errol Tenenbaum and Nicole Salama Tenenbaum Murray and Janice Tkatch Michael and Judy Tock Shawn Tock and Joanna Grossman Victor z”l and Renee Topper Family Fund Larry and Frieda Torkin Zeev and Nurit Tuch Vladimir Tumanov Joseph and Judith Turkel The Tylman Family

Aaron and Donna Unger Dora Usher John and Rosie Uster Sherley Valo Tal and Helen Vilenski Michael and Jennifer Vilner Jay and Debbie Waks Joshua and Katie Waks David and Ruth Waltman Ruvan and Danielle Waltman Michael and Aimee Walton Rafi and Leora Wanounou Michael and Michelle Warner Sam and Andrea Waserman David and Hannah Wasserman Mel and Maxine Wasserman David and Hayley Waugh Stacey and Steve Waugh Clifford and Rhoda Waxman Robert and Rochelle Waxman Eitan Weinberg and Diana Tamir Daniel and Alyssa Weinerman Yair Weisblum and Aviva Klein Steven and Elana Weisz Vera Weisz Hartley White Dustin Wilkins and Marilyn Perelshtein Jamie Wilson Jack and Nan Wiseman The Wolfe Family Jeff and Debra Wolfe Linda Wolfe Micah Wood and Amy Weizman and Phil and Eileen Wunch Michael Wunder and Joanna Sugar Liora Yakubowicz Mindi Yolleck-Reisler David and Beverley Young Shirley Zachar Jonathan Zamir and Amy Block Ed and Diane Zeligman Zev and Cindy Zemel Dan and Leah Zilnik Noah and Rachel Zimner Avi Zucker and Adam Kerbel Liron Zur Zvi and Adi Zur

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

G E N E R O U S S U P P O RT

$530

AVERAGE SIZE OF ANNUAL CAMPAIGN GIFT

NEW ANNUAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

DAY OF GIVING

20.8% CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

$261,846 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

$38,524 900

VING

2020-21

2019-20

2018-19

Anonymous (118) Karen and Yoel Abells and Family Veronica Abrahamsohn The Abramov Family The Achren Family The Adelstein Family Jillian Altman David, Rebecca, Maya, Ezra and Zev Altshuller Marc Altshuller The Amir Family Eitan, Adi, Mia and Abbie Amir Merav Anafi The Anava Family Karen and Mark Anhang Vivian Anhang Greg and Jennifer Apple Lawrie and Michelle Apple Zena and Michael Applebaum The Aptekar Family Stephanie and Israel Apter Audrey and Dean Aronovici Karen Assaraf Asaf Avnet Candice and Brian Bacal Deborah and Phil Bacal The Bacher Family Stanley and Tamara Baker The Balboul Family

Brandon Balboul Jerry and Tammy Balitsky Hudson, Levi and Bella Ball Henry and Barbara Bank The Bar-Menachem Family The Baram Family Avi and Elysa Baratz Adi Barel Alex Barnes The Baruch Family Leah and Jeremy Baruch Janice and Sheldon Baryshnik The Baum Family Shelby Baum Todd and Cathy Beallor Gabriel Beck The Becker Family Samara and Brandon Bell and Family Bram and Ilana Belzberg The Benadiba Family Sol Benaim Joy Benatar and Helen Stollar Rudy Bendavit Family The Benedek Family Hannah and Shira Bennett The Bensky Family Shira Benson Gord and Ruth Berger Debbie Bergson Chaia Berkowitz Roy and Naomi Berman The Bernhard Family The Berns Family Cookie and Don Biback Robert and Gloria Bielak

2017-18

Donald and Cookie Biback Paul and Tammy Brown Benjy Cohen and Jane Rimmer Daniel and Risa Drimmer Judy and David Engel, Tina and Adam Erlich and Family Arunachalam Ganashing Darryl z”l and Heather Hennick Itche Himel Fund Jordan Lack and Tamar Kopel Preston Group Mark and Hazel Skapinker Sheldon and Lillian Sokoloff Fred and Linda Waks Ruvan and Danielle Waltman David and Beverley Young

Donations received from March 4-5, 2020

DONORS

728

652

Donations received from July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021

DAY OF GIVING

GROWTH IN ANNUAL GIVING

2016-17

NUMBER OF ANNUAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

bialik.ca

GI

EATING OUT LOUD EVENT

510

1103

$1,070,993

3.6%

1103

$547,376

51.1%

$223,247

TA TO L

24.4%

298

Fran Blumfald Myra Blustein BookMark Tutors In memory of Stuart Alan Books Hannah and Judah Bornstein The Brand Family Abby and Howie Brass The Braun Family Paul and Tanya Braun The Breido Family Marlene Brickman Ilene Bronsteter Taryn Bross The Browman Family Jesse Brown Melvin and Sandra Brown Tammy, Paul, Danielle and Noah Brown Marilyn and Robert Burke Michelle Burko Immanuel Burton Elie and Cheryl Buzaglo Megan Candib Elana Caplan, Josh and Charlie Lauren Caplan Arna and Stephen Cappe Joshua Cappel Terri and Jonathan Carr Aaron, Erin, Henry and Sophie Cash Norman Cash Ted and Cheryl Cash Rafael Cashman Harvey Cayne Leo and Bayla Chaikof The Chetner Family Casey Chisick and Sophie Milman

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G E N E R O U S S U P P O RT

Cliff and Maxa Chisick John A. Cleworth The Cohen Family Guy and Aviv Cohen Jacob Cohen Laurel Cohen Margaret and Barry Cohen Ricki Cohen Ruth, Jack and Florrie Cohen Sharon Cohen Shay Cohen Sigal Cohen David Cohen-Olivenstein The Cole Family Josephine and Michael Cole Simone Cole Matthew Connors Merav and Iain Cooper Joanna and Eli Cooperberg Marcia Cosman Rachel Cosman Laura Crangle Jeremy Dacks and Ali Taradash Rob, Alisa, Ben and Noah Daly Galit Daniels Debra Danilewitz Andrea Danon Eva Danon Michal and Benny Daskalo

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Marla Dassas Melissa David Miriam David Arnold Davidson Jesse Davidson Larry and Carolyn Davidson Marnie Davidson Martina, Martin, Erin and Benny Day Gayle de Bloeme Harriet De Koven and Charlie Bigenwald The Dehtiar Family Gila and Haim Dekel Hagit Dekel Carly Delson The Detsky Family Jaimee Diamond Marcus Dickler/Jaimie Kudlats Berta Dilouya Michal Dinary Ronit Dinovitzer Michael and Stefanie Dorfman The Driman Family Alan Dryer and Nitsa Kohut In honour of Dubby Marlene Dworkind The Earhard Family Fred and Anita Eckhaus Peter and Brooke Edrey Silvia Eilath

Sean Eisen Evy Eisenberg The Elfassy Family The Ellison Family David and Laura Elman Michael and Jayne Elman Herma Ender Chuck and Lydia English Naomi Epstein Hana and Yehuda Erez Issie, Blake, Tina and Adam Erlich Rob Erlich The Esken Family Oriane Falkenstein Stefanie Fallis The Faust Family The Feder Family Amy Feferman to honour her son Joseph The Feifer Family Alisa Feldbloom The Feldman Family Helene Feldman The Fenton and Alter Families Marilyn and Shelley Fenton Thomas Fichman Yottam Fichman and Shawna Hart The Fine Family The Fineman/Title Family Adam Finkelman Molly Finkelstein Norma and Sheldon Finkelstein Sophie, Charlie, Chad and Sheri Finkelstein Jamie and Lisa Fisherman Elana Fleischmann Raizi and George Fleischmann Hailey Fleisher Sandra Florence Lally Fogel Sharon Fogel Anita and Des Fonn Robert and Shauna Fonn The Foster Family Seth and Carly Foucault The Fox Family Miriam Freilich and Aaron Landau Toddy and Marshall Freilich The Freiman Family Barbara Friedman Sari and Stephen Friedman Karin Friedmann Dani Frodis The Fryer Family Jaime and Susan Furman Steven and Glenna Fuss Alec and Sienna Fux The Gaines Family Lauren and Jacob Gallinger Marsha Gallinger Alex and Anna Garber Elena Garderman Marvin Geist Howard and Carole Gelfand Leslie Gelfand Bockner Erica Geller The Gelman Family Tara and Greg Gelman Sari and Jon Gerwitz Sharon Gerwitz Eleanor and George Getzler Ori and Michal Gilad The Gladstone Family Janice and Jonathan Gladstone Richard and Joan Gladstone Linda Glaser Andrea Glassman Newton and Laura Glassman The Glassman Fuerstenberg Family

Leora, Reuben and Maddy Glick Matt and Nadia Glick The Lillian and Norman Glowinsky Family Foundation The Gluskin Family Celia and Leonard Golberg Becky Gold Linda and Norman Gold The Goldband Family Nita and Sam Goldband Daniel and Deborah Goldberg Gary and Linda Goldberg Linda Golden Pearl, Leo and Gigi Goldenberg Anna and Edward Goldentuler Harry and Gayle Goldgut Jack, Samuel and Benjamin Goldhar Barry and Karen Goldlist Lyndy Goldlust Pesach Goldman Tara Goldman The Goldsmith-Lima Family Carol and Lorne Goldstein Teri Goodfellow and Michael Favelyukis Aily Goodis Jack and Charlie Goodman Molly Goodman The Gordon Family Karen Goren Maya Goreshnik Murray and Miri Gotkind Ilana Gould The Graben Family Hazel and Peter Graben The Grad Family Helen and Henry Grad Daniel Green and Amanda Kushnir Louis and Shirley Greenbaum Natalie and Neil Greenberg Roslynne and Harry Greenberg Tsvi Greenberg Allen Greenspoon Hayley and Todd Greenspoon and Family Ira and Shelley Greenspoon Janice and Jay Greenspoon The Grevler Family Riley and Logan Grinstein Aliza, Lee and Jack Grossman Barbara Grossman Elaine Grossman Robert Grossman Sharon Grossman Irving Gurau The Gutman and Federman Family Heather Gutmann Sandra Haberman Shana Haberman and Doron Melnick The Hagshi Family The Halbrich Family Elizaveta Hander Samara Hanick Shana and Jonathan Harris and Family The Hartmann Family The Hazan Family Frank Hechter Gordon Hecker Mariel Heller, Mark Steinman and Kids Tracey Hendler and Jon Madras Mitch and Renée Henry Stacey Herberman The Herbert Family Michele and Ron Herczeg Allen and Celia Hirsh Katie, Ryan and Emma Hirsh David Holland and Ilana Zeidel Ari Huber The Ifergan Family

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

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Ellis and Sharyn Jacob Alla and Vadim Jacobson Glynnis Jerusalim Shawn and Jessica Jerusalim The Kagal Family Rivka Kagal Ora Kagan Alla Kaplan Evan and Stephanie Karasick Adam, Reesa, Eliana and Ayala Karch Lisa Kardish Rose and Howard Kardish The Kastner Vertlieb Family The Katchky Family Bella and Noah Kats Ian and Bonny Katz Oren, Adrienne, Ezra, Jaz and Gizelle Katz Stephen and Melanie Katz Jesse and Renee Kaufman Terry Kaufman The Kerbel Family Allan, Charlie and Chloe Kerbel Tamara Kerbel The Keren Family The Kernerman Family Ricki Kigel Norma and Ernie Kirsh Kiera and Benji Kirshenblatt Jamie and Jaclyn Klayman The Klein Family Peter Klein Revital Kleinmann Ester Klimitz Donna and Gerry Koffman Martin Kofman The Koifman Family The Komlos Family Peter and Judith Komlos Nella Koren Clifford Korman and Family Melissa and Justin Kramer Erika Krausz The Kremer Family Alex Krieger Elise Krieger Lesley Kroch Henry and Marilyn Krol Reena Kronitz and Mike Naymark Jessica Kudlats Shoshana and Jeremy Kushner Lorri Kushnir and Rami Or The Kwinter Family The Lack Family Miriam Lamasz In memory of Irene Landau The Lanel Family Jonathan, Amanda, Layah and Myles Lapidus The Laski Family The Lavine Family Liz and Ivan Lavine The Lazer Family The Leder Family Manny Leder Bonnie and Jay Lefton Sara and Hartley Lefton Arlene Leonoff Brittany Lepofsky Alan Lerman Lydia Levin Ben Levine Shelley and Aubrey Levine Kori Levitt Danielle and Benjamin Levy Shaun, Delia and Jordana Levy Candice Levy Thompson The Lewis Family Dean, Warren and Joey Libin

bialik.ca

Karen Lidor and Ariel Feldman Mark and Naomi Lieberman Michael and Carla Lieberman The Linden Family Gillian Lindzon and Matt Leibowitz Ronald Lindzon Fabiana Lipka Inessa Lipkin Allan and Rene Lipman Chloe Lipson Aviva Lowe and Richard Fridman Baila and Marvyn Lubek Bruce and Vicki Lubell Ilana Lubetsky Jeff and Sandy Lyons Tiki Madar Sasha and Page Magen Cherie Mager The Maisels Family Elana and Lawrence Mandel Matthew and Robin Buchalter Sylvia and Fred Mandel Fara and Efrem Mandelcorn and kids The Manevich Family Danielle and Randy Manis The Mann Family David and Melissa Mann Harry and Molly Mann The Marchini Gerwitz Family Ellen and Stanley Markin The Markowitz Family The Meisels Family The Melzer Family Shayna and Darren Merker Lisa Metrikin The Michaels Family Allie Middlestadt Lisa Migdal David and Sharon Miller Ethel Miller Sally Mince-Levy Barbara Mirsky Lynne and Michael Mitchell The Mocon Family The Moffs Family Ira Morris Paul and Louisa Morris Lisa Morrison The Morrow Family Gerald and Ellie Morrow The Moskowitz Family Adam and Amanda Moskowitz and Family The Mouyal Family Shawna Mucher Steven Muchnik Cyrelle Muskat and Jonathan Freeman The Nachman/Morrow Family In memory and honour of Rochelle and Gabriel Nachman The Nagel Family Judy and Jerry Naiberg Matthew and Blair Naiberg and Family Ben and Karen Nightingale Mark and Sheryl Nightingale Aaron and Arlene Nisker Clare and Jason Nisker Liv and Oliver Nisker Betty Niznik The Noon Family Johanna Novis Ilana Onel Leslie and Nir Orbach Mori Oren The Orzech Family Aaron Orzech Fern and Gary Orzech The Ossip Family

Claire and Isaac Oziel Adrienne and Ben Pacht Lynnda and Jeffrey Pancer Chen Pascoe Eddy and Deanna Peranson Einav Peretz Iris Perlman The Perlon Family The Perry/Kohl Family The Pesin Family The Pilarski Family Amy Platt Diana Polak Joanna and Mort Prager Isobel Propst Bialik PTA - Himel The Rabinovich Family Karen and Ralph Rabinowicz Suzanne Rapoport Julian Redlick Reuben and Bev Redlick Sammy, Jessica, Reese and Jack Redlick The Reid Family Simone Reitzes Erwin and Gilda Revin The Rezmovitz Family Mary and Les Richmond and Family

Samantha Richmond The Richmond/Rezmovitz Family Vivian Ringwald The Ritter Family Joe and Pam Rivietz Rochelle Robbins The Robins Family Jonathan Robinson The Rolnick Family Jay and Rachel Rolnick The Rose Family Cheryl Rosen and Daniel Drucker Shani and Shmulik Rosen Robyn Rosen Codas Shayna Rosenbaum and Jeff Appleby Deanna Rosenswig The Roskies Family Caryl and David Rosman Barry and Donna Ross Judi and Bobby Ross Ted Ross Oshrat Rotenberg Yehua Rotenberg - In honour of Sabrina Rotenberg Nina Rothman Noa Rozenblit David and Inna Rubenstein

37

G E N E R O U S S U P P O RT

The Rubin Family Lori Rubin-Ricer The Rubinoff Family The Rudick Family The Sacks Family Foundation Marlene Sadofsky The Sadofsky/Ender Family The Sager Family Ora and Joel Sager Lesley and Jonathan Saguy Gary and Lisa Salomon Irene and Frank Salomon The Salsberg Family Mark and Naomi Satok Elan and Lynne Satov Marilyn and Brian Saxe Michael and Alana Saxe Renee and Joel Schachter The Schein Family Brooke Schiff Anne and Jack Schneiderman The Schrieder Family Caryl Schwartz Dara Schwartz Marty Schwartz Jodi Schwarz Danielle Segal Russel Segal and Romy Saibil The Seidman Family Michael and Lisa Seidman The Selby Family Mary Seldon Maddy Seller Carmela Serebryany and Gilad Levy Ariella Shachar and Family

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Michal Shahak The Shalit Family The Shapiro Family Susan Shapiro The Shedletsky Family Evelyn Sherkey David Sherman Samantha Sherman Roxy Shiell and Amnon Fisch Joanna and Jeffrey Shore Sheldon and Sandee Shore Judi Shostack Van and Sonia Shron Brooke Shulman and Barry Segal Marilyn and Michael Shupak The Siegel Family Francine and Marty Sigal The Silber Family Jay, Mara, Livvy, Maddie and Charlotte Silber The Silberman Family Carol and Sheldon Silver Ruthie and Jory Simpson The Singer Family Jonathan and Adina Singer and Family Kali Singer Rena Singer-Gordon and Stanley Gordon Mark and Hazel Skapinker Adam, Alanna, Ethan and Cole Sklar Tatyana Slavny and Shayne Kane In honor of Zina Smali Debbie and Lorne Small Arthur and Sarah Smelyansky Barbara Smuskowitz Jessica Smuskowitz and Ryan Unruch Jennifer and Corey Snider

Hanna Snir Anne Sokoloff Arnold and Renata Somers Barry and Shelly Sookman Rosie Sosnowicz Tamara and Sean Spector Debbie Spigelman Janis and David Spinner The Springer-Simms Family Judy Starr Lisa Starr The Staviss Family The Stecher/Schwartz Family The Stein Family Eric Stein and Drorit Weiss Orly Stein Susan Stein Leah Steinman Stanley and Bernice Steinman The Sterescu Family Laura and David Steuer The Stroll Family The Sugar Family Aubrey and Andrea Sugar Josh Sugar The Tabak Family Joe and Freema Tager Shoshana and Mike Taitz Lynne Taradash Marilyn Targonsky The Targonsky Family Marilyn and Stan Teitelbaum Miriam and Ehud Telem Nicole, Errol and Ryan Tenenbaum The Tenenbein Family Estee Teperman Dorothy Tessis This and That Canine Company Inc. Janice and Murray Tkatch Joanna, Shawn, Benji and Orly Tock Einat Tomchin The Tropepe Bernhard Family David and Shirley Tsivian Samantha Turk The Unger Family Brittany, Shane and Mason Urowitz Marsha and Jack Urowitz

Rosie Uster Felicia Valo Eric and Estelle Vilensky Jessica Waks and David Goodman Danielle and Ruvan Waltman Jess, Jesse, Ella and Sam Waltman Ruthie and David Waltman The Walton Family Phil, Shauna and Smith Walton Sam and Andrea Waserman Susan Waserman Hayley and David Waugh Rochelle and Robert Waxman Debbie and Moshe Weinberg Yotam Weiner The Weinerman Family Donna and Bob Weinerman Frances T. Weisberg Irma Weisz Leah and Eric Weisz Sasha and Tom Weisz Lisa Werger-Adler Jamie Wilson Gale and Jerold Winter Shelley and Paul Winton Lauren Wise and Family Jeff and Debra Wolfe Sharon Wrock Simone Yeager David and Beverley Young The Zalev Family Janna Zarek Meera Zarek Natalie Zegman The Zeitz Family Diane Zeligman Cindy Zemel Brian Ziedenberg and Tracey Lazare Gerry and Sheila Ziedenberg Felix Zilnik The Zimner Family The Zisckind Family Millie and Morley Zisckind Sandra Zisckind and Jeremy Diamond Debra and Sidney Zucker Ilanit and Itzhak Zvi Michael Zylberlicht

Here the Soul of the People is Forged |

‫פה בית היוצר לנשמת האומה‬

SEE BIALIK YOUR WAY.

Be part of Bialik’s growth at our Viewmount and Himel Branches.

Take a virtual tour or visit in-person.

To find out more, contact our Admissions team at admissions@bialik.ca.

bialik.ca

YouR Your gift to the Bialik CommUNITY Campaign will provide growth and opportunity for our students, teachers and our school. Please choose to give to our priority initiatives:

Tuition Support

Bialik's Greatest Needs

The Whole Child

Essential Technology

Going Green

Professional Development

Thank you for your generous support.

donate.bialik.ca If you are considering a legacy gift, please contact Heather Gutmann, hgutmann@bialik.ca.