Message from the Head of School

Jonathan Levy, Ph.D.

In the winter of 2009, my family made the move from Montreal to Toronto. While I had interviewed for leadership positions at a number of schools across North America, when I received an offer from TanenbaumCHAT, my decision was easy: this is where I wanted to be.

Ironically, I had already booked a plane ticket to come see a basketball game (the Raptors were playing my beloved Lakers) and, thinking I had planned my trip perfectly, I was flying into the downtown airport rather than into Pearson. So, once I landed, I had my first experience on the Toronto subway, riding all the way uptown to sign my new contract, and then travelling back downtown again to the game.

My wife and I were unsure of how to break the news of the move to our young children. However, help came in the form of TanenbaumCHAT swag. I received some t-shirts from the school which I proudly gave the boys when we told them where we would be living. These shirts quickly became ‘sleeping shirts’, which they eventually wore out.

Objects have a way of triggering memory. Whether from something recent or decades earlier, they can help us relive memories or recall the emotions related to an event. In this issue of the magazine, we have gathered 50 artifacts from the history of TanenbaumCHAT that in some way help signify who we are. We hope they evoke memories, positive feelings and even some laughs as you take our trip down memory lane.

Over the last 14 years, TanenbaumCHAT has come to be a central institution for my whole family. Two of my children are already graduates, a third is a current student, and my youngest (not yet born when the photo was taken) will be coming next year. Thus far, each of their experiences has been unique and extraordinary. The shirts were the first link to our new home, in a new city, with a new basketball team. ◆

Message from the President, Board of Directors

Shelley Samel

Iwas deeply honoured to assume the role of President of the Board of Directors of TanenbaumCHAT at our Annual General Meeting in December. As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, I have always felt an innate responsibility to help ensure that the Jewish community continues to f lourish. Education has played a crucial part in preserving our heritage and has been pivotal in keeping our traditions alive. As a result, when the opportunity arose to take on the presidency of the board, I felt an obligation to accept the challenge. I am also the proud parent of a recent grad, Jamie Weiner ’22 and a current grade 10 student, Talia Weiner ’25, so I feel personally vested in the continued success of TanenbaumCHAT.

Having had the opportunity to co-chair the board of one of our feeder schools several years ago, I came into this role aware of the vast array of issues and hurdles that a board of a Jewish day school can face. I feel extremely fortunate that TanenbaumCHAT’s board comprises hardworking and highly intelligent individuals who work alongside the school’s dedicated and talented administration to help achieve the school’s mission. We are all committed to ensuring that TanenbaumCHAT continues to strive towards academic excellence while ensuring that our students experience the richness of Jewish culture and traditions to the fullest.

With this in mind, and with a focus on our future, the board has started the process of developing our next strategic plan. Our school has seen robust enrolment over the last few years, and is growing and thriving. This plan will help guide us in making decisions and pursuing opportunities over the next five years by providing a clear roadmap towards ongoing success. We will be canvassing stakeholders to ensure that a variety of perspectives are considered as part of the process, and we hope to share the details of our plan by the end of the calendar year.

I believe deeply in the importance of Jewish education. I feel privileged to be part of the collective commitment and dedication of the board, administration and teachers who are focussed on making a positive contribution to our community and educating the next generation of Jewish leaders in Toronto. ◆

ARTS, ON STAGE AND OFF

The school boasted a full roster of performing arts events at local venues. At the annual Talent Show in December, more than 100 student musicians, singers and dancers gave it their all with the help of the student producers and creative crew who worked tirelessly under the direction of Josh Sable ‘90. In January, TanenbaumCHAT returned to the City Playhouse with three sold-out performances of High School Musical

Students performed twice at Meridian Arts Centre during March. Dance/ Fashion Show was dubbed “A Night at the Oscars” and, arguably, unlike the real-deal, it was fast-paced, funny and talent-filled. Then, under the direction of Jaclyn Klimitz '03 and Orly Lewis '16, students performed a variety of pieces and styles at Music Night

In the much-anticipated return of Arts Café, our students’ skills in instrumental music, vocals, scene-work, sketches and visual arts came to the fore.

In just one example of the wonderful visual arts produced by our students, Melissa Dubin’s Grade 11 class worked on original shoe designs, complete with custom tags laser-cut with the Abramsky Family Art Studio’s new Glowforge laser cutter.

In the classroom

In Grade 12 Israeli Archeology, taught by Rachel Urowitz ‘89, students created stylized maps of ancient Jerusalem that allowed them to develop a deeper understanding of the unique geography of the land, with a focus on the City of David and the surrounding mountains. A new course, Nutrition and Health, developed by Health and Physical Education teacher Gerry Shindo, focuses on what is needed at different stages of life, and features in-class guest speakers on topics such as local and global food issues and kashrut considerations, as well as opportunities for students to enhance their practical skills and understanding with offcampus field trips.

Holiday celebrations

Our Israel Engagement Committee teamed up with UJA’s Israel Engagement ShinShinim who were on hand to transform the Hennick Family Atrium into a massive Israeli-style Hannukah party and, later in the year, to share their knowledge of Tu Bishvat. With four different readings of Megillat Esther there was something for everyone at Purim including plenty of creative costumes and a carnival.

Serving our community

Working with numerous organizations and agencies around the city, our students collectively contribute more than 27,000 hours of community service every year. Some of our students have taken things a step further. Established in 2020 by director Josh Goldman ’22 (below right), Youth4Youth Learning is a not-for-profit that offers free, high-quality tutoring to underserved youth across Toronto. As outlined by Grade 12 student Jacob Van Bergh (below left), who serves at the organization’s head of finance, the organization works to combat increasing educational inequality in the wake of the pandemic. More than 35 current TanenbaumCHAT students are involved as tutors, coordinators and board members.

Israel Connections

In October, our school welcomed Mark Regev, former Israeli Ambassador to the UK (pictured right with Grade 12 students Jonathan Kaplan and Boaz Shron). Currently the chair of the Abba Eban Institute for Diplomacy at Reichman University, Ambassador Regev gave a fascinating talk to students that touched on regional geopolitics as well as the rising anti-Israel/ antisemitic climate around the world.

As a member of an elite special forces unit, Rami Sherman was an integral part of Operation Entebbe. He spoke to Grade 10 students about the incredible 1976 mission that saw the IDF rescue 102 Jewish and Israeli hostages from capture in Uganda after the hijacking of their Air France plane.

With a focus on bringing contemporary Israel education and Jewish identity into the classroom, a delegation of 15 educators from Eilat were in Toronto in the fall. The group is participating in a two-year professional development program in partnership with local middle school teachers, under the auspices of the UJA. While visiting TanenbaumCHAT, the group met with VP Rabbi Eli Mandel, Keren Romm ‘98 (Co-director of Student Activities–Jewish Life), Shira Meirman (Israel Engagement Officer/Shlicha) and student leaders.

UJA’s Regional Manager of Community Security, Niv Goffman, is a decorated Krav Maga champion. In a pilot program, Niv introduced a group of Grade 12 students to this self-defense discipline that is derived from a combination of techniques used in aikido, judo, karate and boxing.

Before the elections that were held in Israel in November 2022, TanenbaumCHAT students had their say. The Israel Engagement Committee organized an interactive mock election featuring a voter compass that provided students with the opportunity to gain insights based on their answers to various social and political issues.

This October, TanenbaumCHAT turned red and pink for cancer awareness. Our Athletic CounciI organized a Terry Fox Walk raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Meanwhile, our students held their Think Pink fundraiser for Rethink Breast Cancer. Students, faculty and staff came out in force to support and contribute to these important causes.

Days Of Significance

In honour of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Black History Club broadcast a speech throughout the school on his life and legacy. They mounted an informative display encouraging students and staff to learn more and to “continue the essential conversation he began 70 years ago.”

Students and staff came together for a thoughtful and poignant presentation to commemorate Remembrance Day and to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.

To mark the start of Holocaust Education Week in November, the student-run Holocaust committee invited Gershon Willinger, grandfather of Grade 12 student Aliya Willinger, to speak to students. Gershon recounted his story of survival as a young child growing up in both the Bergen-Belsen and Theresienstadt concentration camps.

ATHLETIC WINS!

The Senior Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball teams traveled to Baltimore, MD to compete in the annual Weiner Basketball Tournament . The girls won the tournament undefeated, finishing with a perfect 7-0 record. Carmel Baratz (Grade 11) was selected as second team all star and Samara Glazer (Grade 12) was crowned first team all star and tournament MVP.

Building interfaith connections

With Covid-related limitations over, students were excited for the relaunch of an interfaith group with our partners De La Salle College (a Catholic school) and Gibraltar Leadership Academy (a Muslim school). Approximately ten Grade 11 and 12 students from each school participated. The overarching goal is to build personal connections between the students from the three faiths so they can be ambassadors for coexistence and peace between all peoples – one relationship at a time.

After an almost-undefeated season, our Senior Boys Hockey team won this year’s Varsity A Hockey Championships in a down-to-the-wire overtime nail-biter when Team Captain Logan Shnier scored with less than five minutes to go on the clock.

Deca

After qualifying at the regional level earlier in the year, TanenbaumCHAT’s DECA team attended the Ontario Provincial Competition in downtown Toronto. They were accompanied by staff supervisors Jordan Hoffman, Paula Sousa and Sara Black . More than 5,700 students participated in this province-wide competition. Our students garnered 24 medals, as well as top-10 placements Grade 12 students Noa Melnick and Shiraz Meisels, and Grade 11 students Daniel Guterman and Lily Hendler.

Our Grade 9 Boys Flag Football team defeated St. John Paul II Catholic Secondary School 32-12, in a win that ended our seven-year flag football victory drought. Quarterback Evan Abrams was recognized by City News Toronto as their Student Athlete of the Week.

A Focus On Mental Health

Our student Mental Health Awareness Week committee put together a program of events in March aimed at encouraging dialogue and ending the stigma surrounding mental illness. Chris Coulter, who began the “How Are You Feeling” organization following the loss of his teenage daughter to suicide, spoke at an assembly. Grade 10 students Izzy Galansky and Abby Mandelcorn went through the organization’s peer training program for their community service and felt it should be shared more widely. It was a powerful and important session that spoke to the skyrocketing levels of mental health problems in youth today. The week also included a visit from St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, an informative display in Sonshine Square and hot chocolate and cookies for a quick mood boost.

On Staff

Important and timely professional development took place once again this year. In November, staff devised and shared best practices to ensure success in the areas of academics, student mental health and school safety. In February, an informative keynote by Innovation Evangelist and Future of Education Strategist Dwayne Matthews provided insights into the “Future of Education” including the positive and negative implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In February, students took part in grade-specific assemblies led by Samantha Braiman, a former TanenbaumCHAT Class of ‘14 student, who is the Director of Youth Outreach at JACS Toronto (Jewish Addiction Community Services). Samantha spoke about the dangers of substance abuse and shared strategies for improving mental health and the services JACS offers to members of Toronto’s Jewish community in need.

A contingent of six staff members attended the 2023 Prizmah Conference which brought together more than 1,000 North American Jewish day school professionals in Denver, CO for three days of professional development and relationship building. Head of School, Dr. Jonathan Levy, took the conference stage to discuss TanenbaumCHAT’s position as North America’s flagship community Jewish high school and the development of the school’s tuition accessibility program.