CHATTER - Spring/Summer 2023

CHATTER

TanenbaumCHAT in Objects

We scoured the archives for curious, iconic and treasured items from our school’s 60-plus year history.

CHAT TER

Spring/Summer 2023 / 5783 ץיק / ביבא

Messages

Head of School 3

President, Board of Directors 4

FEATURES:

A big win for the entire TanenbaumCHAT community 15

TanenbaumCHAT in 50 objects 19

Powering TanenbaumCHAT

A huge assist 11

Honouring a lifelong learner 12

Generations Day, times two 13

The TanenbaumCHAT experience first-hand 14

Regulars

Quick Study: Highlights from around the school 5 Our Alumni

Alumni News & Notes 30

Alumni Back @TanenbaumCHAT 31

Mazal Tov! 32

The Chatter is published through the TanenbaumCHAT Advancement Office and is distributed to more than 9,000 parents, donors, alumni and friends of the school.

Editor: Jane Rimmer

Contributing writers:

Daniel Malen

Erin Silver

Shawna Sliwowicz ’22 Lauren Trossman ’16

Design & Layout: Pagewave Graphics

Cover design: Daniel Malen Printing: Superior Printing & Litho Inc.

Follow us

@TanenbaumCHAT1

@tanenbaumchat

TanenbaumCHAT Alumni Association

TanenbaumCHAT

416-636-5984

info@tanenbaumchat.org

www.tanenbaumchat.org

Director of Advancement

Frances Bigman, CFRE fbigman@tanenbaumchat.org

Director of Admissions

Laurie Wasser, CAEP lwasser@tanenbaumchat.org

Director of Marketing & Communications

Jane Rimmer jrimmer@tanenbaumchat.org

Alumni News & Notes submissions: tanenbaumchat.org/Share-Your-News

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. ◆

My boys were excited to receive t-shirts from TanenbaumCHAT

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.

High School Musical

Dance/Fashion Show

Talent Show

Arts Café

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.

Creating topographical maps of ancient Jerusalem.

A Health and Nutrition field trip.

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.

Power ing

TanenbaumCHAT Now & Always

Ahuge assist

It was thrilling to watch our community rally to the cause on Day of Giving. Along with one-to-one matching funds, we reached our goal and raised $700,000 through an astounding 925 gifts, of which more than 300 came from alumni.

Your generosity on the annual Day of Giving is vital to our philanthropic efforts. The Powering TanenbaumCHAT annual campaign allows us to:

Fund tuition assistance

With a continued commitment to keeping a Jewish high school education accessible, this year you helped us provide financial assistance to more than 23% of our students. This happened through

1. The TanenbaumCHAT Tuition Accessibility Program (TTAP) for middle-income families, which was launched this year

2. Our support of the UJA Day School Scholarships program Sustain programming excellence

As we prioritize enhancements to the educational experience, your donations allow us to develop new courses and programming; augment resources for student wellness and mental health; improve technology infrastructure and equipment; and provide valuable professional development opportunities.

Your donations to our school ensure that during the formative high-school years, we can provide an amazing experience to all our students: those who come to us from the many Jewish elementary schools in our city, and those who attend our New Stream program and are just beginning their Jewishlearning journeys.

As we continue to shape the next generation of our community, our eyes are firmly on strengthening the school for the future, being there for the Toronto Jewish community and continuing to excel as the city’s only community Jewish high school.

TanenbaumCHAT is powered by the generosity of our entire community. You are our partners in this endeavour, and we can’t do it without you. We are extraordinarily thankful for your trust and support. ◆

Powering

Honouring a lifelong learner TanenbaumCHAT

When current TanenbaumCHAT grandparent Dr. Richard Rodney was looking for a way to honour the memory of his late wife Sheila Rodney z”l, endowing the Student Leadership Award seemed like a perfect fit. We sat down with Rick to hear a bit more about Sheila and the selection of this award.

Why did you establish this award in honour of Sheila?

Our family felt that the Student Leadership Award was the perfect way to honour Sheila’s memory as she loved to learn and share her extensive knowledge through travel, education and life experiences with those around her.

Tell us a little about her life.

Sheila was born in St. Thomas, Ontario in 1942 to Fred and Clara Abbey. After a few years in London, Ontario, the family moved to Toronto when Sheila was 12. She and I met at Harbord Collegiate when Sheila was just 15 years old. We both attended the University of Toronto – I went into Dentistry and Sheila into an arts program.

To help make ends meet as I finished dental school, Sheila left U of T and took a job at the Toronto Star. We married in 1964 and went to Puerto Rico for our honeymoon. It was the first time either of us had been on a plane. Thus began our passion for traveling the world and learning all we could about different cultures, religions, foods and Jewish history.

In 1967, our son Brian was born, followed by our daughter Karen in 1971. Once the children were old enough, Sheila returned to work as a bookkeeper for my dental practice. Then, in 1982, Sheila became Executive Secretary of the Toronto chapter of the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity. She held that position for 28 years and she loved every minute of it.

Sheila and I were blessed with three grandchildren –current TanenbaumCHAT students, Jonah ’24 and Jaelyn ’26, and Willow. Sheila spent as much time with them as possible and they became the loves of her life.

As members of Beth Tikvah Synagogue for over 50 years, we were both very involved in the community, attending shul, seminars and events – a commitment I still continue. We always had a passion for charitable giving and several years ago created the Richard & Sheila Rodney Family Fund at the Jewish Foundation to assist in these endeavors, and to allow our children and grandchildren to carry our legacy forward.

Sheila had many health issues in her later years, but that never stopped her from traveling and being with those she loved. Suddenly and unexpectedly, after 57 years of marriage, Sheila passed away as she approached her 80th birthday. Her memory is a blessing to all.

Tell us about the family connection to TanenbaumCHAT

Having a Jewish identity and connection to the community was very important to Sheila, and watching her grandchildren thrive in Jewish day school meant so much to her. Being able to recognize other students for their leadership and dedication through this award would have made her so very proud. ◆

Generations Day, times two

Over two mornings in October, we welcomed visitors to Generations Day. The event once again brought a special opportunity for generations of the TanenbaumCHAT community to connect with their teenage family members.

Almost 700 guests joined us and began their day at an opening assembly. They were treated to instrumental and choral performances from our music students under the direction of Jaclyn Klimitz ’03. Our esteemed guests were then welcomed with speeches from Head of School Dr. Jonathan Levy, Principal Renee Cohen ’95, Board President Howard Simkevitz ’91, Director of Advancement Frances Bigman, and Co -Directors of Student Council Logan Shnier ’23 and Shiraz Meisels ’23

Afterwards, our guests attended class and had the opportunity to learn side by side with their grandchildren, getting a taste of what makes TanenbaumCHAT so special. Whether creating a work of art, studying Ivrit, working on a science experiment or playing an instrument, our guests spent the day bonding with their grandchildren, reminiscing about their own high school years and, hopefully, learning something new! ◆

TanenbaumCHAT

Powering The TanenbaumCHAT experience first-hand

After the astounding success of our 2021 virtual TanenbaumCHAT Teaches sessions, we were excited to welcome our community into the building this year for a series of lectures taught by a stellar roster of our educators and staff.

The program met four times between February and May, with an additional pre-Passover “Stepping up to the Seder plate” lecture taught by Head of School Dr. Jonathan Levy

The courses covered a range of topics, including Jewish studies, English, Israel engagement, photography, art, engineering, Jewish ethics, drama and archeology. Sessions were taught by dedicated members of our staff: Melissa Dubin, Rabbi Shlomo Gemara, Amy Goldsweig, Dr. Nicholas Maes, Daniel Malen, Shira Meirman, Ryan Peters ’09, Mark Rottman, Suzanne Socken ’93, Zev Steinfeld, and Rachel Urowitz ’89.

More than 300 parents, grandparents, alumni and community members attended, and had the opportunity to get a taste of our high-quality educational experience. The sessions were followed by snacks and schmoozing in the Hennick Family Atrium. ◆

A BIG WIN FOR THE ENTIRE TANENBAUMCHAT COMMUNITY

When the school brought Jewish athletes from Israel, Canada and the United States together for the Israel Becker International Invitational Basketball Tournament, everyone learned what it really means to be part of a Jewish nation

BY ERIN SILVER

Basketball teams from Canada, the United States and Israel came together for the return of TanenbaumCHAT’s Israel Becker International Invitational Basketball Tournament in January. Following a pandemic shut-down, five teams of girls and six teams of boys were excited to compete in five gruelling days of play. In the end, our senior girls team won first place in their division while the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School team from Rockville, Maryland won the boys division. Yet as much as the athletes enjoyed competing on the court, the highlight was the bonding that took place between competitors and their families off the court. “I’m proud of how the tournament ran and how it strengthened our ties with all our visitors, helping us fulfill our mission of becoming part of a global Jewish nation,” says Dr. Jonathan Levy, Head of School at TanenbaumCHAT. “The tournament is an opportunity to bring together Jewish teenagers from different places. Having the chance to connect with three teams from Israel was really the icing on the cake.”

Committee and the Billeting Sub-Committee. “We picked them up from the airport and had a homemade sign with their names on it. When we got home, my son invited several friends over, so the girls met a bunch of TanenbaumCHAT kids right away.”

Her husband, Ozzie, played on the TanenbaumCHAT basketball team as a Class of ’95 student. He was especially thrilled to attend the girls’ games and provide feedback and support. “We made sure that at least one of us was at each of their games so they felt like they had their own personal cheerleaders. I think they appreciated it,” says Goldschmied.

The Goldschmied family was excited to show their guests what it means to be part of the Jewish community here. “On the last night, a couple of their teammates came over to our house and they all hung out together. My son is now keeping in touch with them.”

This tournament was extra special for the family. “Israel Becker ’88 (z”l) was my cousin,” says Goldschmied. “So, this tournament holds extra special meaning for me because it’s held in memory of Israel, whose life was tragically cut short,” she says, noting how she still vividly remembers the day he died. “This was the best way for us to give back as a family and honour my cousin at the same time.”

Dr. Levy was thrilled by the enthusiasm shown by the whole school community. “The gym was full and there were lots of kids and parents cheering. They all wanted to be part of the excitement that was in the air,” he says. This spirit was also embraced by the TanenbaumCHAT families who volunteered to host out-of-town athletes and coaches during the tournament. “We had two girls from the Beth Tfiloh team from Baltimore in our home,” says Stefanie Goldschmied ’95, a TanenbaumCHAT parent who co-chairs the Parent Engagement Event

The Becker Tournament began in 1995 in memory of Israel who died in a car crash in 1994. The alumnus loved basketball and enjoyed playing for the TanenbaumCHAT team. A group of his family and friends started a tournament in his memory, and by the late 1990s, it was so popular that 14 teams from across North America came to compete. After a few starts and stops over the years, including a pause for COVID, this year’s tournament, which ran from January 20 to 25, featured teams from Bialik High School in Montreal; Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School in Baltimore, Maryland; Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland; and the Leo Baeck Educational Center in Haifa, along with a boys team from Elitzur Petach Tikvah. Games were live-streamed and students turned up en masse to cheer everyone on between classes and after.

TanenbaumCHAT’s Israel Engagement Officer, Shira Meirman, is tasked with assimilating Israel and Israeli culture in the school, both in the formal and the informal sense. “I was responsible for the Israeli delegations that came to the school, and it was my job to create the connections between them and our students,” says

There is strength in unity and brotherhood between Jews, no matter where they’re from and such a thing can only be learned through meeting each other and connecting as they did during the tournament.

— Shira Meirman

Meirman. “I think the real meaning of this tournament is the opportunity to be exposed to and get to know students from different Jewish schools around the U.S. and Israel, and to get a sense of the Jewish nation.”

Indeed, the Becker Tournament committee’s main goal was to convey one important message. “There is strength in unity and brotherhood between Jews, no matter where they’re from,” Meirman says, “and such a thing can only be learned through meeting each other and connecting as they did during the tournament.”

It’s a sentiment current parent Tania Samson and her daughter Eliana Samson ’24 couldn’t agree with more. “We hosted three girls from Leo Baeck high school in Haifa,” explains the younger Samson. “It was so amazing being able to have people here that I could connect with. We all like sports, and would talk about life and just hang out all night.”

“Even though they come from two different places, they liked the same music and had so much in common,” says her mom. “I had to cheer her up when they left because they really bonded and were so close. They talk every day and we went to visit them in Israel this Passover.”

Teams from Montreal also experienced that same connection with their Toronto hosts. “We brought our Grade 10/11 boys and girls to the tournament,” says Matt Starr, Athletic Director for the Bialik Montreal team. “The student-athletes were excited for this since the beginning of the season. This is always one of the most well organized and community-building events through sports and basketball. We are thrilled to be invited year after year.”

Becky Silberman shares those sentiments. “It was a great experience,” says Silberman, who coached the team from Rockville. “The combination of high-level basketball and

The TanenbaumCHAT Tigers take on the Charles E. Smith Lions.

getting the chance to observe my students as they built deep connections with other Jewish athletes from around the world was really amazing.”

Adam Chaim and Aubrey Zimmerman ’74, Co-Athletics Directors at TanenbaumCHAT, organized the on-court part of the tournament. From planning the schedule to coordinating the referees and scorekeepers, it was a big team effort. “Overall, I would say that 70 TanenbaumCHAT students participated in one way or another,” says Zimmerman. “Then of course there were the generous families who opened their doors to the more than 100 coaches and players who participated.”

In addition, having the Leo Baeck school from Haifa and Elitzur Petach Tikvah added a flavour to the tournament that can’t be replaced,” says Zimmerman. “The atmosphere in the school was electric. The gym was always full and the crowds were always pumped up. The livestream announcers and the music contributed to the special feeling.”

Beyond the sports, “the highlight of the tournament is being able to speak to and get to know other teams from different areas and their coaches,” says Starr. “It’s amazing to see the kids interact with new people and form friendships in the Jewish community. All of the kids made good friends and we hope the relationships will carry forward.”

TanenbaumCHAT’s Operations Manager, Zoe Shuman, was responsible for organizing and overseeing a range of tasks, including budgeting, security, transportation, communication and social events. She says it took her and the rest of the Becker Committee “hundreds of hours to pull off this monumental task.” Though there were expected planning hiccups along the way, the tournament was a huge success. “After not hosting this event for two years, getting back to it was fun,” says Shuman. “We will likely begin planning for the next tournament in April.” Additional teams beyond the five who participated in 2023 have already expressed an interest in attending.

Billeting families are lining up to host as well. “For nine fun-filled days, we hosted six Israeli basketball players during the tournament,” says parent Hannah Boulakia “We view hosting visitors as an incredible way to give back to the community, but we also think there’s no better way to teach our kids and remind ourselves about the importance of community and sharing what we have,” says the mom of five, including Daniel ’27, Jonah ’24 and Noa ’22 . “Welcoming people into your home creates a spirit of celebration that we missed during the COVID years!” Her five-year-old still asks when his basketball “brothers” are returning and he’s working on his basketball skills. ◆

Reaching for excellence on the court: TanenbaumCHAT Tigers vs Leo Baeck Education Centre, Haifa.

Visitors from Israel making the most of a Toronto snowstorm.

TanenbaumCHAT in 50 objects

WE plundered storage boxes, retrieved long-forgotten folders, investigated dark and dank corners, dipped into desk drawers, and searched years-old online resources to bring you fifty items that in one way or another, just seem to say “TanenbaumCHAT.” Take a look. Perhaps something here will conjure a memory, pique your curiosity or evoke a pang of nostalgia.

This collection is neither definitive nor iconic, and it is certainly not exhaustive. So if you have some other item you’d like to tell us about, or additional information about any of the artifacts here, please let us know. Email us at: communications@tanenbaumchat.org

1 Beginnings

The Community Hebrew Academy was established in the early 1960s as part of The Associated Hebrew Schools at 3630 Bathurst Street on the corner of Neptune Drive. During the 1970s, lay leaders began lobbying for independence and an opportunity to grow. According to Lifetime Board Member Professor Sydney Eisen z”l, “This was absolutely necessary if the school was to offer opportunities to students of all the day schools.” In 1979, we moved into the building at 200 Wilmington Avenue – a former TDSB school.

2 Play posters

The performing arts have always been an integral part of the TanenbaumCHAT experience, and the walls of the Hennick Family Atrium are a testament to our long theatrical history. From A Chorus Line to Annie, and Les Miserables to Little Shop of Horrors, our students have tackled the Broadway classics with flair.

3 Malka’s hotdog cart

There’s no lunch that represents TanenbaumCHAT better than a hotdog and fries from Malka’s cart. After leaving Russia 33 years ago, Malka first set up her cart outside our school in 2002, changing the game for generations of students tired of their leftover-filled lunch boxes.

4 Taking attendance

Before the Edsby online learning management platform came to TanenbaumCHAT in 2015, our teachers took attendance the old-fashioned way with pencil and paper. Our Deans used to get their steps in, collecting the attendance sheets from every classroom, every period, every day.

5 Library book sign-out

Before our current golden age of computerized systems and e-books, our library books were outfitted with trusty sign-out labels.

6 iMac

It was the 90s afterall, and brightly-coloured Apple computers were the “it” thing in any self-respecting school computer lab.

7 Typewriter

Delving deep into our school’s technological history we found this artifact, one that our current students may consider pre-historic: the typewriter. Before the days of Word, Photoshop or ChatGPT, our students stuck to the classic clickety-clack of a typewriter.

8 Economics compendium

Our 1975 Grade 13 cohort was honoured with a printed and bound compendium of their “Economic Legacy,” a collection of student assignments compiled by their teacher, Marvin Blier

9 Keyboarding and formatting

In a school full of digital natives, it’s second nature now, of course, but there was a time when “keyboarding” had to be learned.

10 Grade 9 study skills

Our school has always taken seriously the need to support incoming students as they transition to high school and our demanding dual curriculum. Before the days of online platforms, learning portals and tutorials, our guidance department gave out study skills booklets to Grade 9 students.

11 Scarf

School swag comes and school swag goes. We honestly aren’t sure of the vintage, but the likes of this preppy-looking scarf have not been seen in some time.

12 “CHAT is where it's at”

It was a slogan begging to be coined and, despite its retro vibe, it proved to have remarkable longevity. Stick around school long enough even now and you’ll hear one of our many alumni-staff members still proudly proclaim it. (We may or may not be looking at you, Principal Renee Cohen ’96.)

13 Hebrew Academy pins

The 1970s… lapel pins were in vogue, and we were known as simply the Hebrew Academy of Toronto.

14 Lost CHAR shirt

TanenbaumCHAT swag, lost to the ages! Who would’ve guessed that an attempt by students of the Kimel campus to show their ruach on a school trip to Chicago would end with a banned T-shirt design? Unfortunately, the Chicago Cubs didn’t appreciate the look, and we had to bid the contraband farewell. Luckily, one rebel snuck a shirt away and graciously shared this hidden treasure with us.

15 Spinwheel

Room A107 is home to our Student Activities department, and this spinwheel is without a doubt one of its most identifiable items. A staple at school carnivals and events, it is often used in contests and for doling out prizes and treats.

16 Golden Bagel award

In 2007, our inaugural Golden Bagel Ceremony introduced the now-coveted student activities award recognized among students with the prestige of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony combined.

17 COVID T-Shirt

Too soon perhaps? The pandemic certainly took its toll on school life, but we found our way through with humour, creating a pun-forward shirt in honour of our annual Golden Bagel Awards.

Cheeseballs

Anyone who has set foot in our student activities office in the past decade has seen the cheeseballs, but who knows the origin story? Purchased in 2010 as a raffle prize, the not-so-lucky winner was lactose intolerant and Josh Sable ’90 decided to keep the jar. Thirteen years on, its contents now probably rancid yet bordering on iconic, it still has pride

Science wing hard hat

In 2012, we held the official groundbreaking for the Guttman Family Science Wing. In the name of both safety and school pride, we created TanenbaumCHAT hard hats that had to be worn for all visits to the

The many student-painted murals around the school are a unique feature of our building. Over the course of several years, senior students had the chance to literally leave their mark on the school, each spending the better part of a year during art class and spares creating these panels that reflect our curriculum and focus on school subjects.

21 Class of 1976 graduation

Turning out a brand new cohort of alumni makes graduation the most special night of the year. This is what it looked like in 1976, in the days of sideburns, wide lapels and shag cuts. Do you see yourself in this photo? Let us know at alumni@tanenbaumchat.org.

22 Secret safe

No one’s really sure where it came from or why it’s there, but there’s a safe safely ensconced in a closet in the Head of School’s office.

23 Rav Gurvitz’s notes

Before beloved Jewish Studies teacher and Head of Talmud, Rabbi Yigal Gurvitz , left the school and returned to Israel, he gave his copious teaching notes to now-VP Rabbi Eli Mandel who found them very helpful and put them to extensive use.

24 Shabbos Compendium

For our 50th anniversary, the student leaders of The Shofar (a student-run, weekly Dvar Torah publication) came together with their staff advisors to compile a Shabbos Companion, a comprehensive guide from Erev Shabbat to Havdallah

25 Becker Tournament program

Begun in 1995 by close friends to honour the memory of Israel Becker ‘88 z”l, our international invitational basketball tournament has gone through many iterations, was put on hold during COVID and roared back to life again this year.

(See p.15)

26 CHAT Links

Foreshadowing LinkedIn, this directory, which was published around 2000, was our school’s noble attempt to connect alumni with their peers.

27 The “dungeon”

Known colloquially as a hidden “dungeon,” this vault-like room is actually on the second floor, and is where old school records are laid to rest.

28 Alumni Association form

Judging by this form from the early 2000s, we’ve always been excited about staying in touch with alumni. Avail yourself of the current method of updating the school by going to: tanenbaumchat.org/share-your-news

29 Timmins Torah

This 120-year-old Torah was originally dedicated to Congregation Bnei Israel in Timmins, ON which closed its doors in the 1970s. It was given to TanenbaumCHAT by the remaining members of the community so that it could be cared for and used by the school minyan.

In April 2023, former Principal of Jewish Studies, Rabbi Moshe Yeres, was on hand to help commemorate the arrival of a new cover.

30 Shabbaton Madrichim

In 2015, the Madrichim from both campuses descended on Camp George for the annual Ruach Shabbaton. The weekend was the perfect opportunity for more than 60 student leaders to share and bond over Shabbaton traditions. Two of those Madrichim (Orly Lewis and Lauren Trossman from the Class of 2016) even ended up as current TanenbaumCHAT staff.

31 Torah Transporter

Neither Dr. Who Star Trek or Back to the Future ever conceived of such a thing. But if you’re a Jewish school going off site for a Shabbaton, a Torah Transporter is essential.

32 Rent alumni musical

In 2016, TanenbaumCHAT alumni and community members came together to put on a spectacular sold-out production of Rent, directed by Josh Sable ’90 and starring current TanenbaumCHAT drama teacher Ryan Peters ’09.

33 1990 ad script

TanenbaumCHAT “is far greater than the sum of its parts.” It was true in this school video advertisement from 1990, voiced by guidance counsellor Richie Stoll ’80, and it continues to be true today, over 30 years later.

34 Shabbox

What’s a Shabbaton without its Shabbox? The Shabbox tags along on every Shabbaton, carrying all the provisions our Madrichim could need, including Havdallah supplies, Kumzitz tea candles and icebreaker games.

35 Original band vests

These vests were worn by our first cohort of music students, originally at the north campus before this incredible program also made its way south.

36 40th anniversary leaflet

As we said in this brochure in 2001, our 40th anniversary marked another generation of quality education, fostering young Jewish lives, and warm memories. This milestone came on the heels of a major expansion of our Wilmington campus, in partnership with the UJA, inaugurating the campus as the Anne and Max Tanenbaum Education Centre.

37 50th anniversary book

It was a momentous occasion, eminently worth celebrating: a half-century of community Jewish high school education in Toronto.

38 School song

“As we go walking through the door…” Do you recognize these opening lyrics? In 2007, Grade 12 student Shira Sasson ’07 penned our famous school song. It’s one that our students still listen to every Friday afternoon as school wraps up for the week, singing the words we all know to be true: “CHAT calls us back, it’s our home!”

39 1985 Chatter

While a bit self-referential, including one of the earliest issues of the Chatter in the current issue, seemed like the right thing to do. Does anyone have a good read (pun intended) on how many of those early editions were sent out? We currently print close to 9,000 copies of each magazine.

40 Student-designed stained glass

In honour of the Beit Midrash dedication in 2013, we held a contest among our student artists to create a piece of stained glass art. The creation by winner Alissa Abrahami '13 still graces the entrance to the room.

41 Launching our website

In the relatively early days of the internet, TanenbaumCHAT went digital, creating our first school website and taking on the new technological age in style (well, it was stylish back then). While our website has had a few facelifts over the years and our online presence has grown exponentially, we look back with fondness on our humble internet beginnings.

42 Taking to "social"

In the late 2000s, TanenbaumCHAT entered the realm of social media, setting up our first official Facebook page. It was just the beginning of what has become a formidable and lively social media presence. And on that note, remember to follow @tanenbaumchat on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

43 Redacted yearbook

What’s high school without some pranks? Case in point: after some not-soKosher jokes got past the staff yearbook advisor, the Class of 1989’s student editors were given the choice of paying to reprint the entire supply, or taking permanent marker to all the copies.

44 Rejected student council posters

As is expected during a fierce political campaign, our annual student council elections sometimes end with campaign ads not suitable for the walls of TanenbaumCHAT. Fortunately for us, there’s an unofficial archive of rejected student council posters that, while not befitting a budding politician, can still give us a good laugh.

45 Athletic Awards booklet

We've always been committed to celebrating our student athletes, and these Athletic Award programs help demonstrate just how far back that tradition extends.

46 Trophy case

So many teams, so many games, but so little space on the pages of this magazine. Therefore, we’re going to let this photo of the trophy case (named in memory of Hillel Schneiderman z"l) that sits in the hallway outside the Meyer-Finkelstein Gymnasium denote all the amazing sporting exploits of our student-athletes over the years.

47 Mascots

Despite fierce competition at our yearly Rumble in the Jungle sports event between the two campuses, our Tiger and Cougar mascots from our south and north campus, respectively, united for this photo.

48 Scary Shmata

You’ve heard of the Terrible Towel. Now get ready for the Scary Shmata! Inspired by the Pittsburgh Steelers’

infamous rally towel, our north campus Cougars put their own spin on the concept.

49 Letterman jacket

Skip the thrift store and stick to TanenbaumCHAT vintage! This letterman jacket from our 1985/1986 girls softball team is a timeless classic in the school swag collection.

50 Alex Gropper

In June 2022, Alex Gropper retired from TanenbaumCHAT. As many of his former students-turned-colleagues will attest, Alex used to borrow a joke from his son (a proud alum): "I become what I teach, ancient history." Thus, we thought it only fitting to end our list of 50 TanenbaumCHAT artifacts with one of our most treasured teachers – who just so happened to teach at our school for 50 years! ◆

Mark Goodman ’74 is the epitome of a lifelong learner. After retiring from his law practice, he returned to school to follow his passion for history, which he says was “ignited many years ago at TanenbaumCHAT.” He received his MA in World War II Studies from Arizona State University and is now completing his doctorate in Genocide and Holocaust Studies at Gratz College in Philadelphia.

After spending 26 years as a professor and Chair of the department for the Study of Religion, the Classics & Humanities at San Diego State University, Risa Levitt ’83 has relocated to Jerusalem to serve as the Executive Director of the Bible Lands Museum. Prior to this role, Risa worked as a curator for the Royal Ontario Museum’s Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition and also led the virtual project ROM Connects: Stories of Ukraine.

Freidele (Soban)

Biniashvili ’93 has been writing stories and poems since she was young and has a passion for incorporating Judaic values and messages within her literature. Her two most recently published books are Just One Match (Menucha, 2022), her first humourous novel for adults, and Mendel and the Pencil: A Story about Bal Tashchis (Israel Bookshop Publications, 2022).

Jason Isaacs ’11 successfully completed his PhD in Clinical Psychology, obtaining the accreditation from Dalhousie University. Jason’s main clinical and research interests include substance use, health psychology, sleep problems and issues facing teens and young adults.

Brothers Josh Fluxgold ‘10 and Sam Fluxgold ’13, have established a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment under their banner Oneway Records. Through this collaboration, they aim to promote multiculturalism and talent within Israeli music, and develop and introduce new stars from Israel to the global music industry.

New Stuff Theatre founder Ben Sterlin ’14, seeks to be “Canada’s foremost presenter of urgent and vital contemporary international plays while cultivating new local artistic voices.” Ben’s first production, Ladies Day, was performed in Toronto in Fall 2022, and he is in pre-production for his next play. He is also a published spoken-word poet and debuted his first collection, Man Is / Just Names, in March.

Jonathan Azouri ’12 & Maya Azouri ’13 were named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for their innovative online platform “Catch Corner by Sports Illustrated.” The siblings have modernized and streamlined the sport facility rental process by building an “OpenTable”-like reservation system for basketball courts, ice rinks and tennis courts.

After the TanenbaumCHAT music program sparked a passion for music creation in alumni Erez Zobary ’14 and Billy Schwartz ’14, they each pursued a career in the entertainment industries, as a singer and media director respectively. Recently, the two collaborated on a new project: the single “Out All Night,” for which Billy produced and edited the music video.

ALUMNI Back @TanenbaumCHAT

In March, Grade 11 Law students participated in simulated criminal Mock Trials in which they took on the roles of lawyers or witnesses. Jacob Jesin ‘97, a criminal defense lawyer in Toronto, once again volunteered his time and expertise to act as the judge for all six trials.

Sofia Freudenstein ’16 Zoomed into the Grade 12 Gender and Judaism class taught by her mother Dr. Anna Urowitz-Freudenstein ’86 to discuss women rabbis and her own experience as a female Orthodox rabbinical student at Yeshivat Maharat. Through the lenses of feminism, halakha and history, the course explores issues ranging from women in biblical times through to modern times.

In November, the TanenbaumCHAT DECA team, composed of 180 student competitors, welcomed back past TanenbaumCHAT DECA alumni to judge our annual mock competition over Zoom. The alumni who volunteered their time to judge and provide feedback to our students were: Naomi Benmergui ’15, Russell Citron ’09, Matt Cohn ’15, Julia Fine ’16, Jordan Fish ’08, Anna Frankel ’08, Rachel Lebovic ’19, Sam Leese ’12 , Zach Leranbaum ’14, Adam Neumark ’15, Joshua Pope ’14 and Zoe Sebastien ’13.

In January, we welcomed back Lauren Trossman ’16 as Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Lauren completed her BA at Queen’s University where she studied Psychology, followed by a post-graduate certificate in Arts Management from Centennial College. She has spent the past two years working in the marketing and communications departments of not-for-profit arts organizations, including Soulpepper Theatre Company, Crow’s Theatre and the Toronto International Festival of Authors. “I am so excited to be back at TanenbaumCHAT, and to have the chance to reconnect with the school community, as well as the wider Jewish community,” says Lauren.

Ben Cohen ’21 visited Sharon Harding’s Grade 11 Communications Technology (ComTech) class to speak to our students about his Game Design studies at Brock University, as well as his freelance work as a video game designer.

Yael Shapiro ’21 and Andrea Glube ’21 visited the Israeli Society class taught by Dr. Matt Reingold ‘03 to talk about their gap year experiences in Israel.

ENGAGEMENTS

Allie Minuk ’12 & Jordan Wajs ’12

Sam Factor ’14 & Elyse Klerer ’14

Rachel Pokroy ’15 & Jacob Schneider ’15

Dalia Karol ’13 & Daniel Weiss

Jordana Ansel ’18 & Ezzie Benjamin

Aidan Little ’12 & Jaclyn Stein ’14

David Jaskolka ’14 & Samantha Richmond ’14

Mila Schneider ’15 & Noah Fidel

Josh Gottesman ’10 & Orah Myers

Jaclyn Marcus '11 & Keenan Engel

Max Silver ’14 & Megan Brenkel

WEDDINGS

AJ Goldberg ’03 & Lauren Rotman ’04

Erin Chesney ’10 & Jesse Weinberg ’10

Jessica Danilewitz '10 & Daniel Wise

Nikki Waisglass ’13 & Zack White ’13

Alex Kaplan ’06 & Nicole Korb

Gaby Goldenberg ’07 & Daniel Lerman

Leorah Klein ’11 & Rachel Ross

Rachel Carr ’06 & Jonathan Grosman

Danielle Horvath ’10 & Jordan Adler

Hilly Katz ’15 & Carly Rutkovsky

Rebecca Trossman ’12 & Meir Cohen

BIRTHS

Shlomo Jesin ’08 & Rivka Jesin

Rebecca Cherniak ’06 & Noah Kochman

Rebecca Levin ’06 & George Marhasin

Torey ’05 & Zack ’05 Belzberg

Rachel Wallach ’02 & Carin Ferdowsian

Madison Rochwerg ’08 & Jonah Cait

Arielle (Zahavi) Handler ’09 & Adam Handler ’10

Iona Mer

Romy Marissa

Adam Goldberg ’06 & Alix Gropper Goldberg ’09

Avraham Elchanan

Isaac

Nathan Dov

Samuel Benjamin

Paula (Garshowitz) Harlan ’04 & Seth Harlan

Ava ’05 & Naphtali Silverman

Carly Ostroff ’05 & Noah Mandel

Shai Berliner ’02 & Rebecca Zendel Berliner ’07

Aubrey & Poppy

Zachary Ethan

Marlowe

Daniel Ozier ’08 & Jayme (Goodman) Ozier ’08

Oliver Jax

Noah Miller

Harlow June

Romy Hazel

Maya Binah

Aaron Vale ’02 & Danielle Lenchner

Alanna (Glicksman) Handelman ’05 & Brandon Handelman

Sara Levine ’11 & Yoav Cohen-Rimmer

Tali Yael

Stefanie Greenspan-Spencer ’06 & Matthew Spencer Moshe ’02 & Maya Schwartz

Shimon Lev

Jaclyn (Milstein) Lakien ’05 & Josh Lakien

Jesse Aaron

Elle Loren

Rachel Carr ’10 & David Czosniak ’09

Coby James with siblings

Yonatan Lipsitz ’08 & Lauren Gans

Max Judah

Esther Mochon ’13 & Ben Buckler

Ashley (Offenheim) Carmel ’14 & Sagi Carmel

Hadar Rosie

Rebecca Dreezer ’06 & Joel Friedman

Max Darwin

Pearl (Kraft) Gasner ’15 & Nadav Gasner

Rachel Serach

Maddie Axelrod ’07 & Jason Kogan ’07

Amelia Perre

Gabriella Liat

Chase Sidney Nathan Saul