celebrating our Achievements célébrer nos

Transcription

Academic excellence
esprit sportif
Celebrating
our Achievements
Célébrer
nos réalisations
Vision
L’académie hébraïque s’efforce de former des diplômés
visant à la fois l’excellence de l’éducation séculaire et
judaïque, Shomer Torah et mitzvot, et de leur transmettre
l’amour de l’état d’Israël.
Mission
It has truly been a
wonderful
number
of
months since the start of
school. You will see in the
pages of this journal many
of the individual and school
successes from throughout
the year. The year started
out with uncertainty and
excitement around a number
of institutional changes; we
saw this as an opportunity
for the people we had in place to step up and take Hebrew
Academy to another level. Our goals at the beginning of the year
were to improve school culture, empower people to share their
leadership skills and contribute to Hebrew Academy’s success,
and to demonstrate our accountability to all stakeholders.
Under the guidance of our administrative team of Executive
Director Linda Lehrer, High School Principal Laura Segall and
Acting Elementary School Principal Shauna Joyce, we can
confidently say that we have attained these goals. Thank you to
our administrative team, our faculty, our staff, our parents, our
volunteers and our students for being part of that success.
As we transition into the summer break, our administrative
team and lay leadership are hard at work preparing for next
year. Our goals are to build upon this year’s successes, while
continuously striving for academic excellence as we work to
cultivate students who will serve as Jewish role models both in
and out of school.
I look forward to another successful year.
Alvin Suissa
President
2014-2015 Board of Directors
President and
Chairman of the Board
Alvin Suissa (’85)
Vice President
Sam Drazin (’92)
Treasurers
Eric Amar
Nathan Hadid
Secretary
Lori Diner
Immediate Past President
Elly Miller (’85)
Board Members
Sharon Amar
Peter Benisti
Dale Boidman
Vanessa Fallenbaum
Edie Friedman
Meir Israel
William Jegher (’96)
Chaya Lieberman
Russell Samuels
Lawrence Witt
Nous nous engageons à fournir un environnement
éducatif afin de permettre aux élèves d’atteindre leur plein
potentiel à la fois intellectuel et spirituel.
• Favoriser le leadership et l’engagement communautaire
• Inculquer l’amour et démontrer un attachement à
l’état d’Israël
• Offrir des possibilités pour alimenter l’esprit, le corps et
l’âme
Valeurs
• Valeurs de la Torah
• Curiosité intellectuelle et un amour de l’apprentissage
• L’honnêteté et l’intégrité
• Le respect
• Midot tovot
• Maasim tovim
Vision
Hebrew Academy endeavours to nurture graduates who
strive for excellence in Torah and secular education, who
are Shomrei Torah and Mitzvot, and have a love for Medinat
Yisrael.
Mission
Hebrew Academy provides children of Torah-observant
families with academic excellence in both Limudei
Kodesh and secular studies.
We are committed to:
• Providing an educational environment to enable
students to reach their full intellectual and religious
potential
• Fostering leadership and community involvement
• Instilling a love of, and an attachment to, Medinat Yisrael
• Providing opportunities to nurture the mind, body and soul
Values
• Torah values
• Intellectual curiosity and a love of learning
Let’s Build on the Year’s Successes
We began this year with the motto: “Moving forward with
confidence and pride”. Thanks to the ongoing collaboration
and unparalleled support of all of our constituents – particularly
our parent body and faculty – our confidence is elevated
and we continue to beam with pride – at our students, at our
accomplishments and at our unity as a community.
Nous avons amorcé l’année avec la devise suivante : « Avancer
avec confiance et fierté ». Grâce à la collaboration continue et le
soutien incomparable de notre communauté, en particulier des
parents et des professeurs, nous sommes de plus en plus confiants
et nous continuons à être fiers de nos élèves, de nos réalisations et
de notre unité en tant que communauté.
The reasons we are confident and proud are manifold.
One need only flip through the pages within this report for
a comprehensive summary of the myriad successes we’ve
celebrated over the past year. From local and national
achievements in the domains of academics and athletics to
dynamic, creative programs that complement our curricula;
from our enthusiastic participation in multiple Chessed activities
to our communal Mezuzah Dedication and Community-wide
Chinese Auction, we have pooled our collective strengths – as
students, parents, faculty and staff members, volunteers and
benefactors – and achieved remarkable results.
Nous puisons notre confiance et notre fierté de diverses
sources. Il faudrait simplement feuilleter les pages de ce rapport
pour avoir un aperçu complet des nombreuses réalisations que
nous avons célébrées cette année. Nous avons uni nos forces
en tant qu’élèves, parents, professeurs, membres du personnel,
bénévoles et bienfaiteurs afin d’obtenir des résultats remarquables,
qu’il s’agisse de réussites scolaires et sportives, sur le plan local et
national, l’intégration de programmes dynamiques et créatifs pour
compléter notre curriculum, la participation dans plusieurs activités
de Chessed, l’inauguration des mezuzot ainsi que l’encan chinois
communautaire.
The pages within serve as a tangible reminder of what we have
achieved, and what we can continue to achieve, as a team. It is
only by working together and supporting one another that we
have come so far and will continue to soar even higher.
Les pages suivantes servent de rappel concret de ce que nous
avons accompli, et de ce que nous allons continuer à accomplir
en tant qu’équipe. C’est uniquement en travaillant ensemble et
en s’aidant que nous avons parcouru tant de chemin et que nous
continuerons à aller de l’avant.
The year has not been without challenges. As with every path
to success, however, the bumps we’ve confronted along the
way have served to educate and inspire us to work even harder
and aim even higher in the pursuit of our collective goals. We
look forward to moving ahead with our One School Educational
Plan and continuing to cultivate a school culture that embodies
respect for all as we live by the values that make Hebrew Academy
a flagship Modern Orthodox day school in North America.
As we build on the successes and highlights of this past year,
may we continue to emulate the guiding principles of Torah and
Ma’asim Tovim and draw inspiration from one another.
Cette année n’a pas été sans défis. Comme tout chemin vers la
réussite, les obstacles que nous avons rencontrés nous ont servi de
leçon et nous ont motivés à travailler encore plus fort et à viser plus
haut vers nos objectifs collectifs. Nous avons hâte de poursuivre
notre « One School Educational Plan » et de continuer à promouvoir
une culture scolaire qui incarne le respect de tous et qui favorise
les valeurs qui font de l’Académie Hébraïque une école orthodoxe
moderne prisée en Amérique du Nord.
Tout en nous inspirant des réussites et des moments saillants
de cette année, puissions-nous continuer à émuler les principes
directeurs de la Torah et des Ma’asim Tovim et à nous inspirer les
uns et les autres.
• Honesty and integrity
• Respect
• Midot Tovot
Linda Lehrer
Executive Director / Directrice générale
• Maasim Tovim
HAppenings Summer 2015
HA-MTL.ORG • 3
Contents
2
Leadership
6
Achievements
10
Faculty and Staff
12
Shalom U’Litraot
13
Professional Development
14
Kindergarten
16
Academics
24
Student Life
33
Athletics
36
Graduates
38
Community
41
Volunteers
44
Media
46
Kollel Torah Mitzion and Sherut Leumi
48
Development
50
Financial Review
Summer / Été 2015
Editor / Rédactrice: Aviva Engel, Communications Director / Directrice des communications
Contributors / Collaborateurs: Myriam Bensimon, Yaffa Blanshay, Richard Bond, Chantal Bouganim Roditi, Zehava Cohn, Zohar Dayan,
Joanne Druker, Louise Finkleberg, Simon Forget, Sheri Grey, Elyse Haber, Suzie Horvath, Alanna Korman, Linda Lehrer, Yoni Lehrer,
Dr. Morrie Levy, Chaviva Lifson, Marilyn Lucas, Beth Moskovic, Norma Newman, Warren Rohr, Rabbi Sorin Rosen, Jillian Rudnitsky,
Miriam Schrager, Dr. Laura Segall, Rabbi Eddie Shostak, Jacqui Silbiger, Chris Taylor, Lauren Thurber
Photography / Photographie: Aviva Engel, VIA Photo, Hebrew Academy Faculty
Graphic Design / Conception graphique: Evan Lupovici
HAppenings is a publication of Hebrew Academy of Montreal and is distributed to current families, alumni, staff and friends of the
school. We welcome feedback, photos and contributions.
HAppenings est une publication de l’Académie Hébraïque de Montréal et est distribuée aux familles actuelles, aux anciens élèves,
le personnel et les amis de l’école. Vos commentaires sont les bienvenus et la contribution.
Please send submissions to / Envoyer vos soumissions a:
[email protected] or/ou HAppenings Editorial Department,
Hebrew Academy, 5700 Avenue Kellert, Côte Saint-Luc, Québec, H4W 1T4
HA-MTL.ORG • 5
Achievements
It’s been a wonderful year at Hebrew Academy,
filled with reasons to celebrate!
Grade 6 students excel at QAMT
Math Competition
Mazel Tov to Grade 6 students Adam Perras and Jacob Silverman upon
winning First Prize in the Provincial QAMT (Quebec Association of Math
Teachers) Math Competition in June! Kol Hakavod to Grade 6 students
Daniel Sternthal, Ari Wise and Adam Levy for winning Second Prize, and
to Dov Vas and Oren Marciano for coming in Third. Thank you to English
Teachers Louise Finkelberg and Sheri Gray and to Math Enrichment
Teacher Lori Aronoff for coaching the students and taking them all the way
to the top!
Students win Prix du Mérite
en Histoire
The Ministry of Quebec awards an annual prize to students who obtain
the highest marks in the Grade 10 History and Citizenship provincial
matriculation exam. Kudos to this year’s awardees Asher Bendayan, Ariella
Eisenberg and Erica Hasen!
Hebrew Academy students top
rankings in Chidon Hatanach
Grade 2 student among
Concours de Lecture
winners
Yasher Koach to Grade 2A student Aidan Knafo
who was among four winners of the Concours
de Lecture in May, and to Hannah Alloul (Grade
2A) who was among the finalists! Thank you to
French teachers Simone Cohen and Jeanine
Cohen-Bibas and for preparing the students so
wonderfully for the event!
Each year, students around the world voluntarily take on the challenge of studying Chumash and Navi for several months to
participate in the annual Chidon Hatanach – Bible Contest. Hebrew Academy students are no exception! In early March, they joined
150 other Montreal-area students to write the Regional Chidon Hatanach competition. All students across Canada write the same
Regional exam and the top scorers in each city advance to the National Contest, held on alternate years in Montreal and Toronto.
Twenty-eight Hebrew Academy students from Grades 5 through 10 moved on to the National Contest in May!
In March, family and friends gathered at Congregation TBDJ to honour this year’s finalists in the Montreal Regional Chidon Hatanach.
Mazal Tov to Hebrew Academy students Jacob Silverman who placed Second, and Adam Levy who ranked Third in the Grade 5-6
Division and to Gabriel Mamane who ranked First in the Grade 7-8 Division!
On hand to encourage and honour the regional winners were 2014 national winners, Grade 10 students Eliana Rohr and Yehonatan
Haimovici, who performed exceptionally well in the International Chidon Hatanach in Israel on Yom Ha’atzmaut. Yehonatan placed
Fifth in the world and Eliana was among the Top 16 finalists who competed in the final round of the Chidon on live TV! Prior to the
event, the two met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli dignitaries.
Mazel Tov to all of our winners and their families. A very special thank you and Yasher Koach to our coaches Warren Rohr (Elementary)
and Ora Amar-Rubenstein (High School) for their phenomenal and tireless work in coaching our students.
The Chidon Hatanach is sponsored by the Bronfman Jewish Education Center, Toronto’s Board of Jewish Education, the Canadian
Zionist Federation and the Jewish National Fund.
HA-MTL.ORG • 7
Alumni continue
to make HA proud
Hazlacha Rabba to alumni Jonathan
Shaul (’12), Joshua Schwartz (’12) and
Dan Cohen (’13) who were accepted
into McGill University’s Med-P Program
and to Tamar Veres (‘06) upon
her acceptance into the Technion
American Medical Students Program.
Juvenile Boys’ soccer
team wins JISA
championship
Hats off to our Juvenile Boys who dominated
every single game in the Jewish Interscholastic
Sports Association Tournament and won the
championship game against Maïmonide by a
score of 4 to 1. Kudos to Grade 11 student Noah
Matarasso, who was named the tournament MVP.
Todah Rabbah to Coach Andrew Albanesi, who
led his team to victory!
Bantam and Juvenile
basketball teams
win silver at JISA
Kol Hakavod to our Bantam and Juvenile Boys
and their coaches Ami Drazin (’86), Dr. Jake Burak,
Dr. Morrie Levy (’83) and Daniel Shaul (’04) upon
winning silver medals at this year’s Jewish
Interscholastic Sports Association Basketball
Tournament!
HA wins Second Place in
city-wide Battle of the
Books
Midget Boys basketball team
turns up the Heat with GMAA
championship win
Mazel Tov to our Midget Boys basketball team upon winning this year’s
final GMAA Division Two Championships against Yavne by a score of 55 to
40. Congratulations to Grade 9 student Noah Castiel for being awarded
MVP. Yasher Koach to coaches Natan Schecter (’91), Eric Lasry (’92) and
Avi Toledano (’04) and to Director of Athletics Yoni Lehrer (’99) for their
exceptional leadership!
Dr. Laura Segall recognized for
her outstanding contributions as
Jewish day school educator
Mazel Tov to High School Principal Dr. Laura Segall upon being awarded
the Pearl Feintuch Award in December, in recognition of her outstanding
contributions as a professional Jewish day school educator. The annual
award was established at BJEC by Hebrew Academy Board member Dale
Boidman and her husband Nat, in memory of Dale’s mother, Pearl Feintuch,
a teacher whose primary focus was special education. A board evaluates
nominees’ contributions in the domains of creativity, leadership, school life
and community. Mrs. Boidman presented Dr. Segall with the award as well as
the accompanying $500 prize.
In addition to spearheading Hebrew Academy’s annual Science Fair
in 2009, Dr. Segall initiated a Sunday Science enrichment program for
students interested in exploring such topics as virology, cancer, science
of the senses and biotechnology. Her mentorship of Hebrew Academy
science teams enabled students to win the Shalhevet Freier Physics
Tournament’s Montreal Competition, and secure Fourth Place in the
international competition in Israel in 2013. Under Dr. Segall’s leadership,
Hebrew Academy science students ranked first place in the Jerusalem
Science Competition in 2014.
Mazel Tov to our Battle of the Books participants
Sarah Azoulay (Grade 8), Michal Blechman, Meir
Hersson-Edery, Gita Margolese, Andrew Miller (all of
Grade 9), and Jeremy Rimokh (Grade 10), who placed
second in Hebrew Academy’s first-ever showing at
the Montreal-wide Battle of the Books. Seven teams
competed in the QAIS Battle, answering questions
from a 14-book reading list. In the four exciting rounds
of “regular” and “lightening” play, Hebrew Academy
finished only one question shy of the first place winners.
The students represented Hebrew Academy proudly
with impressive team camaraderie and Derech Eretz.
Each student received a book in recognition of their
efforts. Yasher Koach to librarians Norma Newman and
Zehava Cohn for introducing this wonderful program
to HA, and for helping to prepare the team!
Grade 10 Girls come out
on top at community-wide
Moot Bet Din
The Moot Court of Jewish law is an annual event
organized by BJEC where students prepare and argue
a legal case using rabbinic sources to defend their
position. Beginning in January, the Grade 10 Girls and
their teacher Rav Mechanech Rabbi Eddie Shostak
began to explore a fictional case involving a family
inheritance dispute by delving into Torah sources and
submitting legal facta. Two groups were selected to
represent Hebrew Academy at McGill’s Faculty of Law in
May, where they argued their cases before an esteemed
panel of judges. Mazel Tov to Eliana Rohr who won the
title of Best Extemporaneous Speaker, and to Danielle
Levi who won Second Best Pleader. Along with their
team-mates Janna Sternthal and Elisheva Eisenberg, the
girls also won Second Best Brief (out of 40)! Kol Hakavod
to Rav Mechanech Rabbi Eddie Shostak for preparing
the students for this significant event.
Kol Hakavod to David Lugassy (‘12), Shmulie Kuperstock (‘12) and
Jacob Israel (‘13) who are proudly serving in the IDF and to Jacob
Kuperstok (‘14) who will join them in the coming year. We pray for
their continued safety and well-being.
2015 National Honour Society
Inductees
The National Honour Society recognizes high school students
who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship,
Leadership, Service and Character. Mazel Tov to the following Grades
9 and 10 students upon their induction into the 2015 NHS: Rebecca
Azoulay, Myriam Benchaya, Rebecca Benchaya, Yonathan Castiel,
Noa Cohen, Ariella Eisenberg, Sarah Elkaim, Eden Oliel, Naomi
Ovadia, Avi Somech and Janna Sternthal! HA-MTL.ORG • 9
facult y and staff
We extend our deepest gratitude to all of the individuals
who make our school such an exceptional place! It is
truly a privilege to work with such wonderful people.
HA-MTL.ORG • 11
Shalom U’L’hitraot
professional development
One School, One educational plan
We bid farewell to the following beloved
teachers who are celebrating their retirement
this year:
The emphasis on collaboration is a driving theme in much of the private sector of industry. From concurrent engineering
to the creation of virtual collaborative networks, industry has long recognized that quality and productivity can be improved
when silos are broken down and departments communicate and collaborate with one another. Thanks to the generosity of
CJA’s Generations Fund and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel and Brenda Gewurz, Hebrew Academy has embraced this approach through
a program of professional development called the One School Educational Plan.
Now in its second year, the One School program is a formal program of professional development designed to ensure a
qualitative and quantitative edge inside the classroom and within our community of learners. The program is designed to
develop a common language and methodology for the faculty as a whole, from Kindergarten to Secondary V through the
professional collaboration of teachers and faculty members, breaking down the classroom silos and providing training and
support for educators. For the first time at Hebrew Academy, teachers are working together across grade levels, departments
and schools in collaboration with our support staff of special educators, guidance counselors and IT coordinators to enhance
the learning experience of every student.
Rabbi Baruch Abramovitz
Judaic Studies Teacher and
Department Head, 42 years
Joe Saragosti
French Teacher, 10 years
Richard Bond
French, History and Geography Teacher
and Department Head, 28 years
We are ever grateful to these wonderful educators, for their years of dedication to Hebrew Academy. As pillars of
our school community, they have shared their wisdom and expertise with our children and served as powerful role
models for the next generation. We are privileged to have worked alongside them as colleagues, to relate to them as
friends, and to connect with them as members of the Hebrew Academy family.
We wish them Hazlacha Rabba in all their future pursuits. They will truly be missed.
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
–Henry Adams
A leadership team of administrators, coordinators (Elementary School) and department heads (High School) spearhead
the professional development learning activities under the guidance of Leadership and Educational Consultant Jonathan
Cannon, a specialist in 21st Century Education and technology innovation in the classroom. Each month, Mr. Cannon meets
with the leadership team to introduce the next step of the program, “adding tools to the educational toolbox of our teachers.”
The team then spends the day training members of their department and supporting them throughout the month, mentoring
teachers as they implement their learning. Thus far, the educational toolbox includes blended learning, differentiation,
collaborative workspaces for students and faculty, peer mentoring as well as models of assessment, data-driven decisionmaking, identifying and addressing the various learning styles of students (visual, auditory or kinesthetic), methods for
scaffolding student work, project based learning (PBL), collaborative learning, and training of the faculty in Google apps as a
platform for collaborative learning. Lastly, the team and faculty have created task forces for the improvement of school culture
in the areas of communication, professionalism and accountability.
Under the One School Plan, teachers now regularly invite their colleagues to their classrooms to share their excitement
over new initiatives, consult with one another on particular areas of concern or train one another in new technologies. In
June, for example, Elementary and High School teachers visited a Grade 3 classroom to observe Genius Hour in action where
students shared their passion through a platform of their choosing. The project allowed students to work to their strengths
and potential. The visit created an opportunity to introduce other teachers to an approach that could be adapted to any grade
level. The excitement in the building was palpable.
The evidence of the improvement brought about by the One School Plan can be found within the pages of this report. For
the first time in years, members of different departments, grade levels and subject areas have been working closely together
for the sole purpose of enhancing students’ experience in the classroom and improving student outcomes. Teachers are
working harder than ever but enjoying the opportunity for professional growth. We are looking forward to an exciting year
of professional development in 2015-2016 as we restore Hebrew Academy to its rightful place as the flagship school of the
Jewish day school system in Montreal.
HA-MTL.ORG • 13
kindergarten
All I really need to know I learned in
Kindergarten – at Hebrew Academy
A-E-I-O-U and
sometimes Y
To mark their completion of a unit on
vowels, Kindergarten A and B classes held “vowel
parties” this past year, featuring various vowelthemed activities. Together with their parents, the
children enjoyed baking, playing word games
and doing arts and crafts. The kids even arrived in
creative hats designed especially for the occasion!
Classes share stories on
Skype
Excitement was in the air last fall as Kindergarten A and B
students exchanged book reviews with Kindergarten students
from Georgia Elementary School in the U.S. The children
focussed on the theme of friendship and discussed the
makings of a good friend versus a bully.
“Skype in the classroom is beneficial to students as well as
educators, as it allows us to connect with and explore other
Kindergarten classes,” said Morah Kathy Knafo. “It also enables
us to interact with and sensitize children to people from different
cultures and backgrounds,” added Morah Ilana Krief.
Un petit aperçu de notre année
magique en maternelle
La maternelle est une étape significative dans la vie de vos enfants.
L’année est remplie d’événements ainsi que d’activités d’apprentissage.
Lors de notre thème d’automne, nous avons maîtrisé les couleurs et abordé
l’histoire d’Elmer l’éléphant qui nous a appris que l’individualité est une
fierté. Notre thème hivernal nous a mené à la decouverte des ours polaires
alors que le printemps nous a permis d’observer la métamorphose des
papillons. Au biodome, nous avons observé les 4 différents écosystèmes.
Nous avons également pu observer certains animaux marins.
N’oublions pas notre thème des inventions où nous avons découvert le
Braille et le sens du toucher. En effet, nous pouvons compenser pour une
lacune dans un sens en utilisant un autre. À travers notre “voyage” en Israel,
nous avons appris l’aviation et les frères Wright.
Intergenerational bonding
Prior to Purim, Kindergarten B students brightened the day for
residents of Maimonides Geriatric Centre, with a special visit. The
children and seniors participated in a joint Purim-related arts and
crafts activity, then posed together in a special photo-booth! In
the spring, a number of Maimonides residents returned to the
school for a fun follow-up art activity. The initiatives were part of
“Helping Hands Across Generations” - a joint project between
Hebrew Academy Kindergarten and Maimonidies.
Kindergarten raises significant
funds for Chai Lifeline
As a fundraiser for Chai Lifeline, Kindergarten A and B published
Hebrew Academy’s first ever Chanukah Cookbook this past year!
The initiative raised $1200 for the non-profit organization, which
helps children suffering from serious illness and their families. In the
winter, both classes united to present the Tzedakah to Chai Lifeline
Development Officer Riki Drazi, who thanked the students with
chocolate coins and class certificates.
Children travel to Israel
to celebrate Yom
Ha’atzmaut
In celebration of Israel’s 67th birthday,
Kindergarten students received passports and
travelled to Israel on a very real-looking airplane
(complete with an El-Al in-flight safety video).
There, they visited the Kotel, performed drills at an
army base with a Chayal (aka KTM Bachur Shalom
Orkaby) and even did a beautiful art activity in
the Artists’ Colony in Tzfat!!
KTM staff lead students in
meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat
The Lieberman Family Beit Midrash was the hub of activity on Friday
afternoons this year, as Kindergarten students participated in a weekly
Kabbalat Shabbat program with Kollel Torah MiTzion staff. In addition
to singing Shabbat songs and listening to captivating stories, KTM staff
put on humorous plays about Parashat Hashavua. The children were also
presented with weekly Midot Tovot awards.
HA-MTL.ORG • 15
academics
Our comprehensive education enriches
the whole child
Le voyage des élèves de la
deuxième année, à Eretz
Canaan
Les élèves de la classe 2B ont commencé leurs études formelles du
Chumash avec la Parasha Lech Lecha. Ils ont suivi les traces d’Avraham
Avinou et ont entrepris leur propre voyage de Charan jusqu’en Eretz
Canaan. Les élèves avec leurs moutons et toutes leurs possessions ont
traversé deux fleuves y compris Nahar Prat pour arriver en Eretz Canaan.
Le voyage original qu’Hashem ordonna à Avraham de faire a duré 28
jours, mais nous l’avons fait en une journée!
Author leads Grade 2 workshop
on character development
Both Grade 2 classes welcomed author Lydia Lukidis for a workshop
on creating compelling characters. The students explored various
archetypes (hero, villain, comedian) and expanded their vocabulary in
describing the traits of various character types. The children let their
imaginations lead the way as they wrote about and designed their very
own story characters.
Students Skype with author of
popular graphic novel series
Grade 3A students were excited to participate in a Skype lesson
with Stephen McCranie, author and illustrator of the extremely popular
Mal and Chad graphic novels series. In addition to sharing the steps
he takes when creating his stories, McCranie also demonstrated how to
draw cartoons by beginning with simple shapes. The students had an
opportunity to ask the author questions about writing and illustrating
and really enjoyed watching him draw his characters.
Les élèves épatent leurs invités au tout premier vernissage de
l’école primaire
Les élèves du primaire de l’Académie Hébraïque ont dévoilé leurs talents de Van Gogh, Picasso, Chaki, Agam et Britto au tout
premier vernissage de l’école. Conçue par le département de français du primaire, l’exposition dans le Beit Midrash de la famille
Lieberman a mis en vedette les œuvres d’art des élèves de la première année à la sixième année, des œuvres sur lesquelles les élèves
et les enseignantes ont travaillé pendant des mois. Nous avons eu droit à des autoportraits et des natures mortes, du pop art, des
masques, du découpage, des murales et de l’art en 3D. Les œuvres des élèves reflétaient le nombre d’heures passées à l’exploration
de divers supports, incluant l’acrylique, le papier mâché, l’argile, les pastels et le bois, ainsi que diverses thématiques incluant les fêtes,
les saisons, la géométrie, les animaux et la théorie des couleurs.
Les invités du vernissage, la famille et les amis de nos élèves ainsi que le personnel de l’Académie Hébraïque étaient véritablement
impressionnés par la beauté de l’exposition et du calibre des œuvres des élèves. « C’est avec une énorme fierté que nous vous
accueillons ce soir lors du vernissage des travaux de nos élèves réalisés dans le cours d’arts plastiques », ont dit les enseignantes de
français au primaire dans un carnet distribué aux invités. « Au sein de ce cours, l’élève est amené à inventer, à interpréter et à apprécier
des œuvres, tout en développant son esprit critique et son sens esthétique. Chaque situation d’apprentissage proposée aux élèves
en arts plastiques alphabétise visuellement l’élève, développe son potentiel créateur au regard du monde visuel et ses habiletés
à symboliser, à exprimer et à communiquer par le biais de l’image. L’apprentissage des arts plastiques amène l’élève à vivre des
expériences multiples sur le plan affectif, cognitif, psychomoteur, social et esthétique. »
Grade 5 students master the art of
debating
The students in Grade 5B engaged in an energetic debate on the pros and cons of
extending the school year. Debating is an excellent exercise in critical thinking and
communication; students will apply the skills they mastered during the activity throughout
their lifetimes. To the surprise of many, the arguments offered by the “Pro” side were highly
convincing!
Une grenouille nomée Gaby
Depuis quelques semaines, les élèves de première année ont travaillé sur le projet de
la grenouille. Dans ce contexte, des ressources littéraires ont été exploitées, des notions
scientifiques ont été explorées et ils ont même adopté une grenouille nomée Gaby.
HA-MTL.ORG • 17
Le programme de sensibilisation
«One of Us» favorise l’intégration
des personnes handicapées
Depuis plusieurs années, les élèves de la troisième année à
l’Académie Hébraïque ont participé à un programme spécial qui vise
à les sensibiliser aux personnes avec un handicap. Le programme,
qui s’intitule « One of Us », fait partie du curriculum d’anglais, dans
le cadre d’une unité sur les besoins particuliers. Le programme a été
créé par Rachel Silverstein, coordonnatrice des services de soutien et
de projets communautaires du centre de développement Yaldei. Le
programme est divisé en trois parties et favorise la compréhension
des élèves de ce que sont les handicaps physiques et intellectuels.
Parmi les sujets abordés, nous retrouvons : « Abilities versus disabilities
», « How to be a good friend », « Accommodating individuals with
physical challenges », « Famous personalities with disabilities », et «
How we think (a bit about the brain) ».
Lors de la deuxième session, les élèves participent à de nombreux
ateliers qui simulent ce que signifie vivre avec un handicap. L’un
d’entre eux s’intitule « Giving Tzedakah » (Donner de la charité), et
les élèves reçoivent la note suivante : « Vous êtes certainement une
bonne personne qui donne de la charité, mais vous avez un handicap
et vos mains ne fonctionnent pas comme il faut. Ouvrir votre sac ou
portefeuille pour sortir de l’argent s’avère plutôt un défi. » Les élèves
doivent mettre une paire de gants (ce qui rend la tâche plus difficile)
et essayer de mettre des pièces de monnaie dans une boite de
Tzedakah. Ceci dans le but de leur faire vivre la difficulté que certaines
personnes vivent tous les jours.
« Les élèves d’aujourd’hui sont les leaders de la communauté juive de demain », a dit Silverstein. « En fournissant de l’information
aux enfants à propos de leurs pairs qui ont des handicaps, nous nous assurons qu’aucun élève ne sera exclu de la communauté et
que nos enfants apprendront à voir la personne pour qui elle est, et non pas pour son handicap ».
Nature walk
adds value to
class lesson
After learning about Stav and the
changes in seasons and weather,
Grade 1A went on a special nature
walk to experience fall first-hand!
The children explored the grounds
outside Hebrew Academy and had
a marvellous time finding leaves of
various fall colours.
Robotics a core subject at
Hebrew Academy
The Elementary School Robotics Initiative is where learning and play intermingle.
This year, Grades 4 to 6 were treated to an enriched Science et Technologie module
using LEGO Mindstorms robots. In a series of workshops, students learned simple
and complex programming concepts using LEGOs, motors and sensors. The
visual programming environment facilitated students’ exploration and solving of
challenges such as steering, obstacle detection, visual and audio signals, tagging
obstacles and following set paths.
Problem solving, flowcharting, logic, reasoning, mechanics and mechanical
assembly – are just a few of the topics covered. Students also became increasingly
proficient in the use of standard programming structures, as well as in debugging,
explaining and finding valid alternatives to their coding structures.
Tapping into their inner geniuses
Grade 3 and Grade 5 classes participated in an exciting new educational
initiative this year called Genius Hour, a program that encourages students
to research their passions in depth. Students shared beautiful, highly
creative and interactive projects with their peers, faculty and staff in two
stimulating exhibits. Everyone left a lot smarter than when they arrived!
Digital Citizenship skills taught at Hebrew Academy
as early as Grade 1
Out-of-the-box teaching brings out students’ creativity
As part of Hebrew Academy’s English and Technology curriculum, students in Grades 1 through 6 participate in Digital Citizenship
classes throughout the year. The goal of these workshops is to teach students to use the Internet safely and efficiently; to recognizing
potential pitfalls and threats; and to become responsible and educated digital citizens. Topics covered include cyberbullying,
showing respect online, copyright and evaluating search information.
Upon completing a Perek in Sefer Bereishit, Grade 4B students were encouraged to create games for their peers that summarized the
story of Yosef in Parashat Vayeshev. The students truly outdid themselves and produced very creative games – from Monopoly and Snakes
and Ladders to “Do you want to be a Chumash Acer?” – that were both engaging and fun to play!
HA-MTL.ORG • 19
Exploring architecture
through art
An in-depth look at the
Mitzvah of Shmita
Grade 8 Boys explored various aspects of architecture in
their Visual Arts class this past year. Students picked a style
of door or window to emulate, and included brick, stone
or wood as their buildings’ façades. The objectives of the
unit were to discover different styles of architecture, achieve
accurate proportions and develop a sense of texture in
natural materials through watercolour paint.
Most Impactful Posters
1st Place: Jordan Assouline, Nathaniel Gomolin
2nd Place: Arielle Lasry, Noa Elfassy
3rd Place: Nathan Ziri, Nathanel Benchaya
Best Essay - Hebrew
1st Place: Eliana Rohr
Honorable Mention: Yehonatan Haimovici, Danielle Levi,
Shira Cohen
Best Essay- French - Cycle I
(Grades 7 and 8):
High School marks
Anti-Bullying Month
As part of their Tefillah and Halacha class, Grade 9 Girls
participated in a distance-learning program with Rabbi Joel
Cohn and Rabbi Allan Haber in Israel this past year, coordinated
by former Hebrew Academy Principal Rabbi Stanley Peerless.
Each week, the students Skyped with one of the Rabbis on an
issue related to the Shmita Year and Mitzvot HaTeluyot Ba’Aretz
(Mitzvot relevant to the land of Israel).
Students learn the values of
healthy eating
Registered Dietician Chantal Bouganim Roditi (‘02)
returned to Hebrew Academy this year to give Grade 9
students a series of hands-on lessons in nutrition as part of
their Science class. The group explored portion sizes, how to
read nutrition facts, and nutrition myths, among other topics,
and even visited a local supermarket to learn about food
placement and where to find the foods recommended by
Canada’s Food Guide for Healthy Eating.
1st Place: Sarah Azoulay
Honorable Mention: Sara Moyal, Sarah Zagury-Orly
According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research,
“At least 1 in 3 adolescent students in Canada have reported
being bullied recently”, and “47% of Canadian parents report
having a child victim of bullying.” These facts, together with
the responsibility of all Quebec schools to educate students
about Bill 56 ( “An act to prevent and stop bullying in schools”)
and record and react to incidents of bullying, served as the
imperative for Hebrew Academy High School to designate
November as Anti-Bullying Month.
All High School students explored Bill 56 in English, French
and Hebrew through writing, art and multimedia projects and
participated in an essay contest in which they reflected on the
definition and implications of bullying, and ways in which it
might be addressed and prevented. At the end of November,
the best posters, skits and essays were shared at an assembly
and prizes were awarded to first, second and third place winners
in all languages. Congratulations to the following winners:
Best Essay- French - Cycle II
(Grades 9, 10 & 11):
1st Place: Rebecca Azoulay
Honorable Mention: Nathaniel Ouazana, Baroukh Benaim,
Nathan Cohen
Best Essay- English - Cycle I
1st Place: David Somech
2nd Place: Arielle Rohr
3rd Place: Emil Hersson-Edery
Honorable Mention: Sara Ohayon, Ari Samuels, Yehuda Bessner
Best Essay - English - Cycle II
1st Place: Yoni Mydlarski
2nd Place: Yael Blechman
3rd Place: Gita Margolese
Honorable Mention: Shai Edery, Aryeh Punski, Ryan Schwartz
Of dream homes and flying
machines
As part of a unit on Leonardo da Vinci in their Art class, Grade
7 Boys built fabulous flying machines (other than airplanes) that
pushed the boundaries of creativity. Grade 8 Boys were instructed
to design their dream homes out of foamcore. Students rose to
the challenge – adding windows, doors, staircases, skylights and
even second stories with rooftop patios to their homes.
Yeshiva University Model United Nations
Grade 11 students Menachem Friedman, Noah Margolese, Benjamin Rehany and Steven Wise proudly participated in the Yeshiva
University Model United Nations (YUNMUN) in February. Representing the United States, our delegates sat on the Security Council
and on the counter-terrorism office, delivered position papers, debated current event concerns and woke at 3:00 a.m. for emergency
meetings!
HA-MTL.ORG • 21
The Shalhevet Freier
Montreal Regional Physics
Tournament
Nos scientifiques en herbe impressionnent juges et visiteurs à
la 6e édition de l’Expo-Sciences de l’Académie Hébraïque
La 6e édition de l’Expo-Sciences du secondaire de l’Académie Hébraïque a eu lieu le lundi 15 décembre, dans le gymnase Moritz
Hasen. Avec des présentations mettant en vedette des microbes et des nuages, ainsi qu’un vrai grillon et une montagne russe,
nos élèves du 1er et 2e secondaire ainsi que du 3e et 4e secondaire ont su impressionner nos juges et visiteurs à travers leur
créativité et leur savoir scientifique. Cela fut une soirée éducative de découvertes pour les familles et amis qui sont venus soutenir
nos scientifiques en herbe. Les visiteurs ont pris connaissance du système nerveux, de la meilleure manière d’apprendre un texte
par cœur, de la manière la plus rapide de faire de la glace et de la génétique des empreintes. Les domaines de l’ingénierie et
de la biologie moléculaire étaient de mise dans la plupart des projets. Les élèves ont présenté leurs projets devant un comité de
juges composé de professeurs, médecins, dentistes et chercheurs, tous bénévoles. Félicitations à tous les participants pour leurs
soumissions exceptionnelles et Mazel Tov aux gagnants de l’Expo-Sciences :
Premier cycle (1er et 2e secondaire)
Premier prix: Maayan Levy et Arielle Rohr : « Germs Be Gone! »
Deuxième prix: Emil Hersson-Edery et Netanel Goldstein :
« Improving Memory »
Troisième prix (Égalité): Kyle Fallenbaum et Nathan Benizri :
« What blocks your Wi-Fi? »
et Michel Zrihan et David Bohbot : « Turning Milk into Plastic »
High school students
excel at the Concours
d’art oratoire
Mazel Tov to the following winners of the
Concours d’Art Oratoire:
Junior Division (Grades 7 and 8)
Deuxième cycle (3e et 4e secondaire)
Premier prix: Eliana Rohr et Janna Sternthal : « A Fishy Situation »
Deuxième prix: Samantha Attias et Galia Benchaya : « Catch the Glow! »
Troisième prix: Rebecca Azoulay et Danielle Levy : « Genetic Patterns »
Tous les projets gagnants ont été soumis au Montreal Regional Science &
Technology Fair (Expo-sciences régionale de Montréal) qui a eu lieu en mars.
1st Place: Kyle Fallenbaum
2nd Place: Sarah Azoulay
3rd Place: Sarah Amar
4th Place: David Somech
Senior Division (Grades 9 to 11)
1st Place: Nathan Cohen
2nd Place: Avi Somech
3rd Place: David Bensoussan and Galia Benchaya
Honourable Mention: Rebecca Israel, Noa Dahan
and Nathanel Benchaya
Les élèves retournent dans le temps
Les élèves du secondaire 1 ont participé dans une ‘Foire Médiévale’
au mois de Juin, pour leur classe d’histoire. Ils/elles se sont amusés
avec la musique, les danses, le théatre, et même une émission de
“Master-Chef Canada-style Médiévale” qu’ils ont préparé, tout dans
le thème des temps médiévaux.
QAIS Public Speaking winners
Congratulations to the following winners of the Quebec
Association of Independent Schools Public Speaking Contest:
The Annual Shalheveth Freier Physics Tournament hosted by
the Weizmann Institute is the greatest safe-cracking competition
known to high-schoolers. Participants must build a safe than can
only be opened using physics principals. During the competition,
each team attempts to “crack” the other teams’ safes in under 10
minutes. Projects are judged by physics professors from McGill
and Université de Montréal based on the students’ understanding
of the principles involved, their presentation and the elegance
of their safe. The winning team moves on to the international
competition at the Weizman Institute in Rehovot, Israel. Proudly
representing Hebrew Academy this year were:
Junior Division (Grades 7 and 8)
1st Place: Sarah Azoulay
2nd Place: Liana Friedman
3rd Place: Joelle Cons
Senior Division (Grades 9 to 11)
1st Place: Esther Amsellem
2nd Place: Rebecca Azoulay
3rd Place: Shmuel Perton
Team 1
Ariella Eisenberg, Netanel Benchaya, David Bensoussan,
Asher Bendayan and Netanel Toledano,
coached by Nathan Friedman (‘04)
Team 2
Eden Ovadia, Ryan Schwartz, Solomon Bendayan,
Baroukh Benaim and Yonathan Castiel,
coached by Michael Wolman (‘13 and member of the 2013
Montreal Regional Winning team).
Les sorties multidisciplinaires français/science
consolident les apprentissages en classe des élèves
Les élèves du premier cycle du secondaire sont allés au mois de mai au Centre des sciences de Montréal pour profiter d’une journée
de découverte et d’apprentissage. Avec l’exposition permanente, les élèves ont pu explorer de façon interactive divers principes savants
étudiés en classe, comme le fonctionnement des barrages hydroélectriques, la pression de l’air et l’énergie solaire. Une séance sur les
processus cognitifs a permis aux jeunes d’identifier leurs forces pour résoudre des problèmes, avec l’agréable défi de construire un édifice
stable sous l’effet d’un tremblement de terre. Pour finir la journée, les élèves ont visionné L’océan secret de Jean-Michel Cousteau en
IMAX, où les merveilles des profondeurs sous-marines ont été révélées grâce à une nouvelle technologie cinématographique.
En juin, les élèves du deuxième cycle du secondaire sont allés à l’ Électrium et à la centrale hydroélectrique de Beauharnois.
À l’Électrium, on découvre la présence de l’électricité dans la nature et aussi dans le corps humain : anguilles électriques, éclairs,
aurores boréales, influx nerveux. On se lance des défis et on mesure la vitesse de nos réflexes !
On est initié aux lois de l’électricité et au mouvement des électrons puis, on découvre ce que sont la tension, le circuit électrique,
les champs magnétiques et plus encore. On nous renseigne sur la production de l’hydroélectricité au Québec et on nous donne un
aperçu des innovations technologiques qui changent le cours des choses. À l’Électrium, la science est à la portée de tous et la visite
se fait en français!
À la centrale hydroélectrique de Beauharnois, on nous explique comment se fabrique l’électricité grâce à la force motrice de l’eau,
on nous fait l’historique du développement d’Hydro-Québec et on visite cette centrale au fil de l’eau.
Real-life business lesson
Throughout the year, Grade 11 Business students learned about the various elements
that go into running a business (i.e. how to be an entrepreneur, the meaning/importance
of advertising and marketing). As a final class project, students put their learning to the
test and chose products which they marketed and sold to fellow students and staff. Profits
of their endeavours went toward the Grade 11 graduation trip. HA-MTL.ORG • 23
student life
Bat Mitzvah
program
In preparation for their group Bat Mitzvah
party in May, our Bnot Mitzvah participated
in a number of meaningful activities
throughout the year in conjunction with
Kollel Torah MiTzion.
Creative initiatives complement students’ learning
The girls united for a musical Melave
Malka, a challah-baking activity with their
mothers, a simcha dancing lesson, and
a Henna, among other fun initiatives.
The program culminated with a special
celebration at TBDJ Synagogue, where
the girls shared insightful Divrei Torah and
put on a beautiful performance for their
families and friends.
Grade 6 student ambassadors
Kol Hakavod to our Grade 6 Student Ambassadors Aliza Cano, Noa
Abicidan, Ari Wise and Jacob Silverman who represented Elementary
School this past year at various school-wide and community functions
and assemblies. The students were chosen based on compelling essay
submissions in which they described their goals and plans to contribute
to the committee and the student body.
Beloved tween author
visits Hebrew Academy
Only four days into the first week of school, students
in Grades 3 to 6 were treated to a visit from Sarah
Mlynowski, beloved tween author of the Whatever
After and the Magic in Manhattan series, as well as
numerous books for older readers. Sarah spoke about
becoming an author, took questions from students and
autographed their books.
Students welcome their
grandparents
Elementary students were delighted to welcome their
grandparents in September for Grandparents Day, a special
morning of joint activities and refreshments. Grandparents
were equally thrilled to take part in the day, which included
art activities and games in the classroom and Moritz Hasen
Gymnasium.
Students come to school in
pyjamas for Literacy Night
Unique group empowers,
celebrates girls
Hebrew Academy’s first ever Literacy Night took place in
October. Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2 students returned to
school in pyjamas, excited to be at school at night! The children
participated in literacy activities in their classrooms with their
teachers and assistants – many of whom got into the spirit of the
night by donning bathrobes! Simultaneously, parents learned
strategies to develop good reading habits, from an in-house
expert panel. Parents then joined their children to finish their art
activities, enjoy milk and cookies and watch a video that each
class created about reading.
A number of girls in Grades 4 and 5 participated in
a unique after-school group this past year, where they
explored their “selves” and celebrated their values and
accomplishments. The group discussed what makes
being a girl special and how each student can put her best
foot forward for all to see. The girls also experimented
with self-portraits; a creative art activity that enabled
them to reflect on their strengths in a safe and accepting
environment, where everyone encouraged one another.
HA-MTL.ORG • 25
A day to remember
Performance underscores
school values
Grades 3 to 6 were treated to a special performance
of Game Changers in the fall, a play about tolerance and
acceptance produced by Geordie Productions. Inspired by
the proposed Quebec Charter of Values, the play was both
humorous and interactive and had students engaged up until
the very end.
Torah Lishma
Grade 6 boys eagerly participated in a lunchtime Torah Learning
group this past year. Participation was voluntary, and the group
focussed on "Iyun Tefila; towards more meaningful prayer."
Students learn about
healthy eating
Les élèves de la 4e année
chantent devant des centaines
de personnes
In honour of Nutrition Month in March, all Elementary
School classes learned about nutrition and were treated to
healthy smoothies. Together with their assigned buddies,
students also explored the various food groups and
enjoyed yummy fruit skewers.
Nos élèves de la 4e année ont brillé lors de la 32e édition de la
Zimria, qui a eu lieu à la synagogue Shaar Hashomayim au mois de
mars. Le concert a réuni plus de 500 élèves des écoles juives de
Montréal, qui ont chanté devant un public d’environ 1 500 personnes,
incluant familles et amis.
Sorties divertissantes et
activités stimulantes
Les élèves du primaire ont profité de plusieurs sorties amusantes
au courant de l’année. Ces sorties comprenaient le patinage à l’Aréna
Samuel Moscovitch, iSaute, le Mont Avila, Cap-Saint-Jacques, le Centre
d’éducation physique et des sports (CEPSUM), le Biodôme, l’Insectarium,
le Jardin botanique et le Centre des sciences de Montréal. Les élèves ont
aussi eu le privilège d’accueillir des invités spéciaux comme Dynamix et
Drum Café.
Books come alive during
Reading Week
In mid-June, Elementary students celebrated Reading Week; five fun
days filled with creative initiatives related to books and reading. Activities
included bookmark booths, author questions, mystery readers, a staff chat,
cupcake celebration and Favourite Character Dress-up Day!
HA-MTL.ORG • 27
Students in Grades 4 to 6 observed
Remembrance Day with a meaningful assembly.
Following the singing of O Canada and the
recitation of the prayer for the Welfare of the
Canadian Government, Grade 6 students spoke
about the meaning of Remembrance Day,
Canada’s allies and the significance of poppies
as symbols of remembrance. They also read
essays on the theme of courage and delivered
an insightful Powerpoint presentation on
Kristallnacht, followed by the singing of Kel Malei
Rachamim.
High School students were privileged to meet
90-year-old World War II veteran Raymond Playfair,
who joined the Canadian Army on his 18th birthday.
Following his engaging address, students watched
two very moving videos on Remembrance Day
and Kristallnacht, created by their peers Shane
Safran, David Rogozinsky, Eliana Rohr, Gabriella
Cons, Emily Lawrence and Benjamin Friedman. The
student presenters also highlighted the significance
of Canada’s role as a peacekeeping nation. Prior to
the singing of Hatikvah, Mr. Playfair was honoured
with a plaque of thanks.
Science Enrichment
Program
Students in Grades 8 through 11 had the
opportunity to participate in a unique Sunday
Science Enrichment Program this past year, which
introduced them to science concepts outside
the High School curriculum. Topics covered
included science in the movies, biotechnology
and science of the brain.
Paying tribute to the martyrs and
heroes of the Shoah
Hebrew Academy commemorated Yom Hashoah in April with
outstanding assemblies. The highly-emotional tributes honoured the
victims and survivors and underscored Hashem's role in ensuring Am
Yisrael's perpetuity. Elementary students participated in age-appropriate
Holocaust Education sessions and lit memorial candles both in their classes
and in the Lieberman Family Beit Midrash. High School students watched a
powerful video and performance by Grade 10 Bnei Akiva Madrichim Shane
Safran, Elisheva Eisenberg, Danielle Levi and Shira Cohen.
Robotics Enrichment Initiative
cultivates lifelong skills
High School kicks off year
with BBQ and fundraiser
Girls’ sleepover and spa
night a huge success
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect on August 27,
when HA High School students enjoyed a barbecue catered
by Mega Burger, then watched as staff members literally broke
the ice in support of ALS. The Student Council-run event was
filled with Ruach, with students and staff dancing to the rhythm
of Music Director Amiel Bender’s upbeat music. Students
were also encouraged to write notes and draw pictures of
encouragement that were sent to members of Tzahal.
An amazing evening was had by all students who
participated in our High School Girls’ Sleepover and Spa
Night over Sukkot. Held at Hebrew Academy, the fundraiser
was organized by Grade 11 students Esther Amselem
and Erica Hasen to raise money for their graduating class.
About 60 girls participated in the fun-filled evening of fun,
pampering, bonding, karaoke, and a giant sleepover in the
gym!
A memorable Colour War 2015
It was a tight race to the finish as teams Ahava (Red, Blue and Gold)
and Yira (Green, Black and Silver) competed to win Colour War 2015, a
two-day High School competition that broke out in the spring. Students
showcased their incredible talents in the areas of art, drama, sports,
singing and writing, among others. Teachers even got in on the fun
with their very own sketch comedy act. Kol Hakavod to team Yira for
emerging on top!
Interested High School students participated in the Hebrew
Academy Robotics Enrichment Initiative this past year, an extracurricular robotics program centered on LEGO Mindstorms
EV3 and its visual programming environment. Participants
learned simple and complex programming concepts and
worked with LEGO pieces and sensors to teach their robots
such skills as retracing patterns, differentiating between
colours, communicating with audio and visual signals, and
how to prospect a terrain and count/avoid obstacles along
the way. The students, meanwhile, became increasingly skilled
in flowcharting their logic, using programming structures,
managing variables and using logical operators, problemsolving, debugging code, as well as in selecting and configuring
visual programming blocks to achieve pre-determined goals.
HA boys’ got talent
Our High School boys proved themselves as
exceptionally-talented musicians, singers,
dancers and entertainers at the HAcademy
Awards in Hebrew Academy’s Moritz Hasen
Gymnasium. Guests of the annual Talent
Show – which included Hebrew Academy
staff, families and friends – were treated to a
first-class evening of fun, featuring everything
from comedy and dance routines to musical
performances and jaw-dropping illusions.
High School girls set the bar
in first-class production
Hebrew Academy High School girls danced the night away in their
first-rate women’s only production, “Despite it All”. The performance
highlighted the perseverance and triumphs of the Jewish People
throughout history in the face of obstacles and persecution. From exquisite costumes, an engaging script and professional
choreography, the girls showcased their exceptional talents and remarkable skills to staff, family and friends in attendance.
HA-MTL.ORG • 29
High school boasts
talented artists
School activities highlight our
special bond with Am Yisrael
and Eretz Yisrael
The entire school marked Yom Hazikaron and celebrated Yom
Ha’atzmaut together with our dedicated teachers, Bnot Sherut,
Kollel Torah Mitzion and Bnei Akiva.
Grades 1 to 6 began with a virtual trip to Israel, complete
with authentic-looking passports that included their individual
pictures. Students first stopped at an army base, where members
of Tzahal dressed in uniform taught them about the various
units of the Israeli Army and the important role of the IDF and its
chayalim. Each child received a dog tag, which they personalized
with their Hebrew initials. Students also visited Har Herzl and the
“Cheder Zikaron”, where they learned about the 67 soldiers who
perished Al Kiddush Hashem in Operation Protective Edge, and
lit candles in their memory. High School students attended an
incredible Tekes (ceremony) organized by Kollel Torah MiTzion
and Bnei Akiva staff that included songs and performances by a
number of students.
Yom Ha’atzmaut was ushered in with beautiful decorations,
balloons, flags, hats and special blue and white cupcakes.
Elementary students visited Machaneh Yehuda where they
“bought” Israeli food, decorated Israeli art, went to Hebrew
University where they were iPad scholars and sang and danced
at the Kotel. The Grade 3 classes also shared beautiful projects
on cities in Eretz Yisrael with children in the younger grades. High
School students began the day with a musical and festive Tfillah
Chagigit, then many attended the community-wide Israel Day
Rally in downtown Montreal.
Gesher Chai Program
Hebrew Academy opened its doors once again to a
delegation of 11 students and their chaperones from Beer
Sheva, our sister city in Israel, as part of the international
Gesher Chai Program, which connects Jewish youth in
the Diaspora with peer-matched students in Israel. The
Israelis brought the meaning of Yom Hazikaron to life and
shared "their" Israel with our students.
Grade 11 Washington Trip
Grade 7 and 8 students exhibited their artwork from
the past year at a beautiful vernissage in May. Family,
friends, faculty and staff were wowed by masterpieces
that incorporated mixed media and various artistic
influences. From wire sculptures and Da Vinci-inspired
flying machines, to masks, logos and Tiffany-inspired
art, students demonstrated their myriad talents and
tremendous creativity.
The Grade 11 class spent a wonderful week in Washington
in April, where they toured such famous sites as The
Smithsonian and the Washington National Monument,
among others. The students also marked Yom Hashoah
with an assembly and visit to the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum.
A visit to the Vaad Ha’ir
As part of their studies on Megilat Ruth, the Grade 11 Girls
visited the Vaad Ha’ir to learn more about the conversion
process first-hand. “Learning about Ruth intrigued us,”
said student Rachel Feinberg. “We had many questions
and we grew more and more curious about the process
of conversion.” The students learned how the process of
conversion works at the Vaad, and met a Jewish convert who
helps others along their journeys.
Le salon de l’emploi fait
découvrir des myriades de
possibilités aux élèves
Le salon annuel de l’emploi pour les élèves du 4e et
5e secondaire s’est tenu en janvier. Un grand nombre
de professionnels dont un psychiatre, un critique
gastronomique, un professeur d’université, un spécialiste
en relations publiques pour n’en nommer que quelquesuns, sont venus présenter leur parcours professionnel
aux élèves. Ils ont tenté d’ouvrir aux élèves le monde de
carrières qui s’offre à eux.
Racheli Fraenkel
captivates students
Mother of two sons killed
in battle shares faith and
optimism
Miriam Peretz, mother of two sons killed in the IDF on
separate occasions, addressed a captivated audience of Grade
11 students in the Sephardi Beit Midrash in October. In late
1998, her son Uriel was killed in Lebanon. A second son, Eliraz,
was killed in 2010 near the Gaza border. The loss of two children
thrust Mrs. Peretz into the national spotlight and she has made
her mission in life to strengthen the Jewish and Israeli spirit in
the nation of Israel. Mrs. Peretz meets with soldiers, youth and
bereaved families and conveys messages of hope and faith in
the power of man to grow from crises.
Over 300 students, faculty and members of the community
gathered in the Lieberman Family Beit Midrash in October to
hear an address by Racheli Fraenkel, mother of Naftali Fraenkel
– one of three Israeli teens abducted and murdered in the West
Bank in June 2014. In an intimate, emotionally-gripping and
inspirational talk, Mrs. Fraenkel addressed Grade 10 and 11
students from Hebrew Academy, and Grade 11 students from
Bialik, Herzliah and École Maimonide. She spoke about the
events surrounding the teens’ abduction, and highlighted the
many positive outcomes that resulted from the terrible tragedy,
including Am Yisrael’s incredible Achdut, commitment to Tfilla
and faith in Hashem.
HA-MTL.ORG • 31
aTHLETics
Win or lose, our students always exhibit
Derech Eretz and sportsmanship
Former IDF officer delivers
message of hope and
inspiration
Right before Rosh Hashana, Grade 11 students had the
honour of meeting former IDF officer Yehonatan Cohen,
who spoke about his pursuit of a lifelong dream – to serve
in Tzahal and protect his country, despite overwhelming
physical challenges. Yehonatan was born with cerebral palsy,
and was unrelenting in his pursuit to convince the IDF that
people with disabilities have the potential to be valuable
contributors to Tzahal. He succeeded, and went on to serve
in the IDF for six and a half years. Last summer, Yehonatan
married former Hebrew Academy student Yael Samuel, in
Israel. Over 600 people – including Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and IDF Chief of General Staff Benny Gantz –
attended their wedding.
Les équipes de basketball de
la 6e année se rendent en
demi-finale
A dream fulfilled:
Rabbi recounts journey from
Ethiopia to Israel
Israeli Rabbi Sharon Shalom was nine years old in 1982 when
he began the treacherous journey by foot from Ethiopia to Israel
– a journey that took two-and-a-half months and “4000” victims.
Upon arrival in Sudan, the Mossad escorted Rabbi Shalom’s
group to the Red Sea by truck, under the cover of darkness.
There, naval commandos escorted them to Israel, where he
kissed the ground.
The Rabbi of the Or Meofir program for Ethiopian immigrants
and a lecturer at Bar-Ilan recounted his riveting story to Grade 11
students this past fall. Beyond engaging them with a humorous
account of seeing running water and television for the first time,
Rabbi Shalom emphasized the imperative of all Jews to ensure
the continuity of the Jewish people.
Kol HaKavod aux équipes de basketball des filles et des garçons
de la 6e année pour avoir atteint la demi-finale dans le tournoi de
basketball de la ligue Wolves Elementary School Basketball League
(WESBL) du YM-YWHA. Les filles ont eu une excellente saison et ont
fini en deuxième position. Tous nos remerciements aux entraineurs
Fred Malamud, Arik Amsellem et Bobby Comeau.
Elementary School boasts
new hockey team
A number of Grade 6 boys were the proud members of
Hebrew Academy’s new hockey team this year, coached
by parents David Diner, David Ifergan and Lorne Lieberman
(’89). The team played a number of games against local
Jewish schools at the Bill Durnan Arena; players looked
fabulous in their uniforms!
Le fondateur de Migdal
Ohr motive les élèves du
secondaire
Cet hiver, les élèves de la sixième année jusqu’au troisième
secondaire ont eu le privilège d’accueillir le Rabbin Yitzchak
David Grossman, le Grand Rabbin de Migdal Haemek et
le fondateur et directeur de Migdal Ohr, un établissement
d’enseignement qui vient en aide aux enfants de milieux
défavorisés. À la suite d’une présentation soulignant les
initiatives de sensibilisation et les réalisations de Migdal Ohr,
le Rabbin Grossman a encouragé les élèves à suivre la voie
des mitzvot et du chessed. Il leur a également appris une
chanson et les a guidés dans la récitation des chapitres de
Tehilim pour la guérison des blessés de l’attentat terroriste
en Israël qui avait eu lieu au cours de ce mois.
Students compete at YU’s
Red Sarachek Basketball
Tournament
Hebrew Academy participated in Yeshiva University’s Red
Sarachek Basketball Tournament from March 19 to 23. Our school
was one of 20 chosen to participate, among the many Jewish high
schools and yeshivot across North America.
The HA Heat Juvenile Boys beat MTA of New York, lost to
Maimonides from Boston in overtime in a thrilling game, and lost to
Hillel of New Jersey and Jewish Academy from Atlanta. The other
teams, fans, and organizers of the tournament were extremely
impressed by our level of play, as the youngest team competing
against 11th and 12th graders from the U.S.
Kol Hakavod to Grade 11 student Moshe Sebbag, who was
named as a tournament all-star, and was in the top five scorers in
the entire tournament with an average of 17.8 points per game.
Boys win Bronze at GMAA
Tennis Tournament
Kol Hakavod to our Grade 11 tennis team upon winning
the Bronze title at this year’s Greater Montreal Athletic
Association’s Tennis Tournament at Club Sportif. Yasher
Koach to Avraham Mann who made it to the semi-finals!
Beyond their wonderful weekend in New York, “the players
learned that Jewish athletes can compete and play at a very high
level in sports without compromising their Jewish religious values,”
said Juvenile Coach Dr. Morrie Levy (’83). “It was overwhelming to
be a part of hundreds of Torah observant athletes wearing their
kippot on the court with pride! They truly internalized what Hebrew
Academy and YU stand for: Torah U-Mada — combining both the
secular and religious worlds to become future Jewish leaders
of our community and around the world...I am happy that our
students can benefit from programs like these that illustrate to our
players and students the value of sports in education.”
HA-MTL.ORG • 33
HA marks 20 years as host
of unifying basketball
tournament
Hebrew Academy’s Moritz Hasen Gymnasium was the
hub of activity in February as fans of all ages gathered
to cheer on basketball players competing in the Annual
Oren Grunbaum Hebrew Academy Invitational Basketball
Tournament. Founded in 1995, the tournament brings
together top players ages 15 and 16 from Montreal and
the United States to participate in four days of friendly
competition on the courts. In 1996, the tournament
was renamed after Hebrew Academy alumnus Oren
Grunbaum (’93), an outgoing free spirit with a funloving personality, who passed away that year in a tragic
accident.
Juvenile Girls HA Heat basketball team goes to Playoffs
With a core nucleus of Grade 10 girls who have been playing together since Grade 6, and the addition of some Grade 11 students
and one in Grade 9, this year's Juvenile Girls team showed improvement in every facet of the game. They even added the 3-point shot
to their repertoire, which made the team even more dangerous.
This year's playbook focussed on passing, defence and teamwork – the cornerstones of winning basketball. The girls practiced on
Thursday nights and early Sunday morning, and this contributed to their success. The team comprised a spirited bunch of players who
always remained positive. They had a solid press, nicknamed Squish, and they fought harder when they fell behind in the score. To illustrate
their continued improvement as the season progressed, the Heat did not lost a league game since their return from Winter Break.
This year, the team was invited to a tournament in Boston. While the results were not great (they lost by a score of 0-3), the girls
learned a lot from the experience and maintained high spirits throughout their time in Boston.
No matter that they didn't win it all, this team played at a high level and were praised by the referees, opposing coaches and those
who know basketball from within our school. The girls should hold their heads high and be proud of their accomplishments. Next year,
with continued hard work and dedication, this team could go all the way to the finals. Congratulations to all the players on a winning
season. Go Heat Go!
“Oren is remembered by his teachers as a young man with great creativity and personal warmth,” said Hebrew Academy Executive
Director Linda Lehrer. “He had a distinctive love of basketball and played on the Hebrew Academy teams. We trust that this tournament
will continually serve to perpetuate Oren’s memory.”
This year’s tournament united teams from Hebrew Academy, École Maïmonide, Bialik, New Jersey’s Kushner Academy and New
York’s North Shore Hebrew Academy. Players spent the weekend together at a lively shabbaton and out-of-town participants also
took in a local basketball game between the McGill Redmen and Concordia Stingers. The tournament culminated on Sunday with a
banquet and award ceremony, where Bialik was presented with the top trophy.
Hebrew Academy Director of Athletics Yoni Lehrer (`99) underscored the important role of the tournament in teaching participants
the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. “Our rabbis and teachers focus on developing the mind; in hosting this annual tournament,
the Athletics Department hopes to complement students’ education by helping to cultivate their love for, and commitment to, physical
education.”
Hebrew Academy Heat Head Coach Dr. Morrie Levy (‘83), who led his team together with Assistant Coach Daniel Shaul (‘04),
agreed: “I’ve always believed that an excellent education occurs both in and out of the classroom. The Annual Oren Grunbaum
Hebrew Academy Invitational Tournament demonstrates all the good things that sports can do to help develop our students into
wonderful Torah living Jews with good values. It is one of our school’s true gems.”
L’Académie Hébraïque parmi les trois meilleures équipes de
course GMAA
L’équipe de course de l’Académie Hébraïque a terminé parmi les trois premières équipes dans la course Halo Road Race du Greater
Montreal Athletic Association au Lac aux castors! Bravo à Mendel Jacobson qui a terminé en 4e position et à Avi Somech qui a terminé
en 10e position dans la catégorie Juvenile. Félicitations à Meir Herson-Edery et Elisheva Eisenberg qui ont terminé respectivement en
6e et 11e position dans la catégorie Midget.
HA-MTL.ORG • 35
Dear Graduates,
Masechet Ta’anit brings down the
words of Rabbi Chanina:
“I have
learned much wisdom from my teacher,
more from my colleagues and the most
from my students.” (7a) Here are some
of the lessons I have learned from you:
graduates
Mazel Tov and Hazlacha Rabba to our graduates –
our newest Hebrew Academy ambassadors!
high School Achievements
Dear Graduates,
I want to wish you all congratulations. You are a very special
group of young people whom I have had a chance to connect
with throughout your Elementary School career. I have spent a
long time thinking about what I wanted to say and what I would
have wanted someone to say to me at my Elementary School
graduation. First, I know you are probably a little nervous about
starting this next chapter of your education. High School is an
exciting time with many new challenges and new experiences.
I encourage you to take the opportunity to try new things, to
grow and to push yourselves – find out what you’re good at,
what you’re passionate about, and know that at times you may
not succeed. But use that to push yourself and to get better! It’s
not always the end result that matters, but the effort you put in
along the way. It’s important to be courageous enough to try
new things knowing that at times you may fail, but also knowing
that with hard work and practice you can succeed.
I want to encourage you to continue to be good classmates
to each other. As a group, we have seen you take good care of
each other, support one another and be kind to one another. It’s
so important to be kind, as people may not always remember
what you said, but they will always remember how you made
them feel! So always go out of your way to be kind and to be
respectful to your classmates, your teachers, your siblings and
your parents!
Take the time to appreciate the things others do for you.
Show gratitude. Take the time to say ‘Thank You’. It goes a long
way and these are two small, yet powerful words.
Finally, please don’t forget about us once you pass through
the High School doors. We want to continue to be part of your
school experience, your successes and even your challenges.
Our doors are open so please visit.
Shauna Joyce
Acting Elementary School Principal
Valedictorians
English: Ariella Eisenberg
French: Noa Dahan
Hebrew: Nathanel Benchaya
Top Honours
Gold Medal: Natanel Toledano
Governor General Award: Asher Bendayan
Highest Achievement Certificates
Elementary School Achievements
Valedictorians
English: Jacob Silverman
French: Arielle Sabbah
Hebrew: Debora Kaufman
Prizes and Awards
Molly Erdstein Memorial Prize - Award of Merit
Aaron Friedman
Riva Schwartz Memory Prize for Art
Adam Levy and Yaacov Amselem
Simon Bouganim Memorial Award for Chesed
Yaacov Azoulay
Yette Kallus Memorial Award for Writing
Rebecca Preisler-Banoon
Eddie Schachter Award for Midot Tovot
Gabriel David Amar and Adam Perras
Rabbi Chaim and Lisa Steinmetz Award for Chesed
Ronit Benizri
Élèves de l'année en éducation physique
Gabriel David Amar and Ronit Benizri
Stay Connected with the HA Family
We’re always delighted to receive updates from former students. Please share your news with us and send us your contact
information so that we can remain in touch. We will be marking our golden anniversary in 2017-2018 and would love to include
your memories in a special tribute piece. Please send your contact information to [email protected].
Don’t forget to like our Hebrew Academy Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @myHA_Updates.
Math and Science:
Ariella Eisenberg and Asher Bendayan
Torah and Navi: Ariella Eisenberg and Asher Bendayan
English: Ariella Eisenberg and Noah Margolese
French: Noa Dahan and Nathanel Benchaya
Talmud: Noa Dahan and Asher Bendayan
Safa, Jewish History and ERC: Ariella Eisenberg and Nathanel Benchaya
Highest Overall Average: Ariella Eisenberg and Asher Bendayan
Awards and Scholarships
Chessed and Midot Tovot are not
merely words on a plaque in our halls,
they are embodied in each and every
one of you. Any agency in the city in
need of volunteers could always count
on you; when a family in mourning
needed young men to make minyan in the wintertime, you
were there without being asked twice; you will go out of your
way to preserve the Kavod of your classmates and are fiercely
protective of one another.
Hard work and perseverance are the key to a work-life
balance. The schedules and workload you carry would put us all
to shame. From schoolwork, to homework, Kollel learning and
chevrutas, sports, clubs, competitions, volunteering, tutoring,
… you still manage somehow to find time for your friends and
families.
I have learned about true passion and drive watching you
pursue challenges with single minded-focus that would elude
even the best of us.
I have learned about having the courage to be yourself, to
take pride in who you are and to celebrate our differences.
Among our graduates are musicians, artists, singers, writers,
entertainers, lawyers, leaders, organizers, producers,
choreographers, future doctors, rabbis, engineers, and
scientists. You have the courage to be yourselves and embrace
your talents with pride.
Class of 1973 Trudy L. Saxe Creative Arts Award of Merit:
My dear graduates, my hope for you as you leave the nest
Benjamin Rehany
is
that
you carry these values with you always. Remember the
Stanley C. Beiner Pursuit of Excellence Award: Rebecca Israel
lessons
you have learned at Hebrew Academy both in and
Ilana Murad Award for Excellence in Safa: Esther Amselem
outside
the classrooms. Follow your dreams and live up to
Eddie Schachter Scholarship Fund Award for Commitment to
your full potential, don’t ever lose the passion and the drive
Acts of Chessed and Midot Tovot: Natanel Toledano
you have shown us, don’t give up, never stop growing, never
Esther & Moe Rudner Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in
stop learning and most of all remember that you will always
Mathematics: Asher Bendayan
hold a place in our hearts. It has been a privilege for me to be
Marcy Fewkes Award for Excellence in Science: Baroukh Benaim
a part of your lives for these past five years.
Riva Schwartz Award for Excellence in Creative Arts: Yael Blechman
Dr. Laura Segall
The McGill Prize for Science & Math: Ariella Eisenberg
High School Principal
Barbara Hayes z”l Memorial Scholarship for Personal
Achievement: Matitya Loran
Student Council presidents’ message
Role Model: Rebecca Israel and Asher Bendayan
This year we had the honour to be presidents of High School
Personal Achievement: Noa Dahan
Max & Clara Rothstein Award for Excellence in Biblical Studies: Student Council. Our last year at home was definitely a
year to remember. We hope that we created a permanent
Ariella Lasry
atmosphere of a new HA student spirit. It was a pleasure to
The Dr. Monroe Miller Creative Writing Award in memory of
interact with our Student Council and invest our time into
Oren Grunbaum z”l: Nathan Cohen
our school. We couldn’t ask for more. We would like to wish
Midot Tovot: Nathanel Benchaya
future Hebrew Academy students good luck and much
The Mendel and Zlata Dowbenstein z”l Memorial Scholarship
success. Thank you all for making this year an incredible one!
for Girls: Rachel Feinberg
The Andre Veres z”l Kollel Torah MiTzion Scholarship for Post
Ben Rehany and Nathan Cohen
Secondary Yeshiva Studies: Moshe Sebbag HA-MTL.ORG • 37
Ladies Move to the
Beat in support of ILP
communit y
Mazel Tov and Hazlacha Rabba to our graduates –
our newest Hebrew Academy ambassadors!
Girls raise $1500 for Tiny Miracle Fund
They say that Millenials have only one priority: themselves. Grade 10 students Janna
Sternthal, Eliana Rohr and Elisheva Eisenberg prove there are exceptions to every rule. Amidst schoolwork, volunteerism and extra-curricular activities, the girls helped some
of Montreal’s tiniest and most vulnerable babies by spearheading a new campaign in
the High School called Purple for Preemies. In exchange for a $2 donation to the Jewish
General Hospital Auxiliary’s Tiny Miracle Fund, students were encouraged to accessorize
their school uniforms with purple items in honour of World Prematurity Day in November.
Proceeds of the fundraiser went toward the purchase of vital, life-sustaining equipment
including incubators and ventilators for the JGH’s new state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit slated to open in January.
Grade 6 girls also actively participated in the fundraiser; in addition to a toonie collection
in the Elementary School, they hosted a fundraising “Spa Day” for Grades 1 to 3 as part of
their Bat Mitzvah Program.
Students win a major grant for
Montreal’s Friendship Circle
Over 100 ladies danced the night away in January in support of
Hebrew Academy’s Individualized Learning Program. Titled “Move
to the Beat”, the Zumba event, organized by Director of Academic
Support Services Beth Moskovic, raised over $3000 for the ILP
Department.
Passionate presenters
inspire anonymous donor
When the students representing the Yaldei
Developmental Centre in March’s final YPI face off
learned that another organization had emerged as
the “winner” (please see “Students win a major grant
for Montreal’s Friendship Circle” on opposite page),
Rachel Blanshay, Danielle Levy, Emily Lawrence and
Eliana Rohr were understandably discouraged. Their
disappointment quickly turned into elation, however,
when they learned that an anonymous donor who
had been present at the competition had been so
moved by their presentation, he decided to donate
$5000 to the organization on the students’ behalf.
Extremely grateful to the group for their dedication
and advocacy, Yaldei staff presented each student
with a beautiful memory book as an expression of
Hakarat Hatov.
Sharing the light of Chanukah
Grade 10 Girls visited the Jewish General Hospital to celebrate
Chanukah with geriatrics patients. Students Elisheva Eisenberg and
Janna Sternthal accompanied the singers and dancers on violin. The
patients responded by clapping and singing along with the music –
and everyone shed tears of joy. It was an enriching experience for
both the students and hospital patients.
Le concours de saut à la
corde du primaire fut un
énorme succès
Kol Hakavod à tous les élèves du primaire pour leur participation
au concours annuel de saut à la corde. Les élèves ont ramassé plus
de 5 000 $ pour la fondation Jasmin Roy qui lutte contre l’intimidation
dans les écoles, la fondation des canadiens pour l’enfance, et le Tiny
Miracle Fund de l’hôpital général juif.
The Friendship Circle, a local special needs organization committed
to ensuring that “every human being, regardless of background or
faith [gets] the gift of true friendship”, became $5000 richer this
spring, thanks to five Hebrew Academy students who competed to
win a grant on its behalf.
In March, four semi-finalist student groups representing MADA,
the Friendship Circle, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Yaldei
Developmental Centre presented their charities before their peers
and a panel of student and parent judges. The nail-biting face-off
signified the climax of students’ months-long participation in the
Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), a project of the Toskan Casale
Foundation that encourages teens to research and advocate for a local charity for the chance to win it a $5,000 grant. The initiative is
part of the Grade 10 Ethics and Religious Culture (ERC) curriculum.
Based on their research, students prepared a request for funding proposal on behalf of their charity along with a presentation to
introduce it to classmates. Other organizations the teens advocated for included the MADA Community Center, Jovia (Dr. Clown), Make-AWish Foundation, Addiction Outreach Program, Chai Lifeline, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Montreal and Yaldei Developmental Centre. The
winners were students Ness Cabessa, Mendel Jacobson, David Benizri, Alex Benlolo and Noah Oiknine, representing the Friendship Circle.
“We would like to thank Hebrew Academy for their ongoing support... we are deeply grateful for this generous gift that will enable
us to start new programs immediately – which have been eagerly anticipated by the parents of children with special needs – and
enhance the quality of our existing programs,” said Friendship Circle’s Rabbi Leibele Rodal.
MADA nous tient à coeur
Au courant de l’année, l’organisme MADA fut le bénéficiaire de plusieurs initiatives de chessed de l’Académie Hébraïque. Avant
Rosh Hashanah, les deux classes de la 4e année se sont rendues à la Congrégation Beth Israel Beth Aaron pour éplucher des légumes
pour les repas de fêtes. Pour souligner le 100e jour d’école, les élèves de la 2e année et leurs enseignantes, Leona Lands et Lauren
Thurber ont ramassé 100 produits alimentaires non périssables au profit de l’organisme. À Pourim la 6e année a aidé à préparer la
salle pour la seoudah de Pourim de MADA à la synagogue Spanish and Portuguese. Finalement, en hiver, Noah Margolese, élève du
5e secondaire a organisé une collecte de vêtements chauds pour les personnes dans le besoin.
HA-MTL.ORG • 39
volunteers
Book sale benefits Yaldei
In May, Grade 3 held a very successful Used-Book
Sale in the J.L & Rachel Gewurze Library and raised over
$1,000 for Yaldei Developmental Centre! The project was
part of a broader unit of special needs that the students
had explored as part of their English curriculum (please
see page 18).
Pink and red added to school
uniforms for two great causes
During the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, students and staff raised
$300 for the Canadiens Children’s Foundation by wearing red and
Habs gear during game days. In the springtime, many proudly wore
pink and raised $340 for the Cure Foundation
In memory of Gilad, Naftali and Eyal z”l
Helping kids with cancer
Hebrew Academy has been very dedicated to assisting
Chai Lifeline, an organization that helps children with
cancer and their families. In addition to Kindergarten’s
Chanukah Cookbook fundraiser, (please see page 14),
Grade 9 students Sarah Elkaim and Myriam Benchaya
collected more than 300 books, Grade 3 held a toy drive,
and Grade 6 girls sold ice cream for the organization.
Students raise impressive
total for Od Yosef Chai
Kol Hakavod to Rabbi Baruch Abramovitz and our High
School students, who raised $2,498 for Od Yosef Chai’s
Matanot L’Evyonim Campaign. Od Yosef Chai is a nonprofit organization that supports over 8,000 families in
Israel - including widows, orphans, new immigrants,
terrorist victims, the sick and the elderly - particularly
before chagim.
Hebrew Academy High School boys have published Ktov Zot
Zikaron B’Sefer, a compilation of 303 chidushim on Masechet Brachot
and Masechet Megilla, which they learned in Rabbi Henoch Singer’s
Gemara class throughout the year. The book is dedicated in memory
of Gilad Shaer, Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Fraenkel, the teens who were
kidnapped and brutally murdered in Israel in 2014. All those wishing
to learn one of the two Masechtot in the boys’ honour will receive the
book as a complement to their learning. The goal is for 1000 people
to learn a Masechet in the teens’ memory.
Strong HA representation at the
March of the Living
For decades, Hebrew Academy students have proudly participated
in the March of the Living (MOL), an experiential learning program run
by the Bronfman Israel Experience Centre that culminates in a trip to
Poland and Israel coinciding with Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron and
Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Kol Hakavod to the following Grade 11 participants
of MOL 2015: Aurely Abitbol, Yael Meira Blechman, Rachel Cutler, Noa
Elfassy, Erica Hasen, Rebecca Israel, Eden Ovadia, Jordan Assouline,
Nathaniel Gomolin, Benjamin Liber, Noah Matarasso, Nathan Ziri,
Solomon Bendayan, Samy Marciano, Dov Matthews and Ryan
Schwartz. Yasher Koach to Hebrew Academy parents Meir Israel (MOL
Co-Chair), Lawrence Witt, Shlomo Drazin, Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz and
Natou Suissa Ovadia who participated in the program as chaperones. HAppenings Summer 2015
We are grateful to our dedicated volunteers for
your unconditional investment in our school.
Thank you for contributing your time, your
expertise, your creativity and your enthusiasm!
Devorah Abenhaim
Cynthia Abenhaim
Lyat Abicidan
Ariane Abikhzer
Andrew Albanesi
Melissa and Daniel Alloul
Yael Alt
Sharon and Emmanuel Amar
Ralph Amar
Eric Amar
Nathalie Amzallag
Philippe Anidjar
Jerrold Aspler
Jessica Assayag
Stephanie Assayag
Zohar Azoulay
Alex Benchaya
Anne Benchaya
Carole Benchaya
Amiel Bender
Peter Benisti
Audrey Benitah
Leon Benmergui
Alexandra Bensimon
Dale Boidman
Sherri Bratin
Milan Bratin
Jacob Burack
Michele Cale
Eva Cohen
Laurence Cohen
Muriel Cohen
Stephanie Dadoun
Beth and Ilan Dahan
Lori and David Diner
Johanna Djebali
Adrianne and Shlomo Drazin
Ami Drazin
Karen Edery
Rony Elkaim
Vanessa and Karl Fallenbaum
Osnat Feldman
Sandra Fine
Nathan Friedman
Edie Friedman
Hillel Gammal
Brenda and Samuel Gewurz
Marla Goodwin Zipper
Dana Guttman
Nathan Hadid
Anne Haimovici
Lisa Hamaoui
Fanny Hersson-Edery
Roz Hutman
Dan Ifergan
Meir Israel
Kara and William Jegher
Earl Kimmel
Ilana Knafo
Jessica Kovitz-Lensch
Nathalie Laredo
Pearl and Eric Lasry
Jordana and Morrie Levy
Chaya and Lorne Lieberman
Abe Ludvig
Jason Ludvig
Frederick Malamud
Risa and Alain Mamane
Nathalie and Harry Marciano
Susan and Alain Matarasso
HA-MTL.ORG • 41
Arik Messallem
Sharon Messallem
Elly Miller
Anita Miller
Karen Ohana Bohbot
Galit Ohayon
Elizabeth Ohayon
Yael Ohayon
Schachar Orenstein
Carole Rimokh
Deena Rogozinsky
Eddy Rogozinsky
Warren Rohr
Rachel Rosenblatt
Valerie Rouimi-Gabay
Joy Sacher
Cindy and Russell Samuels
Natan Schecter
Mira Segal
Eli Segal
Daniel Shaul
Jonathan Shaul
Vicky Shizgal
Ahuva Shostak
Rachel Sidloi
Michael Stein
Lauren and Alvin Suissa
Natou Suissa
Stephanie Tabak
Anat and Michel Toledano
David Tordjman
Diane Vas
Aaron Weisz
Lawrence Witt
Mindy and Michael Zobin
Daniel Zolov
Incredible volunteer-run events and initiatives
Furry friends greet families at HAPA’s
back-to-school carnival
The courtyard behind Hebrew Academy was
abuzz with excitement on August 25, the first day
of school, as new and returning Hebrew Academy
students and their families participated in the
Hebrew Academy Parent Association (HAPA) Backto-School Carnival. As if face painting, arts and
crafts, sports led by J-hoops, a cotton-candy station
and a Mega Burger food cart were not enough to
keep youngsters occupied, HAPA also sponsored
a petting zoo, complete with llamas, chickens,
donkeys and other animals!
Rosh Hashanah Bake
Sale a tremendous
success
Just in time for the Yamim Noraim, HAPA held
its first ever Bake Sale erev Rosh Hashana. The sale
featured beautiful floral arrangements, delicious
baked goods and spectacular salads - contributed by
Hebrew Academy parents, faculty and staff.
Nouvelles familles accueillies chaleureusement au petit
déjeuner de la rentrée scolaire
Les familles des nouveaux élèves de l’Académie Hébraïque ont été accueillies chaleureusement au petit déjeuner d’accueil
organisé par le comité Shalom de l’Académie Hébraïque. Ce comité a pour but d’aider les nouveaux parents et enfants à s’intégrer
à leur nouvel environnement et à les informer des activités à venir. Au cours du petit déjeuner, les familles ont été formellement
accueillies et ont rencontré le personnel et le conseil d’administration.
Hundreds join together
for Shabbat
HAPA’s annual shabbaton in November at
Congregation TBDJ was a beautiful gathering filled
with singing, dancing and overwhelming Ruach.
Over 300 Hebrew Academy family members enjoyed
a wonderful evening with friends, relatives and
colleagues.
Les événements exclusivement
masculins s’avèrent un vrai
succès
Plus de 75 pères d’élèves de l’Académie Hébraïque, membres
du personnel et anciens élèves se sont réunis au Club de Tennis
de Côte Saint-Luc en septembre pour un événement spécial de
réseautage. Cette soirée de détente a permis aux membres de
la famille de l’Académie Hébraïque, aussi bien les jeunes que les
moins jeunes, les nouveaux et les anciens, d’interagir les uns avec
les autres sur un plan plus personnel, dans un environnement calme
et intime.
À l’occasion de Rosh Chodesh Adar, les messieurs ont encore
une fois profité d’une fabuleuse soirée au Mishte, la première
dégustation de vins de l’Académie Hébraïque. L’événement s’est
tenu à la congrégation TBDJ, où on y a servi de la nourriture
délicieuse et des vins fabuleux. Un sommelier professionnel a
donné une fabuleuse présentation sur les vins.
HA-MTL.ORG • 43
media
Our initiatives are being noticed – by the community
at large
Hebrew Academy featured in local media 24 times in the past year
We are extremely proud to share that our initiatives and acts of Chessed were frequently recognized this past year by both print
and digital media outlets throughout the city. These included The Gazette, The Canadian Jewish News, The Suburban, The Free Press,
Bill613.com, The MADA Review and the Jewish General Hospital’s Auxiliary News. Our Professional Development, Mezuzah Dedication,
Dr. Laura Segall’s award, Rachel Fraenkel’s visit, Grade 10 Youth Philanthropy Initiative, Chalutzim Israel program, Oren Grunbaum
Basketball Tournament, Chidon Hatanach successes and a number of fundraising efforts were among some of the activities that
garnered publicity.
Videos highlight school spirit
In the spirit of One School, Hebrew Academy produced four videos that reflected our sense of Ruach and Achdut as a community.
Students, parents, faculty and staff were welcomed back to school with a special video, and many were polled for “Rosh Hashana 5775:
What do you wish for in the coming year?” We honoured veteran educators during Teacher Appreciation Week, and underscored the
inspiration behind our Chinese Auction in a video prior to the event. Our Bnot Sherut complemented these releases with their spirited
Chanukah, Purim, Yom Yerushalayim and End-Of-Year productions.
HA-MTL.ORG • 45
KTM and Sherut Leumi
Our Kollel Torah MiTzion Shlichim and
Bnot Sherut bring Yahadut to life
Hebrew Academy and
Kollel Torah MiTzion:
A perfect partnership
Housed in Hebrew Academy’s Lieberman Family Beit Midrash,
Kollel Torah MiTzion (KTM) is an educational centre that offers
special lectures, programs, classes and study partners for people
of all ages and Jewish backgrounds. KTM’s core staff comprises
graduates of Hesder Yeshivot in Israel. These carefully selected
young men and couples serve as mentors and role models for
their students. Rosh Kollel Rav Amnon Herman and his wife Gitit,
Rav Avreich Roei Mualem and his wife Ruti, Bat Sherut Adi Kremer
and Bachurim Yehoshua (Shuki) Sister, Yosef Katzav, Shalom
Orkaby and Akiva Davidson were at the helm of KTM this past year,
alongside KTM Executive Director Chaviva Lifson and Educational
Advisor Rabbi Eddie Shostak.
Leadership Program brings
new meaning to Experiential
Learning
Accompanied by KTM Rabbi Roei Mualem and Bachur
Akiva Davidson, a group of Grade 9 and 10 students
experienced the trip of a lifetime in February. Gabriel
Bensimon, Yosef Cohen, Eitan Drazin, Benji Friedman,
Andrew Miller, Yoni Mydlarski, Shmuel Perton, Zachary
Rehany, Jordan Silver and Avi Somech participated in
Chalutzim, Yeshivat HaKotel’s Leadership Program created
with Montreal Kollel Torah MiTzion that includes a weeklong
trip to Israel. In partnership with Hebrew Academy and
JNF, Chalutzim offers select students the opportunity to
strengthen and grow their love of Torah, Am Yisrael and Eretz
Yisrael via weekly extra-curricular learning and leadership experiences on a number of Shabbatot and Sundays throughout the year.
Participation in the program demands a serious time commitment: students must learn at Kollel Torah MiTzion two evenings weekly
and participate in various leadership activities and exercises.
The trip to Israel included a three-day stay at Yeshivat HaKotel where the students experienced Yeshiva life and toured Jerusalem
and its surroundings. The group then moved on to Southern Israel, following in the footsteps of the Tanach.
Bnot Sherut
Creative programs
geared for all ages
KTM ran a number of creative and
informal education programs this past
year, including High School tishes, movie
nights, a Motzei Shabbat Family Learning
Program for kids in Kindergarten to
Grade 6, a Bat Mitzvah program, a Spring
Break learning program, an Avot U’Vanim
learning and basketball evening, Parsha
plays for Kindergarten, and a lunchtime
“Torah-Running” competition, to name a
few.
Le programme des fêtes permet à
toute la communauté de célébrer
ensemble
Cette année, le Kollel Torah MiTzion a organisé plusieurs évènements
communautaires, incluant la célébration de Simchat Beit Hashoeva, des fêtes de
Hannouca et de Pourim pour les élèves du secondaire, la seoudah de Pourim,
le seder de Tou BiShvat, une cérémonie en l’honneur de Yom Hazikaron, une
seoudah shlishit à l’occasion de Yom Yeroushalayim, un barbecue pour Lag
Ba’omer et un programme d’étude de Shavuot qui a duré toute la nuit.
For the past number of years, Hebrew
Academy has been fortunate to benefit from
the creativity and enthusiasm of young women
from Israel, who choose to devote an extra
year of Sherut Leumi (National Service) to
helping Jewish communities in the Diaspora.
This past year, we were privileged to welcome
Adi Holsblat, Avital Fortinsky and Adi Kremer
to our Elementary and High School. Beyond
decorating our halls and rooms with exquisite
artwork, the women brought a taste of Israel
to our school in everything they did – from
starring in plays and filming videos, to leading
class activities and ushering in holidays
with overwhelming Ruach. The Bnot Sherut
contributed tremendously to our school
and greatly enhanced students’ love and
appreciation for Eretz Yisrael. We will miss
Adi, Avital and Adi!
De magnifiques
mosaïques
crées par les familles
En l’honneur de la fête de Tou Bi’Shvat, plus
de 70 élèves du primaire et leurs parents ont
créé de magnifiques mosaïques dans le cadre
du programme d’étude du samedi soir. Le
thème du programme de cinq semaines était
les « Shivat Haminim – Les sept espèces par
lesquelles la terre d’Israël a été bénie ». Les
mosaïques seront accrochées à l’extérieur du
Beth Midrash de la famille Lieberman.
HA-MTL.ORG • 47
Bekiut Club
recognizes
students
for their
commitment
to Torah
study
Right before the end of
school, KTM held a beautiful
Siyum and Seudah Shlishit
in honour of 138 Elementary
and High School students
who participated in the KTM
Bekiut Club over the past
year. Together with Kollel and
Hebrew Academy staff and
the Bnot Sherut, the students
studied various Torah and
Halachic texts and topics of
Jewish thought, geared to
their levels of interest and
capabilities. They developed
a love of Torah and an
appreciation for Jewish study
outside of school hours and
unrelated to tests and grades.
Building on Raffle 2014
As in past years, Raffle 2014 was a wonderful Hebrew Academy
fundraiser. Thank you to our canvassers, prize donors, and everyone
who supported the December 9th evening and helped give the gift
of Jewish Education to students in need. This year’s event featured
a scrumptious buffet, exciting door prizes, a grand prize of $10,000,
engaging student emcess and talented student performers. We extend
our deepest gratitude to Raffle Chair Par-Excellence Warren Rohr for his
boundless energy, incredible efforts, humour and ongoing dedication
to HA.
development
Our fundraising is a labour of love; a love for
our precious children, our outstanding school
and our wonderful community
We are thrilled that Warren will once again chair Raffle 2015,
scheduled this year on Wednesday, December 2 – mark your calendars! Our goal is to
make Raffle 2015 even more fun and exciting; we look forward to even more participation
from our parent body. If every family sells four tickets, we will achieve this objective!
If you would like to be involved with the raffle or have any suggestions, please email
[email protected]. Encan chinois
communautaire
Hundreds unite for
school-wide
Mezuzah Dedication
Over 500 Hebrew Academy students from
Kindergarten to Grade 11 united on December 2
with members of the Montreal Jewish community
to learn the laws of Mezuzah and celebrate the
dedication of beautiful new Mezuzot designed by
renowned Montreal artist Haim Sherrf. The unprecedented school-wide gathering in the Moritz Hasen Gymnasium marked the end
of a months-long campaign that encouraged donors to purchase Mezuzot to beautify the school and support families in the areas of
tuition, school supplies, uniforms and hot meals at lunchtime.
Following a private celebratory breakfast honouring all donors, students from various grades explained the Mezuzah’s significance
and thanked donors for their generosity. Highlights of the event included a Grade 6 performance of “Acheinu” and the collective
singing of Hatikvah, after which donors proceeded to affix their Mezuzot in respective locations.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to fundraising co-chairs Chaya Lieberman and Vanessa Fallenbaum for spearheading this incredibly
meaningful campaign.
L’encan chinois communautaire au bénéfice
des enfants nécessitant une aide pour les frais de
scolarité fut un énorme succès grâce aux bénévoles,
employés et donateurs dévoués. La soirée élégante
du 9 juin qui a eu lieu à la congrégation TBDJ,
comprenait des prix fabuleux, des rafraichissements
délicieux et une vente aux enchères animée par
Eddy Rogo, avec encore plus de prix fabuleux. Un
gros merci à Vanessa Fallenbaum et Chaya Lieberman, les coprésidentes de
l’encan et aux membres du comité Lyat Abicidan, Laurence Cohen et Jordana
Levy pour une soirée mémorable. Mazal Tov à tous nos gagnants, et surtout à
nos enfants, qui profiteront des bénéfices de la soirée.
Annual Campaign for Excellence
We are privileged to count on the generosity of our many friends and benefactors who help to ensure Hebrew Academy’s viability and
enable us to provide many “extras” for students – including curriculum enhancements, Early Intervention, supplementary programs and
Tuition Assistance, school supplies and uniforms for those in need. In the past few years, our Annual Campaign for Excellence has secured
the opening of our wonderful new school playground, the welcoming of a new Sefer Torah and the beautification of our building with
beautiful new Mezuzot.
Families are encouraged to join us in the pursuit of excellence at every level. Every gift makes a difference and underscores your
confidence in our institution and our outstanding educational programming.
HA-MTL.ORG • 49
financial review
Hebrew Academy continues to operate from a position of
financial strength
Securing a bright future for our children
Hebrew Academy’s Board of Directors is responsible for furthering Hebrew Academy’s mission and ensuring its long-term financial stability.
Despite the challenging economy, we have worked diligently on our five-year financial plan and continue to operate from a position of financial
strength. For the fiscal year 2014 we exceeded
our financial expectations and prudent financial
planning enabled us to invest in many academic
programs and academic growth.
Tuition Assistance Allocations
Our philosophy is to enable all students to benefit from our outstanding education; accordingly, no one is denied admission
because of an inability to pay school fees. Our school allocates almost $1,000,000 annually in tuition assistance to families in need.
Our Development Department is actively
working on establishing new endowments to
secure a successful and bright future for our
children and grandchildren. We look forward
to the promise of a new academic year and
the opportunity to progress in all domains and
extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who
contributes to Hebrew Academy’s exceptional
standing. With your ongoing support, we will
reach even greater heights.
2014 Financial Review and Expenses
The following charts reflect results from the Financial Statements for the year ending June 2014.
Financial Statements for 2015 will be available at the Annual General Meeting in October.
HA-MTL.ORG • 51
5700 Kellert,
Côte Saint-Luc Quebec
H4W 1T4

celebrating our Achievements célébrer nos

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