January 2011 | www.jppsbialik.ca

Message from the President of JPPS-Bialik

Arnold Cohen Our Annual General Meeting took place on November 29th at Bialik High School. It was well-attended, in large part, we realize to JPPS teacher and Folk Shule graduate Sheila Witt receiving the very prestigious Nachum Wilchesky Memorial Educational Leadership Award. We are grateful to all those present who helped celebrate this momentous occasion, and who forthrightly shared with me concerns they have about the school. There is no lack of passion when it comes to our school, both as regards its strengths and its weaknesses, and I am proud of our collective determination to pursue continuous improvement and innovation while being respectful of our roots and heritage. That the annual general meeting serves as a forum for such discussion is a healthy sign.

Along these lines, it is my fervent hope that all parents and staff will be present at an important and milestone meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 3rd at Bialik, during which we will share with you our bold plans for securing our long term future and our role as a community school in ensuring Jewish continuity and a thriving Jewish community in Montreal. This meeting will be the stepping stone initiating the process to obtain your input and support for this historic project and I know you will want to be there.

I also attended the Blue Rodeo benefit concert at Place des Arts on the 30th of November. We are grateful to alumnus Jonathan Goodman ’84 for bringing this about in collaboration with another Montreal institution ORT, under the direction of another one of our graduates, Manny Kalles JPPS ’57, to the benefit of many Montreal Jewish day schools, including JPPS-Bialik. I understand that as a by-product of this collaboration, Bialik Secondary V students will be going to Israel with ORT’s help to do some development work with a local school there.

On the 24th of November I had the privilege to assist Rabbi Mark Fishman in the installation on a fourth-floor classroom at Bialik of a mezuzah donated by the Class of 2014 in honour of their Bar Mitzvah. Fellow Board member, Etan Jagermann deserves much recognition for having initiated this project. In his remarks, Etan made special note of the hard work of parent volunteer, Judith Mestel, in making it such a success that it will be repeated annually from now on.

Bialik’s Athletics and Performing Arts Complex continues to grow as our athletics and theatre programs are further enhanced through the addition of a music studio and a new scoreboard for the original gymnasium; the scoreboard being a Legacy Gift from the Class of 2010. For those who attended the students’ Bands on the Run fundraising event on January 17th in support of the new music studio, they were treated to some high-caliber musical talent, evidencing the reason why we are pursuing the music studio and program. And, on the 18th I had the privilege of attending the installation of the scoreboard that accurately recorded the win by Bialik’s Juvenile Boys team against the Class of 2010 Boys in a basketball game! Both events were great fun and it was remarkable to note how wonderfully athletics and performing arts thrive together at our school!

Commensurate with JPPS’ ongoing commitment to encouraging parent’s active participation in their children’s education, JPPS hosted Stephanie Mitelman, a certified sexuality educator and sister of Board member Bev Mitelman, on January 18th. Those in attendance appreciated her insights on sharing the “Top 10 Myths about Kids and Sexuality”. Our Parent Council encourages all of you with suggestions for interesting parent education evenings to submit them to their attention at the head office. After all, our school is not just for our children!

Our alumni continue to shine as you will read elsewhere in this newsletter. Two in particular, Wendy Freeman ’81, the new President of CTV News, and Michael Konyves ’88, the screenwriter for Mordechai Richler’s Barney’s Version, demonstrate that our graduates, male and female, go out into the world with confidence, filling very public roles. Michael Konyves is our alumni-of-the-month too (see article)! We couldn’t be more proud of them and wish all our graduates continued success in whatever endeavour they are pursuing.

Arnold Cohen '82

P.S. Please support today’s students and future generations of JPPS-Bialik students by donating to the 2010-2011 Annual Giving Campaign!

Message from the Head of School

November saw a recurring theme at Bialik that began Laurence Fhima with the appearance of “I am enough!” signage signaling the return of the popular speaker Scott Fried at Bialik who had the full attention of both students and parents at day and evening presentations. It was quickly followed by a Secondary V Shabbaton led by Rabbi Mark Fishman, who also led a parents’ evening “workshop” in addition to initiating a student Lunch ‘n Learn session each of which tackled some pretty heavy, but top-of-mind (judging by the students who participated) topics. Read more about these in this newsletter and stay tuned for more in the months ahead.

Many parents have communicated their concerns to me about the number of substitute teachers at Bialik. While sometimes they fall within the norm of most schools, you may be assured that any use of a substitute is a cause for concern for us. We are tracking their frequency, and ensuring that absent teachers leave lesson plans is but one of the steps being taken to address this issue. Another is the hiring of an HR consultant, Kevin Lukian, former Director General of the Riverside School Board, who will help in this area, among others, beginning immediately.

We are very grateful to Bialik parent Jeff Birenbaum for having partnered with Bialik students’ ongoing work on greening the school. Jeff Birenbaum’s company, Ko-Rec-Type, recycles everything from printer cartridges to cell phones. Not only will they contribute to cleaning up the environment by participating, they will also generate some funds for the school to aid in their other greening initiatives. All good, so send in your cell phones, printer cartridges, etc (see article below) with your son/daughter!

Recognizing JPPS teachers like Sheila Witt as we did with her winning the Nachum Wilchesky Memorial Educational Award, or Nira Friedman winning the Yaacov Zipper Education Award both this past fall, attest to the remarkable dedication and passion they share for the teaching profession and for JPPS students. Kal Hakavod to each of them (see the articles later in this newsletter). It is critical that we recognize excellence like this, especially when confronted with the loss over the winter break of three JPPS-Bialik former staff, Shlomo Jaacobi, Bella Zukerman and Eva Gorwic, each of whom left their mark in very tangible ways. On behalf of JPPS-Bialik, we extend our sincere condolences to their families.

Judging by the number of families in attendance at the Camp Experts’ Fair on January 24th at Bialik, I think many are thinking of warmer temperatures, not surprisingly given the cold we are experiencing now. We are proud to have facilitated JPPS-Bialik parent Aviva Reinitz’s Camp Fair initiative so that parents can make informed choices of camps for their kids, even if it may seem like months away!

A number of administrators and staff members at Bialik demonstrated their musical talents recently at the Bialik student fundraising event, Bands on the Run. I want to say a special thank you to Avi Satov, David Buzaglo, Emerson Thomas, Samantha Druzin, Josh Silverman, Florian Gaudreau and Atie Waxman, who went above and beyond to perform together in support of the music studio. With the introduction of music at the high school in this way, we are in fact building on a strong foundation of music at JPPS as evidenced by the students’ talents showcased on stage in the Bertha and Nathan Gillman Music Festival to take place on March 15th – and not to be missed.

My hat goes off to the organizers of JPPS’ Read-a-thon in December – Alexandra Dernis, Ingrid Gurman and Kathy Diamond – who successfully combined reading and fitness with fundraising for the Heart & Stroke Foundation – quite something! Read more about it in the article below.

As you know from FirstClass messages sent out, in order to remain compliant with the Quebec government, we had to make some changes to the calendar, and largely eliminate any remaining Wednesday afternoons for teacher professional development. While this will be welcomed perhaps by many teachers, we will want to be vigilant in ensuring that professional development for teachers is not comprised on the long term.

We are grateful to all those who have so far contributed to the 2010-2011 Annual Giving Campaign. I want to remind everyone that your gifts do make a tangible difference, no matter the amount. We wouldn’t be able to boast a SMARTBoard in every classroom at JPPS as we can, or that we turn no student away for lack of funds, without your support. It is remarkable to me to see the staff themselves contributing, often in memory of a loved one. They send a powerful message on so many fronts. Thank you!

You may have noticed a letter to the editor from Arnold Cohen in The Gazette in December, written not as President of JPPS-Bialik, but as his personal reaction to the Quebec government’s reaction to religious instruction in daycares. He feels strongly that “It has become apparent that this Quebec government dangerously supports freedom from religion, not the fundamental human (and constitutional) right of freedom of religion.” I couldn’t agree more. So far, no changes will be made at any CPE, including ours, at least until such time that a law in this regard, or another, goes into effect. Rest assured that you will be kept informed of any and all changes.

Laurence Fhima

P.S. We are accepting applications for 2012-2013 for JPPS’ Junior Pre K (3 year olds) and Pre K (4 year olds). Contact Adina Matas at: 514-731-6456.

Message from the Principal of Bialik

Welcome back from what I hope was a restful winter vacation and good times spent with friends and family members. Students, faculty and staff look well rested and energized, and ready for a second half of this academic year. As parents, you are probably ready to have your children return to the daily structure of school after two weeks of staying up late and enjoying some well deserved down time. Let us all remember to enjoy these moments with our children; before we know it, they will have graduated from high school and on to the next stage in their journey towards adulthood.

At this point let me give you a synopsis of the many events that have taken place in and beyond our school walls:

Alvin Powell, former NFL football player and Director of Prevention Services of SavingStation Foundation, spoke on November 17th to Secondary II and III students. He fell prey to the disease of drug addiction, and now works to help others quit their habit. None of this would have been possible without the financial support of a Bialik parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, and who sponsored this event with the help of Bialik’s Guidance Department. Along this same theme, Secondary I students attended "Independence Matters to Me", a drug and alcohol awareness program.

College Night was a great success as our Secondary V students and their parents learned about programs available to our students after high school. Invited guests included representatives from CEGEPS and McGill University.

I, along with some staff and many parents, attended the GLEE High School Showdown on November 21st, at Loyola High School. Our GLEE team had fun and performed their hearts out during this benefit event for the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Congratulations to the Bialik team on raising the highest amount of funds for this event from all the ten participating high schools. We are happy to report that they raised in excess of $2,700!! A big thank-you to Samantha Druzin '02 and Diane Dupuis-Kallos for the many hours that they both spent working with the GLEE team. We should all be so proud of the GLEE team members for their dedication to helping others in our community.

Our first parent evening, titled “An evening of Spirituality” with Rabbi Fishman, took place on November 22nd.

Next, I must congratulate Anisa Cameron and all of our student actors and support staff who put on an amazing Bialik Theatre performance of Grimm in December. I was blown away by our in-house talent and our students’ dedication to the arts.

Bialik celebrated its first Chanukah Assembly in over seventeen years on December 8th. Students enjoyed a well-prepared program by Mrs. Etti Kimchi, which comprised of pertinent information, songs performed by the school choir under Mrs. Lorna Smith’s leadership and latkes and suvganiot supplied by Home and School. We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our Home and School president Cindy Bercovitch, and to the many volunteer mothers for decorating the gym and serving all of our students.

During the second week of January representatives from the Mental Health Foundation came to speak to our Secondary IV and V students.

Bands on the Run was a huge success and showcased our students’ musical talents. Fun was had by all as we “rocked” to music! The money raised from this event will go towards financing our Music Studio, which will be available for students who want to play instruments and use it as a jam space. They will also be able to record audio and video tracks. It will be outfitted with professional audio and video recording and editing equipment, including iMacs and a green screen. Students auditioned to perform in this event, either as singers, as part of a band or individually. The Music Studio will further enhance our thriving Arts and Theatre program, and we thank the Music Advisory Committee members for this initiative in memory of the late Josh Roskies ’77. Thank you to Advancement’s Atie Waxman, David Buzaglo and Diane Dupuis-Kallos for their hard work in organizing this spectacular event.

Our Secondary IV students will participate in Moot Court, a GenJ-sponsored program that comes to us via BJEC, and brings in McGill University Law School as a partner. Now in its second year in the mainstream community, students from Jewish high schools (Bialik, Ecole Maimonide, Hebrew Academy and Herzliah) learn the Jewish background to be able to debate the outcome of a legal case - from an informed Jewish perspective. This year’s case is authored by Rabbi Michael Whitman and is titled- ESKENAZI ET AL v. EPC.

I would like to remind everyone that parent-teachers interviews will be held on February 1st (2:30 to 5:30 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm).

Our dedicated teachers and staff are the life force behind our students, and I thank them for the important role that they play in educating and shaping our students.

Je vous souhaite à tous un bon retour à l’école et au travail après les vacances.

Shireen Butman

Message from the Principal of JPPS

Adina Matas Developing Creative Minds

“The FUTURE belongs to a very different kind of person with different types of mind-creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers and meaning makers. These people – artists, inventors, designers, storytellers … will reap society’s rewards and share its greatest JOYS.” Daniel Pink

In today’s world, creativity and innovation hold the key to success in WORK and LIFE. Creativity is not just about the arts or particular types of individuals. We all have the capacity for creative thinking – for generating and for extending ideas, applying imagination and looking for innovative outcomes in any activity

Our students are engaged in a creative endeavor everyday as there is creativity in everything, not only in music, art or writing, but throughout the curriculum, in science, social studies, Bible studies and others. A variety of teaching strategies are implemented across the curriculum that serves to unlock creativity. Our teachers encourage creativity by emphasizing the expression of ideas in a non-evaluative framework and ensuring that students have the opportunity and confidence to take risks and see things in a new way. Brainstorming promotes creativity, where teachers and students value diversity, ask unusual and challenging questions and make connections. Creative exercises empower students with the notion that they are capable to think out of the box, and that it isn’t something necessarily reserved only for the brightest. Students are encouraged to think creatively, even in math, as they are often being asked to analyze problems and determine why particular algorithms are the best solutions and design patterns or formulate their own original problems. Creativity involves developing ideas through suggesting hypotheses (what if?) and applying imagination.

We were all very impressed with the Grade 4 annual “Chanukah” family project. This is one of many examples in which an activity encourages students to apply imagination to generate innovative and creative outcomes. The project connects the students to their roots and their cultural identity. The goal is to elaborate on what our tradition’s expectation of a “Chanukiah” is, to build on a given situation and make it more personal and interesting.

Creativity cannot be left to chance. It must be valued, encouraged and expected – and it must be seen as essential to all teaching and learning. It is a family project, as parents are active partners in nurturing their children’s creative skills. Parents should encourage their children to notice problems in the world around them, and guide them to research and generate possible solutions.

In our Grade 3 classes, each child became a journalist as they were asked to write a portrait of a classmate. The portrait had to describe the subject physically, but also to explore their personality, family, tastes and interests, their learning style, their strengths and how they interact in a group. All of this was done in French. The culmination of this project was a newspaper. Some of the students took the project a step further by incorporating photography skills and techniques.

In cycle 3, French writing and grammar was brought to life for the students by publishing a book and creating their own games. The theme of these projects was “Chanukah”. The level of enthusiasm was incredible and very apparent as the students read their books to their targeted audiences (students of various grades) and played their games with their “guests” from the other classes. This project exemplifies creativity in teaching at its best.

Creativity and self-expression enhance key life skills including problem-solving, communication and critical thinking that are essential for success in LEARNING and success in LIFE – in a fast changing world.

Adina Matas

Message from The Director of the CPE

As we settle in after the holidays, the building is humming. Everyone is happy to be reunited with their friends, and to share all of their holiday adventures. Before we left, we were busy with Chanukah preparations which we shared with our families and friends. Families joined us to share a morning filled with singing and dancing, and of course, latkes and sufganeot. We continued the celebrations on a Sunday when everyone participated in a Chanukah concert, in arts and crafts and baking, and by observing an oil press demonstration. It was a great day enjoyed by all. Our Pre-k classes travelled to JPPS to enjoy their assembly, where everyone contributed with singing and dancing.

We completed our first fundraising project of the year. Our sale of oranges and grapefruits was very successful, and enjoyed by everyone. Stay tuned for our early Spring chocolate sale. We can’t wait!

The Pre-k classes have been learning about Canada and all that our country has to offer. They know the names of the provinces, our natural resources, and all about Canada’s wildlife. The children painted a large map of the country, discussed important places of interest, and proudly reproduced our flag.

Tying into our winter theme, the children are learning about what the Artic and the Antartic have to offer. It is hard to believe that there are so many different animals living is such cold climates. The younger children are working on the winter theme as well. One class built an indoor skating rink using tin foil for ice, and happily skated around in their socks. Classic children’s stories act as the basis for a lot of discussion and art projects.

In spite of the cold, we have begun planting in honour of Tu B’shvat. The children and their families are buying trees to rebuild the burned forests in Israel, and we are planting many things in our classes in order to see how they grow. One group is drying their own fruit to share with us all.

We are looking forward to a lot of fun activities throughout the winter, and no matter the weather outside, it is always warm and sunny in the Children’s Centre.

Randy Zucker

Message from JPPS Home and School

2011 has started with a bang! Happy New Year to all of you! JPPS Home and School has been hard at work organizing the hot lunches for the Winter/Spring session, which began immediately upon the students’ return to school. Parents had the opportunity to order hot lunches for their children (up to 3 days a week) which are being served by Home and School volunteers. We also ran a fundraising event where Mummy cards were sold to interested parents. These cards provide discounts to many businesses and services in the Montreal area.

Home and School is also funding the following two upcoming activities for the students:

1. Once again, Irene Krausz has been working at school exposing the students to different art concepts and techniques. The students are being taught art appreciation classes in French, and they love it!

2. In February and March, all students from Grades 1-6 will go to the Segal Centre twice in order to participate in music and circus classes. It is sure to be a huge success, just as it was last year.

As always, we welcome any ideas and help.

We look forward to an exciting 2011 with many more things to come!

Alyssa Glazer and Marnie Cohen JPPS '78
Co-Presidents

Message from Bialik Home and School

We at Bialik’s Home and School Association hope that everyone enjoyed a restful winter break. Before we geared up for exams, Home and School, in collaboration with the Hebrew Department, under the direction of Mrs. Kimchi, hosted the first Chanukah assembly in seventeen years. We are proud to say that we had more than eighteen volunteers (you all know who you are, and we thank you so much for coming out to help!!!) The students had a great time and there is nothing like starting out a cold winter day with great carbs and sugar. Latkes, sufganiot and chocolate Chanukah gelt were served to all!!!

Upon our return from the break, and the knowledge of the fires in the Carmel region of Israel became a reality, Home and School, once again with the cooperation of the Hebrew Department, launched an emergency campaign for the Jewish National Fund (JNF). We went from class to class, discussing the devastation, and we spoke to the students about our goal: to raise $ 5,000 towards replanting the five million trees that were destroyed. Money is still being collected, and if you haven’t done so, check your child’s knapsack; there should be a JNF envelope in there just waiting to be filled out!!!

Speaking of Tu B’Shvat, Thursday, January 20th was Tu B’Shvat. This year, instead of holding Tu B’Shvat seders in individual classrooms, Bialik decided to have an assembly for each grade. Home and School participated, and we had a great group of mothers helping out! (Thank-you so much!) It was wonderful, and the kids really enjoyed it. The teachers, children and parents all remembered their Tu B’Shvat songs from elementary school.

On February 1st, our annual Teacher Appreciation dinner will take place during parent teacher interviews. As well, Passover is not far away. Once again, we will be offing Passover chocolates from Gallerie du Chocolat. They are strictly kosher for Passover, and they offer a wide variety of baskets, both regular and nut free. Please remember Home and School when you are considering what to bring as a gift to your Seder. We have a great team, but we are still looking for volunteers to help. Please contact us through FirstClass or through the main office.

As you see, Home and School has been very busy. We are always looking for some help; if you have an hour, a day or any time whatsoever, it will always be appreciated!

Have a great rest of the winter!

Cindy Bercovitch, mother of Josh '09, Max '13 and Benji '15
President

Message from the Parent Council

To All JPPS Parents,

We would like to inform you of a minor change as well as remind you of the rules concerning Drop-Off and Pick-Up around the school.

Starting in January we will not be using the first gate on Mountain Sights during morning Drop-Off or afternoon Pick-Up. The second gate on Mountain Sights will be used as it is a safer option. We would also like you to remind your children that at Pick-Up they are not to leave the school yard until their car pool arrives.

We would also like to remind you of the rules that pertain to carpool and to that end we have included a colour map which is enclosed. One specific rule that needs to be respected is the rule that at Drop-Off you can only unload your children when your vehicle is in front of JPPS employee. These rules have not been respected in the past but starting in January we will be issuing tickets on a regular basis.

The last item that needs reinforcing is that the corner of Mountain Sights and Van Horne is no place to cross your children; you must use the crosswalk at Westbury & Van Horne, where there is an official Crossing Guard and a traffic light.

These regulations are in place to protect your children from accident; please respect them, for your children’s sake.

If you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact us by email.
To view the PDF of the parking plan, please click here.

Thanking you in advance,

Adina Matas, Principal
Debra Michael, Vice-Principal
Marc Knobovitch, Chair, Safety & Security Committee
Michael Savelson, Parent Council, JPPS President

JPPS-Bialik in the News

If you haven’t figured out by now that JPPS-Bialik students and our alumni make the news quite often, well, you’ve been missing out on some naches!

Mazel Tov to the following recent graduates from Bialik who were given "general entrance awards" at Dawson College. The award is given to "first semester students in recognition of outstanding achievement upon entering Dawson College with a 90% average or more from high school." The 11 Bialik students were: Emily Nicole Bronstein '10, Daniel Etcovitch '10, Jillian Friedman '10, Jessica Fruchtermann '10, Aaron Gluck-Thaler '10, Jessica Greenberg '10, Joelle Kattan '10, Cassidy Levine '10, Lauren Libenson '10, Jeremy Little '10, and Zachary Zoldan '10.
Under Bialik’s Choir Director, Lorna Smith, our choir performed twice - first on November 2nd at City Hall in the Inter-

Cultural Peace Rally and then again for the Dialog Foundation (see below).
Lorna Smith, Bialik Choir Director, is proud to announce that the school received a lovely certificate of appreciation from the Dialog Foundation – IDI Montreal at the 7th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Program, where our Yiddish choir performed.
Yona Shtern '79 and Robert Gold '84, co-owners of Beyond the Rack - a private online shopping club where members get exclusive deals, were featured in The Gazette on January 19, 2011. Click here to read the article.
Under the direction of Samantha Druzin '02 and Diane Dupuis-Kallos Bialik's Glee Club performed in a competion and were featured in The Gazette and on CBC Radio.
Bialik students took part in the Living Together project - in order to "tackle stereotypes and prejudice." The project brings together members of the Arab and Jewish communities in weekly meeting designed to "deconstruct stereotypes." An article in The Gazette on January 29, 2011 outlines the strides made in the projet. To read more, go to www.vivreensemble-livingtogether.blogspot.com.
JPPS-Bialik and its supporters were recognized in the ORT Montreal Benefit Gala book, distributed widely throughout Montreal.
Sweet tooth, anyone? Gateaux Maliniak is ready to serve you under the creative artistry of Jennifer Maliniak '03, Dawson Arts & Letters 2006, and Le Cordon Bleu Paris/Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute 2008. Jennifer's specialties are cakes, cupcakes and confections. You can reach her at her website: www.montrealgourmetcupcakes.com.
Jonathan Goodman '84 was featured in an article by ORT. Click here to read it. Jonathan, Paladin Labs CEO, is seen here with Arthur Silber, and CIBC CEO Gerry McCaughey.
Michael Lifshitz '92 was in the news again in an article titled "Power of One: Disabled man inspires through community work." Click here to read the CTV article.
JPPS-Bialik was featured in The Suburban, titled "The Sweet Sound of Music." Found on page 15, the article highlights our extremely successful Bands on the Run event. Click here to read the article.

JPPS-Bialik Athletics

This has been quite a tremendous first few weeks of 2011 for Bialik Athletics. Since returning from the break, Bialik has hosted two very important events. On January 18th Bialik opened its doors and welcomed some familiar faces from the past as our basketball alumni returned to tip-off against this year’s Juvenile Boys Division 1 team. This was not only a basketball event but an opportunity for last years’ graduating class to come back for the inauguration of their legacy gift to the school. Last year the students and their families banded together to raise enough money to have a new digital scoreboard installed in our old gym, complete with 2 shot clocks on either end of the court. The ceremony brought back over 40 recent graduates for the game. The game was a spirited one, and the current team was able to slip past the alumni in our first annual Recent Grads Basketball Game. Next year the game will showcase the 2011 Legacy Gift (bleachers for the Helen and Sam Steinberg Gymnasium).

Thanks to the following Alumni who came out to participate in this exciting event as well as all of the fans (our apologies if anyone has been left off this list):

Jeremy Bitton '10
Kevin Chaim '10
Adam Gazith '10
Jarred Lieberman '10
Jacob Mann '10
Michael Sayegh '10
Yoni Shemesh '10
Joel Swieca '10
Daniel Szwimmer '10
Dylan Weiss '10

Looking for all the latest in sports information and scores?

Please check out the new and improved Athletics tab on the JPPS-Bialik website for up-to-date scores, schedules and recaps (Click HERE to be taken there directly).

A big “congratulations” to our November Athletes of the Month:

Juniors: Jessica Young and Shawn Gordon
Seniors: Oren Ben-Brith and Rebecca Battat

Matt Starr JPPS '96

Alum of the Month – Michael Konyves ’88

JPPS-Bialik is supremely proud of Michael Konyves ’88, our Alum of the Month for this edition!

Michael is a screenwriter whose most recent work is Golden Globe award-winning “Barney’s Version”. After graduating with a B.A. in English literature from Concordia University, he started working on film sets around Montreal, working in every department he could – from production to locations, camera to post-production. After working as an assistant to director Christian Duguay for a few years, Michael wrote and sold his first screenplay in 2001 to Summit Entertainment in Los Angeles, and he has been writing ever since!

Kol Hakavod, Michael, for all of your hard work. The JPPS-Bialik family wishes you continued success in all of your future endeavors!

Amy Finkelstein JPPS '78, Advancement Manager

On April 3rd, Gala is returning to JPPS-Bialik once again!

This year’s Gala event is not to be missed, and will keep you on your feet! A new format…bigger audience…and fabulous entertainment! This event is all about having FUN, networking, and being part of an incredible community fundraiser!

The event will dazzle with hors d’oeuvres, food stations, live band and open wine bar…all showcasing our student star performers in an “avant-première” of Bialik Theatre’s spring performance of “Nothing’s Gonna Change My World”, in our fabulously decorated and transformed Helen and Sam Steinberg Gymnasium.

Year after year, the Gala event attracts many people throughout our community, and this year, we are thrilled to welcome Olymbec and icoupon.net as our principal event sponsors. Last year, our guests helped raise close to $130,000. These proceeds contributed significantly to the many program enhancements and facility upgrades at JPPS and Bialik. These funds also help to ensure that we continue to deliver the highest quality Jewish education to our children!

In keeping with the long Concert Gala tradition, the committee has chosen Freda Rashkovan to be this year’s Concert Honouree. Freda Rashkovan’s long-standing relationship with JPPS-Bialik dates back to her graduating from Folk Shule in 1948, sending her children, Barry Rashkovan ’79, Liane Rashkovan Eliesen ’80 and David Rashkovan ’83, to the school and then being president of JPPS-Bialik from 1982 to 1984.

Invitations will be going out shortly, but please do not hesitate to contact Amy Finkelstein at 514-731-2944, ext. 263, or by email at for tickets, event sponsorship and program book opportunities.

Event website: http://www.jppsbialik.ca/en/gala2011

See you there!

Sandy Surkis Dalfen & Bev Mitelman Lyman
Concert Gala 2011 Co-Chairs

JPPS Chanukah Party

The celebration of Chanukah is a time Jewish families look forward to all year. The annual JPPS Home & School Chanukah party was held in late November. It was a fun-filled afternoon for all who attended. The festivities included an introduction to Circus Arts, Fabulous Inflatables, take-home arts & crafts as well as many other exciting booths. During the fun, traditional foods such as latkes and donuts were served along with non-traditional treats such as cotton candy.

Class of 2014 Mezuzah Installation

Thanks to the initiative and foresight of JPPS-Bialik parents Etan and Marla Jagermann, the Class of 2014 boys now have a mezuzah to call their own, installed in honour of their B’nai Mitzvot!

The installation took place on November 24th at 7:45 a.m, in Bialik’s room 406. The Class of 2014 boys and their families looked on as Rabbi Mark Fishman explained the significance of the mezuzah, and congratulated them. JPPS-Bialik President Arnold Cohen ’82 outlined the importance of a smooth extension between a Jewish home and our school. Etan Jagermann, who spearheaded the event, thanked the school Administration, as well as all of the families in attendance. A light breakfast was served as well.

Thank you to all who participated!

JPPS Teacher Sheila Witt Folk Shule ’53: first recipient of the Nachum Wilchesky Memorial Educational Leadership Award

It was so fitting that JPPS teacher and Folk Shule graduate from 1953 Sheila Witt was named the first recipient of the very prestigious Nachum Wilchesky Memorial Educational Leadership Award at the JPPS-Bialik Annual General Meeting held on November 29th.

It was a unanimous decision on the part of the committee chaired by Past President Shelley Cohen JPPS ’69. Committee members Edmond Elbaz, Directeur des Etudes Françaises Emérite, Merle Frankel Wolofsky, Executive Director Emeritus and Sara Weinberg, Director of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Concordia University, carefully considered the criteria for the award – that it be bestowed upon a JPPS-Bialik teacher, administrator, educational staff member, or lay leader demonstrating outstanding teaching excellence or innovative and inspirational leadership in the field of Jewish education – as well as Nachum Wilchesky’s own love for the Yiddish language and culture, alongside the teaching of French, English and Hebrew.

In her speech, Shelley Cohen explained, “As JPPS-Bialik approaches its Centennial (in 2013-2014), acknowledging the legacies of our founding fathers, including the importance of our Yiddish culture, as we are doing with this award, is even more important today as it has been in the past.”

She went on to say: “Jewish Education is at a crossroads today. There is a constant pull towards the English private system; there is a resurgence of modern orthodoxy, and as many times before, JPPS-BIALIK is somewhere in the middle. This is not the same school that Mr. Wilchesky or Mr.Wiseman knew but there have been exemplary efforts made towards marrying yesterday with today. At the forefront of those efforts are our teachers. The results of those efforts are the academic standing of our graduates all over the world.”

The Wilchesky family, represented at the Annual General Meeting, by Nachum Wilchesky’s widow Bronee Wilchesky, clearly understood the importance of exemplary leadership and the role of the teacher when they so graciously agreed to the establishment of the award following Nachum Wichesky’s passing last year. They were delighted to learn that Sheila Witt was chosen as the first recipient.

As a Folk Shule graduate, Sheila Witt had the privilege of being taught by Nachum Wilchesky Z”L, and Sheila, herself taught at JPPS for more than 30 years, teaching English first and then Yiddish embodies fully the spirit and criteria of this award. She has been and is, instrumental and inspirational in keeping the Yiddish language and culture alive not just at the school but also in Montreal’s larger Jewish community. It is thanks to Sheila that youngsters speak, understand and love Yiddish and connect with our shared past. It is through her passion and enthusiasm that our legacy is preserved and handed down from generation to generation. She is literally and figuratively a true student of the late Nachum Wilchesky Z”L. What a wonderful way to honor his memory. Sheila has worked with not only youngsters but also adults and seniors alike, teaching Yiddish adult ed classes at the Shaare Zion and at the Jewish Public Library, and conversational Yiddish to the staff at Maimonides Geriatric Centre and the Jewish Nursing Home, and many of them weren’t even Jewish but felt that it would be advantageous for them to be able to communicate with their patients!

And, she shared with them the stories about the patients’ pasts, just as she does with JPPS students, who she takes, together with their grandparents on annual field trips to Old Jewish Montreal. She herself grew up in Old Jewish Montreal so she has her own tales to share. No wonder she can truly speak with authenticity and from the heart

In her acceptance speech, Sheila Witt spoke warmly of her recollections of Nachum Wilchesky Z”L, “Lerer Wilchesky – as he was known to me- surely became a guiding force, one of my mentors instilling in me a love of yiddishkayt - teaching me about our Jewish Heritage, geshikhte Jewish Values, traditions and developing my love for the Hebrew language, and above all my true passion – Yiddish- my MAME-LOSHEN.” Lerer Wilchesky, ZIKHRONO LEVRAKHA, was a true example of what Mentshlekhkayt is. He was a mentsh in the true sense of the word.”

It was for many of these reasons that JPPS Principal Adina Matas originally nominated Sheila for an award from Federation that she won a few years ago. Bravo Sheila!

Elizabeth Kennell, Director of Advancement

Bands on the Run

Bands on the Run, an unforgettable event to get the music studio off and running!

If you weren’t part of the 300+ crowd on January 17th at Bialik, don’t worry. Bands on the Run was but the first annual Bialik student garage band event in support of Bialik’s new music studio, a place where students, will be able to jam as well as rehearse, record, edit and listen to music. Initiated in memory of the late Josh Roskies, a graduate from the class of 1977 who also loved music, the studio and program will enhance Bialik’s flagship theatre program.

First there was American Idol, then Canadian Idol… and now Bands on the Run. In the weeks and months prior to the Bands on the Run event, Bialik was abuzz with excitement. In its preliminary stages, it seemed that the task to get bands to join would be difficult. On audition day, although there were many students wanting to participate, the judges entered the Mettarlin with a sense of adventure… Would this be like the outtakes at American Idol, or would we be blown away by the talent? As the auditions unfolded, all we could do was revel in the unexpected talent and skill that Bialik students possess.

Students and staff practiced in the music studio, in the Mitch Garber ’81 Hall of Honour, and at home. Parents, friends, students, staff and administration alike were excited to inaugurate this event on January 17th to a packed house. Tremendous care was taken, and the organizers paid attention to every detail to ensure that the event would speak for itself, and it did! From the professional sound engineering, to the impeccable PA system, to the excellent back stage work of students and professionals, the evening was a resounding success. Bands on the Run was an event that will not settle for one season, and the participants are already discussing how they can bring it back next year and make this event a permanent part of Bialik’s new musical culture.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all 35 or so students, from Secondary I to V, including performers, backstage techies and stage manager, who set the bar so high for next year’s Bands on the Run, and we would like to again thank the administrators, donors, and staff for having the vision to make this initiative possible. Special thanks should go to Mikey Rappaport, Secondary V and Jesse Stein, Secondary IV, who as members of the Music Advisory Committee, took on the event with gusto, “A Dueling Bandos Production”, as they refer to it!

Stay tuned for the DVD and CD…

David Buzaglo, Bialik Faculty Member

Bands on the Run was an important pilot project for Bialik, as you can see from David Buzaglo’s article above. David, a Math teacher at Bialik, new this past fall readily accepted to join the Music Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Joseph Abramowitz ’77 and Jaime Roskies ’83, in light of his professional music background. He then took on the event for which we are very indebted. He and the other members of the committee, in addition to many staff performers, have been working on a volunteer basis to make the event, studio and program a reality. They recognized the need for music at Bialik to build on the strong foundation students receive at JPPS, as seen with their Choir and the Nathan and Bertha Gillman Music Festival.

The Bands on the Run event, sponsored by Dorchester Investments, Steve’s Music Store and Westend Piano, was a testament to the students’ support of the music studio and program initiative, and less of a fundraiser. Fortunately, the Committee has also been hard at work raising funds; to date $25,000 has been received in addition to over $10,000 of in-kind gifts, including many instruments. We are so grateful to all who have so far contributed. Many have done so in memory of the late Josh Roskies in addition to their belief that music can have a huge positive impact on students! If you are interested in supporting this specific initiative, you can do so by clicking here and know too that in so doing you are also contributing to the annual giving campaign. As a result, we are confident that the room will be at least open for jamming and development of an extra-curricular program very soon!

Elizabeth Kennell, Director of Advancement

Bialik Chanukah Assembly

It has been seventeen years since a Chanukah assembly has been held at Bialik High school.

Bialik’s celebration of the Festival of Lights was a co-produced by the Home and School Association and Etti Kimchi, a Judaic Studies teacher.

The program consisted of readings, singing and videos, which were fun and educational. As the candles were lit in a special Chanukiah, assembled students were explained the meaning of the holiday from both historical and spiritual perspectives.

Each candle represented another era of our Jewish history. The readings were in Hebrew, English, French and Yiddish, a reflection of our quadrilingual progam.

The wonderful school choir was lead by Mrs. Lorna Smith, and they sang traditional songs in both Hebrew and Yiddish. A new addition to the choir’s repertoire was the song “Candle Light” by the Maccabeats. The entire student body joined in, another first for Bialik.

Members of our Home and School Association, led by Cindy Bercovitch, manned tables laden with sufganiot (doughnuts) latkes and chocolate gelt. The students partook of these goodies at the end of the program. Each table was decorated with Chanukiot , brilliant with multicolored candles. This added to the joyous holiday atmosphere.

Rabbi Mark Fishman delivered a very inspiring message of caring and sharing with others.

The staff, parents and students left the assembly humming the songs. A great time was had by all.

Kudos to Etti Kimchi, Lorna Smith, our Home and School Association and all of our students who participated.

Heart and Stroke Foundation Health & Activity Day at JPPS

Before the winter break, in conjunction with our Read-A-Thon supporting the Heart and Stroke Foundation, a health and activity day was organized for Grades 1 – 6. This exciting day was not just filled with fun activities, but also tied right in with the MELS physical education and health curriculum.

Each class participated for 45 minutes in sports activities. Stations were set up for jump ropes, hip hop, cooperation activities, yoga and basketball. The activities were animated by our Grade 6 students, mostly members of the student council, as well as some of our teachers. Each student participated, and enjoyed the activities promoting a healthy lifestyle. Having them participate in this way gave the students the sense that they are able to make changes to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.

Thanks to the Heart & Stroke Foundation we have also added new basketballs and jump ropes to our gym equipment, all donated to the school after being used for this very special day.

A testimonial from a graduate, in support of Hebrew!

Recently, I had the unfortunate task of needing urgently to reach my parents travelling to India via New York City. As you can imagine, it was a lengthy process through Air India’s call centre until I landed on an Israeli Hebrew-speaking representative with whom I was able to converse in Hebrew. Within 30 minutes I was talking to my parents!

I was only too proud to share this anecdote with Bialik teachers Esther Regev and Shoshana Fleischer recently, who smiled knowingly as they had both taught me Hebrew while I was a student at Bialik! I understand from Bialik’s Judaic Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Hanna Eliashiv, that the NETA Hebrew language program, while having been an adjustment for all – students, teachers and parents – continues to evolve and she is confident that it will deliver on all fronts for the benefit of Bialik’s students!

Melissa Margles '88, member of the JPPS-Bialik Board, & JPPS Parent

Grimm

On December 1st and 2nd Bialik Theatre produced its first original play, GRIMM. The show was a fantastical, funny and sometimes poignant retelling of some of the best-loved Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales. Written by Bialik Theatre’s Director, Anisa Cameron, the play followed the Brothers as they lead us from tale to tale. We journeyed from the heroism of Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood, to the tricky antics of Jack and The Beanstalk and Rumpelstiltskin, and complete the journey with the tragedy and romance of Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty! It was an enchanting couple of days filled with fantastic performances by our cast of 48 Bialik Students, amazing costumes by Isabelle Boudreau, Sets and Lights by Scott Drysdale and his Assistant, Casey, and Original Music by Bialik’s Musical Director, Nick Burgess.

We hope everyone will come out to support Bialik’s Musical in April, Nothing’s Gonna Change My World. Boasting a cast of 79 Bialik Students, it will follow the story of a handful of characters as they try to make sense of, and make their way through the 1960’s in The United States. Filled with the music of the Boom Generation, this show will be an unforgettable treat for the whole family! Nothing’s Gonna Change My World opens on April 5th and runs April 6th and 7th. There will be a highlights preview during JPPS-Bialik’s Concert Society Gala on Sunday, April 3rd!

JPPS - département de français

Le département de français vous souhaite une bonne et heureuse année 2011.

C'est avec grand plaisir que je travaille à la tête de ce département depuis presque deux ans. C'est une équipe dynamique et soudée qui travaille beaucoup en coopération. Chacun partage ses réussites et essaye toujours d’améliorer ses pratiques avec de nouvelles méthodes et de nouvelles ressources. Il nous tient à cœur que nos élèves s’expriment avec aisance et que le français soit appris en intégrant toutes les matières que nous avons à enseigner. Nous encourageons les enfants à communiquer autant que possible après l’école pour être à l’aise. Quand j’entends des élèves, lorsqu’ils rentrent de la récréation, parler en français de leur journée et des cours à venir, avoir des débats en classe, je suis fière d’eux et de leurs enseignantes. Quel plaisir de voir les progrès des élèves d’une année à l’autre!

Le français est une langue difficile à maîtriser. Son apprentissage par des projets et des situations d'apprentissage est important. C'est ainsi que les enseignants mettent en place ces situations avec une banque de vocabulaire et des objectifs précis pour développer les compétences axées sur la langue et sur le développement personnel comme la collaboration. Voici quelques exemples de projets qui se sont déroulés à JPPS.

Les 6e années ont élaboré des idées pour répondre à la question : «comment rendre le monde meilleur?». À travers diverses activités comme une recherche d’informations, des visionnements de reportages et films, des présentations orales, des débats, les élèves ont tenté de répondre à cette question en parlant de Tzedakah, de justice et de paix. Ensuite ils se sont demandé quels gestes ils pourraient poser pour rendre le monde meilleur et quelles personnalités avaient fait ce travail. Les personnages comme Elie Wiesel, Desmond Tutu et le Dalaï Lama font partie des quelques célébrités étudiées. Les élèves ont aussi comparé diverses sociétés et différents régimes politiques. Ainsi dans ce projet, les aspects de grammaire, de lecture, de communication, d’écriture sont intégrés, non seulement au sein du français mais aussi de diverses matières : univers social, éthique et culture religieuse, …

En 3e année, les élèves ont entrepris le dur travail de journaliste pour écrire un article sur un ou une élève dans la classe. Ils ont appris et utilisé le vocabulaire de la description physique et de la famille, des goûts, des traits de caractère, des intelligences multiples et de leur comportement en groupe. Alors, chaque élève a posé des questions et recherché l’information pour être le plus précis possible. L’intégration de la grammaire, de l’orthographe et de l’éthique, sur la coopération et l’importance de prendre sa place dans un groupe, a donné un résultat impressionnant. Ensuite, chacun a tapé à l’ordinateur son article et l’a illustré en apprenant comment le mettre en page. Les enfants étaient enthousiastes et sont maintenant capables de réinvestir tout ce vocabulaire dans les autres travaux comme par exemple un compte-rendu de lecture pour décrire un personnage.

Ces exemples ne sont qu’un échantillon des projets de classe que vos enfants expérimentent dans l’année. Ce sont des projets authentiques dans lesquels ils sont engagés et qui permettent de rendre leur travail significatif.

Je vous souhaite à nouveau, une année pleine de beaux projets!

Alexandra Dernis, Coordinatrice de français, JPPS

Remembrance Day Commemoration

MONTREAL, NOVEMBER 11, 2010 - A moving and educational Remembrance Day commemoration, paying tribute to Holocaust survivors, Canadian war veterans and peacekeepers, was held November 10 at St. Léonard’s Laurier Macdonald High School. Students from Côte Saint Luc’s Bialik High School were invited as special guests as part of a continued effort by the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) to see its youth engage in various cross-cultural activities.

Laurier Macdonald Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce and Bialik’s Hanna Eliashiv spearheaded the initiative, which traces back to a partnership the two schools established five years ago when they worked on a sensitization campaign regarding the naming of the former Wagar High School building after Giovanni Palatucci, a righteous gentile who saved the lives of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. This event involved LMAC’s Secondary V International Baccalaureate students and members of the Bialik Choir.

The official ceremony started with bagpipers leading a number of distinguished guests and speakers on stage, where Mr. Lacroce formally welcomed everyone including their friends from Bialik. LMAC’s Secondary V student volunteers Ross Wegscheider and David Gallo acted as co-masters of ceremonies, by first introducing Member of Parliament for St. Léonard/St. Michel Massimo Pacetti. He encouraged the high school students to make Canada an even better country by volunteering to make a positive commitment to our society. “You will be rewarded for his,” he said. He was followed by the singing of “O Canada, led by two Bialik Choir students.

Speakers included Canadian Veterans Willie Glaser, Grant Mclaughlan, Alex Hall and George Mann; several Canadian peacekeepers including Master Corporals Marco Mastantuono and Steve Busby; and Holocaust survivors Paula Bultz, and Ted Bolgar. Twenty-four year-old Canadian peacekeeper veteran, Corporal John Petrou, showed a live-action video of fighting in Afghanistan. Several other videos were presented depicting the two world wars.

“It is sickening what people can do to each other,” said LMAC’s 15-year old student, Domenico D’Amato. “Especially since innocent people continue to go through this over generations. It is good to know that our Canadian peacekeepers are out there trying to fight for freedom and peace. The video showed how they are actually doing it.”

The formal ceremony concluded with the Bialik Choir singing three songs: one in Hebrew about hope; one in Yiddish, a lullaby about the darkness of night; and the famous WWII song, White Cliffs of Dover.

“The songs were meant to be about finding peace in the future,” said Bialik’s Rebecca Battat and Danielle Amir. “After hearing the meaningful and inspirational stories by the survivors and veterans, it motivated all of us to sing with much more emotion.”

The event concluded with interactive break-out sessions, where everyone had the opportunity to hear personal eyewitness accounts from the invited guest speakers.

Michael Cohen, www.michaelcohen.ca

Secondary V Shabbaton with Rabbi Fishman

In 11 years of private Jewish schooling, I can't think of any project, lecture, test or even fieldtrip (!) that has reached the high level of superb education, recently demonstrated by our last shabbaton. I know that sounds dramatic, exaggerated and probably unfair, but it would be dishonest on my part to actually say otherwise. I've definitely had great teachers and great administrators throughout my academic career, but this shabbaton seemed to top anything I've ever seen before from SSA or Bialik. I couldn't imagine any one of my peers feeling differently.

Why?

In any formal class, we'd spend countless hours learning about the great individuals who have shaped our past. But on our shabbaton, we decided to devote all of our attention to understanding only the very individuals in the room with us at that present moment. In subjects like history, Jewish history, Tanach, we learn about communities, past and present ones, local and abroad. However, on our shabbaton, we decided to fathom the depth of only one community, that which was confined in the very room of study, the community of our grade without any extensions.

Believe me. I know that we must study the world around us in order to become informed, responsible citizens who have the ability to question. However, I think our education also has to teach about us, in both the singular and collective sense: we must learn about ourselves as individuals, and then, how we interact dynamically to form a unique community and culture.

But where are the teachers who are experts in our unique culture? Where are the textbooks that have documented our esoteric past? What is the curriculum??!! It seems we cannot study ourselves in the way we study any other subject.

That is where the shabbaton comes in. The shabbaton allows us to respond to questions which challenge us and make us learn things about ourselves that we would probably not discover on our own. Questions like "When did you first realize your view on the world was different from your parents'?" or "What symbolic object in your possession is very meaningful to you?" or "What does Judaism mean to you?" allow us to learn about ourselves, but also, by turning these questions into dialogue, so that we can listen to other peoples' answers as well, we learn about that specific culture we've set out to study. Because we are finally the area of study, the questions often become personal and emotional and, I'd argue, therapeutic. By giving us the opportunity to study ourselves, we form stronger senses of identity and develop higher levels of personality and community; this cannot be achieved in any classroom!!! Often, the discussions are perfect outlets to free suppressed emotions that have burdened us for too long, because school does not seem to be the right setting for such emotional material. No, the lush, natural environment in the Laurentians feels non-threatening, fresh, comforting, anything but oppressive. Without a doubt, the very natural, unspoiled area seems to call for community-building (kind of like the early settlers in Eretz Israel who developed tightly-knit communities, based on nature).

As I said before, the shabbaton is superb education, because it gives us the opportunity to learn about ourselves. Every shabbaton is therefore unique and unable to be recreated, because teenagers are forever changing individuals who will, undoubtedly, form a forever changing community! Therefore, the conclusions gathered from each shabbaton are different, because no one community is studied twice! Shabbatons give us the chance to take a breath of fresh country air and reflect upon ourselves in a way that is necessary and unachievable by any traditional form of education. Shabbatons are simply brilliant; they must never be given up.

Noam Blauer, Secondary V student

JPPS Tu B'Shvat

On Tu B'Shvat, which marks the beginning of spring in Israel, we celebrate the "New Year For The Trees", rejoicing in the fruit of the tree and the fruit of the vine. At JPPS each student was given earth and seeds to plant their own trees. The Junior Pre-K - Grade 3 classes celebrated at assemblies with singing and dancing. The Grades 4 - 6 classes celebrated with Tu B'Shvat seders. These seders are modeled on Passover seders and include food and drinks representing the four seasons.

Scott Fried

On November 4th and 5th our Bialik community was honored to host for a second time Scott Fried, Health Educator and Motivational Speaker. He spoke to all our students and over 130 parents about many important topics regarding teens and these most important yet confusing years.

Glee Showdown

10 Bialik students from Grade 7 to 11 participated in the Just For Kids Glee High School Showdown on November 21st, 2010 at Loyola High School. 9 schools participated and Bialik raised the most money with over $2,700. We look forward to participating again next year.

JPPS Visit to Blue House

The visit to the Blue House was an intergenerational celebration of Yiddish through music and song. The highlight of this event was the mix of voices of the senior residents and the children of JPPS.

KO-REC-TYPE Supports Bialik’s Green Team

Thanks to Jeff Birenbaum, father of Sasha in Secondary I, Bialik students who are championing the greening efforts this year got a real shot in the arm. Jeff’s company, KO-REC-TYPE, will be recycling our empty inkjet and laser cartridges, old laptops and other electronic devices and in the process generate some funding to further support their good work!

KO-REC-TYPE’S e-recycling program is an easy and environmentally responsible way to get rid of any unused electronics and empty cartridges which too often end up in landfills. For every recyclable item dropped in the special green boxes at Bialik, KO-REC-TYPE will make a financial contribution to the school. If my home or office is like yours, you have drawers full of cell phones! Send them and any other electronic device in with your son/daughter and show them you care about the environment and Bialik too!

Avi Satov, Dean of Students

JPPS Helping Hats

Congratulations to the entire JPPS family! We have successfully exceeded our goal and collected 166 hats as part of our “Helping Hats” initiative! Some gloves, mittens and scarves were also generously donated.

Since we reached our goal, we had a “Crazy Hat” day on Friday, January 14, 2011.

Thank you to all those who so generously donated.

The JPPS Student Council

The Bertha and Nathan Gillman JPPS Music Festival of 2011

The Bertha and Nathan Gillman JPPS Music Festival is once again calling on all JPPS students to participate and share their musical ability with their classmates and family members. Any JPPS student taking music lessons will have the opportunity to sing or play an instrument either alone, in a duet, or as part of an ensemble, in a daytime concert, to be held on the JPPS stage on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. The specific times for each grade level will be established and communicated to parents as well as a rehearsal date. Family members, friends and music teachers are cordially invited to attend the performances. Every participant will receive a personalized memento in recognition of his/her efforts and applause is guaranteed for all.

The festival is a rewarding experience where each performer walks away a winner. Encourage your child to participate. We look forward to seeing and hearing from each and every one of them! Details can be found on FirstClass.

Simone Blatt, Cynthia Weinstein, Jacquie Young, The Bertha and Nathan Gillman JPPS Music Festival Committee

The halls are alive with the sound of music at Bialik!

You would have had to have been in a post-holiday daze to not have heard the sounds of music being played in and outside of the new music studio in Bialik’s Athletics and Performing Arts Complex. Over the last couple of months, following auditions, students spent every free moment in the music studio rehearsing for the Bands-on-the-Run, a student production held on January 17th. At lunch students were often found at the baby grand in the Mitch Garber ’81 Hall of Honour. Our Glee Club rehearsed, competed and gave us the best CBC radio coverage ever (special recognition goes to Secondary I student Jake Shtern), all for the benefit of Just for Kids. Under the direction of Lorna Smith, our Choir sang in Yiddish, Hebrew and English for the Chanukah Assembly, the first in 17 years, in addition to performing at Kristallnacht. And, while technically not a musical, it didn’t stop Bialik Theatre performers from singing parts of Grimm, under the direction of Anisa Cameron, who custom-wrote the play for Bialik! Talent seems to grow on trees with the students here, and finally, we are making tangible progress to supporting their love of music, with the addition of a music studio, a natural enhancement to Bialik’s Performing Arts Complex.

Thanks to the hard work of a Music Advisory Committee, chaired by Jaime Roskies ’83, Joseph Abramowitz ’77 and Louise Goldstein, who initiated this project in memory of the late Josh Roskies ‘77, more than $35,000 in the way of donations, has been raised and instruments have been donated by parents, David Wajcman and Maura Hoppenheim Wajcman ’82 and Mark and Maureen Kalisky. Bram and Joanna Naimer donated lighting for the room while John Mendelson JPPS ’77 has donated his general contracting services yet again. Many other members have provided invaluable expertise and time, from installing a drum set, to providing audio engineering guidance, to participating on the jury for the selection of student musicians for Bands-on-the-Run.

Student members, especially Jesse Stein and Mikey Rappaport kept Bialik Math teacher, David Buzaglo and Advancement’s Atie Waxman hopping when it came to promoting and producing Bands-on-the-Run and to ensuring instruments were available for student rehearsals!

Thanks to Jonathan Goodman ’84, some of the proceeds from the Blue Rodeo Concert at the end of November, from Bialik student sales, were directed to the music studio project, and perhaps equally as valuable was to have Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy promote Bands-on-the-Run during the sound check at which Bialik students videotaped an interview as part of Chanti Lepessec’s video production class.

Over the last few months articles have appeared in major newspapers that claim the advantages of learning to play an instrument, everything from boosting overall brain power to leading to improved speech and foreign language skills. In fact, a Northwestern University review pulled together research that links musical training to learning that spills over into skills including language, speech, memory, attention and even vocal emotion. It essentially “primes the brain for other aspects of human communication.” Belinda Goldsmith from Reuters wrote: “The researchers concluded that there needs to be an investment of resources into music training in schools accompanied by rigorous examinations of the effects of such instruction on listing, learning, memory, attention and literacy skills.”

It is not surprising then to read in a local Gazette article about Lindsay Place High School written by Mike Boone, “Another sign (in their music room) explained music ought to be taught because it combines science, math, foreign languages, history and physical education. Most of all, music is an art that "allows a human being to take all these dry, technically boring (but fantastically difficult) techniques and use them to CREATE EMOTION!"

Lindsay Place promotes its music program with the slogan "In Tune with You." Launched by music teacher George Doxas (who kindly advised our own Music Advisory Committee), the program has been part of the school for 29 years, and 400 of 1,100 students are involved in junior and senior concert bands, orchestras, a jazz band and chamber music groups.”

Read the full article here.

Bialik is well on its way to offering at least to start with an extra-curricular music program that builds on the existing talents of Bialik students. Thank you to all who didn’t need to be convinced of the power and beauty of music!

Elizabeth Kennell, Director of Advancement

Studio Adonnics and JPPS-Bialik: A Healthy Partnership

We are proud to partner with Studio Adonnics who share our commitment to students’ health and physical fitness. Studio Adonnics has agreed to sponsor our Athletes-of-the-Month by providing a 1-month membership in their Sports Performance Enhancement Program to our award recipients.

They have also agreed to join our Concert Gala advertisers and sponsor Bialik’s Athletics Guide, an initiative of the Athletics Council, chaired by Josh Newpol ‘99, member of the JPPS-Bialik Board.

Studio Adonnics will also provide professional development for our phys ed coaches and instructors, in addition to a discounted introductory membership package to the readers of our newsletter! Check out their website for more details on their unique personal training and fitness programs.

You will also want to come to a presentation by Adonna Greaves, B.Sc, a certified personal trainer, about the importance of creating a healthy lifestyle for your children, providing useful advice and helpful tips. Stay tuned for the date!

We are only too pleased to promote their services as a valued partner for the ultimate benefit of our students’ well-being. Click here to see the Adonnics / JPPS-Bialik flyer.

Emerson Thomas, Director of Athletics

Bialik Spirit Day

On January, 20th, 2011 Bialik hosted a Spirit day where the entire student body was encouraged to wear a Bialik-logoed shirt in support of Bialik. Athletes were permitted to wear team jerseys, or sweatshirts and other students were allowed to wear anything that associated themselves with a Bialik event. The day culminated with a Juvenile Boys and Juvenile Girls basketball double-header. All graduating players were honoured prior to their respective contests as Bialik wanted to thank them for their contribution to Athletics. Baruch the bulldog and a crowd of supporters cheered on our teams.

Emerson Thomas, Director of Athletics

We Have Another Winner!

The winner of the Herman Heimlich watercolour, donated by parent of alumni, Norman Heimlich, is Bialik faculty member and graduate Lee Zentner ’97! Congratulations, and thank you to all who have participated in the 2010-2011 Annual Giving Campaign so far.

We continue to receive donations for which we are very grateful. Advancement Manager, Amy Finkelstein JPPS ‘78 pointed out that many are received in honour, or in memory of someone special, including Eli Kogut, Elaine Wisenthal, and the late Nachum Wilchesky Z”L.

In fact, Mayta Tannenbaum JPPS ‘68, daughter of the late Nachum Wilchesky wrote some touching words with regard to her generous recent donation. “My parents were very special people. My brothers and I and our families think of them everyday with love and respect, tinged of sadness, but we all know how fortunate we were to have had their love, laughter, support, guidance and wisdom. There are certainly no luckier children or grandchildren.”

Elizabeth Kennell, Director of Advancement

Blue Rodeo - a resounding success for all!

Thanks to Jonathan Goodman ’84 and ORT Montreal, award-winning band Blue Rodeo played to a sold out audience at Place des Arts on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010. ORT Montreal’s 27th Annual Benefit Gala, was its biggest yet with over 2,500 people attending. Money raised during the evening is destined for tuition assistance in Montreal and several ORT projects in Israel.

JPPS-Bialik played its part in the fundraising effort by selling tickets to the event and by encouraging sponsorship as well. Through this endeavor, over $30,000 came back to JPPS-Bialik from ORT.

An added exclusive bonus, some of our Secondary V students were allowed to interview Jim Cuddy, the lead singer of Blue Rodeo (for their video class). He was gracious enough to also record a promo for our Bands on the Run event. The video can be seen on our Facebook pages.

Goodbye Beaver Lake

Irwin Wolfe JPPS ’51 published a book a few years ago entitled "Goodbye Beaver Lake." It offers a somewhat different "take" on the subject of Quebec separatism, and might be of particular interest to those alumni who have moved away from Montreal. A description of the book is available at www.Goodbyebeaverlake.com.

Nira Friedman Wins the Prestigious J.I. Segal Awards 2010 Yaacov Zipper Education Award

Retired JPPS Hebrew teacher for had taught for 30 years, mother of three graduates: Nitai ’77, Aviyam ’81 and Hadar ‘85, and grandmother of seven, each of whom has at least attended JPPS, if not also Bialik, Nira Friedman was the recipient of the prestigious Zipper Award on November 10, 2010. Presented to a Montreal educator who has made an outstanding contribution to Jewish formal or informal education, Nira was the first JPPS-Bialik teacher to be a recipient.

In her nomination, Rosa Kovalski, former Principal of JPPS, wrote, “Nira enabled her students to experience the journey of our history and traditions, the unfolding of our biblical saga, and the bridges that span between our historical legacy and our modern homeland, the State of Israel. Her love for Jewish Education, Israel, and the commitment to our rich history, has reached every person who crossed her path.”

In her acceptance speech, Nira showed her deep appreciation to educators with whom she had the privilege of working and who have passed away including Meilah Magid, Shloime Wiseman, Nachum Wilchesky, Leib Tenser, Leo Rubinoff, Ann Moss, as well as those of alive and well: Naira Lissak, Rabbi David Hartmann, Lucy Cohen, Sid Milech, Rosa Kovalski, Edmond Elbaz and Merle Frankel Wolofsky. Nira also quoted from Aristotle, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” How fitting for Nira, for JPPS and the legacy of Jaacov Zipper, former Principal of Jewish Peretz School! On behalf of the entire JPPS-Bialik community, Kol Hakavod Nira!

Elizabeth Kennell, Director of Advancement

Our Beloved Faculty and Staff

JPPS-Bialik is proud of its long history that includes loyal, long-standing staff and faculty, including those who have long since retired.

Over the last six weeks JPPS-Bialik lost 3 former staff, Shlomo Jaacobi, Bella Zukerman and Ewa Gorwic, each in their own right beloved by family and friends, and valued by colleagues for having contributed significantly to the school’s success.

We have received many donations in their memory, donations as well as stories – fond memories – of their time at JPPS-Bialik. Their legacies are important to us. The gesture of donating in someone’s memory is so appreciated by the school, but perhaps more importantly, they are truly healing for the families. Pity for those who passed to not see these tributes!

There are tangible ways to create a legacy for the school and for us to recognize you, as we should, now before it is too late. Please call me to chat at: 514-731-2944, ext. 220.

Elizabeth Kennell, Director of Advancement

In memory of my dear friend Bella Zukerman Z”l

Bella was a Holocaust survivor who lost her family, most tragically her beloved two little boys in the Holocaust. Bella was a classy lady with bright red hair. She was elegant, well-spoken and intelligent. She spoke Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian, Polish and English. She and her husband Peretz Z”l enjoyed the opera, classical and modern music, concerts and the theatre. They both visited friends and family in Israel, and loved Israeli popular songs.

Bella was a secretary at JPPS for the Hebrew and Yiddish departments. She worked with three principals: Mr. Shlomo Wiseman Z”l, Vice-Principal of Judaic Studies, Mr. Leo Rubinov Z”l and Mr. Nachum Wilchesky Z”l (both of whom remained her life-long friends).

Yet most of all, Bella excelled as a Grade 1 Hebrew and Yiddish teacher. She loved her students and they loved her. She was always creative and enthusiastic, and it was fun to be in her classes.

Bella will be fondly remembered by her students, colleagues, friends in Israel, and all those whose lives she touched! We will miss her.

“Rest in your eternal peace my dear friend.”

P.S. I must also mention that we were honoured by a special V.I.P. who flew in for her funeral-her nephew, Israeli Consul General in Toronto Mr. Amir Gissin, who lovingly eulogized Bella with touching and heartwarming words. He also represented the Rashkes/Resheff family.

Chaia Libstug, former JPPS Teacher

Ewa, nee Tyszelman, Gorwic Z”L

“Mrs. Ewa Gorwic” – as she was known to us – passed away on January 3, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Adam Gorwic and sister of the late Jozef Tyszelman, aunt of Liliana Kamionka and Krystyna Minc, Ewa was a Holocaust survivor and a long-time Office Manager at JPPS. Before computers and with only one adding machine in the school, she was counted upon to keep track of the most minute details. The school couldn’t have been in better hands as she was protective of the school’s assets, down to every pencil. In fact, we knew well not to ask for a replacement before showing the stub of the former! And, this included me! Well educated, she was an absolute lady who will be missed by all her friends, colleagues and family.

Merle Wolofsky (Frankel), Executive Director Emeritus

Seen above: Joan Thomas from the Head Office and Ewa Gorwic, back in the day!

In memory of Shlomo Jaacobi Z”L

Shlomo Jaacobi, former Dean of Judaic Studies and Vice Principal, JPPS-Bialik, passed away December 31, 2011, peacefully after a long illness.

Born Shlomo Jacubowicz in Kolo, Poland in 1921, he had just graduated from high school in Lodz, when Germany and Russia invaded Poland in 1939. He fled to the Russian sector, worked in a coal mine, was drafted into the Red Army and fought in Stalingrad. After being unwillingly transferred to the Polish Army of General Anders, he left Russia for the Middle East and found his way to Palestine. Under the name Jaacobi, he joined the Palestine Regiment, later called the Jewish Brigade Group of the British Eighth Army. He fought Germans valorously through Egypt and Italy until the war's end when he was mentioned in a dispatch as having received an award for gallantry/ commendable service given by the British Armed Forces. From 1945 to 1946 in Italy, Austria, Belgium and Holland, he helped set up Jewish schools and organize the transfer of Holocaust survivors to Palestine in the face of the British blockade. Tragically, his own parents were not among the survivors. His mother died in Ravensbruck and his father in the Lodz ghetto.

Jaacobi became a teacher in Tel Aviv, fought in the War of Independence, graduated with a BA from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where he studied Hebrew and history. The Jewish Agency of Education for the Diaspora sent him to Shaare Zion Academy in Montreal in 1956. He spent the next 30 years organizing and teaching Jewish youth and adults. In 1977, he was appointed Dean of Judaic Studies and Vice Principal of JPPS-Bialik in Montreal. He retired ten years later and wrote a book, The Religion Instinct, published in 1998, cited as a brilliant and disturbing examination of the role of religion in human evolution. Jaacobi was also a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol System.

Shlomo Jaacobi had been married to Shirley Field since 1957. He was also survived by family in Israel, Russia, Toronto and Calgary and by his dear friends Brian and Rhonna Weber Rogol of Stamford, Connecticut, where he spent much time over the last ten years of his life, teaching, speaking and leaving a lasting imprint on yet another community.

Eulogy submitted by Rhonna Rogol

P.S. Melissa Margles ’88, Member of the JPPS-Bialik Board, and mother of JPPS students Alexandra and Gregory Libman, shared with us a fond memory of Shlomo Jaacobi, his advice to students upon their departure for ski trips: “Don’t ski in the trees!”

Simchas and Condolences

The JPPS-Bialik family sends condolences to:

Mona Sefler on the passing of her father
The family of Bella Zukerman z”l on her passing
The family of Shlomo Jaacobi z”l on his passing
The family of Ewa Goric z”l on her passing

The JPPS-Bialik Family wishes mazel tov to:

Bialik teacher Samantha Druzin ’02 on her engagement to Jason Genis
Danielle Sochaczevski ’10 on her early acceptance to Cornell University for the upcoming school year
Oliver Mayers ’10 on his early acceptance to Middlebury College for the upcoming school year
Bialik teacher Erika Rath ’99 on her recent engagement to John Cohen

Donors

The following individuals and organizations have made donations to JPPS-Bialik from October 27, 2010 to January 25, 2011. These donors will also be included in a year-end listing according to their level of giving in the JPPS-Bialik annual report. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped facilitate JPPS-Bialik's role in nurturing Jewish identity and culture while continually pursuing cutting-edge competitiveness marked by academic rigor and excellence.

Nathalie Elbaz Abitbol '97
Sylvan and Margaret Adams
ADG Design
Mara Greenstone '96 and Jason Agulnik '88
Darren Albert
Lisa (Blatt) '81 and James Alexander
Albert Allard
Anonymous
Stanley and Shirley Angrist
Alissa and Philip Anzarut
Harriet Apple
Neil and Marla Arnovitz
Prosper and Veronique Assayag
Carrie and Brahm Backler '91
Bernard Baker JPPS '68
Anna R. Balinsky '90
David and Adele Balinsky
Jason and Carol Balinsky
Maria Ballard
Joyce Baran '80
Nancy Benabou
Dr. Thierry Benaroch
Dan and Wendie Bensoussan
Ronny Benzwy
Reva Bercovitch
Eleanor Berenbaum
Seymour Berish
Sam and Betsy Berliner
Janice and Nat Bernstein
Mr. Mark Bessner
Beth Chabad C.S.L.
Eric Bettan '93 and Family
Martin and Deborah Bier
Alon and Nili Birshtein
Philip and Lily Blander
Paula Blitstein
Boardroom Bubbles Inc.
Max and Natalie Bohbot
Alexander and Vera Bondy
Alexander Botwinik
Harvey and Elizabeth Ann Brinberg
Mark Brookman and Melissa Poplaw
Irwin and Freda Browns JPPS '51
Harvey and Ellen Buksbaum
Jamie and Teri Burak
Eileen and Isaac Burbela
Donna and Benjamin Burko '79
Rebecca Butovsky
Camp Experts and Teen Summers
Nissen Chackowicz and Dr. Deborah Cohen
Neil and Joanna Cherry
Arlene Chinitz
Jason Chrein '82
Kimon Christopoulos Phys-Ed
Arnold Cohen '82 and Marnie Mitnick Cohen JPPS '78
Daniel Cohen and Bonnie Roiter '85
Gail Butters Cohen '77
Jennifer and Itzik Cohen
Jennifer and Joseph Cohen
Larry and Edna Cohen
Miriam Cohen
Orit Cohen '88
Rachel Cohen '77
Samuel and Carole Cohen
David Cohen-Olivenstein '05
Construction Anchorage Inc.
Dr. Allan Coopersmith
Dr. Henry Coopersmith
Daniel Copnick and Cindy Entis
Leon and Eleanor Copnick
Michael and Joanne Dahan
Claire Dalfen
Seth '83 and Sandy Dalfen
Dorit Dari
George and Lianne Deckelbaum
Delsan-Aim Inc.
Ellen Cohen and Stéphane Demers
Esther Diwan
Dorchester Investment Management
Dr. Paul Korne
Joanne Druker-Leder
The Kallos Family
Ronen and Litsa Dvashi
Randy and Stuart Eiley
Harley and Joanne Eisman
Georges and Andrea Elbaz
Shirley Elbaz
Yuval Eldar
Sharon and Judah Eliahoo
Dan and Terry Elituv
Emmis Textiles
Empire Crockery Inc.
Barbara and Joel Engel
Malka Ettinger JPPS '46
Jane Feldman
Brenda Finkel
Kenneth and Shelley Finkel
Amy and Allan Farkas
Lloyd Fischler
Ms. Line Fontaine
Peter and Beryl Fraenkel
Corey Frenkiel '00
Aviyam '81 and Cynthia Friedman
Nira Friedman
John Israel Galambos
Dr. Mark Gans and Suzanne Gans
Gatewind Ltd.
Alfons and Sari Geenen
Galina Germant
Allan and Bonnie Ghetler
Giggles
Alyssa and Steven Glazer
Arnold Gluz and Eileen Haimovitz
Marla and Mark Goldenberg '85
Zalman and Marina Goldman
Edgar and Louise Goldstein
Marc and Ellen Goldstein
Richard and Cindy Goldstein
Tara Goldstein
Shirley and Abe Gonshor JPPS '54
Ian Gordon
Phil and Myrna Gotfrit
Debra Carol Shapiro and Irwin Green
Shelley and Ian Greenwald '81
Alexander Gross
Carol and Jerry Grossman
George and Dorothy Grostern
Stuart Grostern and Family
Nicoleta Grosu
Leslie and Sharon Groszman
Yosif Grunberg '88
Renee Gordon and Abie Grunspan
Rita and Victor Guindi
Rhonda Gurman '89
Steve '84 and Debbie Gurman
Gurman Schwartz
Audrey Harari '83
Stephen Hecht
Nina Heft '81
Cindy ’86 and Mark Heller
Eleanor Herer
Miriam Herszkopf
Bernard Hyams
Connie Ianiro
Infobox
David and Leslie Inzlicht
Marla and Etan Jagermann
The Jast Family
Jay-Bee Imports Inc.
Jet-setter
Denny and Ronit Josepovici
Janina Josepovici '05
Melanie Josepovici '08
Andrea Greenberg and Mitchell Kadanoff
Mark and Maureen Kalisky
Ben and Mildred Kaminsky
Mitchel and Ronna Katz-Zeitlin
Ms. Clara Kaufman
Mark Kaufmann
Hirut Kedebe
Robert Kellock
Elizabeth Kennell
Joel and Marlene King
Lawrence and Janet Klein
Andrew Kligman '07
Francine Kligman
Marc and Lisa Knobovitch
Karen Kolodny '77
Ko-Rec-Type
Seymour Kornbluth and Roslyn Kornbluth Rosenblatt
Nadav and Patricia Krasner
Janice Kreisman
Rosanne Krusner Bernard
Stephen '77 and Rona Kucer
Doreen and Stephen Kushel
Shirley Kushner
Eric and Rebecca Lahmy
Edith Lando Charitable Foundation
Shane and Cindy Landsman
Jane and Dr. Jonathan Lang
Paul and Dahlia Lang
Dr. Adrian Langleben '00 and Dr. Ruth Horn
Stephen and Carol Langsner
Mikhael Laskine and Marie-Laure Holland
Laura Canada
Eric and Karen Laxer
Bernard and Natalie Lebovits
Jerry and Leah Lefson
Michael Lefson '82
Susan Lefson '86
Marc Leiter
Melissa Leiter
Maureen Leithman
Shari Lester and Robert Titleman
Alta and Harvey Leveson
Mark '85 and Candice Levine
Harvey Levinson
Alain and Nathalie Levy
Hayley and Paul Levy
Yosef and Julitta Levy
Shelley '81 Leonard Lewkowict '81
Eva Libman
Melissa Margles '88 and Michael Libman '82
Dr. Michael D. Libman and Dr. Susan R. Kahn
Chaia Libstug
Abby Lieberman
Brian Lindy '82
Angela Litman
Bennett and Susan Little
Lydia and Larry Long
Glenda and Steven Lubotta
Marsha and Michael Lustigman
Bob Luxenbourg
Joseph and Bev Lyman
Sam and Linda Mahler
Gateaux Maliniak
Tammy Malinoff
Jamie '81 and Rona Malus
Rita Manaster Schick
Jonathan Mann '77
Sara Marcil
Nadine Vogel and Neil Mardinger
Joseph and Pearl Maritzer
Sandra and Ron Mashaal
Michelle Meleras
Benjamin and Shirley Meltzer
Andrea Mendell
Corey and Efrat Mendelsohn
Miriam Bercovitch '82 and John Mendelson JPPS '77
Perry and Joy Meyer
Scott and Gail Miller
Steven and Karen Miller
Dr. Sydney and Susan Miller
MIP Inc.
Bev Mitelman and Joseph Lyman
Peter and Barbie Mitelman
Sam Mitnick
Michel and Vivian Moatti
Mona Nadel
Joanna Yufe '91 and Bram Naimer JPPS '78
Glenn Nashen '79 and Dr. Judy Hagshi
Neil Bernstein, CA
David '00 and Erin Nemes
Debby and Matt Newpol
Norbert & Gusta Roth Foundation
Martin and Cheryl Novack
Deborah Novack Remer
Shirley Nozetz
NTD Apparel Inc.
Carla O'Hanley
Olymbec Group of Companies
Leslie and Gary Ornstein
Paul Ortenberg
Paladin Labs
Mark Palayew
Harriet Pardo
Felice and Barry Pascal
Patricia Lingerie
Judy and Bob Pell
Joseph Pleet '92
Benjamin Raby and Jacalyn Rosenblatt and Family
Hilda Raby
Michael Raffoul '84
Mildred and Jerry Ram
Brenda Flanz
Stephen and Wendy Rapps
Rebox Corp.
Leonie Richler
Danny Ritter '88
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Rosen
Debra Rosenthal
Arthur Roskies
Ofra and Jack Roskies
Jaimie Roskies '83
Karla and Jamie Ross
Esther Rotenberg
Debbie and Richard Rubin
Isadore and Judy Rubinfeld
Sharon Rustin '83
Dr. Norman Sabin '76
Rhodie and David Salzman
Trifon and Julie Saros
Sheri and Avi Satov
Michael and Frederica Savelson
Mendel and Freda Schipper
Saul and Stephanie Schipper
Phyllis Schnarch
Dr. Brynah Schneider JPPS '68
Lawrence Schneider JPPS '65
Maxi Schumann
Robin Alexander '86 and Andrew Schwartz
Suzanne and Murray Schwartz
Jay Sederoff '78
Stefani Balinsky and Frank Segal and Family
Seymour Alper Inc.
Marla and Marvin Shahin
Perry Shak and Dr. Ilana Galperin
Heather and Joel Shalit '90
David Shapiro '77
Beth Prosterman '83 and Fred Shiff
Jeffrey and Monica Sholzberg
Ronnie and Audra Shporer
Caroline and Daniel Shteyn
Michael and Deena Sigal
Lorne and Pia Silcoff
Lydia Vogel and Vince Simeone
Anita Singerman
Darlene and Jonathan Singerman '84
Schwartz Levitsky Feldman llp, Chartered Accountants
Hagai and Alma Slouch
Lorna and Hy Smith
Yehuda and Andrea Sochaczevski
Sotal
South West MRI Inc.
St-Viateur Bagel
Debbie and Ron Stark
Adam and Dawn Starr
Harold JPPS '67 and Aviva Staviss
Gillian Steinberg '88
Robin and Sandor Steinberg
Sid Stermer
Hershel and Claire Stern
Richard and Marnie Stern
Steve’s Music Store
Stokes
Mona Segal JPPS '79 and Brian Strasser
Tommy Strasser
Selina Itzkowitz and Jairo Sukster
Dr. Nadine Larente and Dr. Lorne Switzer
Avrom Gomberg and Barbara Szeicz
Dr. Joseph Szwimer and Cheryl Szwimer
Evelyn Tauben
TCBY Yogourt
Thought Technology Ltd
Tiny Tots Medical Center
Judy and Jacques Tobianah
Haviv and Iris Toledano
Top Marks
Colleen and Gilbert Tordjman '82
Toulon Development
TP1
Andrew and Alyson Trager
Scott Trasler and Barbara Dalfen
Laurie and Daniel Turner
Mirta and JoeTuwaig
Union Electric
Andree Waid
Goldie and Hershey Warshawsky
Leonard and Dorothy Waxman
Gustava Weiner
Allan and Sigal Weizmann
Charlotte Wertheimer
Westend Piano Ltd.
Steven White
Steve Winkelman and Heather Batchelor
Andrew and Ora Winkler
Lee Wise '85 and Beth Tannenbaum '85
Earle and Heidi Wiseman
Leonard and Ruth Wisse
Mrs. H. Witenoff
Mr. and Mrs. S. Witenoff
Merle Wolofsky
Betty Ann Woods
Morty Zafran
Zakuta Family Foundation
Marjorie and Lee Zentner '97
Nancy '77 and Leon Zionts
Janet and Lawrence Zoltak
Ari and Jennifer Zucker
Edward and Gali Zwikler