Bialik November Newsletter (2009)

Message from the President of JPPS-Bialik

As parents, we want the best for our kids. We want them to succeed and be equipped with the tools to do so. But these tools come at a cost. Whether it be a SMARTBoard or books and new online resources for the library, it takes dollars to make them realities, especially when the budget is tight as it is this year. Tuition dollars and government subsidies go only so far. If every family responds to the annual giving campaign letter that was sent out this past week, we will be able to do so much more on the teachers’ and parents’ wish lists.

Lisa Slawner ’85 and Larry Zoltak ’76, Annual Giving Campaign Co-chairs, have been hard at work, together with their committee, which has grown considerably. They are determined to do everything in their power to make our annual giving campaign a part of everyone’s annual charitable giving. We all give, to Federation, to the hospital, the synagogue—and the list goes on. Education, I feel, should be a priority on that list, especially your children’s, and don’t underestimate the example you are setting for your children when you participate. It underscores their many tikkun olam efforts at school. In fact, maybe we should take the lead from them!

Also, while the signs are there that we are pulling out of the economic downturn, it is not fast enough for some, who are really feeling the pinch. At the same time, tuition fees have risen, and therefore, the demand for financial aid has also grown. Supporting the annual giving campaign also means ultimately keeping our tuition fees competitive and keeping increases to a minimum in order to ensure that JPPS-Bialik remains accessible to as many Jewish families as possible, regardless of their financial means, and to preserve this socio-economic diversity which we all cherish.

So please give to your ability and know that, in so doing, you are making an essential investment in not only your own, but also all of our children’s education and are thereby strengthening our community and Jewish continuity as a whole.

Arnold Cohen ’82

Message from the Head of School/CEO

You will read in this month’s newsletter an article written by Viviane Amgar, a French teacher at Bialik who has been with us for many years, beginning at JPPS and then at Bialik with the introduction of our Section Française. She loves the students, and it shows. She wants the best for them and wants them to succeed to the best of their ability. This is why she is promoting our Section Française. It may not be for every child, but it is for those who need to be challenged and who want the option of pursuing a life and career in Quebec.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that, in the public school system, anglophones with eligibility deliberately choose a French school, not immersion, but a French school. And, no surprise, these are the kids who perform at the top of the heap academically and continue to do so if and when they re-integrate into an anglophone high school or CEGEP. Our students are not fearful of rising to the challenge of studying in French. Just look at Josh Newpol ’99 who went into law at the Université de Montréal, or look at our president, Arnold Cohen ’82, who went on to Brébeuf. Our quadrilingual program is already demanding, which has probably instilled confidence in these and other students. I am willing to bet that, today, those who are already showing an aptitude in French could rise to the challenge of applying to the Section Française. They won’t be disappointed. The added benefits, as described by Viviane Amgar, are many. Je suis disponible en tout temps au 514-731-3673, ext. 227. Call me for more information!

L’occasion qui s’offre à nous est inestimable par le choix qui nous est offert à JPPS-Bialik. Celui en effet, d’inscrire notre enfant à la Section Française ainsi que d’avoir accès aux programmes parascolaires, y compris celui du théâtre Bialik et aux diverses installations athlétiques. Ce sont là des avantages extraordinaires dont nous nous estimons heureux et fiers d’offrir. Nos anciens étudiants se distinguent au CÉGEP sur le plan académique et communautaire. Nous sommes confiants d’avoir la bonne recette pour que chacun de nos étudiants connaisse le succès et choisisse la carrière de son choix. And, as they say, timing is everything because plans are afoot to have our Section Française students spend time with students in France! So, take advantage!

Laurence Fhima

PS: The rumours are true! My family will be growing by one as of April 2010. I can assure you that I do not anticipate my pregnancy keeping me in any way from carrying out the duties of my position as Head of School/CEO. My absence from late April until the end of June will not interfere with core initiatives that are underway, such as our work on CESI accreditation, permit renewals, union negotiations, and the budget. Throughout my limited absence, my Executive Assistant, Connie Ianiro, will know how best to reach me at anytime, and of course, the principals and administrators are to be contacted directly, as appropriate. I plan on attending the second half of my training at the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education Day School Leadership Training Institute in New York City during the month of July and then returning to work as usual in August along with the Head Office staff and school administrators. And naturally, as always, I can be reached by email.

JPPS-Bialik Sports

If you monitor the Bialik website, you will immediately notice that this newsletter is certainly not the place for up-to-date sports news. For Matt Starr’s weekly run-down on all things JPPS-Bialik sports, including the upcoming schedule for all teams and a recap of the intramural basketball trip to Boston, click here: http://www.jppsbialik.ca/en/bialik/atheltics

In brief,

• The winter sports season has begin with the start of the hockey season, and with eight Bialik basketball teams competing in various divisions. As well, the Bialik curling team began its season in November, and the swimming team will begin competing in January.
• Benjamin Elbaz, Secondary IV, and Samantha Leibgott, Secondary II, were respectively crowned Male and Female Bialik Athletes of the Month. Both of them won the award for their exceptional soccer play.
• Planning is underway for an elementary school basketball tournament to be held at Bialik in March of 2010.
• Ronny Varga from Action Sports Physio came by Bialik to evaluate an assortment of injuries that have been plaguing our staff and students. We thank him for his time.
• Congratulations to the JPPS girls basketball team on their recent victories over Akiva and Hebrew Academy (they were shut out 38-0!). The JPPS Boys also recorded a victory over Parkdale.

2009-2010 Annual Giving Campaign—A Reason to Kvell!

By the time you read this article, you will have received the letter in your mailbox. The time is now to react! We believe that there is no more important cause than your children’s education. If each one of us participates—we are over 800 families—we can make a difference and bring the added value to our children’s educational experience at JPPS-Bialik.

On the letter you received, please note how our committee has grown. Each constituency is represented: the boards, JPPS parents, Bialik parents, alumni, parents of alumni, staff, and grandparents. They worked hard at tailoring the letters, and together, they came up with the campaign’s slogan—A Reason to Kvell! When you think of how our children succeed not just academically but also athletically, artistically, socially, and philanthropically, we do have many reasons to kvell. In fact, we should follow their lead. Their tikkun olam initiatives include greening the school and building houses for victims of Hurricane Katrina. They also actively fundraise for the victims of Darfur or for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or for the Southern Israel Emergency Relief fund. The list goes on and on. The least we can do is to set a good example for them. In fact, we suggest that you enlist your children’s input as to whether you should designate the gift, for example, in honour of a teacher.

Annual giving contributions enable us to do such things as continue to offer free extended day for JPPS students, pursue pilot projects such as JPPS’s BEAP (Bilingual Enhanced Athletics Program), acquire more SMARTBoards and other technology, and organize shabbatonim. This support also ultimately means keeping our tuition fees competitive and keeping increases to a minimum, as many of our families are suffering or are quite anxious in this economic downturn. We want to ensure that JPPS-Bialik remains accessible to as many Jewish families as possible, regardless of their financial means, and to preserve this socio-economic diversity that we all cherish. Therefore, especially this year, at this time, we, as proud parents and alumni, need for you to support our school and to enhance your children’s—our students’—experience.

We would be remiss not to point out that Albert Sales has again this year sponsored our printing of the letterhead, for which we are extremely grateful. This keeps our costs down tremendously, as does the stuffing of more than 4,000 envelopes by committee members. We hope that you didn’t suffer as many paper cuts as we did. Ouch!

Lisa Slawner ’85 and Larry Zoltak ’76, Co-chairs

Bialik Hosts This Year’s Bronfman Jewish Education Centre’s Professional Day for Jewish Day School Teachers

On November 10th, Bialik was swarmed, this time not by students, but by more than 800 teachers who were attending BJEC’s professional day. They were treated to four keynote speakers and 45 simultaneous workshops over two time slots, all delivered in three different languages. This year the theme was “Literacy Across the Curriculum.” The Alvin Segal Key Note address was given by Alan November, a Harvard graduate and guru in the area of technology and 21st century learning. “For Alan, it’s not the technology itself that it is important; it’s the way we use it. His ideas about global communication, collaboration, assessment, and critical thinking have inspired schools, governments and corporations around the world to rethink and redefine their approach to education and technology.”

Karen Gazith, BJEC’s Director of Education is a firm believer in our teachers on-going learning and being inspired. After all, if they must be nourished in order to inspire our youngsters day-in and day-out!

Section Française: un programme d’élite qui répond aux rêves des parents.

Où peut-on trouver le meilleur ratio professeur-étudiant à part dans le réseau JPPS-Bialik ?

Dans la Section Française ! Bien sûr.

Je souhaite que mon enfant ait l’option de rester au Québec et d’y faire carrière, comment relever ce défi ?

La Section Française est bien sûr la réponse !

Comment puis-je m’assurer que mon enfant puisse un jour être prêt à relever les défis posés par notre société globale ?

Simple ! Inscrivez- le dans la Section Française ! Il sera à l’aise dans n’importe quel milieu.

Dans quel milieu mon enfant pourra t-il relever le plus de défis ?

Dans la Section Française !

Contrairement à la croyance populaire, la Section Française n’est pas seulement pour les immigrants ou pour ceux qui ne sont pas éligibles.

Plusieurs de nos diplômés ont poursuivi des études post-secondaires en français notamment Josh Newpol ’99 qui a obtenu un diplôme en droit de l’université de Montréal. Il aurait fait des pieds et des mains pour avoir accès à une Section Française. Malgré le défi relevé, la transition aurait été beaucoup plus facile s’il avait pu profiter d’un programme français comme certains de nos étudiants aujourd’hui. « Penser qu’ils n’ont pas besoin de changer d’école pour suivre des études françaises est fantastique » selon Josh, qui ajoute que cela pourrait leur donner un avantage face aux étudiants venant d’autres écoles privées. Naturellement, il aurait été enchanté de passer le diplôme avancé en langue française (DALF) décerné par le Ministère de l’Éducation Nationale de France , en collaboration avec l’Alliance Israélite universelle (Paris) et l’université McGill, qui lui aurait ouvert les portes de n’importe quelle université française dans le monde sans avoir à passer de concours d’entrée. Josh a opté plutôt pour le diplôme d’éducation en langue française (DELF) du Ministère de l’Éducation Nationale de France, destiné au secteur anglais et reconnu également dans plus de 120 pays. Les deux niveaux sont maintenant offerts dans la Section Française. Même si Josh et d’autres diplômés ont été capables de pratiquer le droit au Québec en français grâce au programme quadrilingue de JPPS-Bialik, ils auraient bénéficié d’un avantage certain s’ils avaient pu profiter d’un programme entièrement en français.

L’immersion comme son nom l’indique ne va pas assez loin dans la formation linguistique comme le ferait la Section Française dont c’est la mission principale. Il est vrai que la Section Française n’est pas nécessairement accessible à chacun. C’est un programme d’élite.

Nous sommes confiants en observant notre première promotion, que les étudiants de la Section Française excellent à tous les niveaux comme tous les diplômés de Bialik ; posez la question aux professeurs de Dawson !

Alors, saisissez la chance d’avoir un programme qui répond aux espérances et aux rêves de chaque parent.

Viviane Amgar, Professeur

P.S. Demandez à propos d'un voyage d’échange d’étudiant avec une école en France – uniquement pour ceux qui sont inscrits dans la Section Française.

Yoga and Sun Youth: Two Great Initiatives

Bialik staff member Erika Rath has recently spearheaded two fantastic activities for her classes. First, for her drama group, she conducted a yoga class. Said Erika, “I think it is important to do yoga in drama so that the students will understand how their bodies move and they will learn how to hold a pose for future performances. Yoga helps the students to stay focused but also gives them the opportunity to move around and release some of the stress and tension they have throughout the day. Yoga will hopefully be done once a month, either at the beginning of the day to wake them up, the middle of the day to mix it up, or the end of the day, when it can be very difficult to sit.”

Last, but certainly not least, on November 25, she led a Secondary I English class on a field trip to Sun Youth in order to deliver holiday baskets that the class had previously made for the less fortunate. The group was given a tour around the premises and was able to get a sense of how Sun Youth operates. Sid Stevens, one of the co-founders of the organization, gave an impromptu talk regarding the sobering state of poverty in Montreal. He made the important point that “twenty percent of the Montreal Jewish community lives below the poverty line,” and even more shockingly, that many of those individuals are Holocaust survivors.

David Smajovits ‘00

Bialik High School Helping to Find a CURE

When Bialik High School advertises our tried and true commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world), we do so because of staff members like Marcy Stein and guidance counsellor Leonie Richler. Since 1999, Mrs. Stein and Mrs. Richler have been responsible for ensuring Bialik’s participation in the CURE’s highly fashionable “National Denim Day” initiative, and thus overseeing the raising of the outstanding sum of $35,130.58, all to go towards breast cancer research. A lovely award sent by the CURE foundation was just recently delivered to Bialik in order to honour the school’s tireless commitment to the cause.

The CURE is a national foundation that “provides funding for basic and clinical research for breast cancer, and whose mission is to work in tandem with health professionals, other foundations and Canadian teaching hospitals to improve breast cancer outcomes for those affected.” Since the inception of CURE, the organization has helped raise over 16 million dollars for breast cancer research, education and equipment.

Said Secondary V student Richard Nashman, “It's been an honour to help raise money for the CURE. Even though I am graduating Bialik this year, it won't be the end of my commitment to assist others in need."

Bialik looks forward to again participating in the 2010 National Denim Day on May 11, 2010, when schools and business across Canada join together in wearing denim for a suggested donation of $5 to the CURE Foundation.

David Smajovits ‘00

Praise for Peggy Hoffman

If it hadn’t been for Peggy Hoffman, Tara Gralnick, a graduate from the class of 2005, may not have pursued studying psychology at Concordia or have been the recipient of not one but two scholarships! Tara grew up thinking that she would become a doctor one day (almost prescribed, right?!) and went to Dawson, where she enrolled in health sciences, but after the first semester she realized that she didn’t have a passion for that particular discipline. Then she remembered some advice that her English teacher, Peggy Hoffman, had given her, that she might want to consider studying psychology.

Now, Tara is in her third year at Concordia, working on her undergraduate thesis, which involves investigating the impact of personality traits on responsiveness to a certain treatment (cognitive behavioural for a disorder called “generalized anxiety disorder”). She also works as a research assistant in a psychology lab at Concordia and as an ABA (applied behaviour analyst) therapist for a five-year-old boy who is on the autism spectrum. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that she won the Marlene Brand Memorial Scholarship last year and now this year the Levitt Family Foundation Scholarship. She will no doubt accomplish her dream, a PhD in clinical psychology and agree that maybe Peggy Hoffman deserves some of the (university) credit!

Tara also has fond memories of working on the annual fashion show, which introduced her to the world of dance. And now, her sister, Franki, a Secondary V student, is producing this year’s fashion show!

Elizabeth Kennell, Director of Advancement

Who’s Hungry?

Shawna Goodman-Sone ’88 has just put out a new cookbook! The following information was obtained from the book’s website, www.panachecookbook.com:

Panache: Montreal 's Flair for Kosher Cooking is a professional kosher cookbook whose ongoing proceeds will contribute to the purchase of equipment and fund ongoing projects for the Montreal Jewish General Hospital 's Emergency Department. As of September 2005, the initiative has raised over $140,000!
Over 100 young local volunteers from the Montreal Jewish community, supported by members of the Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital Auxiliary, gathered, submitted and tested the recipes that make up the kosher appetizers, entrees and desserts you'll find in Panache. What's more, this full-color cookbook was professionally styled by Lucie Richard of Toronto and photographed by Nicolas Amberg of Montreal.

If you want a copy of this book (its first edition of 4,000 copies sold out in six months), email Nancy Rubin nrubin@aux.jgh.mcgill.ca or call (514) 340-8216.

Career Day

Career Explorations Day was recently held at Bialik for Secondary V. Instead of inviting individuals with already established careers, the organizers, Karen Byer, Bialik Education Committee Co-Chairperson, and the Guidance Department decided to assemble a wonderful cast of recent alumni to share their experiences and advice. Much thanks to the alumni who took time out of their day for the event.

Speakers - Career Explorations

1. Rilla Schneider (1st yr. McGill - Neuroscience) (sibling : Sec. 5 : Oliver Schneider)
2. Annalie Shahin (Dawson : Science, currently in 1st yr. McGill in Arts & Science program) (sibling: Moriel Shahin, Sec. 5)
3. Ryan Solomon ( Political Science at Concordia) (has a sister in the school)
4. Elana Zelikovic (Dawson - Health Sciences 2nd year)
5. Stacey Pollack (Dawson - North/South Studies in Social Sciences 2nd year)
6. Eddie Majnemer (Dawson - Commerce, 1st yr. Concordia Film Studies program)
7. Eric Magil (Dawson - Electrotechnology career program, 1st yr. Engineering)
8. Lisa Dubrofsky (Dawson - science, McGill - 1st yr. Medicine)

David Smajovits ‘00

Raffle Gets Its Own Committee!

The need is greater than ever! Between the economic downturn and rising tuition fees, the demand for financial aid has grown. This year, over $800,000 has been given out to over 160 families (we have approximately 800 families) or, out of our 1040 or so students, 235 who would not otherwise be able attend JPPS or Bialik. Included in these figures are 26 families who are on the cusp of qualifying for financial aid and who are receiving bursaries up to 25% of the cost of tuition through our Flexible Tuition Program including the Sydney Shapiro Bursaries.

While Federation CJA does contribute a substantial portion towards our financial aid outlay, as do our endowment funds, the remainder must come from our annual operating budget. Therefore, the proceeds from the JPPS-Bialik Raffle Campaign, which are directed to financial aid for both JPPS and Bialik, are more important than ever. JPPS-Bialik parents Marcy Blitt and Leslie Ornstein, Co-chairs of this year’s Raffle Campaign, well understand the need and want to do everything in their power to ensure its success. To that end, they have built quite a team: Liz Brinberg, Kathy Caplan, Andrea Greenberg Kadanoff ‘89, Marc Knobovitch, Sherri Leibmann, Karla Luks Ross ‘84, Jennifer Radowitz ‘92, Marnie Stern, Suzanne Grant Schwartz, Nadine and Lorne Switzer. and Jennifer Zucker JPPS ‘91.

They fully subscribe to our mission of ensuring that JPPS-Bialik remains inclusive and accessible to a diverse student population and that no student is obliged to leave due to financial hardship, affirming JPPS-Bialik’s pluralistic vision of Jewish continuity.

If you think you know of someone, ideally outside in the larger community, who may be interested in winning a cash prize—who wouldn’t be?—the sale of raffle tickets at $100 a piece will officially begin in January. Please contact any one of the parents listed above.

Elizabeth H. Kennell, Director of Advancement

Briefly…

• Secondary II student Robbie Laxer and Secondary V student Daniel Etcovitch have both been selected to run with the Olympic torch on December 10. Congrats! Should be a thrill of a lifetime.
• Bialik alumnus and former Alum of the Month recipient Ezra Soiferman ’89 was featured in a Gazette article on November 14.
  http://www.montrealfilmgroup.com/Gazette_Article_MFG_Nov_14_2009.htm
• Bialik parent Ami Sands Brodoff gave a keynote speech at the Jewish Puiblic Library about her book, “The White Space Between.” Brodoff is the 2009 Canadian Jewish Book Award in Fiction winner for The White Space Between. Brodoff is also the author of the Pushcart Prize–nominated novel Can You See Me? and Bloodknots, a Re-Lit Prize finalist. She serves on the Quebec Writers Federation’s executive and has won fellowships to Yaddo and many other writing colonies.
• An extra special thank-you must be said to Susan Zelikovic for her tireless work with the brand new student-made mezzuzot that are beginning to grace doors at Bialik. She has personally invested many hours mentoring the students of all grade levels while they create beautiful design patterns that will grace the halls for generations to come.
• Secondary V student Taylor Madew was recently elected president of the Bialik chapter of The Friendship Circle, an organization that “unites teen volunteers with special children in a friendship that deeply enriches both lives.” She hopes that she will be able to raise awareness about this issue at Bialik.
• Lorna Smith welcomed Holocaust survivor Martin Farkas to two of her classes. Mr. Farkas captivated the audience as he described his experiences during the Shoah.
• Every classroom at JPPS is now equipped with a SMARTboard. We thank the JPPS Home and School Association for purchasing that final one.

David Smajovits ‘00

Donor Listing

The following individuals and organizations have made donations to JPPS-Bialik from October 23, 2009, to November 26, 2009. 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 rigour and excellence.

Joseph and Melanie Abramowitz
Active Tech Electronics
Anonymous
Charles and Linda Balass
Amanda and Michael Battat
Benattar Equities Inc.
Albert Benattar
Michael Bettman '79
Shari and Eric Black
Harvey and Ellen Buksbaum
Donna and Benjamin Burko
Larry and Edna Cohen
Ian and Connie Copnick
Diane Dupuis-Kallos and Gabor Kallos
Ellen and Earl Eichenbaum
Ms. Carri Eliesen
Ina Fichman '79 and Howard B. Goldberg
Alfons and Sari Geenen
Allan Gelber '79
Patricia Goldman '84
Howard and Wendy Goldstein
Heidi Gossack '79
Debra Carol Shapiro and Irwin Green
Carol and Jerry Grossman
Rita and Victor Guindi
Steve '84 and Debbie Gurman
Nadine and David Harboun
Karine and Yaniv Harell
Moshe and Tamar Helman
Aviva Herman '79
Karen Hirscheimer '79
Myron Hoffert '79
Orit Janco '79
Mr. Lawrence Klein and Dr. Janet Shinder
Sandra Knobovitch
Janice Kreisman
Heidi Lack '79
Shane Landsman and Cindy Schneider
David Lazarus JPPS '67 and Heidi Miller
Alita and Ronald Leibovitch
Leonard and Caroll Berall Foundation
Hayley and Paul Levy
Pamela Litman '79
Bennett and Susan Little
Glenda and Steven Lubotta
Cathy Luger '79
Leonard and Susan Marcovitch
Marla and Michael Mashaal
Alison and Howard Modlin
Glenn J. Nashen and Dr. Judy Hagshi '79
Miriam Ne'Eman '79
Deborah Novack
Martin and Cheryl Novack
Edward and Marcy Ortenberg
Holden and Eileen Ostrin
Brian and Lori Parker
Gary Polachek '79
Jon and Ellen Reider
Howard and Naomi Rossdeutscher
Michael and Lianne Routtenberg
Stephen and Rona Rozansky
Florence Rozen '79
Albert and Joyce Sayegh
Dr. Brynah Schneider JPPS '68
Carole Schwartz
Suzanne and Murray Schwartz
Susan Schwartz '84
Earl Sederoff '79
Barry and Karen Segal
Andree and Robert Shadowitz
Edmond and Yael Shahin
Marla and Marvin Shahin
Caroline and Daniel Shteyn
Robert and Philippa Singer
Lorne and Sharon Smart
Stephanie Sorkin '79
Harold and Aviva Staviss
Jeffrey and Carol Lynn Stein
Sid Stermer
Chi-Chou Su
Richard Tarasofsky '79
Carol Taubman '79
Liora Suissa and Reza Tehrani
Ron and Kathryn Teitelbaum
Lee Tenenhouse '79
Top Marks
Howard Vineberg
Allan and Sigal Weizmann
Lee Wise
Gordon Wiseman '79
Bryan P. Wolofsky '79
Peter Young
Dr. Mark Zalter '79
Sylvia and Pablo Zimmerman
Esther and Andre Zoldan