February Newsletter (2009)

Message from the Principal and Educational Director of Bialik

Elaine Wisenthal Milech

This month we celebrate the holiday of Tu B’Shvat, which has a special significance for us this year at Bialik. A committee of students, under the guidance of Mr. Rouillard, has managed to move an entire community toward becoming more environmentally responsible. They began the year educating staff and students about the importance of going green, and they backed up their words with actions. Placing recycling bins throughout the school, introducing biodegradable products, and being the first institution in Côte St. Luc to get involved in composting, our students have once again demonstrated their commitment to tikkun olam. It has been amazing to see our entire school community collectively set a goal and work towards its actualization. Tu B’Shvat is a time to appreciate and celebrate nature; I am so proud that Bialik has been implementing the values of Tu B’Shvat all year long.

And as we think of Tu B’Shvat and the planting of trees in Israel, I would like to report on our school’s response to the trying times in Israel these last couple of months. Our students created an Israel Day, when the school was beautifully decorated with blue and white streamers and balloons, as well as Israeli flags hanging throughout. In addition, students came dressed in blue and white, and as “payment” for this privilege of not wearing their school uniforms, they wrote letters to children in Israel. We also had a special program for our senior students, led by Rabbi Poupko and Rabbi Steinmetz, which gave them the opportunity to ask difficult questions in a safe environment.

And if we want to stretch the idea of Tu B’Shvat a bit further, that of a New Year, we can look at the inauguration of Barak Obama as a new beginning. Our staff and students sat together in our gym to witness this exciting moment. After a short ceremony prepared by our Social Studies department, we watched, applauded, and emotionally witnessed history in the making when Barak Obama was sworn into office.

And finally, on the home front, we welcomed our head office staff, which has now relocated to our school premises. Our mandate to serve our students and parent body will be enhanced by this partnership. The leaders responsible for our daily operations and fundraising personnel, coupled with our pedagogical staff, will ensure smooth operations and future joint ventures. On behalf of the Bialik community, I welcome the head office staff.

And, on the horizon, we look forward to our first all inclusive student fashion show. It will be the largest one to date, and we are all anticipating a magnificent show. Finally, we are anxiously awaiting the production of our musical, Beauty and the Beast, in our new Athletics and Performing Arts Complex.

These are truly very exciting times at Bialik!

Elaine Wisenthal Milech

Message from the Principal and Educational Director of JPPS

Adina Matas On January 20, several Board and staff members participated in the “kick-off” session of the “Best Practices in Governance” program.

In her introduction, presenter Marcy Balogh made a correlation between the following two nouns: Leader and Learner (see below).

In our environment, we can make the same type of correlation using the following nouns: Parents and Partners

ImageImage
An active parent body is essential for shaping the culture and climate of a school. Parents are vital partners in their children’s education.

“Families and teachers might wish that the school could do the job alone. But today’s school needs families, and today’s families need the school. In many ways, this mutual need may be the greatest hope for change.” Dorothy Rich (1987, p.62)

Our school’s philosophy is far from “you drop off and pick up your children; we’ll take it from there.” Parents have an important role to play in the school. We expect and encourage parent participation and collaboration. The word “collaborate” comes from the Latin word meaning “to labour together or work together.”

All parents provide general support by attending parent-teacher conferences, school calendar events, and class concerts, by monitoring their children’s homework, and by supporting fundraising activities.

Some parents serve as volunteers in daily school affairs by helping with the school’s hot lunch program and sitting on graduation committees, by providing office support, by chaperoning field trips, by assisting with sports programs, and by working in the library and in and dozens of other areas. In addition, we have parents who participate in school decision-making by serving on school committees, governance, and management. Unfortunately, it is the same core group of parents who volunteer and do what is necessary to keep the school activities going.

Sometimes, despite interesting school activities, it can be hard to find the time and energy to become involved in our school. After a long day at work, it can be tough to find time away from household and parenting duties. It is easy to let the opportunities slip away. Getting involved in school activities takes time, energy and sometimes even money.

Fortunately, the payoff is significant. Research shows that parental involvement and collaboration with school helps their children perform better academically, and they tend to have better social adjustment. The truth is that there is no guarantee that a good time will be had by all when involved in school activities, but we do urge you to hang in there. Volunteering may not be for everyone, but it is an exciting option for those parents who want to be more directly involved in their children’s education.

Parent-school collaboration takes time and work but, after all, that is what the word means—“to labour together.”

We apologize for not saying thank-you often enough and directly to those parents who are so involved. You have certainly earned our gratitude for being the kind of parents who care enough to engage in the labour of love that we call parent-school collaboration.

Thank you for your interest and willingness to be a part of JPPS. We believe that the time you spend with us will be meaningful and valuable in working towards the academic success of all our students.

Adina Matas

Message from the Director of the JPPS Children’s Centre

Randy Zucker

Cold, snowy weather might slow some people down, but not the children and staff at the JPPS Children’s Centre. Excitement and enthusiasm are flowing through our halls as we work on a myriad of projects. Winter offers many different themes, and we have tapped into this topic from many angles.

The Sunshine class is learning about the winter season, with a focus on winter clothing, sports, and animal hibernation.

The Clifford class traveled to both the Artic and Antarctic to observe how the animals live, and they decided that the penguins are their favorite animals. The children play outdoors as often as the weather permits and warm up afterwards with hot chocolate and wonderful craft activities related to winter sports.

fun in the snow

The pre-K children traveled across Canada to discover what is unique about our country. They learned about animals indigenous to Canada, as well as the many cultures that make our home special. The children claimed that the weather outside was frightful, and so they thought it would be delightful to hop on a dog sled and visit Nunavut! They learned about polar wildlife and traditional Inuit living. The children discovered that, like themselves, each snowflake is unique—no two are alike.

little dinosaurs

For a change of pace, the afternoons were spent exploring dinosaurs and their relatives, the reptiles. Through songs, art, baking, and games, they ate like “dinos,” walked like “dinos,” and learned how they evolved into smaller reptiles. They learned about snakes and saw how they hatched from eggs.

In Hebrew, all of the classes worked on winter as well, learning different vocabulary related to the theme. The students are busy with Tu Bishvat, celebrating the birthday of trees. Some topics discussed were the parts of the trees, the different types of trees and what grows on them, as well as the different things we can use their wood for. If you close your eyes and imagine, you can smell the delicious treats that were made from fruit. One of the groups even “flew” to Israel to enjoy the holiday in warmer weather!

The French teachers worked alongside their co-teachers, providing much vocabulary and exciting projects and activities that will inevitably build a strong foundation for the language. It is quite amazing how the children switch from one language to another without any difficulty.

Winter is passing by quickly, and soon enough spring will be upon us!

Randy Zucker

P.S. The JPPS-Bialik CPE is simply busting at the seams! Our registrations for next year are more than double the number of spaces that we actually have. Wow!

Message from the president, JPPS-Bialik

Arnold CohenWe take pride in our haimish atmosphere—with good reason! After all, where do you find teachers and parents, not just students, getting in on the act of greening; a JPPS Hot Lunch that is really “hot,” thanks to JPPS parents; and graduates jumping at the chance to return to inspire Bialikers! We are truly a community that cares about each other. You hear the stories at pick-up and drop-off, even at the grocery store and at the hair salons.

That being said, it’s high time that we hear directly from parents, including the parents who are considering a JPPS-Bialik education for their children. To that end, a Boston-based organization, PEJE, Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education conducted an on-line survey of parents over the past two weeks. We hope everyone took the time to complete it, because I can guarantee you that it will have an impact on our programs and facilities. The results will be included in our strategic plan that we are working on updating for the next three to five years.

Moreover, with Elaine’s departure from the position of Principal and Educational Director, it is a timely opportunity to review the administrative structure of the school, as well as the Boards. Fortunately, Elaine is playing a significant role in this work as well as on the Search Committee that has already begun to meet. As Michael Eliesen will discuss in his message, the Committee, chaired by Bialik parent and past-President Naomi Blumer, includes both parent and teacher representatives.

The position is currently being advertised internally and to the public, including on JewishJobs.com and on the Quebec Association of Independent Schools website. The services of an executive search firm from New York City have also been secured. The stars seemed to have aligned this time, as Federation’s GEN J has brought to Montreal the services of a PEJE consultant for board and administration structure review. Many Jewish day schools are participating in this endeavour, including JPPS-Bialik. We are also in the process of applying for CESI (Canadian Educational Standards Institute) accreditation, which involves a rigorous self-evaluation and benchmarking against other independent schools.

I hope all of you enjoyed reading our 2007-2008 Annual Report, which was mailed to you over the holidays. Thanks to a sponsorship from our website designers, TP1, the costs of printing and mailing were reduced. We thank them as well as everyone who contributed to making the year a very successful one—full of triumphs and achievements for the students, teachers, and parents. Take the time, if you haven’t already, to pore over it, and please pay particular attention to the lists of donors. Do consider a gift to JPPS-Bialik this year if you do not see your name.

Finally, don’t forget that you can participate in our annual Concert gala in a myriad of different ways by: purchasing a ticket to the event, an ad in the ad book, a raffle ticket, or by donating an item to the auction. Also, if everyone contributes even a modest gift to our annual giving campaign, we can continue to enhance programs and facilities as well as increase tuition assistance. Gifts of all magnitudes are so very much appreciated and help us grow from strength to strength. Thank you.

Arnold Cohen '82

P.S. The Bialik Expansion Campaign also needs more parent participation. Please consider a meaningful gift that is fully receiptable and can be paid in installments over five years. Truth be told, it is better to give this way and benefit tax-wise than to have a larger hike in tuition fees.

Message from the president, Bialik High School

Michael Eliesen

At Bialik, we are truly blessed! Beginning with the students who distinguish themselves regularly. Just look at the hard work behind Bialik’s Greening Initiative (yasher koach Bialik on the Gazette articles, by the way!), or the Human Promise, or the New Orleans/Habitat for Humanity initiative. Bialik students not only grasp the meaning behind tikkun olam but also embrace it, while taking ownership of all of these projects. Students involved in the Human Promise project may now even boast about having an office at Federation, while the City of Côte St. Luc moved up their composting plans as a result of Bialik students taking on the cause with passion and dedication. This newsletter highlights a number of recent projects, including these. In fact, there are so many, we had to begin to pick and choose!

Also, I would be remiss not to draw attention to those administrators such as Yves Rouillard and Judy Stein and many others who quietly facilitate these projects from behind the scenes, all working under the very able direction of Elaine Wisenthal-Milech. Yes, we are losing Elaine, at least insofar as her being Principal and Educational Director, but keep in mind that she is playing a key role in the Search Committee that has already met. It is being chaired by Bialik parent Naomi Blumer and includes representatives from the parent body as well as staff and faculty. Again, the position has been advertised in JPPS and Bialik staff rooms as well as with the external media, including on JewishJobs.com and the Quebec Association of Independent Schools’ website; and the services of an executive search firm from New York City have been secured.

As Arnold Cohen alluded to in his opening message, thanks to Federation’s GEN J initiative, and with the help of PEJE, a happy coincidence has occurred in the sense that, along with the online survey, we are also able to meticulously review our board and administrative structures. Change does bring about opportunities, and with this review together with the PEJE parent survey findings, we are all on the road for continuous improvement.

I thought I was spending lots of time at the school in my position as Co-chair of Bialik’s Expansion Campaign Cabinet, but these days you will find me immersed in all of the undertakings described above. I am not complaining, because the job does come with some important perks—including running into my own kids and their friends in the hallway.

Having said that, we all need reminding from time to time that, for those of us working as volunteers at the Board level, we do so for the benefit of not just our own children, but for all JPPS-Bialik students, and that is why I remain committed to our reaching our $3 million objective. I am confident that we can count on all parents to participate in order to reach our target, and by so doing, keep our fee increases to a minimum. Thank you to those of you who have already stepped up to the plate. You are leaders in every sense of the word!

Michael Eliesen

Message from the JPPS Home and school association

In celebration of Chanukah, the Home and School Association provided latkes to all of the students. They was definitely enjoyed by all!

JPPS hosted a Chanukah party for the students on Sunday, December 7, 2008. It was a huge success! Many JPPS families attended, and there were many fun activities taking place. There were arts and crafts, music, giveaways, and a raffle. The children feasted on latkes, TCBY, and cotton candy, which was a big hit! It was a wonderful afternoon.

Home and School has organized a half-day Wednesday program. The company Cameleon now comes to the school on all half-day Wednesdays and provides the registered students with entertaining science and art activities. The children really seem to love it!

Home and School would like to thank all of its volunteers who give so generously of their time. Many thanks go out to the following committee volunteers: hot lunch, challah program, and holidays and festivals. We couldn’t do it without you!

Marnie Mitnick Cohen JPPS '78

Bialik High School More than Competent to Handle the Competencies

“The new competencies allow the students to build sets of skills,” Vice Principal Judy Stein exclaimed during a discussion in her 4th floor office, “They still learn the same material as has always been the case, but now they must take it one step further and apply it to real life situations.”

What this essentially boils down to is a concerted effort by the Quebec government to change the way future generations think. Whereas in the past the standards of student evaluation were such that a straight regurgitation of concepts learned in class would amount to a good grade, in today’s Quebec high schools, in order to achieve a high grade, one must demonstrate an ability to take concepts and essentially “think outside the box.”

Consider the December Grade 9 science exam: a portion of the exam consisted of an analysis of two samples of popular drinks (Gatorade, Red Bull) used to boost one’s energy levels. The students were then asked to determine which type of drink was best for a certain individual’s needs. In order to make these determinations, Bialik students needed to use information learned in class, in addition to their own common sense.

The new evaluation standards mean that students can no longer “cram” for exams. While they may know that they will be asked about certain topics, the method that they must now use for the material in the exam is practically impossible to prepare for. Similar to the way law students must prepare for exams by knowing how laws are applied (rather than memorizing the words) to various case situations, at the conclusion of all exams and tests (not just science!), students must be able to take a certain ideological position on the given issue and most importantly, understand why they chose that position. If all goes well, students justify whatever answers they arrive at with “because I did the research….”

“This is really learning for life,” added Mrs. Stein.

David Smajovits ‘00

A Sombre (But Fascinating) Conference Call

India IsraelBeginning on November 26, 2008, and lasting for three agonizing days, the world stood still and watched as the Indian city of Mumbai fell victim to the ruthless deeds of Islamic terrorists. These Pakistan-based terrorists not only targeted trendy tourist hotspots in the city, but moreover, sought out the very popular Chabad house as well, infamously murdering the local Rabbi and his wife and orphaning their young child. This act of singling out a Jewish/Israeli component once again reminds us that the Jewish people have been, and always will remain, a prime target in the hearts and minds of Islamic terrorists.

On December 4, 2008, students of Shari Isaif’s history class were privileged to be included in a conference call (organized by the Boston-based Hasbara Foundation [the Israel Project]), connecting the Israeli Ambassador to India, Mark Sofer, to journalists and students around the world. For many, this was the first time anyone had been privy to attend (albeit virtually) a live press conference with an important political personality.

“The opportunity to listen in on the conference call regarding the Mumbai attacks was an interesting and valuable learning experience. The question and answer period was very similar to what we would see in a press conference, and the way in which the ambassador had to craftily answer questions, or at times avoid them, was intriguing as far as politics are concerned. I also appreciated the political point of view on the attacks,” said Zachary Singer, a Secondary V student. “The experience was something new and pretty cool to be a part of.”

Was the next great Montreal media personality inspired that day at Bialik? Check back in ten years.

David Smajovits ‘00

JPPS Tells How It Is

The Grade 6 newspaper was published back in December, featuring stories on the JPPS Green initiative, a feature piece on new gym teacher Peter Wolcott, the book craze “Twilight”, and even some politics (hello, Obama!). Wrote teacher Sheila Perry, “All the work for this paper was done by the students—story ideas, writing, editing, art and photography. Everyone worked very hard and learned through doing. We hope that our newspaper will continue to improve as we become more comfortable with our new roles and more familiar with the world of newspapers.”

The newspaper was "greenly" emailed to parents on FirstClass.

David Smajovits ‘00

Bialik Bazaar

Bialik is organizing its second annual bazaar, which will tentatively take place on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Bialik High School.

The majority of the proceeds from the bazaar will be donated to the Miriam Foundation, an organization that “supports rehabilitative, vocational and residential services and programs that foster increased socialization and community integration for children and adults living with intellectual disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorders.” As well, proceeds will go towards improving school facilities and organizing enjoyable activities and programs for the students and faculty.

The Bialik Bazaar works on the concept that items, support and services are donated by the community. All new or gently used items are greatly appreciated!

Anyone interested in joining our Bazaar Committee is welcome. Community service hours can be issued to students who help out after school hours.

Anyone interested in making a donation or helping organize the event itself can call 514-481-2736 or email noamisaac@hotmail.com by May 2, 2009.

Noam Blauer and Ryan Golt, Students
Co-chairs Bialik Bazaar Committee

Chanukah Party

JPPS Chanukah Party

Mazel tov to Eileen Haimovitch and Barbara Dalfen on a fantastic job chairing the event for the first time. A wonderful time was had by all, as Chanukah celebrations are always a favourite time at JPPS. Lighting the Chanukiyah with family, eating sizzling latkes, and spinning those dreidels provide all of us with those warm fuzzy feelings. The children also did not mind adding the tradition of playing on jungle-gyms this time either!

Bialik Green

A quick wrap-up of all things green:

library

Composting Arrives!
Since the last newsletter, much has happened green-wise. With the City of Cote St. Luc’s decision to move up their composting program (with a little inspiration from Bialik), we can now add this final, missing ingredient to the environmental mix. Bins are located throughout the school.

Green-Beanie Honourable Mention!
For the arrival of Tu B'Shevat, Judaism’s annual ode to the trees, the Jewish Telegraphic News Agency (JTA) saw this as the perfect time to examine the most significant players and trends in Jewish environmentalism—and offer some hands-on advice for marking the holiday and greening your communities. Hundreds of organizations and institutions from all walks of Jewish communal life and around the world applied for a “Green Beanie Prize,” and Bialik High School received an honourable mention! Said the judges in a statement: “Judges and JTA Staff were so impressed with the Bialik High School Green Team’s enthusiasm that we wanted them to be recognized.”

For more information: http://jta.org/greenbeanie/

Bialik Composting in the Gazette!
The Saturday, January 17, edition of the Gazette probably happily surprised many in the JPPS-Bialik family, as there was a full-length feature article written about the Green Team and our school’s accomplishments!

Rami Also Goes Green!
The Bialik cafeteria now only serves food on biodegradable plates and bowls. Moreover, students are asked to bring their own utensils from home, as free plastic utensils will no longer being given away.

JPPS Students Healing the World Every Day

JPPS charity

Between JPPS and Bialik, the initiatives that fall under the category of tikkun olam overflow. Not to toot our own horns (well okay, we should be proud of ourselves!), there are at least six or seven charity or volunteering activities that run concurrently at any given time.

Back in December, JPPS students were involved in several tikkun olam initiatives, bringing much joy to those in unfortunate situations.

A toy drive to benefit the Child Life Service of the Montreal Children’s Hospital was held around Chanukah time. Thoughts of seriously ill children, likely the same age as the JPPS ones, were present during the collection, which allowed everyone to take that extra second to realize how valuable our health is, especially around the winter holiday season.

A toy/food drive, spearheaded by Grade 3 Room 112 and their teacher, Paula Blitstein, was held to benefit MADA. To those unfamiliar with MADA and its magnificent work, the Montreal organization was established to help the less fortunate with their basic human needs while preserving their pride and dignity. Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Cohen said in a written letter: “In the Talmud it says that the giving of tzedakah outweighs all the other mitzvoth and extends life to the giver. May you all continue to grow and contribute to the world with deeds of goodness and charity.”

Finally, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, JPPS students held a Read-A-Thon to help the “Hope and Cope” organization of the Jewish General Hospital. Said Executive Director Suzanne O’Brien in her letter of thanks to the school: “Reading is important for cancer patients, too, because the more they learn about their cancer, the easier it is for them to feel better faster. Hope and Cope has a library with hundreds of books, pamphlets and DVDs that patients and their families can borrow at any time. We will use your wonderful gift to buy more materials for our library.”

Kol Hakavod JPPS!

David Smajovits '00

JPPS Bialik in the News

Over the past few months, our schools have been mentioned in the local media many times. Here is a taste:

  1. The Human Promise team and mission (co-founders Shawn Greenstone and Adam Eliesen, and Adam Shapiro) held two events that received attention. One was a human rights conference that was held in conjunction with other schools, including a Muslim school (Ecole Ali). (CJN, December 11, 2008) The other event was the Human Promise Hockey Tournament that was attended by Hall of Fame Montreal Canadiens goaltender-turned politician Ken Dryden. (CJN, December 18, 2008)
  2. Turning to the environment, the Bialik Green initiative was featured in the Gazette on January 17, 2009. An accompanying article about the Bialik Expansion project was also published. Thanks to Brenda Branswell from the Gazette for her help.
  3. The Bialik Green Team received an honourable mention from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency for their “Green Beanie Award” entry. (see other blurb in this newsletter)
  4. Photos and blurbs about the Bialik Green Inititive were moreover printed in the Canadian Jewish News (December 4, 2008 and January 1).
  5. The Monitor (unfortunately in its last ever issue) printed a blurb and a photo of a student composting. (February 5, 2009)
  6. An article about JPPS was written in the Panorama Italia (Winter 2008), a magazine mailed to Italian/Canadian homes in the greater Montreal area.
  7. “The January 20 edition of “Talkback” in the Montreal Gazette featured Secondary I students Austin Rappaport and Sydney Shapiro discussing their views on racism.”

David Smajovits ‘00

A Poem of Thanks from JPPS H&S

Home and School would like to cheer, any and all who have volunteered,
You’ve helped at lunch or maybe soup, given out latka’s to a group!
Maybe you worked the Chanukah party, perhaps this thank you seems a bit tardy!
There was the book sale way back in September, we appreciate you so much that we still remember.
Calendars, agendas, photos and such, you were all great! We thank you so much.
The Succah, Challahs, library time, our parents helping out make our school so fine!
Naming you all would be almost impossible, leaving someone out would definitely lead to trouble!
SO, we really want you to know, we thank you profusely, and hope that it shows…
We welcome all – to come and take part, Home and School helps JPPS be the school with heart!

With total appreciation,

Home and School Executive.
JPPS Home & School

Liz: (514) 369-0037 • Mimi: (514) 223-6753 • Ondine: (514) 486-9149
Marnie: (514) 481-0534 • Leslie: (514) 488-5564 • Mia: (514) 489-2247
Randee: (514) 488-1878 • Cindy: (514) 483-0370 • Marcy: (514) 484-3496
Rona: (514) 486-6671 • Laurie: (514) 489-3921 Debbie: (514) 483-5147
Wendy: (514) 489-2896

Bialik Meets the Bayou

New Orleans HabitatBy the time you read this, the 18 lucky students (and four staff members) will have already completed their New Orleans Habitat for Humanity rebuilding journey. Many will have also followed the goings on via Bialik’s First Class thanks to Jonathan Kuczer’s blogging.

Whether working at the St. Bernard Community Center with the needy, comparing and contrasting the Jewish Community to ours, or physically building houses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, next newsletter will have material not to be missed!

David Smajovits ‘00

BEIT DIN

Gavel Court

In the auditorium, under the watchful portraits of historic Supreme Court justices and eminent legal scholars, the only sound besides the lecturer's introduction to legal procedure was the jotting of pens and pencils in notebooks. It was not an unusual scene for any law school in the country, but for Bialik's Secondary IV students, it was a special beginning to a remarkable project.

On January 22, the Secondary IV class boarded buses and rode down to McGill University, where they filled the moot court auditorium for an introductory lecture on the writing of legal facta (legal briefs). The Grade 10 students are participating in a novel project, a moot beit din,, or Jewish moot court, program that engages every Grade 10 student in mainstream Jewish high schools in Montreal. The program is sponsored by a Gen J grant through the Bronfman Jewish Education Centre. The students all received the same case, with Jewish legal sources and guiding materials, and were assembled into groups of four, whereby they wrote a legal ruling on the case. The very top responses will be honoured at the McGill moot court room in the spring, at which time their authors will present their papers before eminent jurors and scholars (including, this time, justices and scholars who will be equally watchful and more vividly present!).

Professor Rosalie Jukier introduced Mme. Helena Lamed, who explained to the students the functions and definitions of law before demonstrating how to relate to the law as a living mechanism. Students reviewed a fictitious case with a specific setting that concretely identified some of the ideas they had just heard to help them acquire understanding and apply their new skills. Many of the students had questions afterwards, and their questions were on-topic and discerning, quite excellently representing their attentive analysis.

On January 23, several of the Jewish Life classes then met with David Grossman, a Bialik and McGill Law alumnus who is currently working for MP Irwin Cotler. David guided the students through exercises in writing a legal case that advocates a specific reading of the law. They learned about organizing facts to support an argument, and how to both differentiate those facts from irrelevant facts and deal with relevant, but opposing, facts. A work area has been set up on FirstClass where students will be able to post questions, and when David (who works out of Professor Cotler's Ottawa office) answers the questions, other students will also be able to see their questions and benefit from the answers in writing their own facta.

On our way out of the law school, several of our students and faculty greeted McGill law students whom they know from summer camp or because they are Bialik alumni. Some students stayed after David's presentation and asked about his path to the practice of law (including his CEGEP and university experiences). These conversations, growing out of experiences during this special project, reinforced all the more some of the possibilities that may lie in the future of our Bialik students.

This project is part of the Jewish Life course and supports skills of research, analysis, and advocacy in discourse, while giving concrete introduction to ideas in Jewish law. Project information and materials are posted on www.bjec.org, in the Moot Beit Din area.

Rabbi Daniel Rosenberg

Gala 2009

Gala 2009 - Highlights of Bialik Theatre's Beauty and the Beast

The Producers

Gala 2009Want a job that requires 35 hours a week (over and above school time), pretty much eliminates your social life, and is purely on a volunteer basis? How about signing up to be a producer of the Bialik play Beauty and the Beast? To these devoted thespians and Secondary V students Ashley Bown, Amanda Hadid, and Rosie Behar, seeing everything come together and working in a family environment makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s something that really becomes yours,” Amanda beamed as I inquired what motivated them to work this hard. Ashley added, “I wanted to get involved with something in the school, but I’m not really into sports, so the play was a perfect solution.”

The producers (Rosie was unfortunately not present for the interview nor photo) also described director Anisa Cameron as “one of us,” and her assistant, Josh Patton, as “fantastic.”

Ashley, Amanda, and Rosie would like to also remind you that on Gala night, April 1, 2009, you are all cordially invited to one of the most popular and enchantingly romantic stories ever told. They promise to bring Disney’s multi-award winning musical to life with a burst of theatrical magic!

Nominated for nine Tony awards, including Best Musical, this eye-popping spectacular has been memorizing audiences world-wide with record breaking runs in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Sydney, Tokyo, and London’s West End.

Co-chaired by Joanna Yufe Naimer ’91 and Bram Naimer JPPS ’78, the JPPS-Bialik Gala is an event not to be missed! Look for your invitation in the mail!

David Smajovits '00

Yiddishlands

Yiddishlands

Jewish Peoples School alumus ’65 Professor David Roskies has devoted a lifetime towards scholarly Jewish pursuits both as an educator and also as an author. His latest book, Yiddishlands, is more than a book simply about the Yiddish culture, it is a comprehensive anthology of the relationship between the European Jews to the language that not only defined them, but most importantly, also helped sustain them for generations.

Inspired by his mother, Masha Roskies, the quintessential Litvack (one who hails from the former Jewish cultural hub of Lithuania) Yiddishe Mameh, Yiddishlands provides the reader with knowledge about Yiddish-speaking Jewish communities not only from Lithuania, but also from many other European communities where the language was prevalent. Said Roskies during a brief phone interview, “If you know about one [community], that doesn’t mean know about them all.”

Yiddishlands is also a neat way to learn about the history of the Montreal Jewish Community as well as our own JPPS-Bialik family history, for some of the names discussed in Yiddishlands, including former vice-principal of the Jewish People’s School, Shimshen Dunsky, are true classics.

David Smajovits '00

Alum of the Month: Ezra Soiferman '89

Ezra SoifermanThe Bialik High School graduating class of 1989 may have at least one future Oscar winner, Ezra Soiferman. The creative talents of the former co-president of the student council (along with Steffan "Syd" Apel) have garnered him not only some impressive awards, but moreover and more importantly, he has also received well-earned commendations for his charitable work.

"Ever since I was a kid, I knew that I wanted to help people discover new things. Fun things. Strange things. The most colourful and exciting way I could do this, I learned, was through movies. I started making short films with friends at Bialik for class projects and as a hobby with friends. That's where the joy all began,” Ezra explained. “At Dawson, I learned that my passion was more than just a hobby, and then at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts I learned how to channel the passion and hobby into a craft.”

And craft he did. After college, upon returning home to Montreal, Ezra discovered how to turn all that training and inspiration into a strong work ethic and what has become “a most rewarding stream of films, projects, jobs and incredible interactions with so many creative people.”

The documentary filmmaker and director of the Segal Centre's new indie film screening room CinemaSpace (the brand new state-of-the-art screening room at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts. Featuring surround-sound, a high definition projector and 77 plush cinema seats covered in hemp eco-fabric), was awarded the Ville de Montreal Prize at the 2008 Eurofest Film Festival for the documentary he directed called Posthumous Pickle Party.” The film, co-produced and co-written by Matt Zimbel, is about the legendary, now-defunct, Simcha's Grocery on St. Laurent. The hour-long film, featuring sculptor Stanley Lewis, musician Josh "Socalled" Dolgin, food critic Barry Lazar, and other Simcha's customers, has played at several film festivals and premiered on the Canal D television channel.

Ezra, selected as a Quebecer of the Year by L'Actualité magazine in 1998, also currently serves as the director and co-founder of the Montreal Film Group, a film/TV industry networking group with close to 2,000 members. His other productions have played at over 30 film festivals worldwide and have appeared on outlets that include CTV, CBC, CBC Newsworld, RDI, Société Radio-Canada, Global, TV5-France, TVOntario, CBC Country Canada, National Geographic, Life Network Canada, Air Canada, and even Oprah.

In 2007, Ezra spent time cultivating a pet project, Hemp for the Homeless, an effort that brought hemp clothing, personal-care products, and food to Montreal’s homeless on the streets and in shelters. The project was talked about on CBC and was recently written up in a feature story on Yahoo.ca.

“My own little philosophy is to 'do great things with great people,' and I am proud to say I learned this ethic not just from my family and colleagues but from my old classmates, friends and teachers at JPPS and Bialik as well. I have many fond memories of elementary school and high school; these memories and these places help to always remind me who I really am."

Ezra and his wife Alexandra Yanofsky were married in December of 2008.

To read more about Ezra's career and films, or to contact him, visit his EzSez.com blog http://www.EzSez.com/

The CinemaSpace screening schedule can found online at http://www.segalcentre.org/The Montreal Film Group can be found online at http://www.montrealfilmgroup.com/

Read all about Ezra’s Hemp for the Homeless project here: http://tinyurl.com/HempForTheHomeless

Reception for the Signing of Named Endowed Award/Bursary Agreements

Elizabeth Kennell

On September 22nd last year, before our Annual General Meeting, a special reception was held for donors who were signing named special gift agreements. Each of the donors listed below well understands the importance of supporting both our immediate capital needs (through their support of the Bialik Expansion Campaign) and securing our long-term future by setting up these endowments, which will also ensure that JPPS-Bialik remains accessible to all in spite of rising tuitions.

Also, through this support, their love for music, theatre, Judaic Studies, French, athletics, and community service is coming across loud and clear, and we would like to think that it reflects the comprehensive, well-rounded curriculum JPPS-Bialik offers. JPPS-Bialik students are academically high-performing, quadrilingual student-athletes with an appreciation for the arts, not to mention students who excel when it comes to tikkun olam.

Much is demanded of our students: providing them with the resources they need to succeed is paramount. With their help, we will continue to work towards doing this and more. In fact, as we bring about the completion of Phase II of Bialik’s Expansion Campaign, we already see the huge need to upgrade the existing field there. After all, it will pale when seen next to our new facilities, including the new Rappaport Basketball Practice Court. Likewise, at JPPS, Principal Adina Matas already has a wish list to upgrade more classrooms and equip even younger grades with laptops, inspired by the recent facelifts you have seen this evening! So, we can’t stop now—we are on a roll…

Ann Zoltak Memorial Tikkun Olam Award at Bialik—Larry Zoltak, board member and parent of three students, Jason ’09, Melissa ’12, and Matthew ’15, set up this award after having encouraged donations to a fund in his late mother’s name in the published obituary.

Rhoda and Morton Rappaport Bursary for Bialik’s Learners’ Enhanced Academic Program (LEAP)—Rhoda Rappaport, grandmother of graduates Lana ’07 and Rachel Rappaport ’08, as well as students Evan ’10 and Michael ’11, established the bursary in her name as well as that of her late husband, Morton. It is intended to help a family who would otherwise not be able (and not already on financial aid) to take advantage of Bialik’s very popular LEAP program.

Of special note is that the Rappaports will also be naming the exterior practice basketball court as part of the Bialik Expansion Campaign.

Edmond Elbaz Award for Academic Excellence in French—Edmond Elbaz, upon his retirement after 38 years of service, agreed to allow us to fundraise in his good name for the benefit of the school. While two graduating students will be recognized, the proceeds from this fund will be directed to tuition assistance.

Harry Baker Bursary—Harry Baker Z”L left a provision in his estate for JPPS-Bialik. Harry Baker’s wife, Nina, chaired Concert in 1959 and 1960, following the late Clara Balinsky, Concert’s founder. Harry and Nina had three children, all of whom are JPPS-Bialik graduates: Paul ’58, Neil ’61, and Bernard ’68. Paul is the father of graduate Liana Balinsky Baker ’04. Proceeds from this fund will be directed to tuition assistance.

Bertha and Nathan Gillman Exemplary Student Award at Bialik—Bertha and Nathan Gillman are Fidelia Lang’s parents. Fidelia and her husband, Morton, grandparents of JPPS students Jeremy ’09 and Maya ’15, and Bialik student Michael ’12, have between them set up a number of named endowed funds over the years, including the Bertha and Nathan Gillman JPPS Music Festival Endowment for JPPS and the Tema and Joseph Lang Memorial Award for the Love and Respect of Judaic Studies at Bialik.

Bunny (Ben Zion) Dalfen Memorial Award Fund for Outstanding Musical Contribution to Bialik Theatre—Claire Dalfen set up this award in memory of her late husband Bunny (Ben Zion). Parents of Seth (Samuel) and Barbara, both JPPS-Bialik graduates (Classes of 1983 and 1985), their children, Claire Dalfen’s grandchildren, now attend JPPS-Bialik. While a Bialik graduate will be recognized, the proceeds are directed to tuition assistance.

We are already looking forward to signing more agreements at this year’s reception, which should take place again in September before our Annual General Meeting. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my coordinates below should you wish to learn more about the options available to those who wish to honour or commemorate a loved one and leave a lasting tangible legacy.

Elizabeth Kennell, Director of Advancement

Don’t mess with these pugs

Basketabll PugsThe JPPS basketball season is in full swing and the Pugs and Lady Pugs are proving that our student athletes are winners. At the time this newsletter was put to bed, the boys were tied with Hebrew Academy for second place in the standings, with 10 points. The Lady Pugs are simply dominating the girls’ league, as they are in first place and are currently undefeated!

Said Coach Peter Wolcott: “They play hard and play for one another. Our tenacity on defense is the key to our success along with our attitude of ‘all for one and one for all.’”

Chef Shawna

Shawna Goodman

Tired of the same dinners every night? If not, then this message is not for you. However, if you were looking for a way to learn easy, fun, and (most importantly) delicious recipes for yourself or for your family, Chef Shawna Goodman-Sone is your answer. Oh, did I mention she is also a Bialik alumna (’88)?

Shawna is the editor of the bestselling cookbook Panache, and she has been featured in the Gazette, among other publications. She gives monthly cooking classes at the Cavendish, Kirkland, and Pierrefonds Loblaws stores.
On Tuesday, February 17, Chef Shawna will be giving two different classes in two different locations, one in the morning at the Segal Centre and one in the evening at the Loblaws on Cavendish. Here are the yummy details:

“Lunch at the Segal”
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
9:30-11:00 A.M
Segal Centre Cote St. Catherine
Chef Instructor: Shawna Goodman-Sone

To Register Call Shari-Ann Fleming at 514 739 2301 x 8310
safleming@segalcentre.org

Menu
Three Tomato Salad with Balsamic Orange Vinaigrette
~
Wild Mushroom Risotto
~
Scottish Shortbread

OR

“Loblaws Cavendish Class”
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
7:00-9:00 P.M.
Chef instructor: Shawna Goodman
Call Paul Shubin 514 481 6959 or email paulshubin@sympatico.ca

Menu
Baby Romaine Lettuce with Creamy Garlic Dressing
~
Home made Whole Wheat Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese
~
French Buttermilk Cake with Macerated berries

Donors

The following individuals and organizations have made donations to JPPS-Bialik from November 19, 2008, to February 10, 2009. This list does not include Bialik Expansion Campaign donations and pledges. These will be recognized in the Annual Report and in our new Hall of Honour. As promised, 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.

  • Abbey Neckwear Ltd.
  • Albert Sales
  • Albert Allard
  • Craig Allison
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Brahm Backler '91
  • Benjamin and Bessie Bedzow
  • Paul and Esther Berman
  • Janice and Nat Bernstein
  • Eric Bettan
  • Bialik Home and School Association
  • Philip and Lily Blander
  • Joanne Godel and Warren Blatt
  • Naomi and Richard Blumer
  • Lorne Brotman and Audrey Davies
  • Brown's Shoe Shops Inc.
  • Jackie and Jeff Budning
  • Gail and Michael Campbell
  • Mr. Nissen Chackowicz and Dr. Deborah Cohen
  • Warren D. Chisling
  • Jason Chrein
  • Karen and Mendy Ciubotaru
  • Arnold and Marnie Cohen
  • Dr. Daniel Cohen and Mrs. Bonnie B. Roiter
  • Jennifer and Itzik Cohen
  • Shelley Cohen JPPS '69
  • Mr. Stanley Cohen and Mrs. Suzanne B. Ducat
  • Faigie Coodin
  • Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Copnick
  • Ian Copnick
  • Mr. and Mrs. George Deckelbaum
  • Marty Dorfman and Cindy Pellatt
  • Mr. Fred Dubrovsky
  • Randy and Stuart Eiley '83
  • Corey and Karen Eisenberg
  • Harley and Joanne Eisman
  • Suzanne and Edmond Elbaz
  • Mrs. Hanna Eliashiv
  • Michael Eliesen and Liane Rashkovan Eliesen '80
  • Mr. Seymour Eliesen
  • Barbara Engel
  • Mrs. Sheila Esar
  • Evelyn Steinberg Alexander Family Foundation
  • Gail Fayerman Campbell JPPS '72
  • Marcie and Mark Fergenbaum
  • Laurence Fhima
  • Corey Frenkiel '00
  • Dr. and Mrs. Gad Friedman
  • Nira Friedman
  • Nitai Friedman '77
  • Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fuchs
  • Mitch Garber '81
  • Geoffrey Gelber '81
  • Galina Germant
  • Globe Metal Recycling Service Inc.
  • Arnold Gluz and Eileen Haimovitz
  • Mrs. Beatrice Goldig
  • Frank Goldschleger and Esther Grossman
  • Mr. Jonathan Goltzman '89
  • Mr. Irwin S. Green and Mrs. Debra Carol Shapiro
  • Ian Greenwald
  • Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Grostern
  • Steve '84 and Debbie Gurman
  • Mr. and Mrs. Zaki Harari
  • Mr. Neil Hazan '92
  • Nina Heft '81
  • Mr. Norman Heimlich
  • Cindy ’86 and Mark Heller
  • Moshe Helman
  • Dr. Michael and Leslie Hier
  • Robert and Marla Hirscheimer
  • Michael Hollander '00
  • Connie Ianiro
  • Mr. and Mrs. Steven Jast
  • Cara and George Itzkovitz
  • JPPS Home and School Association
  • Jonathan Kaufman '98
  • Hirut Kebede
  • Elizabeth and Robert Kennell
  • Mr. and Mrs. Eli Kogut
  • Martha Kurschner Kohn, Thomas Kohn and Jacob Singal-Kohn
  • Mr. and Mrs. Peter E. Kreisman
  • Jesse Krolik '00
  • Lorne and Bonnie Kronish
  • Mrs. Esther Krupp JPPS '35
  • Caroline and Steve Lake
  • Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan H. Lang
  • Mr. and Mrs. Eric Laxer
  • Judy and Uri Laxer '81
  • David Lazar '83
  • Lederman Foundation
  • Susan Lefson '86
  • Les Aliments Esposito Ltee
  • Les Investissements 4891 Enr
  • Shari Lester
  • Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Levine
  • Dr. and Mrs. Howard Libenson
  • Melissa Margles'88 and Michael Libman'82
  • Shelley and Leonard Lewkowict
  • Harvey and Yvonne Lithwick
  • Susan Orenstein Little
  • Lydia and Larry Long
  • Marsha and Michael Lustigman
  • Lori and Jonathan Maldoff
  • Monette Malewski
  • Jamie Philip Malus '81
  • Doris Mann
  • Melissa Margles '88
  • Michael and Liana Martow
  • Marla and Michael Mashaal
  • The Mayers and Raicek Families
  • Michael Meltzer '78
  • John Mendelson JPPS '77
  • Ms. Cheryl Millman
  • Mr. Jonathan D. Morton '98
  • Mr. Matthew Morton '93
  • Archie Moss
  • Mona Nadel
  • Glenn and Judy Nashen
  • Shirley Nozetz
  • Mr. and Mrs. Gary Ornstein
  • Mr. and Mrs. Brian Parker
  • Norman and Norma Penner
  • Pipe and Piling Supplies Ltd.
  • Pizza Pita
  • Joseph Pleet JPPS '92
  • Gerry Plewa
  • Mr. Barry Pokrass
  • Sandie Sparkman and Robert Presser
  • Mrs. Eva Raby
  • Mr. Jacob Raby JPPS '55
  • Alissa Rappaport
  • Leonie Richler
  • Howard Rossdeutscher
  • Shawn Rotenberg
  • Betina Shadowitz and Michael Rubin
  • Debbie and Richard Rubin
  • Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Rubin
  • Sharon Rustin '83
  • Dr. Norman Sabin '76
  • Jeff and Sari Sacks
  • Sheri and Avi Satov
  • Michael and Frederica Savelson
  • Mrs. Shirley Schneider
  • Robin Alexander '86 and Andrew Schwartz
  • Jay S. Sederoff
  • Mehrzad and Brigitte Sepasi
  • Andree and Robert Shadowitz
  • Ms. Stephanie Shaffer '89
  • Mr. and Mrs. David Shapiro
  • Jaimie Shapiro '82
  • Louise Shiller
  • Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Shiveck '84
  • Mr. and Mrs. Colin R. Singer
  • David Smajovits '00
  • Mrs. Lainie Smajovits
  • Mrs. Lorna Smith
  • Stephen and Naomi Smith
  • The Sochaczevski Family
  • Jeff Solomon
  • Stephanie Saltzman Sorkin
  • Spector and Co.
  • Rob Spector
  • Stephen R.Bronfman Foundation
  • Bernie Stern JPPS '58
  • Richard Stern '87 and Marnie Zigman
  • Mr. Sean Taffert '85
  • Liora Suissa and Reza Tehrani
  • Joan Thomas
  • Tidan Inc.
  • Laurie and Daniel Turner
  • Mirta and Joe Tuwaig
  • Univeris
  • Maura A. Hoppenheim Wajcman '82
  • Dr. and Mrs. Hershey Warshawsky
  • Yuval, Natalie, Neal, Dylan and Sabrina Weiss
  • Warren and Gayle Werbitt
  • Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wilk
  • Jonathan and Carrie Wise
  • Earle and Heidi Wiseman
  • Elaine Wisenthal-Milech
  • Rosalie Wolkowicz '00
  • Brenda Woods
  • Jacquie and Brian Young
  • Joyce C. Yudkovitch
  • Mr. and Mrs. Sam Zameck
  • Sylvia and Pablo Zimmerman
  • Esther and Andre Zoldan