November 3, 2023 / Cheshvan 19, 5784

Shabbat Begins 5:30 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 6:36 p.m.

The theme of the week was creating! Creating meaningful connections with friends, adults, animals and nature, creating delicious foods, creating history as we learned about the inclusion of mandatory Holocaust Education in B.C.’S K-12 Curriculum. Read on to see what else is new.

WHAT A GREAT OPEN HOUSE

On Thursday evening, an atrium full of prospective families attended our annual Open House to discover the King David difference. Through a video (below), presentations, and interactive tours, our guests experienced how King David is filled with students who love to learn, imagine, challenge themselves, and create community, how the school nurtures the qualities that make them individuals, and how we help them find opportunities for excellence in the classroom, on sports fields, in the kitchen, in the art studio, and as mensches.

This year, in addition to the Jewish life offered at King David, we focused on the way King David helps students balance values, wellness, and academic success. The evening was kicked off by our student speakers, Grade 12 student Zachary Fisher and his Grade 10 sibling, Rachel Fisher. Zach spoke from the Grade 12 perspective and highlighted his experiences over the past five years and Rachel, shared the ease of settling into King David and the feeling of community.

A large part of what we instill in our students is a strong Jewish identity, and Rabbi Berger took some time to talk about our Judaic Studies curriculum and the ways in which Jewish values are at the core of what we do.

A driving force for staff at King David is our belief that our students are on the path to becoming conscientious, empathetic, and adaptable leaders for change. Our Head of School, Russ Klein, talked about how this is a better measure of success than grades - though we also have a robust academic program and our students consistently do well in our classes and on post-secondary campuses. King David takes a holistic approach to teaching our students, weighing values and student wellness as equal to academic success.

HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES

The Holocaust and Genocide Studies class had the honor of hearing from Jack Micner, a member of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Center as well as the creator of this course at King David. Jack Micner spoke about his experience growing up with Holocaust survivors as parents and how it shaped him to become who he is today. He also spoke about his parents' experience during the Holocaust, both being from small towns in Poland.

Jack’s father was a teenager when the war broke out and was saved by Jewish members of the Russian army who took 250 Jews out of Poland to save them from what was coming. His mother lived in Kyiv but stayed in Kazakhstan till the war ended, then she moved to Israel where she lived until she met his father.

I feel so fortunate to be able to participate in this course.

~ Penina Berger, Grade 12

Province Announces Mandatory Holocaust Education

This week, Premier David Eby and the BC government committed to making Holocaust education mandatory for all high school students in British Columbia.

The Holocaust provides important lessons from the past that benefit society today and in the future because it brings human rights and social justice issues to the forefront. That is of universal and everlasting importance—not just to Jews, but to everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background.

We want to thank Premier Eby and the Province of British Columbia for taking this critically important step, which is an investment in the next generation that is of incalculable importance.

GRADE 8 TEAM BUILDING OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Braving the cold weather and low temperatures, Grade 8 students went on an outdoor adventure at Terra Nova Park in Richmond. The activities were meticulously created to allow students to develop toolkits for mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.

Terra Nova Park in Richmond provided the perfect environment for students to immerse in outdoor skills-building activities designed to deepen the connections between fellow classmates.

At the Bushcraft Bootcamp station, the students learned about the Sacred 5: food, water, fire, shelter, and gratitude… and how to use them for survival success. They walked along the large grassy fields and explored nature trails.

The Things that Fly Station gave students the opportunity to play and explore, through team-building games. The playground offered zip lines, covered slides, big swings… everything was in place to maximize movement and have fun along the way!

More memories were formed at the Junior Parkour Station, with students learning how to roll like ninjas, climb structures, run around, and make safe and essential movements under the guidance of experienced course instructors.

GREEN CLUB

Last week, the King David Green Club kicked off their first project with planting kale and edible flowers in the school garden. We look forward to watching it grow and utilizing the fresh produce in the Foods room and maybe even Lions Den! YUM!

(Pictured: Arel Steen, Tamir Gini, Maya Bernal)

GO LIONS!

In 1A Boys Ranking, the King David Boys' Basketball Team is currently ranked #1 in the preseason!

AND

The Greater Vancouver Independent Schools Athletics Association (GVISAA) named our Senior Boys' Soccer Team the Most Sportsmanlike Team. They also won 2nd place!

END OF TERM CONCERT BY GRADE 8 STUDENTS

Last Tuesday, just before lunch, the Music 8A class presented the first of four mini-concerts in the Drama/Music Room. The class of 15 students, many of whom never touched an instrument, played drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards, and sang their hearts out. After a moving rendition of "Hatikvah", the students launched into Adele's "Rolling In The Deep" with fury. Following a few switch-ups, we were treated to a charming version of the Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" and a rousing version of "Am Yisrael Chai". The concert was an excellent stepping stone for gaining confidence and developing creativity. Kudos to all for stepping out of their comfort zone!

BLUE VISITS AND LIFTS THE MOOD!

With the continuation of the events in Israel and around the world, and everyone experiencing a roller coaster of emotions, Sandy Goldman and Blue, her seven-year-old rescue and St. John's Ambulance Certified Therapy Dog came to school to offer support to our students and staff.

Blue got some tummy rubs, back scratches, pets, and conversations, while the students and staff got lots of comfort and love! Welcome back anytime, Blue!

Featured with Blue: Jordan Kertesz, Jacob Darel, Karyna Kramer and Sofia Zubrys

JFS SUPPORT LINE

JFS Support Line. JFS is offering support with English, Russian and Hebrew-speaking therapists. Call the JFS Community Care Hotline at 604-558-5719 and listen for the Israel Conflict Support Line option. You'll be asked to provide your name and number and the language you wish to speak. JFS will return your call as promptly as possible. Callers to this special JFS line can receive support for up to 45 minutes.