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April 4, 2025 / 6 Nissan 5785
Shabbat Begins: 7:31 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 8:39 p.m.
Parashat Vayikra
| | THE VALUE PROPOSITION OF JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | | |
Over Passover, we reflect on the transition from slavery to Freedom - m’avdut l’cherut - מעבדות לחירות. When I think about freedom, I often think about the concept of opportunity: the opportunity to feel safe, to explore, to question, to experience, to help others, and more. I am heading into the Passover break having recently experienced many exciting events related to the opportunities provided by the Jewish day school experience.
Last week I joined many of you at the BC Hillel’s Night of Resilience. At the event, they handed out awards to students who are advocating for Jewish students and causes on university campuses in British Columbia. I am proud to say that King David graduates won half of the awards! Our students are graduating from King David with the tools to be leaders in their communities and to advocate for positive change.
Earlier this week I saw the Vancouver Talmud Torah’s production of Annie. It was inspiring to see so many younger students in our community belting out songs, dancing on stage, making the audience laugh, and smiling from ear to ear. In the final rendition of the song, “Tomorrow”, the entire cast sang a verse and the chorus in Hebrew. Where else would our students have that skill set other than at a Jewish day school?
You’ll notice that, so far, I have talked about what is happening outside of King David High School. Don’t worry, there is much to report here as well. Last week, 20 of our students travelled to New York to take part in the Moot Beit Din competition. The event allowed our students to compete against Jewish schools from around the world, engaging in a powerful learning experience that extended beyond the courtroom. This year’s case challenged students to determine, through Jewish law and scientific research, whether a school board should introduce gambling to fund educational robotics programs for students in underserved communities. By immersing themselves in the study of Jewish texts and ethical reasoning, our students developed essential skills in debate, critical thinking, and moral decision-making, preparing them to become ethical future leaders. To top it off, we received a second place and a third place trophy in their respective divisions. Not bad for a small Jewish high school in Western Canada.
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Yasher Koach to Isabelle, Fina, Amy, and Ziv who placed third in their division
and Lev, Roi, Elly, Liron and Eitan A. for placing second in their division!
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If you arrived early to school this week, then you would not have been alone– really early,
5:45 a.m.! Four of our students took part in a multi-day live Zoom call with Israel to compete in the International Weizmann Physics Safe Cracking Contest. After winning the Western Canada region in February our team competed against over 100 other teams from around the world, working together to crack safes by using their knowledge of physics and so much more. We are proud to report that our team finished as one of the top 16 teams in the world!
Videos of the safes and tournament highlights can be viewed here:
| | Mazal Tov, Noam, Zoe, Ethan and Max! | | |
I am inspired because every day I am witness to the power of Jewish day school education. I see the difference we are making in the lives of our students. I know that our future is in good hands because our students are receiving an education that gives them the tools to question, to learn, to be empathetic, and to make a difference that is grounded in positive Jewish values.
At my Passover seder this year, when I think about the concept of freedom, I will reflect on the opportunities that our students have to develop into the humans they were meant to be. We use our freedom in the Jewish day school world to ensure that we impart Jewish values to create the inspirational leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.
Chag Pesach Sameach,
Dr. Seth Goldsweig
Head of School
| | BUILDING STRONGER UNDERSTANDING | | |
Grades 10, 11, and 12 participated in an inspiring assembly on interfaith dialogue as a catalyst for positive action. The speakers were representatives from Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths who regularly engage in conversation. This extraordinary group of people are individuals who come together for presentations, and who are committed to breaking down stereotypes. Rev. Gary Gaudin, Tariq Tyab, Yusuf Siraj and Rabbi Philip Bregman delivered a compelling presentation that encouraged students to engage in meaningful dialogue and actively contribute to a more inclusive world.
After the presentation, Rabbi Bregman shared how proud he was of the King David students and their willingness to engage in the conversation.
| | RETHINKING THE SEDER: WHY THIS YEAR CAN BE DIFFERENT | | |
Every year, we sit down with the same Haggadah, recite the same words, and ask the same questions. But what if we’re missing the real story?
Rabbi David Fohrman, in his essay How to Read the Haggadah, challenges us to stop reading the Haggadah like a script—and start reading it like a mystery. The strange structure, the Deuteronomy verses, the detours and tangents—they’re not distractions. They’re clues.
His key question—the “Haggadah killer”—goes like this:
“What’s the big deal about God taking us out of Egypt, if He’s the one who put us there to begin with?”
In other words: if God allowed us to become slaves, why are we celebrating Him for taking us out?
It’s a tough question and one that could shut down the whole Seder. But as Jews, we don’t run from hard questions. Our whole Talmud, our main source of Jewish traditions and law, is made up of hard questions and hard debates. The Haggadah doesn’t hide from the messiness of history. In fact, it’s built around it and actually flips the premise on its head.
The real story isn’t just about one-time freedom. It’s about a pattern. Yes, we fall. Yes, we end up in exile over and over again. But God keeps coming back for us, not because we deserve it, but because He promised to. He doesn’t abandon us, even when we’ve abandoned Him. The promise to save us was not a one-time event, but the Hagadah shows that it happened over and over and the cycle will keep on happening as long as we keep messing up.
We tell the story not because it’s over, but because it’s still unfolding. And we’re part of it.
A Seder Challenge for Families:
This year, don’t just read the Haggadah, wrestle with it.
Teens, ask your parents:
- What makes this story still matter?
- Do you think God still "shows up" for us?
- What does freedom mean in our world today?
Parents, ask your teens:
- Why do you think we keep telling this story?
- Do you see yourselves in it?
- What questions are you afraid to ask?
Let the Seder be more than a ritual. Let it be a night of real conversation, searching, and storytelling.
Because the Haggadah isn’t just a script, it’s an invitation.
Chag Pesach Sameach,
Rabbi Stephen Berger
Head of Judaic Studies
| | TODAH RABAH TO OUR 20-YEAR CELEBRATION SPONSORS | | |
Join us on Wednesday, May 14
for an evening of live music, decadent desserts, and fabulous cocktails!
You can also show your support by buying raffle and 50/50 tickets!
| | SHABBAT SHALOM! !שבת שלום | | |
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Click on image for more information
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Let My People Go!
Rally
Sunday, April 6
2:00 p.m.
Location: Vancouver City Hall
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Vancouver Stands with Israel Burrard Bridge March
Sunday, April 6
11:00 a.m.
More info here.
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Torah Tales:
Adventures in Scribal Art
April 6, 2025
11:00 a.m. PT
Location: online
Register here.
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BC Cancer is now offering a fully funded BRCA genetic testing program for any adult of Jewish ancestry living in British Columbia.
You can find more information here.
Also, BC Cancer and BRCAinBC created a Pesach version of their flyer, see above!
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Matzah, Maror & Meaning:
A Pre-Pesach Gathering
Monday, April 7
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Register here.
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Burn Your Chametz
Friday, April 11
11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
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Second Night Community Seder
Sunday, April 13
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Register here.
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Passover Second Night Adult Seder
Sunday, April 13
7:30 p.m.
Register here.
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The Third Seder: Understanding Addiction and the Path to Freedom
Tuesday, April 15
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Register here.
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Lecture by Dr. Einat Wilf
Friday, April 25, 2025
5:30 p.m.
Register here.
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Community Dinner & Hybrid Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, April 25
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Register here.
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Jewish Spiritual Practice With Rabbi Arik Labowitz
Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
May 1,15,29 & Jun 12
Register here.
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REVISED DATES
Mame-loshn in Vancouver
Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
May 14,21,28 & Jun 4
Register here.
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Taglit - Birthright Israel
June 16-26, 2025
More info here.
| | King David High School acknowledges we teach, learn and live on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Coast Salish nations of Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh), and the Tsleil-Waututh (səl̀ilwətaʔ). | | | | |
