April 25, 2025 / 27 Nissan 5785

Shabbat Begins: 8:03 p.m.  Shabbat Ends: 9:16 p.m.  

Parashat Shmini

HONOURING MEMORY, SHAPING THE FUTURE

At King David, Holocaust education goes beyond textbooks, it's a living commitment to memory, identity, and responsibility. Since February, our Holocaust Studies 12 students have been leading initiatives that foster deep connections with history and the Jewish people. Partnering with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC), they serve as docents, guiding students from King David, Vancouver Talmud Torah, and local public schools through the In Focus exhibit, turning history into moments of reflection and transformation.

The impact of serving as docents has been profound. With each exhibit tour, students have found the experience increasingly meaningful. They’ve come to recognize the responsibility and significance of transmitting knowledge and taking an active role in Holocaust education. As they lead more tours, their confidence and ability to guide thoughtful conversations grow, helping their peers connect with the material and ask deeper, more reflective questions.

A second group of Holocaust Studies students focused on preserving and editing Holocaust survivor testimonies from the Vancouver Holocaust Education collection. They're creating educational tools based on these stories, becoming both archivists and educators dedicated to keeping memory alive amid rising Holocaust denial.

A powerful moment came when they met with child survivors, sharing intimate and heartfelt conversations.

One such encounter was with René Goldman, born in Luxembourg in 1934, who generously shared his story and his book A Childhood Adrift. Students described this meeting as deeply meaningful, reminding them how rare and precious these opportunities are.

Our students aren’t just learning history, they’re embracing the responsibility of memory. As Mila reflected, “Meeting a Holocaust survivor in person felt deeply meaningful… It’s heartbreaking to realize that our generation is the last one who will have the chance to meet real survivors face-to-face… We have a responsibility to carry them forward.”

These moments have sparked deep reflection on the future of Holocaust memory. Netanel, who is editing a video testimony, shared: “From working firsthand on a survivor’s testimony, I’m slowly figuring out which parts are more important… Survivor testimonies and books are what will continue to keep their stories alive.”

We’re grateful to the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, especially Lise Kirchner and Ellie Lawson, for their support. This partnership has empowered students to become active participants in Holocaust education, developing empathy, critical thinking, and leadership.

BUILDING BRIDGES WITH THE GALILEE DREAMERS

This Thursday, we had the privilege of meeting Israeli high school students from the Galilee Dreamers program, an inspiring initiative that unites Jewish, Druze, and Bedouin teens to foster dialogue, understanding, and shared leadership.

The gathering sparked honest conversations around identity, belonging, and the complexities of being a minority, whether in Canada or Israel. Through listening and sharing, students connected in meaningful ways that crossed borders and backgrounds.



Thank you to all who participated. Your openness made this exchange deeply impactful and a reminder of what’s possible when we come together with empathy and intention.

We’re grateful to Congregation Beth Israel for generously providing a welcoming space and to the Federation for supporting the group's visit.

PLANTING DAFFODILS IN REMEMBRANCE AND UNITY

Grade 11 and Grade 12 students participated in the planting.

Thank you to Maggie Wilson, who guided us through the planting

Since growth and community are always worth celebrating, we look back to November 19, 2024, when a group of our students had the opportunity to plant daffodil bulbs donated by Lora Anjos from outside the Jewish community, beautifully exemplifying the kind of Random Acts of Chesed we strive to carry out every day. These bulbs were planted at Beth Israel in remembrance of the 1,200 people who were murdered on October 7th. This act of kindness and remembrance took place during our annual RAC Week, as part of the students’ volunteer efforts.

Today, as the flowers begin to bloom, they stand as a living tribute, offering a moment of reflection and beauty in honour of a profound loss, and reminding us of the enduring power of memory, unity, and hope.

PREPARING FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Our Outdoor Education program is in full swing this spring as both Grade 10 and Grade 12 students prepare for meaningful overnight hiking experiences designed to build resilience, independence, and connection with the natural world.

Grade 10 students in the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze program are headed to Cheakamus Lake (April 28–29), training alongside Grade 12 students for their two-night trip. Together, they've learned key backcountry skills like bear safety, Leave No Trace, and camp setup, building confidence and camaraderie along the way.

We’re proud of their dedication, stay tuned for trip updates!

THRILLING END TO A MEMORABLE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP!

The first-ever King David Chess Tournament wrapped up in thrilling fashion, as students packed the Atrium to watch the final match between Lior Drabkin and Natan Granau. Their first game was a tense, evenly matched battle that ended in a dramatic stalemate. In the decisive rematch, Natan Grunau claimed victory and the title of inaugural King David Chess Champion.

Yasher Koach and Mazal Tov to all the participants, especially to our finalists, for making the tournament such a memorable and exciting success.

KING DAVID STUDENT SHINES

Jacob, Grade 8, won the Canada Young Theatre Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a School Production for his role as the Sour Kangaroo in last year's VTT production of Seussical! Take a look at his performance here.

Mazal Tov, Jacob, looking forward to seeing you in King David's next play!

JOIN OUR CELEBRATION! BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

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!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Click on image for more information

You Are Not Alone

We Are With You!

Rally

Sunday, April 27

2:00 p.m.

Location: Vancouver City Hall

Light in Winter: Hal & Annie Aqua

Saturday, April 26

8:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Buy tickets here.

Daffodil Garden

Dedication Event

Sunday, April 27

10:30am

RSVP here.

Or Shalom 

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Sunday, April 27

1:00-3:00 p.m.

Register here.

Cantorial Concert

Wednesday, May 7

7:30 p.m.

RSVP here.

Parent + Teen BBYO Info Night

Wednesday, May 14

6:45-7:45 p.m.

Register 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).

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