Category: Community Building

A Time To Count; a Time To Be Counted

Here are the words I shared with Kitah Bet this morning in celebration of their Chaggigat Ha’Torah:

There is a time to count, like one does when counting one’s blessings, and there is a time to be counted, like one does when showing up for oneself, one’s family, and one’s community.  Today is a rare opportunity to do both.

Today we celebrate the gift of Torah, and in this week’s reading of it—Parashat Bamidbar—we encounter the census of the Israelites in the wilderness.  This detailed counting of each tribe and individual highlights the significance of every member within the community.  Each person’s unique role and contribution are recognized and valued.  This notion resonates deeply with us today, as we mark a moment in which our children, our families, and our school joyfully write our stories into the Jewish narrative.

Bamidbar not only reminds us that each person matters—it reminds us how we matter.  In the wilderness, the Mishkan and the Ark of the Covenant were placed at the very center of the camp.  Every tribe encamped around Torah. Every journey began with Torah.  Torah was the heart of the community.  So too here at OJCS.  In our classrooms, hallways, assemblies, and celebrations—Torah is our anchor and our compass.  (Dare I say…a North Star?)  And for our students in Kitah Bet, who today receive their own Torah, it becomes something more personal: a source of joy, a sense of pride, and a connection to a much larger whole.

As it says in Pirkei Avot: “תַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה כְּנֶגֶד כֻּלָּם – the study of Torah is equal to them all.”  Why?  Because Talmud Torah is not only about learning what Judaism says; it is about discovering who we are, and what it means to live a Jewish life of meaning and purpose.  And at OJCS, that learning is joyful.  It’s a Torah learned through song and story, drama and dance, chagigot and blogfolios.  It’s a Torah that children can taste and touch and carry.

In the shadow of current events, when public expressions of Judaism sometimes feel vulnerable, this school remains a sacred space of safety, of pride, and of unfiltered Jewish joy.  Here, our children get to experience what it means to be publicly and unapologetically Jewish—through love, not fear; through celebration, not silence.  This is where Judaism is lived out loud, in bright vibrant colours, and with hearts wide open.

That is why, as was true with the siddur they received at the end of Kitah Alef, the Torah they receive at the end of Kitah Bet is not intended to be a trophy to sit upon a shelf, but an inspiration to continue the Jewish journey they are just beginning.  It is our hope and our prayer that the work we have begun together as partners—parents and teachers; home and school—continues in the years ahead to provide our children with Jewish moments of meaning and Jewish experiences of consequence so that they can continue to receive and accept Torah in their own unique way, infused by a love of Judaism, informed by Jewish wisdom and aligned with Jewish values.

Ken y’hi ratzon.

Kabbalat Ha’Siddur 2025 / 5785: The Gift of Joyful Prayer

The following was shared with our Kitah Alef (Grade One) Families during our school’s annual Kabbalat Ha’Siddur – our celebration of early Jewish learning with the gift of a siddur:

Before we call each student up by name to give them their siddur, let me assure you that I will keep these remarks brief, knowing we have eager students—and cupcakes—waiting for us!

Today we celebrate more than just a book.  We celebrate Jewish joy.  When the world outside continues to cast shadows, our community at OJCS continues to find ways to refract beams of joy.  Choosing joy has become a powerful act of resilience—a reciprocal dance between our inner selves and our outer community.

The Hebrew word for prayer, l’hitpallel (להתפלל), comes from the root פ-ל-ל, and appears in the grammatical form or binyan of hitpa’el.  This binyan is both reflexive and reciprocal.  What does this mean for prayer?  It suggests prayer isn’t only about looking inward, judging ourselves, and cultivating personal spirituality.  It’s equally about the joyful exchange that happens outwardly—connecting, sharing, and strengthening one another through communal experience.

The siddur we present today is not intended to be a trophy to sit quietly on a shelf; rather, it is intended to live loudly as a vibrant tool.  It invites our children, and through them, you, into a rhythm that connects personal joy to shared celebration.  Each page is a doorway to discovery—the joy of singing boldly, the warmth of friends praying side-by-side, the confidence of being unapologetically Jewish.  Watching young children pray unselfconsciously—without hesitation or fear—is itself an inspiration, a beautiful model for all of us of how prayer can and should feel.

If I can take just a moment of personal privilege to speak to you parent-to-parent, on occasions such as this, I cannot help but to be reminded of my own daughters, alumni of this school, who joyfully used their Kitah Alef siddurim to lead services at their Bat Mitzvahs, and then later carried those same siddurim to Israel and, now, to university campus.  My hope for them – and your children – is that each interaction with their siddur will continue to connect their inner journeys with their communal Jewish identity, creating lasting memories.

As this marks my final Kabbalat Ha’Siddur at OJCS, I must express my gratitude for the countless moments of happiness I have been privileged to witness.  My deepest wish and prayer for this year’s Kitah Alef is that today’s simchah becomes a joyful touchstone—reminding each child, family, and all of us, that prayer at its best is an experience of both personal meaning and communal delight.

One of our school’s North Stars is that “we are all on inspiring Jewish journeys” and the Kabbalat Ha’Siddur is just the next stop on a journey that, for many of you, began together under the chuppah on the first day of Kindergarten.  Let today’s simchah not merely serve as a moment to celebrate, but an inspiration to reach the next stop and the stop after that in your inspiring Jewish journey.

Ken y’hi ratzon.

Thank you to Morah Ada for the care and dedication that makes today possible.  Thank you to the entire Kitah Alef team for their commitment and enthusiasm.  And thank you, parents and grandparents, for nurturing the joy of Jewish living within your families and our community.

Let me now welcome Keren Gordon, our Principal, and invite the teachers in Kitah Alef, as we prepare to celebrate each of our students.

Remember When? Purim, Playfulness, and Why You Should Dress Up This Year: A Parting Plea

This will be my eighth—and final—Purim blog post as Head of OJCS.  Which means that if you’ve been following along over the years, I have spent almost an entire elementary school career trying to convince parents that Purim is not just for kids.

Why?

Every year, I make my impassioned plea: Purim is not just for children.  It’s for you, too.   And every year, I watch as parents cheerfully send their kids to school in full costume while they show up to Megillah reading in…business casual.  Let’s take one final crack at trying to fix that.

Shabbat Zachor and the Art of Forgetting

This week, we read a special maftir (Deut. 25:17-19) for Shabbat Zachor in which we receive our annual reminder to “Remember what Amalek did to you.”  And, paradoxically, to also “Blot out the memory of Amalek.”  It’s an exercise in selective forgetting—we remember what we must, and we let go of what we don’t need.

Now, I’m not saying Purim is Amalek (though honestly, some store-bought costumes should be erased from history!).  But I do think that we adults have a forgetting problem—not just in the Jewish memory sense, but in the “regular human” sense.  We forget how to play.  We forget what it feels like to dress up, be silly, make noise, and fully embrace joy for no other reason than because it’s fun.

Remember when you were a kid and Purim was the absolute best?  When the most important question in February wasn’t about tax season, but about whether your costume was cool enough?  When “going all out” didn’t feel cringey or embarrassing but was just what you did?

And then, somehow, you grew up, and now you’re the one saying, “Oh, Purim is for the kids.”

Purim as an Act of Defiance

Here’s the thing: Purim is, quite literally, a holiday about turning things upside down.  It’s about disrupting the normal, flipping expectations, and making joy where there wasn’t any.  And if that’s not the exact prescription we need right now, I don’t know what is.

Let’s be honest—the world feels pretty heavy these days.  There’s plenty of darkness, and plenty of reasons to feel overwhelmed.  Which is why Purim isn’t just about fun; it’s about resilience.

When we dress up, when we laugh loudly, when we lean fully into the absurdity of Purim, we are choosing joy as an act of renewal.  We are reminding ourselves, and the world, that no matter what happens, we are still here, and we are still celebrating.

It’s not just play—it’s resistance.  And, frankly, it’s a lot more fun than doomscrolling.

A Parting Personal Challenge to Parents

So here’s my ask—no, my challenge—to you, dear OJCS parents:  This year, don’t just be a Purim facilitator. Be a Purim participant.

  1. Dress up.  Not just a token hat or a pair of oversized sunglasses.  Go full costume.  Channel your inner eight-year-old and go all in.
  2. Make noise.  Be louder than your kids during the Megillah reading.  (Yes, you might embarrass them. That’s the point.)
  3. Show up.  To school, to shul, to all of it—not as an observer, but as someone actively playing along.
  4. Be ridiculous.  Lean into the silliness.  You’re not “too old” for this.  In fact, you’re exactly old enough to need it.

Let’s fill our spaces with laughter, with costumes, with unrestrained, uninhibited celebration.

And Now, a Practical Reminder: Ruach Week is Coming!

Next week is Shavuat Ha’Ruach—Ruach Week—our school’s annual lead-up to Purim.  Each day will bring a different theme, a different excuse to dress up, and a different chance to remember what it feels like to just have fun. And it all culminates next Friday with Purim itself.  (Check the Classroom Blogs for all the costume themes, mishloach manot information, etc.)

So consider this your official principal’s permission slip to be ridiculous.  To reclaim the joy of Purim.  To remember what it’s like to see the world the way your kids do.

And this year, please, for the love of all things hamantaschen, wear a costume.

Chag Purim Sameach!

Building a Sanctuary Together: Shabbat Shekalim, Rosh Chodesh Adar, and the Power of Community

There are times in the Jewish calendar when multiple strands of holiness weave together, creating a moment that is richer, more complex, and filled with opportunities for meaning.  This Shabbat is one of those moments. As we welcome Shabbat Shekalim, Rosh Chodesh Adar, and our weekly parashah, Terumah, we encounter not just one sacred occasion, but an intersection of themes that call us to reflect on giving, renewal, and the power of shared responsibility.

“Make for Me a Sanctuary, and I Shall Dwell Among Them”

One of the most well-known verses in this week’s parashah is שָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ — “They shall make for Me a sanctuary, and I shall dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).  This verse has sparked deep rabbinic reflection.  The Torah does not say, “I shall dwell in it”, referring to the Mishkan, but “I shall dwell among them”— among the people.  The Ramban (Nachmanides) teaches that this implies that the Divine Presence is not confined to a physical space, but is found within the hearts and actions of the Jewish people.  The Mishkan was a structure, but its holiness emerged from the contributions, commitment, and spirit of those who built and maintained it.

This idea is profoundly relevant to OJCS and our school community.  We are not just constructing a school, an educational institution, or even a building — we are building a sacred space of learning, connection, and Jewish identity.  Our communal engagement, from the classroom to family involvement, mirrors the same principle: when we come together in meaningful ways, God’s presence dwells among us.

Shabbat Shekalim: A Lesson in Collective Giving

If Parashat Terumah teaches us about the beauty of voluntary giving, Shabbat Shekalim reminds us that some forms of giving are communal obligations.  Our special Torah reading describes the mitzvah of the half-shekel: זֶה יִתְּנוּ כָּל־הָעֹבֵר עַל־הַפְּקֻדִים מַחֲצִית הַשֶּׁקֶל “This they shall give — everyone who passes among those who are counted — a half-shekel” (Exodus 30:13).

Unlike the freewill offerings for the Mishkan, this contribution was required of every Jew, rich or poor, to support the communal sacrifices and national institutions.  It symbolized that every individual, regardless of means, has an equal stake in the collective future of the Jewish people.

At OJCS, we see this balance every day.  Families give in many ways —through tuition, through volunteering, through philanthropy.  Some contributions are required, others are from the heart, but all are essential.  The lessons of Shekalim and Terumah teach us that a Jewish community thrives when we embrace both structured commitment and inspired generosity.

Rosh Chodesh Adar: The Joy of Renewal and Participation

With Rosh Chodesh Adar arriving, we also enter a season of joy.  מִשֶּׁנִּכְנַס אֲדָר מַרְבִּין בְּשִׂמְחָה — “When Adar arrives, our joy increases.”  This new month brings with it the anticipation of Purim, of celebration, of ruach-filled assemblies, of costumes and creative learning experiences.   At OJCS, this means Ruach Week, Purim festivities, and an outpouring of energy that engages our students, teachers, and families alike.

But joy in a Jewish community is not just about celebrating — it’s about showing up.  If the Mishkan was only holy when people gave their gifts, and the half-shekel only worked when everyone contributed, then our school, too, is strengthened when we all participate.  As we think about the different ways people contributed to the Mishkan and the Temple, we can also reflect on how we contribute to OJCS.  This can mean helping organize Ruach Week, volunteering for Purim festivities, supporting our PTA, attending school events like Trivia Night, or giving back through philanthropy.  However we choose to engage, the message of Shabbat Shekalim and Parashat Terumah is clear: When we all give in our own ways, we build something greater than ourselves.

Looking Ahead: The Power of Shared Commitment

As we enter Adar and look ahead to Ruach Week and Purim, let’s embrace the different kinds of giving, learning, and joy that shape our school community.  Let’s celebrate the voluntary gifts we bring from the heart, like the generosity that makes OJCS the special place that it is.  Let’s honour our obligations, recognizing that strong Jewish communities require shared responsibility.  And let’s cherish the fact that, together, we are building a sanctuary — not of wood and gold, but of learning, connection, and ruach.

May this season inspire us to give, to celebrate, and to continue building something beautiful — together.

Tu B’Shevat on Such a Winter’s Day

Today, the third “snow day” I have called in my eight years at OJCS, I gaze out at the snow-covered landscape, and think to myself that it’s almost whimsical to remember that today is Tu B’Shevat—the “New Year of the Trees.” While our trees are cozily hibernating under their white blankets, in Israel, the almond trees are beginning to bloom, signaling the start of a new growing season.  This juxtaposition reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and growth, even when it seems distant.

Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai once said, “If you are holding a sapling in your hand and someone tells you, ‘Come quickly, the Messiah is here!’, first finish planting the tree and then go to greet the Messiah.”  This teaching emphasizes the importance of nurturing growth and investing in the future, even amidst the promise of immediate fulfillment.

Similarly, Canadian farmer Nelson Henderson wisely noted, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”  This sentiment captures the essence of selfless investment in the future, a principle that resonates deeply with our mission in education.

At OJCS, we view the admissions process as akin to planting an orchard.  Each prospective student is a unique seed, brimming with potential.  Our role is to provide the fertile soil, ample sunlight, and careful tending needed for these young saplings to grow into strong, vibrant members of the Jewish community.

Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to cultivate “Jewish joy” within our students.  By nurturing these seeds in a protected environment—our very own Jewish orchard—we ensure they have the freedom and support to grow as they please, embracing their heritage with pride and happiness.

As we celebrate Tu B’Shevat on this wintry day, let’s remember that beneath the snow, the roots of our future are hard at work.  Through our dedication to education and community, we’re planting the seeds of tomorrow’s Jewish leaders, thinkers, and dreamers.

So, here’s to the trees, the students, and the joyful journey of growth we embark upon together.  Happy Tu B’Shevat!

Admissions are open!  Please be in touch with our Admissions Director Jenn Greenberg (j.greenberg@theojcs.ca) to schedule a private tour or to get more information about all things OJCS!

Celebrating Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM)

February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM) and OJCS is again excited to celebrate and engage its students in meaningful activities and conversations.

“Inclusion” is not simply an issue to discuss once a year, of course, and as part of our formal discussions of how we would celebrate JDAIM this year, we are pleased that this year’s JDAIM Committee prepared a wealth of ideas and resources to help us continue to take our school’s JDAIM to a new level.

We acknowledge that we are always trying to do better when it comes to issues like “inclusion” but never get all the way there.  Because of our school’s personalized learning approach we’d like to say that, sure, “everyone has special needs” but then we focus only on who we presently serve and not who we are-not-yet-able-to and, thus, don’t spend time exploring why.  We’d like to say that “every month is about inclusion” but without JDAIM we would miss a critical opportunity each year to reflect, to learn, to grow and to change.  We want to acknowledge the daily, weekly, and yearly work that we do to incrementally become better able to meet the needs of current students and to increase the circle of inclusivity.  But we also want to use JDAIM each year as a measuring stick and an inspiration – to have our thinking challenged, our minds opened and our hearts stirred.  We are blessed to be part of an interconnected Jewish community with partners to lovingly push and support us on our journey.

Here are just a few examples of how we are gearing up to make JDAIM a special month at OJCS…

…this year, the theme for JDAIM 2025 is “Bringing ‘Invisible Disabilities’ into View”.  We are challenged to look beyond the surface, to move past assumptions, and to deepen our understanding of those around us.  As Pirkei Avot teaches, “Do not look at the container, but at what is inside it” (4:27). We are encouraging our students to approach their peers with kindness and curiosity, recognizing that what is unseen can be just as important as what is visible.

…as we shared with the teachers, “We are tying this theme in connection with one of our 7 Habits – Seek to Understand.   We are encouraging being kind and curious of those around us and not judging a book by ‘stereotypical covers’.  We are examining  how we support all of our students with IEPs, ESL and students with different learning styles and abilities, including students with anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.  We are acknowledging that it is important to speak the same language, and provide the support our students need so everyone feels welcome and included.”

…the JDAIM Committee rolled out a set of “choice boards” for both Lower & Middle Schools, that includes a wealth of “challenges” for students and classes that focus on empathy, kindness, curiosity, and the power of words.

…Brigitte Ruel, our Librarian, has a post on “JDAIM Storytime”.

…Dina Medicoff, our Art Teacher, has a variety of JDAIM-themed art projects.

Classroom blogs and student blogfolios will be a great place to find examples of how OJCS lives JDAIM this year.

It bears mentioning that our ability to meet existing needs is supported thanks to generous supplemental grants from Federation that provide flexible furniture, assistive technology, and diagnostic software to benefit learners of all kind.

This Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month, let us be reminded that “Beloved is humanity, for they were created in the image of God” (Pirkei Avot 3:14).  To truly embrace this belief means committing to a lens of inclusivity—not just when it is easy or convenient, but as a fundamental obligation.  The work of becoming more inclusive has no beginning and no ending.  It is both a process and a journey, one that OJCS has proudly been on for a while and one that we intend to keep walking with our community into the future.

Ken y’hi ratzon.

Lighting the Lamp of Jewish Joy

Last week, I wrote about the vital role Jewish day schools play as safe havens of ruach during challenging times. This week, our school had the chance to embody that role through our Annual Chanukah Family Happening.  In this second, post-October 7th public celebration of the miracle of Jewish survival, we had the opportunity to gather as a full OJCS community to light, to sing and to bask in the glow ruach.

Our theme for the program was “The Power of One Light to Transform the World,” which as our students explained:

We chose this theme as we believe in the power within each of us that can change the world, even in these difficult times. Just as the small jug of oil lasted eight days, each individual’s efforts, kindness, or good deeds can make a big difference. 

This idea reflects the timeless wisdom of the menorah.  As the Talmud teaches in Masechet Shabbat (21b),the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles embodies the principle of ma’alin bakodesh ve’ein moridin—increasing holiness by adding light each night.  And just as we add one light each night, we are charged to add light to the world—through acts of kindness, compassion, and connection.  We hope that this week’s program inspires us to see how even the smallest flame has the power to pierce the greatest darkness.  Together, we become a beacon of light for one another, for our families, and for the world around us.

Of course, watching our amazing children sing and dance and recite poetry and tell stories and emcee is the main event – and they all performed beautifully.  For me, however, for the second year in a row the emotional highlight / gut-punch came in the communal (ceremonial) candle-lighting when we ask all those in the room who have fought in the IDF to light a candle.  Even knowing how many parents and teachers grew up in Israel and, thus, required a stint in the army, doesn’t prepare you for the emotional wallop  of when so many people stand up and come forward.  There’s a moment of stunned silence followed by a roar of applause fueled by gratitude and it is simply breathtaking.  How fortunate are we that so many have sacrificed so much to ensure Israel’s survival.  How lucky are we to live in a world where the miracle of Chanukah mingles with the miracle of Israel.  How grateful are we that we have an opportunity to create and share meaningful Jewish experiences for Jewish children and families.

When Chanukah finally arrives (so late this year!), let’s not forget our Jewish values of tzedakah (charity) and kehillah (community).   Along with your normal gift-giving, consider donating a night or two of your family’s celebration to Israel whose light of courage amplifies and enhances this Holiday of Lights.   As we light our candles this year, may we remember the power of small acts to transform the world, the courage of those who safeguard our heritage, and the responsibility we share to amplify this light through generosity and community.

Chag urim sameach from my family to yours.

REVISED TIME:

A Safe Haven for Jewish Joy

Our school has six North Stars—enduring values that guide us on our journey from where we are to becoming the best version of ourselves. While some of these values may overlap with those of other schools—Jewish or secular, independent or public—it’s the unique combination of these six that defines us. When we meet new families, we take care to describe our North Stars, sharing stories of how these values come alive in our classrooms, highlighting alumni who embody them in their successes, and helping families discern whether the Ottawa Jewish Community School is the right place to entrust their children’s education and Jewish journey. Different North Stars naturally resonate with different families in different seasons. But this season, one North Star feels especially profound.

We define the Hebrew word ruach as joyfulness or spirit, but neither translation fully captures its depth. At OJCS, ruach conveys something more—a sense of belonging and authenticity best exemplified by the atmosphere of a Jewish summer camp, where you can be your truest self. It’s in the warmth of our walls, the joy in our students’ smiles, and the energy in their singing. Ruach has always been central to who we are.

But in the aftermath of October 7th and the rise in anti-Semitism across schools and communities, ruach feels bigger than a guiding principle. It feels like a lifeboat. Because OJCS isn’t just a place where Jewish children can explore their identities—it has become one of the few places where they can do so freely and safely.

I know what you might be thinking. Truly, I do.

Post-October 7th, we’ve been cautious in emphasizing the value of Jewish day school. We understand that Jewish day school isn’t every family’s preferred choice. (I, myself, am a proud product of public school.) We know it may not be the best fit for every learner and that tuition, even with OJCS priced below other independent schools in our market and offering nearly $1 million in scholarships annually, is still a significant consideration. We respect all these factors.

At the same time, we must speak to the reality: it is critical—now, more than ever—that Jewish children have a place where they can express their full selves without fear or sanction. Celebrating Chanukah at OJCS isn’t a “trigger for genocide”; it’s a celebration of the miracle of Jewish existence. And that miracle could not feel more relevant or powerful in this time and place.

You don’t have to choose Jewish day school for your family. But let this Jewish day school be clear: we are here. We are open. We are safe. We are a place where Jewish children can live proud, joyful Jewish lives. And we are also preparing students for life beyond our walls. Our graduates excel as advocates for themselves, and their communities in high schools, and on university campuses. (It is no coincidence that Noah Shack, the new Interim President of CIJA, is an OJCS alumnus.)

If you’re curious about what makes us who we are, we’d love to show you. This year, we’re opening our annual “Taste of Middle School” to all students and families in Grades 5-7. Come visit us, see the spirit of ruach in action, and discover what OJCS is all about.

More Than a Moment of Silence: Why Remembrance Day Matters More Now

I learned something new this year.  It came from the podcast below that I hope you will listen to.  Despite being just 1% of the population, Jews make up 3% of Canadian Armed Forces.  As proud Canadians we would, of course, care deeply about Remembrance Day, but as Jewish Canadians we have an extra measure of pride and care knowing that we are overrepresented amongst those brave and selfless folk who place country first.
Remembrance Day is always planned and commemorated with great seriousness and reverence at OJCS.  This year, considering all the things…
…October 7th and all that is happening in Israel.
…turbulence in the States regardless of your personal political views.
…the hijacking of Remembrance Day in our local public schools and spaces…
…perhaps even more so.
There are three aspects of our commemoration that I would like to highlight in this post…
On November 6th, the students in Grade 7 visited the Jewish Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  The students met with representatives from the cemetery to learn about their important work within our community.  They also read narratives of local Ottawa Jewish veterans who served our country in various ways.  Students were then broken into groups and were provided with 15-20 gravesites to mark with Canadian flags.  The students had the opportunity to pay their respects to these veterans who risked their lives for our freedoms.  This was one of the many Remembrance Day activities our students engaged in throughout the week and is an annual Rabbi Bulka Kindness Project.
Speaking of whom…
For anyone who grew up in Ottawa, the National Remembrance Day Ceremony will always be closely linked to the venerable Rabbi Bulka.
His speeches, delivered in that same blue suit no matter the weather and the fact that everyone else dressed in warm coats, were a source of wisdom and instilled me with so much pride.
On this Remembrance Day, the Canadian Jewish News (The CJN)’s Ellin Bessner offered a glimpse into the Rabbi’s legacy with a timely conversation with me,  Congregation Machzikei Hadas Rabbi Idan Scher and Canadian Armed Forces Rabbi Noteh Glogauer.  Topics ranged from the launch of the Rabbi Bulka Kindness Project for OJCS Middle School students to a reflection on how Rabbi Bulka would’ve responded to the horrors of October 7th.
You can listen to the podcast here:

For Remembrance Day itself, we were blessed to host David Kirk who served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 14 years and is currently a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.  He shared powerful words with our students closed his remarks by saying, “All peoples should be able to live together in peace.  This is why we have a Canadian Armed Force; to defend our peace, freedom and others as need be.  Students – please care and remember those who gave so much for our way of life, you are the future.”   Students shared thoughts, prayers and songs in English, Hebrew & French and – as we do each year – laid wreaths to honour those who gave their lives serving and protecting our country.

For OJCS, marking this day was, and is, a powerful opportunity to reflect on the values that underpin our community: resilience, remembrance, and a commitment to peace.  In a world that feels increasingly fractured, we come together to not only honor the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom but also to reaffirm our role as a Jewish school in nurturing compassionate, justice-minded citizens.  More than ever, our students need to understand both the historical costs of war and the enduring need for solidarity, empathy, and resolve.  This Remembrance Day was a moment to remind ourselves and our students of the vital importance of standing together—against hatred, for peace, and with a renewed sense of purpose in building a better world.

Goal-Setting Conferences 2.0

The weather may have just finally turned, although still unseasonably warm for Ottawa, and we had a noon dismissal followed by a pupil-free day.  That could only mean one thing here at the Ottawa Jewish Community School, it was time for Goal-Setting Conferences 2.0!

We have spent the last day-and-a-half welcoming parents and students to the second iteration of our Goal-Setting Conferences.  What are “Goal-Setting Conferences” you ask?

North Star alert!  At OJCS, our students own their own learning, which means learning to goal-set is of paramount importance to their growth and development – now and throughout their lives.  Our conferencing opportunity to sit together with you and your child to discuss personalised goals is swiftly approaching on Thursday, November 7th & Friday, November 8th, and so we are sending along some much needed information to support you and your child through this growth process.

[We launched this last year as a pilot and you can revisit this post if you want all the possible background and context.]

What’s new this year?

We iterated a new process for this year that comes in response to student, parent and teacher feedback.  We believe strongly that it helped everyone more easily connect the dots with regard to what was prioritised for each child, with their voice and their parents a part of the conversation.   One major change that took place prior to the conferences themselves, was that with the transition back to semesters and with Goal-Setting Conferences sitting on the calendar where first trimester Parent-Teacher Conferences used to live, we decided to add first and third quarter Progress Reports so that parents could be in the know on all matters academic and otherwise.  First quarter reports went out earlier this week and teachers facilitated any related conversations so that the deck was cleared to focus on goal-setting.

Here’s how we prepped:

  • A grade-level appropriate lesson was taught to help children understand the benefits of setting personal goals (whether academic, social skills-related, social-emotional and/or spiritual).
  • Our teachers met individually with each student to help them think about what goals would be most beneficial for them at this time.
  • We encouraged parents to discuss their own goals for their child(ren) with them, or to bring those ideas with them to Goal-Setting Conferences to add with the teacher.
  • Parents booked Goal-Setting Conferences to meet with the classroom teachers to have meaningful discussions about the goals selected and to make a plan to help invite success.

For those who are curious, here is how we templated the different kinds of goals students, teacher and parents could be reaching towards:

And for our older students, we focused on helping them create SMART Goals:

We worked really hard this year to upgrade the preparation and the experience, and the view from the lobby as families have come in and out these last two days seems to validate that the hard work paid off.  From here, we have a responsibility to be explicit about how and where these goals will live throughout this school year – including meaningful updates on future progress reports, report cards, and parent-teacher conferences.  Additionally, as is true with all pilots and prototypes, we will seek feedback now that this round of conferences is complete so we can further refine things.

Here’s to helping our students get…