April 5, 2024 / Adar II 26, 5784

Shabbat Begins 7:33 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 8:42 p.m.

PREPARING FOR PESACH

On Thursday, ahead of the Pesach holiday, our Grade 8 students visited the Chabad-Lubavitch Center in Vancouver for an educational workshop on the art of making matzah. The students were guided through the entire process, from start to finish, by Rabbi Dovid Rosenfeld and the staff at Chabad's Model Bakery.

They began by extracting the grain from the sheaths of wheat and carefully cleaning the grains to prepare them for the next step. Using a mill, the students then ground the clean grains into a fine flour. After mixing the flour with water, the students rolled out the dough into thin, even matzah sheets using rolling pins to ensure the dough was properly flattened and shaped.

The final step was baking the matzah. The students placed the rolled-out dough into a traditional pizza oven, where it was quickly baked to perfection. The result was a batch of delicious, homemade matzah that the students were thrilled to enjoy. The hands-on workshop provided the Grade 8 students with a unique and memorable experience, allowing them to fully appreciate the traditional process of matzah making. The students expressed their gratitude to Rabbi Dovid Rosenfeld and the Chabad Vancouver team for hosting this educational and engaging Passover-themed event.

UNLOCKING THE SEDER EXPERIENCE

On Friday, we ran a Passover Escape Room where students had to unlock 15 codes that represented the 15 stages of the Passover seder. The seder is an opportunity for us to experientially feel the pain, turmoil and pressure of time, whilst simultaneously feeling the relief that resulted in our ultimate redemption. Through using the model of an escape room students attempted to tap into these emotions while simultaneously learning about what our ancestors experienced in Egypt thousands of years ago.

LUNCHTIME MITZVAH!

Amidst their busy school day schedule, students still find time during lunch to lend a hand at the JFS Food Bank. Our students prove that there is always room for kindness and generosity.

LIFE AFTER PRISON

On Tuesday, the Law 12 class visited Westcoast Genesis Society, which is a non-profit organization that supports adult males on parole. Its mission is to support socially marginalized men to heal, grow, learn, build self-esteem, develop resilience and adopt values that will enable them to thrive in the wider community. This organization provides housing, meals, support and rehabilitation for the residents. The organization manages two facilities; Genesis House and Maria Keary Cottage. Maria Keary Cottage includes 35 beds, 15 beds are for offenders on conditional release and 20 beds are for individuals who are unhoused or at risk of housing insecurity. We had the opportunity to hear from a resident, Shane, who shared his story and his experience living in the halfway house. Shane is now on full parole and he values the support from the staff while being reintegrated back into society after his time in prison. He explained how his outlook on life has significantly changed and how he now has a deep gratitude for the little things. We now have a greater understanding of the challenges of life after prison, parole and reestablishing residents back into the community. We also feel we have a new perspective on incarcerated individuals and realize how they can greatly improve their lives with the right support.

~ Kennedy Holmes and Carsyn Leipsic

GOLFING ADVENTURE

Grade 8 PHE students set out for the Musqueam Golf Course, where they learned about golf etiquette and control on the mini-putting course.

This week, we shine a light on Jack Schwartz, a talented Grade 8 student whose kindness and friendly demeanour have left an indelible mark on our school community.

Known for his warm heart and welcoming smile, Jack has made it his mission to spread kindness wherever he goes. His genuine care for others and willingness to lend a helping hand have made him a beloved figure among his peers and teachers alike.

Beyond his acts of kindness, Jack has a unique talent that brings joy to those around him – he is an aspiring magician! Jack's passion for magic shines through in his performances at local events, captivating audiences with his sleight of hand and captivating tricks.

In addition to his magical talents, Jack's kindness extends into the classroom, where he connects effortlessly with his peers and teachers. His ability to foster positive relationships and create a sense of belonging for everyone around him is truly admirable. Congratulations, Jack, on being a shining example of kindness and positivity!