"Our mission statement allows us to narrow in on issues surrounding youth, like bullying and freedom of speech. When deciding on a place to volunteer, the Boys and Girls Club seemed to be a perfect fit with our mission statement."

Suzy Flader, one of the Leadership Club's founding members

In September 2009, a number of King David students attended a Me to We event which focuses on Youth Helping Youth. Given the inspirational message and the support and mission of King David, these students came back to form the Leadership Club. The Club meets weekly discussing issues taking place in our school, community, and all around the world. Last year, they established a mission statement: youth helping other youth.

In January of this year Naomi Landsberg, Mara Berris, Maya Rosenkrantz, and Suzy Flader started volunteering weekly at the Kimount Boys and Girls Club. Our King David students took part in a wide range of activities from arts and craft, girl's gym and playing in the pool.

In one of her assignments Suzy worked in the multicultural club where they focused on two countries: Japan and Poland. "We coloured maps, cooked famous dishes, and learned interesting facts about both countries. The kids at the club are amazing. They are all beaming with energy and smiles are always present. The four of us enjoyed our time spent at Boys and Girls Club immensely. We will always cherish the new friendships made, and we hope to go back next year!"

Drumming Circle at the Leadership Workshop

"I want to make sure that I am able to instill some confidence in my mentee so that she feels more comfortable in the world as she grows up."

Maya Rosenkrantz - Grade 11

Kol Yisrael Chaverim is a program designed for Grade 11 students who are interested in serving as positive role models for Jewish children of elementary school age.  The mentors underwent an intensive leadership workshop including social responsibility, goal setting, communication and role modeling. Maya Rosenkrantz reflected, "The leadership workshop made me feel more open around my peers, and about starting new relationships.  It was interesting to learn how confidence plays a big role in the lives of kids."

We have 12 matches well underway where the mentors meet with the children a couple times a month to do some social/recreational activities while building relationships to create a healthy sense of self-esteem. Maya, who sees her mentee once a week remembered, "Last week she called me on Skype for homework help. To see how much it brightens her day that I can give her the attention she needs is amazing, whether its homework help, or sharing pictures of each other as children, or making bracelets...anything we do, she is so happy."  

With support from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Vancouver, KDHS has been able to implement this wonderful program. The mentors and children are matched based on availability and interests. The teens were so excited to start working with the children!  When they came to get their match their first enthusiastic question was "Do I have a boy or a girl?"

Drama Kings (and Queens) at King David

"The most rewarding thing was seeing how much my actors have grown." 

Hillary Kaplan, Grade 12, Director of Mind Games

March 16 was the first ever evening of student-directed one act plays.  The student directors, Claire Riback, Taya Polo and Hillary Kaplan were incredibly proud as they watched their creations on stage.  The actors were phenomenal as they embraced characters from The Open Window, Twitch and Mind Games showcasing both their comedic and dramatic talents. The evening of arts would not have been complete without our latest up and coming band, J.E.M.B who rocked the house in between acts. A successful evening for everyone involved!

"Being in Grade 12, it's easy to get caught up in our own worlds and only focus on ourselves. However, "Books for Kids" gave us the opportunity to redirect our attention from the stress of our own lives to the growth of others."

Rebecca Azeroual, Lily Bernstein, Olivia Fish, Claudia Isserow and Brittni Jacobson Grade 12

KDHS Grade 12 students, Rebecca Azeroual, Lily Bernstein, Olivia Fish, Claudia Isserow and Brittni Jacobson, took time away from the stresses of senior year to plan, organize and implement the "Books for Kids" program. With the assistance of KDHS parent, Rhea Lazar, who served as our liaison with the National Council of Jewish Women, these KDHS seniors were responsible for distributing 575 new books to the students in Eastside Elementary schools, furthering their literacy programs and promoting our shared value of books.

The students also arranged for Robert Heidbreder, a renowned author of children's books, to visit these schools and bring his stories alive.   On this day, our students saw the fruits of their efforts as Robert Heidbreder engaged these young children with dramatic readings of his books, eliciting smiles, laughter and joy from all those sitting around him. "We feel so lucky that we were able to give children the opportunity to speak with an author as engaging and passionate as Bob, who signed a new book for each child. The children responded to Bob's stories and books with laughter and excitement as they listened at the edge of their seats. Their smiles made our hard work well worth it. This was a truly unique experience that made us realize how rewarding it is to give back to the community. "

Students working on the Mishloach Manot "assembly line"

What can 75 Grade 6 students, accompanied by 25 high school students and over 20 parent and teacher volunteers accomplish together in 120 minutes? 

On Monday morning the KDHS atrium was buzzing with under-aged factory line workers from VHA, VTT, RJDS and KDHS. Thanks to their industriousness and zeal, we completed not only the task of packing an unprecedented 1400 Mishloah Manot, but doing so with unprecedented speed. As a result, we were able to accomplish in one day, a job that usually takes weeks.

Thank you Aimee Promislow and Hodie Kahn for orchestrating the organized chaos and letting us all take part in this mitzvah. 

On March 9th, over 40 community members and parents, gathered at King David for Back to School Night.

Our Judaics faculty showed their skills and passion in four intriguing classes featuring biblical, Talmudic and modern Jewish text. While class was dismissed at 9pm, many of the students stayed around to schmooze. Given the success of this evening, stay tuned for other learning opportunities. 

Danny Siegel, also known as the Mitzvah Man, is the founder of the Ziv Foundation, who has raised more than $13 million to fund Tikkun Olam efforts around the world.

Danny spoke with our Grade 9 and 10 students about Mitzvah Heroes and elicited examples of contributions our students have already made in their young lives and how each of us can effect change and bring healing by even the smallest action. In his dialogue with our students, Danny was presented with new ideas and planted seeds among our students as to how they may further become, on a personal level, agents of tsedakah and hesed. Danny was an exemplar for our students of Being Torah, personally living our texts and tradition. We thank Ms. Anne Andrew for helping facilitate Danny's visit with our students.