"They made us an old fashioned campfire and we made and cooked pita bread on an open fire.  For those of you who have not tried making pita, your kids can teach you - you just build the fire pit and of course, buy the chocolate spread that seems to make Israel tick!" Russ Klein, Head of School AKA Blogger

A Warm Welcome Happy Birthday Max!

Day 1 - "After 24 hours of travel the group arrived in in Israel in good spirits and to a warm welcome by Grade 9 Har Vegai students. The Grade 9 Israeli students who visited KDHS at Channukah also organized a birthday celebration for Max Chark with balloons. Maxim Barnett beautifully led the prayer which was followed by Pizza and Challah bread covered with Chocolate Nutella."  

Day 2 - "Today was another full day - imagine yourself on a bus full of 47 excited students for almost 8 hours?  OK, we did get off the bus - lots in fact - and managed to squeeze in 4 activities before dropping the kids off."

Beit Vancouver - Vanouver House

Har Vegai and King David Students at Tel-Hai

"The Purim Multimedia Experience was an easy and entertaining way to approach the Purim story and make it relevant and meaningful for today."  Janine Nifco - Grade 9

Thing 1 and Thing 2 - Male Version

Thing 1 and Thing 2 - Female Version

KDHS's first Purim Multimedia Experience organized by our Grade 11 students helped reinforce the Purim story and Purim rituals for students through traditional reading of the Megillah in Hebrew accompanied with a hip-hop translation on a PowerPoint presentation and various student-made videos. It emphasized the ironic and humorous twists that led to Jewish survival and the crazy spirit of the holiday. Bayle James called it an "interactive review of the heroes of the Megilla and Purim laws and customs." The Grade 11 students used the midrashim and commentaries to make their own original animations of the Purim story. Many of the characters were reinterpreted and represented by iconic figures that are part of our mainstream culture. The slimy, morally ambivalent King Achashuvarous was portrayed by Jabba the Hut. Our hero Mordechai was portrayed by the always honourable head of Hogwarts Professor Dumbledore and the Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was appropriately cast in role of the ruthless, genocidal villain Haman. The Megillah reading was followed by a play written and performed by the Grade 12 class, a colourful costume contest and delicious hamentashen cookies baked by the Home Economics class. 

"The conference gave good insight into the processes of international law and how the international community can get together to solve global problems." - Justin Fishman, Grade 11 Recipient of the best delegate award in the Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee

Ben Feldman z"l

Ben Feldman, KDHS class of 2007: "Apart from all his wonderful work in the arts and in academics, Ben brought a genuine kind-heartedness to his interactions with students and faculty. We are all blessed for having known such a unique neshama."

Wendy Oberlander - Art Teacher

With profound sadness, we learned of the tragic passing of Ben Feldman, following a severe illness. Ben was in his fourth year at McGill University.  He was a gifted talent, in his multifold artistic abilities, in creating music, in filmmaking, in photography, and in theatre.  His openness to ideas, his artistic focus and his unique cultural insights, were his gift to those around him.

"Never having acted before was no deterrent to taking on the lead in 'Alice in Wonderland'; the opportunity to create a one-day installation in the seminar room was the kind of challenge Ben loved. His experiments with light and candies, paint and paper, often left us in stitches; at the same time, our own minds were opened to rich fields of creative expression and critical thinking." Wendy Oberlander, Ben's Art teacher.

While his life was shortened in years, his experience was rich and fulfilled by his full exploration of life. He profoundly touched the lives of those around him, and enriched them with his deep and caring insights. May the whole family find comfort among the mourners of Zion. May Ben's memory be blessed - zichrono le' bracha.

Donations can be made to a Mental Health and Brain Research Fund in Ben's name through the UBC Brain Research Centre.Benjamin Y. Feldman, at the UBC/VGH Brain Research Centre

c/o Mr. Chris Crossfield, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC  V6T 2B5 

email: Chris.Crossfield@vch.ca  or call 604 822-7246

http://www.brain.ubc.ca/donation.htm

"Alpha NETA introduced us to the wonderful language of Hebrew. It provided the foundation for the language and strengthened our skills. We loved reading NETA's diaries." Sam Khalifa - Grade 9

As a Jewish community high school we know that mastering the Hebrew language is a critical part of the formation of Jewish identity. We expect our graduates to go out into world comfortable and confident in communicating in Hebrew. Four years ago, King David joined over 90 schools around the world in implementing NETA, a Hebrew language program for grades 7-12.

The ALPHA NETA introduces 20 Israeli children of varying ages, religions and interests who provide the reader an initial impression of the Hebrew language and the Israeli culture. The texts in the books are from diverse sources such as: music, poetry, Tanach and Midrash, scientific articles and more.

The texts and activities in NETA, even for beginners engage the student in new ideas, dilemmas, and intellectual challenge. Shoshana Burton, King David Hebrew Language teacher, states that "NETA is a live, interactive and engaging lesson. I love seeing the students communicate their opinions and feeling with ease."

After KDHS' first ever intramural basketball season, the Miami Heat, including Guy Hayun, Ben Zlotnik, Ben Katz and Solly Lazar, were crowned league champions after defeating the Toronto Raptors in the best of 3 championship series.  Guy Hayun led the team in scoring and assists, but would have not been successful without a great group of boys beside him. League all stars included Max James, Guy Hayun, Ran Shpanya, Josh Jackson, Max Chark and Mr. Amram. 

The floor hockey season has begun, with 4 total KDHS teams - 2 at the Junior level and 2 a the Senior level. The Junior Boys' White team opened up their season with a 4-2 victory over the PTI Panthers. Ben Zlotnik opened up the scoring and Sam Khalifa added a hat trick in the victory. Sam Khalifa was named the game's most valuable player. The Junior Boys' Blue team opened up their season with a 6-1 loss to the PTI Panthers.  Morris Berger Poll scored the lone KDHS goal on an assist from Adam Carmeli. Ira Adilman was named KDHS' most valuable player in the game, playing a very solid game of defence.