September 16, 2011                                                                                         17 Elul 5771

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In This Issue
The Best of the Retreat
Parents' Coffee
Meet The Teachers
It Takes A Village
KDHS - Federation Partnership
A Day In The Life...
Alumni Report...
KDHS Sukkot Celebrations.
Federation Campaign...

 

 


PAC Corner


Best of Hebrew University
September 18, 2011 at KDHS

Honey Sales  
Honey available at the school office and at meet the teacher night
Also September 22 at the JCC at the Market Place

Next PAC meeting 
Thursday October 6 at 7:00 KDHS Library

Casino Night 
December 8, 2011


Volunteer at The Door is Open Shelter!
Parents needed to volunteer along side students and staff
 

 

 

 

 


Upcoming Events:

 

Meet the Teachers Sept. 20  

6:15 - 9pm

 

Collaborative Day  Sept. 21  

10am start

 

School Photos

Sept. 26 

 

Erev  

Rosh Hashanah    

Sept. 28 

Noon dismissal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retreat Highlights

"Starting off the school year with the retreat was a fantastic way to jump start Grade 12!  We managed to become an even tighter group while bonding with students from all grades.  A huge thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!"   

        Maya and Hillel - Grade 12  

 

Tori, Emma, Saul and Samantha (Grade 12)

A fantastic time was had by all who attended this year's retreat at Camp Squeah. Other adults from outside of KDHS commented on the warmth and the relationships they observed between teachers, teachers and students, and between students. On day one, kids were shooting bows and arrows, dangling 30 feet above the ground in harnesses, paddling on the water, hiking up steep 210 step climbs, balancing on beams and walking on air (OK, one of the previous items might not be true...).

 

On day two, Mr. Monchamp saved our Grade 9 students who intentionally capsized their canoes only to discover that the water is quite cold in the lake.... what were these kids thinking? And any day that starts with Fruit Loops for breakfast has got to be good (yes, there were other healthy food choices, but really....).

 

There was a spectacular forest amphitheater setting for the wonderful music of Josh Niehaus with our own music teacher, Johnny Seguin, our English teacher, Steve Hahn and student Eli Landa - the great music, loud singing and stunning setting made it a phenomenal evening. And then we could talk about the hot smores that were brought up and enjoyed by all but that would just be rubbing it in - it was wonderful!

 

Many students mastered the high ropes and did manage to walk on air as they were lowered to the ground. Some of us enjoyed the late afternoon sun with a dip in the pool while others relaxed with their group activities. The final night included wonderful music as Pepe performed for us: he was outstanding.

   

                                TO SEE THE PHOTOS CLICK HERE  

 

Thank you to all involved in making this year's retreat as wonderful as it was!

                                                                      Russ Klein 

Shelley and Mikaela (Grade 9)
Alex (Grade 9)
Our doors are always open!  

Russ and ParentsParent Group

 

On Thursday morning, the parents of King David came together to kick off the school year with some coffee, goodies and excellent conversation.  It was lovely to welcome everyone to the school and see everyone enjoying themselves. We look forward to a wonderful year together and know that our door is always open for your feedback and comments. 

Meet the Teachers Night

Tuesday, September 20th, 6:15 - 9:00pm.  

 

There will be an informal 'Meet and Greet' at 6:15pm with our Head of School, Russ Klein, Deputy Head of School, Alex Monchamp, Admissions Director, Debbie Appelbaum and Development Director, Sharon Dwek.

The evening will get underway at 6:30pm with an assembly and information session in the school Atrium after which you will follow your child's Monday and Tuesday timetable for each class.

 

You have been sent an email with a schedule of the evening's events along with a blank timetable. Have your child fill in the timetable with his or her Monday and Tuesday scheduled classes, including room numbers, and bring it as a guide to find your child's classes.

 

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday September 20th!  

It Takes a Village 
John Cerny, father of three KDHS graduates, thanks the community for their support in this evocative letter to the school:
 

I enrolled all my three daughters at KDHS.  I raised them up as a single  

Judy

Judy Cerny at Graduation 2011

parent for 12 years.  Without support of the Jewish community and my mother, who came several times from Prague, I wouldn't be able to make it.  Many times people around, including Jewish friends, asked me why I didn't just put them in the nearest Public school?  They said it will save money and difficulty with transportation.  But I was determined at any price to bring them up Jewish, in the Jewish day school.  Why?  Because I believe good Jewish education is the foundation, not only for a child, but  for entire community.  It will be them who one day take over and lead the community and the country. A school shouldn't be just "babysitting" or just stuffing students with information and knowledge. It should cultivate their heart, foster their sense for right and wrong.  For social justice. For Tzedaka and Mitzvot.  To teach them to think critically and to be brave to take stand for fairness and truth.  Thanks to the KDHS teachers and staff that you care.  That you take extra time, extra effort, extra passion to teach our teenagers that the life on this planet has higher, more noble purpose than just to have fun, to have good feelings, to satisfy ourselves. That to be active part of bigger picture, as we say Tikkun Olam brings lasting satisfaction and happiness.   

 

Many blessings and Shana Tovah, 

John Cerny  

KDHS and Jewish Community Federation - a true partnership

At the start of the new Jewish year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver begins its annual campaign. KDHS is fortunate to be one of the beneficiaries of their fundraising efforts.  

 

Each year the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver generously allocates a portion of its budget to Jewish education in Vancouver. This allocation helps KDHS offer a Jewish education to all families, regardless of need. This year we are reaching out to families, alumni and friends of KDHS to ask them to please consider making a gift to the Federation. If you are a first time donor, you may designate up to 75% of your gift to KDHS. If you have donated in the past, you can allocate 75% of your increase over your last donation, to our school. Last year we received close to $10,000 in additional funds from Federation supporters who designated King David. These are excellent opportunities to support the Federation while simultaneously supporting KDHS!  

 

Thank you for your on-going support and for your support of the Federation Campaign.  

A Day in the Life of Noah Sebastien Klein

Did you know that one of our new Grade 8 students is the subject of an art exhibit at the JCC running until Sept 26?

 

Noah Klein moved from New York City 6 years ago after surviving the terrorist attacks of Sept 11. The artist, Peter Sarganis, wanted to commemorate the 9/11 events and Noah's survival through a series of portraits.   Check it out!

 

An Exhibition by Panagiotis Peter Sarganis

One can only imagine how difficult breathing must have been in the dust-filled air caused by the collapse of the Twin Towers. For Noah, a four and a half year old boy who had struggled to breathe his whole life, surviving 9/11 was nothing short of miraculous. In Dust/Breath: A Day in the Life of Noah Sebastien Klein, artist Panagiotis Peter Sarganis explores the themes of courage and perseverance. Noah has demonstrated these characteristics throughout his life. Now fourteen and a half years old, this determined young man believes that surviving 9/11 has made him braver. He continues to face his physical challenges with an undeniable joy and appreciation for life.

 

 

King David Alumni Reporting from Israel

"I feel so lucky to be here practicing my Hebrew, learning about Jewish history and modern Judaism, while also exploring my Jewish identity with an incredible group of people."

                                      Brady Winrob, KDHS Class of 2011

  

King David's 2011 graduates, Brady Winrob, Hillary Kaplan, Leor Laniado, Finn Hiltner-Lubinzki and Leyla Brucar have chosen to spend a year in Israel volunteering through the Habonim Dror youth movement. With peers from all over North America, the King David delegation was part of over 450,000 Israelis taking to the streets in the largest rally in Israel's history, bolstering a social change movement to lower the cost of living.

 

"It was unbelievable! Before we went, we learned that this protest for lower cost of living has been going on all summer, and tent protests have been put up in many major cities of Israel. The young woman who started the whole thing, Daphne Lief, spoke at the rally. She left me speechless,Ii was crying!!! We were chanting ROTZIM TZEDECK, LO ROTZIM TZEDAKA (we want justice not charity) the whole time! That was the first time I truly felt like I was an Israeli.  

 

We want to let people know how awesome it is to take a gap year and to experience something as special as this. I feel so lucky to be here practicing my Hebrew, learning about Jewish history and modern Judaism, while also exploring my Jewish identity with an incredible group of people,"
                                               Brady Winrob 

The rally attracted over 450,000 people!
 
Sukkot: Share our KDHS Community and Home 

Shana Tovah from our family to yours!   

 

Monday, October 17

 Intergenerational sharing of the spirit of Sukkot  between KDHS students and residents of Louis Brier.

 

Tuesday, October 18 (11:30am - 1:00pm)

King David Community Sukkah and Lunch.

   

Join Cornelia Oberlander, renowned landscape artist, for a tour of our biblical garden.

   

A light lunch will be served. RSVP: Sharon Dwek or 604 263 9700 x 109

 Sukkot

 

Wednesday, October 18  (10:30am - Noon)   

Simchat Torah Celebration and Parade

 

All events are free and open to everyone. 

Federation Annual Campaign Opening Night 

Ambassador Dan Gillerman: Making Sense of Today's Headlines  2011 Federation Annual Campaign Opening Night     

 

The Palestinian bid for statehood recognition at the UN, Israel's growing social protest movement, Egypt's elections, the Arab Spring - with his signature shrewd analysis and sharp wit, Israel's former ambassador to the UN is uniquely positioned to help us understand the current scene.   

 

Always direct and entertaining, Amb. Gillerman understands the media and the rules of the game.

Monday, September, 26th | 7:30 p.m.
The Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts, 777 Homer Street 
 

Questions  Submit your questions in advance when tickets are purchased. A selection of these questions will be chosen for Ambassador Gillerman to address. Already purchased your ticket? Email your question to reception@jewishvancouver.com.