Thanks to VTT parent Lucas van den Berg, Preschool 4 students visited his aunt in The Netherlands, via Skype. The children were most impressed with her hanukkiyah, especially since she isn't even Jewish! The visit is part of their world studies curriculum.

Our Grade 4 "Shorashim" class has been studying Jewish Identity and the development of the Jewish community here in Vancouver. VTT grandparent, Shirley Barnett, told us stories about her family roots from Russia and their immigration to Canada. We heard that her father Ben left home with a feather pillow, clean underwear, a loaf of bread, some jam and $7.00! Shirley showed us family photos and discussed the restoration work of the Jewish  gravestones at  the Mountainview Cemetery. We heard about many of the early Jewish settlers including the first mayor of Vancouver, Oppenheimer, who happened to be Jewish!

Morah Orly and Ms Leisen's Grade Six Tikkun Olam classes are wrapping up their Identity unit by making time capsules. Inside they wrote who was important to them, their hopes and fears, a letter to themselves, current events and news articles and, in Cooper Shugarman's case, sending "Horsey" into the future. They included trends, fads and predictions. They even gave themselves advice..."I hope you didn't get a tattoo."

The Grade is hoping to reconvene in Grade 11 or 12 and have a capsule-opening party together. Any parent wishing to host? Mark your calendars now!

Grade 7s enjoyed a fruitful field trip to the Beatty Biodiversity Museum thanks to efforts of parent Sigal Balshine. Todah Rabah!

Our Grade 7 basketball team had a great season and won their final game on Wednesday. Kol Ha'Kavod! Thanks to our two coaches: Mr. Lotzkar and Mr. Noel and all our parent drivers.