Happy Canadian Friends of Boys Town Boys Town Jerusalem is a unique ‘community of youth’ where boys from every economic, social and cultural Mylwvry rivn tyrq background acquire an inspiring technical, Torah and academic education which is so vital to . March 2013 | Volume 12 | No. 1 Boys Town Jerusalem Singers – Perform for the World First Music Video Clip an Instant Hit

While Eliyahu, Yair, David and Ariel aren’t yet John, Paul, Ringo and George, the young Israeli quartet has indeed taken their first steps to become a singing sensation. The four Boys Town Jerusalem students, technology majors who have a zeal for singing Jewish music, have just made their first music video clip. After a (video) debut in , they are now “performing” for a growing worldwide audience The video clip – a lively rendition of the traditional prayer modeh ani (“I on YouTube. give thanks”) was recorded in the school’s music-studio-in-the-making, begun thanks to a “starter” contribution from Canadian friends of the Eliyahu Ben Shabbat, Yair Cohen, David Zahuri and Ariel Tzafoni school. To date, the Boys Town choir’s first music video single has been make up the Boys Town Jerusalem choir, a four-man ensemble that viewed by hundreds throughout the world. Go to YouTube and enter: meets from 5:00 PM, after the school’s long day of extended studies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSqy32pH-kg “In Boys Town’s technology environment, music is essential for students to express their feelings,” exclaims Nir Cohen, director of the school’s “Each of these students faces significant challenges, from difficult family extracurricular music studies. backgrounds to weak academic skills,” explains Rabbi Linchner, Dean of students. “However, the choir has given them the confidence and skill to For the boys in the choir, it has also become a way to reach out to others rise above difficulties.” through their frequent performances at school and community events. “I was frozen with stage fright the first time we performed,” admits 10th Cohen, ends on a high note. “Once we get funding to complete the grader David. “Now I’m completely confident.” music studio and to invest in more instruments for our extracurricular music lessons, more students will have the opportunity to compose, to The music video clip was inspired by Boys Town’s director of public sing, and to play music. This opens up hidden talent and expression that relations Yoni Strimber, who wanted the Israeli students to raise their can transform a boy’s entire life. voices – albeit electronically – at the recent Jewish Primary School Choral Festival held in London (UK). This annual event brings hundreds of students from Jewish schools in greater London together to perform in support of Boys Town Jerusalem. “The Boys Town choir’s long-distance performance was an instant hit,” Strimber reported.

to give their utmost in defendingserve the the State Jewish of State. Israel. Please see full story on page 4 For morehas than depended six decades, uponWorking soldiersthe ishand outstandingto imbuetechnological in with hand each exceptional with successand theand every IDF, ethical Boysstudentofmoral theeducation Town Israelstandardswith Jerusalem’s the necessary Defense finest motivated mandate Jewish, to Forces best Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem Eddie Wolf Kiryat Noar Yerushalayim

Founder As a new immigrant to Israel, Mr. Eddie Wolf first Rabbi Alexander S. Linchner, l”z found his way to Boys Town Jerusalem when he looked Founding Chairman Eric Exton, l”z up Rabbi Moshe Linchner, his former teacher in New Chairman York’s “Torah Vodaas” high school. The year was 1976, Earl Miller and Rabbi Linchner (today the dean of Boys Town) was President delighted to help his student get a job in Boys Town’s Jules N. Kronis, Q.C. young, bustling public relations department. For the Treasurer next 36 years, Eddie Wolf ’s name became synonymous Eldon Moses with Boys Town, both by the thousands of visitors he led Honourary Chairs on tours of the campus, and by the countless numbers of Leslie Dan students to whom he gave assistance and hope. Charles Flam (Montreal) Board Members Mark Bernick Wolf ’s recent retirement capped an impressive era of Alan Burger accomplishment. Working his way up to become head Marty Collis of the Boys Town PR department, Eddie Wolf was Murray Kane Janice Maser actively involved in nearly four decades of the school’s Brian Morris development. “The Boys Town of the 1970s was a Dr. Harriet Morris trade school, offering very practical majors in carpentry, Hilda Pisarek printing and mechanics,” he noted. “Students from Alina Turk Aaron Weinroth across Israel – most from very poor homes – flocked Marlene White here. The dormitories were still under construction Halifax when I arrived, and the study and living conditions Stephen Zatzman were terribly crowded. But from my first year onwards, I Montreal Rabbi Dr. Moise Ohana Jon Dlusy Winnipeg Lyle Smordin Calgary BTJ Undertakes Gordon Hoffman Vancouver Chaim Kornfeld Dr. W. Barrett Benny After over 50 years of hard wear and tear, Boys Town Jerusalem’s classrooms are beginning to get Executive Director Jerry Tollinsky a much-needed facelift – in vibrant hues of green. The campus-wide “green” renovation project is aimed to re-furbish rundown classrooms, using the latest in environmentally-friendly construction. Administrative Assistant Debbie Basch “Thanks to the generosity of friends of Boys Town throughout the world, we’ve launched the initial phase of the renovation campaign with the first 10 classrooms,” said BTJ administrative director Contact us: Natan Tal. “Top priority goes to making major renovations on the Junior High School building, Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem where we have gutted two floors to enlarge and modernize the classrooms.” 200-2788 Bathurst Street Toronto, ON M6B 3A3 According to Tal, the “green” classroom construction Tel: 416.789.7241 Fax: 416.789.1090 is advantageous to both the environment and to T.F.: 1.866.989.7241 the school’s budget, providing current and future Email: [email protected] Please visit us at www.btjcanada.org money-saving features. “We will now be taking full advantage of the natural sunlight, as well as BN # 100764638RR0001 installing special window and wall insulation that will help maintain optimal classroom temperature,” he explained. Further, electronic sensors will be This newsletter could not be published without the help of the Boys Town Jerusalem installed to automatically – and economically team in Israel. We thank Rabbi Moshe Linchner, Dean; Yoni Strimber, Development Executive; and Melanie Rosenberg, of Media Plus, Israel for their patience and support. Please visit us at www.btjcanada.org

2 March 2013 | Volume 12 | No. 1 Eddie Wolf Calls it a Career PR Guru Leaves Thirty Six Year Legacy

witnessed the miracle of boys from the bleakest backgrounds leaving Boys Town to succeed brilliantly in the Israeli army, in their careers, and in building strong families of their own.”

New York-born Eddie Wolf hails from a family of fighters. His father had escaped Poland for the US before WWII, and was drafted to the U.S. Army. Wolf ’s grandfather had fought in the Austro-Hungarian army where he was taken prisoner of war in Trieste. Nearly all of their family was murdered by the Nazis. “When Israel came under the dangerous threats of the Six Day War, it was clear that my place was there,” he recalled. Using his entire savings from working as a waiter, Wolf flew to Israel immediately as a volunteer, picking peaches in an orchard where the Canadians who wish to share farmers had been drafted and clearing Jordanian trenches surrounding the newly-reclaimed Hadassah Hospital on fond memories of Eddie Wolf are Mount Scopus. When he returned to Israel in 1970, invited to contact the Office of the fervent Zionist came “home” for good, and soon Canadian Friends of Boys Town fought in the Yom Kippur War. Jerusalem. A souvenir album is being

Upon joining the Boys Town public relations prepared and will be presented to department, Wolf was swept up in the school’s massive Eddie at a special luncheon in his growth and its challenges to provide an outstanding honour in the spring. home and education for thousands of needy students,

Eddie Wolf (R) is seen here with Yoav Mordechai, Official Spokesman for the and an Alumnus of Boys Town Jerusalem. Continued on page 8 Green Renovation Classrooms in Dire Need of Improvement – regulate electricity use for lighting and heating. The new classrooms lighting, heating and air conditioning, insulation, modern furnishings, and are being renovated under the guidance of the Israel Green Building other basic essentials for an environment conducive to productive learning Association. in these times.

The campus renovation campaign has taken on a true urgency, Tal stressed. “Each decade over the past half century has brought its own urgent “Many of the school’s buildings and infrastructure, constantly used by demands, including building and maintaining the dormitories, the kitchen thousands of teenage boys over more than five decades, are no longer and dining room facilities, the safety and security of the institution, and adequate for teaching and learning.” The campaign is aiming to renovate a so many other pressing needs,” Tal admitted. “Despite it all, we have never total of 52 classrooms that are in dire need of attention. Most lack adequate compromised on providing our students with state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment needed for the best technological education. Now, alongside all these demands, we must refurbish and rebuild classrooms that are well past their prime. We owe it to our present students, as we build a brighter future for the next generation and beyond.”

We invite and encourage you to become ‘BUILDING PARTNERS.” A special “Bonim” (Builders) Wall at Boys Town Jerusalem will recognize donors participating in this all-important project. For further information about this all-important campaign please contact Jerry Tollinsky at the office of Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem.

Send BTJ Honour/Tribute Cards of congratulations and condolences – please call 416.789.7241

March 2013 | Volume 12 | No. 1 3 Boys Town Jerusalem and the Israel Defense Forces

Boys Town Jerusalem alumni return to the school for special events and programs. The school is frequently chosen by the IDF for motivational and spiritual training sessions.

When Rabbi Alexander Linchner, z’l, founded Boys Town Jerusalem served their country on land, in the air and at sea; they have served in elite almost sixty-five years ago, he did so with a dual purpose: combat and reconnaissance units; they have been technicians, mechanics, communication specialists, submarine crew members, tank crews, ordnance A. He was committed to providing a safe haven for young refugees who corps and more. They have consistently brought honour to themselves and had survived the vicious Nazi onslaught or those children who were their country. being thrown out of Arab lands, and B. He was driven to provide a solid education as well as a foundation The relationship between our grads and our soldiers continues. Teachers of traditional Jewish teachings in order to enable them to build and and rabbis maintain open lines of communication and visit the boys at protect their fledgling country. their bases regularly to offer guidance and spiritual strength when needed and soldiers return to visit the school regularly, providing inspiration and The success of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), over the years, has been challenges to our students. Prime Ministers, Presidents and Ministers of attributed to strong soldiers, leaders, whose moral standards were powerful, Defense have saluted Boys Town Jerusalem for the values and training our whose training in the fields of technology and ethical behavior were school has provided the IDF. unquestionably strong and whose commitment to building and saving Israel was unbending.

More than 6,600 young men have graduated from Boys Town Jerusalem since those early days. They have

Alumni of Boys Town Jerusalem visit the school every year and maintain excellent relationships with their former teachers and the administration.

BTJ will recite Kaddish and observe Yahrtzeit – Please call 416.789.7241

4 March 2013 | Volume 12 | No. 1 Boys Town Jerusalem has remained close with our wounded soldiers and provided strength and assistance to them and we have honoured the memory of the more than sixty young men who have paid the ultimate price, falling in combat.

Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem pays special tribute in this issue to our soldiers who have served in the IDF. We also express our warm wishes of appreciation to the teachers and rabbis who inspire and teach our students to become leaders and important contributors to the defense of our country.

Rabbi Moshe Linchner takes great pride in welcoming HIS soldiers, sailors or airmen who visit the school regularly. Building a Special Relationship with IDF Technology Knowledge Benefits IDF Every Day

Boys Town Jerusalem has provided outstanding soldiers to the IDF. But In the year 2000, Boys Town Jerusalem partnered with CISCO Systems, over the past decades, the school has provided support in many other the global networking and communications giant, to become Israel’s first ways to the Army, Navy, Air Force and communication departments of all high school for teaching the CISCO Networking Program. The IDF uses divisions. An unwritten partnership has been forged between the school the CISCO system in all divisions and Boys Town Jerusalem graduates and the IDF that has impacted on the State these many years, especially teach the program in the IDF. At the school today, the advanced CISCO during times of crisis. Networking System as well as the Solaris Open Source Networking programs are being taught to high school students. For example, in the days when printing and lithography were part of the vocational training curriculum, a group of graduates of that program The Israel Air Force has recognized Boys Town Jerusalem for special formed a special IDF Nachal unit that protected Mount Zion and training for the very highest technology training and has developed Jerusalem during the Six Day War. the Shachak program for our boys who attend the College of Applied Engineering. Beginning in 2012-2013 year, graduates of the program And in the early 1970’s, Boys Town Jerusalem’s School of Precision will receive a Bachelor of Science (BSc)degree which will be universally Mechanics actually produced parts for the Military, including the Kfir jet, recognized. the Merkava tank and the “Amos”, Israel’s first satellite.

Here a student demonstrates his recent technology creation for an alumnus Raphael Ouzan is probably the most highly decorated graduate of Boys Town Jerusalem. He has served currently serving in the Navy. in the Military and is now the CEO of a new start-up in Israel. Learn more…do a Google search!

Become a Friend for Life – Remember BTJ in your Will – Please call 416.789.7241

March 2013 | Volume 12 | No. 1 5 When we Invest – We Need to See Results Check Out These Results! Boys Town Jerusalem was officially commended by the Israeli Ministry of Education for the school’s impressive percentage of students awarded full matriculation certificates. While the national average among Israeli high schools stands at 50%, Boys Town’s average is 73.5%. The Ministry of Education noted that over the past two consecutive years, the school has shown a marked increase in the number of full matriculation (bagrut) certificates achieved – a rise of 6.9% in 2009 and 17.1% in 2010. “This is undoubtedly an outstanding achievement,” wrote Mr. Avraham Lipshitz, director of the Education Ministry’s Religious Education Division.

Boys Town Jerusalem High School Principal Yossi Cohen is quick to point out that behind these statistics stand tremendously painstaking, resolute efforts to teach and motivate weak students. “As opposed to elite high schools who only admit high achievers, the vast majority of Boys Town students have great difficulties in their studies, frequently due to the disadvantaged backgrounds from which they come,” he noted. “Yet we never give up on even one of them.”

According to Principal Cohen, “There’s no magic secret to our success. It’s all about hard work, on the part of students and teachers alike. From the moment a student enters 7th grade, we make every effort to motivate him to learn. When he gives us a sign that he wants to improve his knowledge, we give him every tool to do so.”

The school currently offers eight supplementary tutoring groups, meeting each day from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, aimed to help students better understand their lessons and to prepare for their bagrut matriculation exams. “I’m amazed at the number of students who opt to attend these classes,” the principal says. “Many hold down part-time jobs in the evenings as well.

“Every Israeli knows that a full bagrut certificate is essential for entering university and for good jobs,” he stressed. “We constantly drill this into our student’s consciousness. Moreover, we have set a very high, demanding academic level for our classes.” Cohen points to Boys Town’s challenging dual-curriculum, which features top-level technological studies plus a full curriculum of Judaic studies. “Boys Town students are given the best of both worlds, to ensure that they become knowledgeable, productive citizens.”

Although Principal Yossi Cohen was pleased with the Education Ministry’s recent commendation, his thoughts were already towards the future. “I’m certain that we’ll continue our surge in bagrut achievements on a national level. Despite the huge hurdles to be overcome, Boys Town students and their teachers are determined to reach excellence!” Happy Passover

Join BTJ’s Dor L’Dor Society today – Please call 416.789.7241

6 March 2013 | Volume 12 | No. 1 Reunion Brings Fifty Alums Together An Evening of Great Joy and Inspiration A recent reunion event, hosted by Boys Town Jerusalem, brought out a Today, they live in cities and villages across Israel and hold positions group of Alumni from the 1987, 1988 and 1989 graduating classes. All across the spectrum of life in Israel. There was an engineer in the Finance were once under the direct tutelage of the current principal of Judaic Ministry, a printer in the Government Printing Department, an Air Force studies, Rabbi Elimelech Yaakov. officer, a medic with Magen David Adom, a building contractor, a chef, a community Rabbi, a technician at Dead Sea Works, a school principal in It was a true reunion! Following graduation, they entered a different area of Ma’ale Adumim and the owner of a Judaica store. the Military, went on to build careers, marry and have families. Most had not seen each other for many years. They had an amazing evening! They Boys Town Jerusalem will be hosting several reunions this year. heard words of strength and inspiration from the staff who welcomed them back to Boys Town. Words of everlasting gratitude were spoken by the alumni who noted, with appreciation, the opportunities given to them that helped turn their lives around. A Story of

When we recognize exactly where our boys come from and how little they bring when they arrive, it is particularly heartwarming to share the positive numbers that are made available as they progress through our outstanding supportive system of education.

Israel’s Ministry of Education recently released the scores for the 2012 matriculation exams (Bagrut) that all high school students are obligated to take in order for them to graduate.

We are proud to report that ‘your’ boys scored significantly higher in almost all of the over 100 exams that our boys wrote.

• In two English exams – 100% of Boys Town students passed. • In civics studies exam the BTJ average grade was 88.55% - the national average was 84%. Mr. Leslie Dan, a long-time friend of Boys Town • In one math exam our average score was 73.06% -the national average was 61% Jerusalem, is seen here at a recognition reception • In Computer Networking BTJ average score was 89.07% while the national average honouring Joseph and Sarah Bogoroch who have was 84.84%. 99% of BTJ students passed the test. recently been installed as the newest Chai Founders • Physics Bagrut – 100% of your boys passed at Boys Town Jerusalem • Engineering Sciences – 100% of your boys passed • Jewish Oral Law – 100% of your boys passed . . . and the list goes on. Send BTJ Honour/Tribute Cards of congratulations and condolences – please call 416.789.7241

March 2013 | Volume 12 | No. 1 7 Continued from page 3 As for his retirement, Wolf looks forward to spending time with his family, and to delving into the full-time study of Torah. Yet, his heart remains with “his boys,” the past, present and future students of Boys Town Jerusalem. Eddie Wolf Calls it a Career “I dream of our students finding new and better ways to combine their technological know-how and their knowledge of Jewish ethics for the both Israeli-born and new immigrants. Wolf took full responsibility to betterment of the school, the Jewish People and our precious Israeli provide tefillin (phylacteries) to boys who could not afford them, thanks nation.” to contributions by supporters in the US, Canada and England. It was at Wolf ’s own dogged initiative and hard work that Boys Town opened their doors to create a summer camp for children from the war-torn towns of Gush Katif, and later Sderot. He is also the man who inspired the installation of Boys Town’s solar energy system, now generating a good percentage of the school’s electricity needs. And among the myriads of guests whom Eddie greeted and led on tours of the school are top Israeli and foreign dignitaries, Jewish leaders, businessmen, missions, generations of families, and countless friends of the school from the world over.

Planned Giving – What about a Bequest?

A bequest to Boys Town Jerusalem offers you the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to touch the lives of perhaps thousands of young people growing up in Israel. Considering Boys Town Jerusalem in your will today, may help you build your legacy for the Jewish State tomorrow.

First things first! It is extremely important that you have a valid will. It is the best way to guarantee that your assets – regardless of the size of your estate – are distributed exactly how you want. You will make important decisions as to who will inherit and how much. More important, a will allows you to determine the manner in which your estate will be administered.

You will probably want to meet with your lawyer. But first, take inventory of your assets, list your important documents, and decide which family members, friends and charitable institutions you would like your will to provide for.

To receive further information on ways to help you begin the process of planning your will, please contact Mr. Jerry Tollinsky, National Executive Director, Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem at 416.789.7241.

Become a Friend for Life – Remember BTJ in your Will – Please call 416.789.7241

8 March 2013 | Volume 12 | No. 1