Happy Passover Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem 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 Israel. 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 London, 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 Israel Defense Forces 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.