GUIDE to STUDENT LIFE 2020-2021 · 5781 a Student’S Experience at Ulpanat Orot Extends Well Beyond the Classroom
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GUIDE TO STUDENT LIFE 2020-2021 · 5781 A student’s experience at Ulpanat Orot extends well beyond the classroom. The wide array of co- curricular activities, teams and programs encourage students to get involved in school life. Students are part of an environment that stresses contributing to the Jewish people while at the same time channeling their passions and honing their leadership skills. Bnei Akiva Schools emphasize a commitment to Medinat Yisrael. We expect our students to demonstrate Ahavat Yisrael, Derech Eretz and social responsibility towards the Jewish community, Canada, and the world at large. COMMUNITY SERVICE with a sense of commitment to the Jewish people, the Land of Israel and the Torah.” As part of their graduation requirement outlined by The school maintains relationships with several chessed the Ontario Ministry of Education, students at Bnei organizations. Students are involved in chessed projects, Akiva Schools must complete 40 hours of documented such as visiting nursing homes and packaging food or community service. The vast majority of our students, clothing for those in need. however, complete well over the ministry’s require- ments with a variety of organizations within the Jewish The school also has close relationships with organizations community and beyond. advocating inclusion of individuals with all abilities. RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Bnei Akiva Schools maintain a close relationship with Bnei Akiva and the Mizrachi movement. Many of our students CHIDON HATANACH lead weekly Bnei Akiva youth groups, participate in Bnei A longstanding tradition, BAS students have regularly Akiva Shabbatonim and attend or staff Bnei Akiva camps. placed in the top five in the National Chidon competition, Our students are also directly involved in community Yom and have often competed in the final round of the Inter- HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzma’ut programs. As a move- national Chidon HaTanach competition held in Israel on ment, “Bnei Akiva inspires and empowers young Jews Yom HaAtzma’ut, placing within the top 20 internationally. BNEI AKIVA SCHOOLS HAS PARTNERED WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Baycrest CJPAC JLIC Toronto Od Yosef Chai Tomchei Shabbos Beit Midrash Zichron Dov DANI Kayla’s Children Centre One Family Fund UJA Federation Bernard Betel Centre Emunah Kensington Retirement Place Shalva National Children’s United Chessed Bikur Cholim Friendship Circle MADD Centre Ve’ahavta Bnei Akiva of Toronto Habitat for Humanity Mizrachi Canada Sharsheret Walk with Israel Canadian Blood Services Chai Lifeline Hasbara National Council of Jewish StandWithUs Yachad Chasdei Kaduri Hatzolah Women Neuberger Holocaust Yeshiva University CIJA JACS NCSY Education Centre YPI ULPANAT OROT 2 STUDENT LIFE 2020-2021 University’s Model UN Conference with hundreds of other Recently, an Ulpana student placed second nationally and yeshiva high school students across North America. All will be competing next year in Israel. students are invited to participate in the Jewish Canadian JERUSALEM MARATHON Youth Model UN held in Montreal. For a number of years, BAS has sent a delegation of dedi- cated students to Israel for the chance to participate in Participating“” in JCYMUN as an Ulpanat Orot the Jerusalem Marathon in order to raise funds for charity. student gave me the opportunity to use my debating The team from each school is coached separately and each and public speaking skills in committee sessions student has to raise $3,000 in order to participate. Once with high schoolers from around the world, covering challenging and relevant topics. Because of Model in Israel, in addition to the excitement of the marathon UN, I definitely improved my ability to communicate itself, our students have the chance to spend time getting effectively, learned a lot about what’s happening in involved in beautiful chessed opportunities. Our students the world, made new friends, and had a lot of fun. also join with a select cadre of Yeshiva day schools from ——— across North America for a Shabbaton following the CHANA SILVERMAN , ‘19 marathon. GRADE 10 CANADA-ISRAEL EXPERIENCE MODEL UN In 2017, Bnei Akiva Schools launched our Grade 10 Each year, our students participate in two different Model Canada-Israel Experience program, called Kulanu Mishpacha. UN programs. Under the guidance of faculty members, This is an optional program in which Grade 10 students students research the politics of the country they have have the opportunity to fully integrate within an Israeli been selected to represent, in order to play the roles of environment for four weeks during the school year and real United Nations delegates at the conference. Partici- participate in an educational Israeli experience, while pating in the Model UN programs adds to participants’ creating meaningful friendships with Israeli peers. Our knowledge of world affairs and their debate and public students are hosted in Israeli homes, participate in Israeli speaking skills. Qualifying students participate in Yeshiva school life, explore Israel through tiyulim and experience ULPANAT OROT STUDENT LIFE 2020-2021 3 what it means to live in Israel. Student participants valued RELIGIOUS GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR (RGC) the chance to feel completely immersed in Israeli life for PROGRAM the first time. Now in its second year, the RGC program involves a once- a-week designated class with each student’s RGC, where students have the opportunity for informal, reflective character education centered around the middah of the month, community-building, and personal growth. In addition to the weekly classes, RGCs also host Sukkah and Chanukah parties with their student groups, and plan grade-wide programs. Each student is assigned an RGC who meets with them throughout the year, both individ- ually and one-on-one. This program ensures that each student is receiving the social, emotional and academic support they need, in an environment that encourages religious growth and learning. ART EXHIBITION The“” Grade 10 Israel Experience program allowed me At the culmination of the school year, Bnei Akiva Schools the ability to connect more with the land of Israel and the culture. It was truly an incredible trip that I hosts an art exhibition evening. The work displayed is a am so grateful to have been a part of. representative survey of all the artwork done throughout ——— the year from all grades at both schools. The high-quality YAKIRA GASNER, ‘20 artwork comprises pieces in painting, sculpture, draw- ing, printmaking, and multi-media. Invitations go out to all Bnei Akiva Schools families, as well as to those in HOLOCAUST EDUCATION WEEK the wider community. Visitors typically come away with Holocaust Education Week is a week observed city-wide at great enthusiasm, inspired by the quality of art done by the beginning of November. Institutions around Toronto our students. host events, speakers, panels, and show films around a topic designated by the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holo- PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST caust Education Centre. Every year, Bnei Akiva Schools Bnei Akiva Schools runs an annual Public Speaking has worked with the Holocaust Education Centre in Contest available to all students. Judges vary from year order to host an academic scholar to come speak to our to year, usually made up of a panel of teachers, alumni and students about historical aspects of the Holocaust that community members. In recent years, a people’s choice they likely have never learned about before. The speak- component was instituted to the competition, whereby ers are always excellent and all those present, students, the audience members themselves act as judges and text faculty, and parents, come away with greater knowledge the number of their favourite finalist. The public speaking and understanding of yet another aspect of one of the competition is a wonderful opportunity for students to greatest tragedies in our nation’s history. learn to successfully communicate orally, to hone their ULPANAT OROT 4 STUDENT LIFE 2020-2021 public speaking skills and to give students an opportun- high school. Current students have the opportunity to ity to share their beliefs in an encouraging atmosphere. ask questions and connect with alumni who offer valu- able advice on their own academic and career journeys LITERARY NIGHT as young Modern Orthodox Jewish women. As part of their summer reading curriculum, Grade 9 students participate in a book club evening. Parents are YOM HASHOAH encouraged to read the books and participate in the Every year, Grade 12 is tasked with the oversight of the program as well. Students craft the discussion questions school-wide Yom HaShoah program. As a group they and a faculty member moderates the discussion. This determine a theme and then create a program around evening is a wonderful opportunity for students to share that theme. Last year, the program was focused on mean- their thoughts, perfect their public speaking skills and ingful artistic expression during the time of the Holocaust, engage their classmates, parents and teachers in a sophis- including artwork and poetry. The choir performed, there ticated literary discussion. was a skit, a monologue, and a survivor is always present to provide personal testimony as well. Aside from the ALUMNI CAREER DAY/POST-SECONDARY education and commemoration aspect of this program, ALUMNI PANEL this is also a way for a grade to work together toward a In alternating years, Ulpanat Orot is proud to host our very worthy goal. alumni for two meaningful events: Alumni Career Day and our Post-Secondary Alumni Panel. Initiated and YOM HAZIKARON organized by our Director of Guidance, Mrs. Shari Wein- Grade 10 students work together with a member of berg, both events are tailored to help our Grade 10-12 faculty to create a meaningful program to commemorate students gain an appreciation for the many university Yom HaZikaron. They focus on Israel, the IDF as a whole, and career options that exist for them once they graduate and individual heroes who have become victims to the ULPANAT OROT STUDENT LIFE 2020-2021 5 ongoing struggle for statehood in Israel.