GUIDE TO STUDENT LIFE 2019-2020 · 5780 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 The school maintains relationships with several chessed organizations. Students are involved in chessed projects, such as visiting nursing homes and packaging food or As part of their graduation requirement outlined by clothing for those in need. the Ontario Ministry of Education, students at Bnei Akiva Schools must complete 40 hours of documented The school also has close relationships with organizations community service. The vast majority of our students, advocating inclusion of individuals with all abilities. however, complete well over the ministry’s requirements with a variety of organizations within the Jewish community and beyond. CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CHIDON HATANACH Bnei Akiva Schools maintain a close relationship with Bnei A longstanding tradition, Ulpanat Orot students have often Akiva and the Mizrachi movement. Many of our students competed in the final round of the International Chidon lead weekly Bnei Akiva youth groups, participate in Bnei HaTanach competition held in Israel on Yom HaAtzma’ut. Akiva Shabbatonim and attend or staff Bnei Akiva camps. In 2014, the international winner was a Yeshivat Or Chaim Our students are also directly involved in community Yom student, and another Yeshivat Or Chaim student placed in HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzma’ut programs. As a movement, the top 16. In 2015, an Ulpanat Orot student represented “Bnei Akiva inspires and empowers young Jews with a Canada in Israel, and in 2016, another Ulpanat Orot sense of commitment to the Jewish people, the Land of student represented Canada and ranked in the top 11 in Israel and the Torah.” the world. In 2017, after placing first overall in the national BNEI AKIVA SCHOOLS HAS PARTNERED WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Baycrest Friendship Circle Mizrachi Canada UJA Federation Bernard Betel Centre Habitat for Humanity National Council of Jewish Women United Chessed Bnei Akiva of Toronto Hatzolah NCSY Ve’ahavta Canadian Blood Services JACS Od Yosef Chai Walk with Israel Chai Lifeline JLIC Toronto One Family Fund Yachad CIJA Kayla’s Children Centre Shalva National Children’s Centre Yeshiva University CJPAC Kensington Retirement Place Sharsheret YPI DANI MADD Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre YU-Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash Emunah ME to WE Tomchei Shabbos ULPANAT OROT 2 STUDENT LIFE 2019-2020 competition, a Yeshivat Or Chaim student placed within the United Nations delegates at the conference. Participating top eight internationally. Ten Bnei Akiva Schools students in the Model UN programs adds to participants’ knowledge competed in the National Chidon last year and one Yeshivat of world affairs and their debate and public speaking skills. Or Chaim student placed in first place in all of Canada, Qualifying students participate in Yeshiva University’s Model securing him a spot in the Israeli competition next year. This UN Conference with hundreds of other yeshiva high school past year, two Ulpanat Orot students qualified to go to the students across North America. All students are invited to finals in Israel. participate in the Jewish Canadian Youth Model UN held in Montreal. JERUSALEM MARATHON “” For the fifth year, Bnei Akiva Schools will be sending a Participating in JCYMUN as an Ulpanat Orot delegation of dedicated students to Israel for the chance to student gave me the opportunity to use my debating participate in the Jerusalem Marathon in order to raise funds and public speaking skills in committee sessions for charity. The team from each school is coached separately with high schoolers from around the world, covering and each student has to raise $3,000 in order to participate. challenging and relevant topics. Because of Model Once 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 marathon. CHANA SILVERMAN , ‘19 MODEL UN GRADE 10 CANADA-ISRAEL EXPERIENCE Each year, our students participate in two different Model Two years ago, Bnei Akiva Schools launched our Grade UN programs. Under the guidance of faculty members, 10 Canada-Israel Experience program, called Kulanu students research the politics of the country they have Mishpacha. This is an optional program in which Grade 10 been selected to represent, in order to play the roles of real students have the opportunity to fully integrate within an ULPANAT OROT STUDENT LIFE 2019-2020 3 Israeli environment for four weeks during the school year all those present, students, faculty, and parents, come away and participate in an educational Israeli experience, while with greater knowledge and understanding of yet another creating meaningful friendships with Israeli peers. Our aspect of one of the greatest tragedies in our nation’s history. students are hosted in Israeli homes, participate in Israeli school life, explore Israel through tiyulim and experience what it means to live in Israel. Student participants valued RELIGIOUS GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR (RGC) PROGRAM the chance to feel completely immersed in Israeli life for 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 individually 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 At the culmination of the school year, Bnei Akiva Schools “” hosts an art exhibition evening. The work displayed is a The Grade 10 Israel Experience program allowed me representative survey of all the artwork done throughout the ability to connect more with the land of Israel the year from all grades at both schools. The high-quality and the culture. It was truly an incredible trip that I artwork comprises pieces in painting, sculpture, drawing, am so grateful to have been a part of. printmaking, and multi-media. Invitations go out to all ——— Bnei Akiva Schools families, as well as to those in the YAKIRA GASNER, ‘20 wider community. Visitors typically come away with great enthusiasm, inspired by the quality of art done by our students. HOLOCAUST EDUCATION WEEK Holocaust Education Week is a week observed city-wide at PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST the beginning of November. Institutions around Toronto host events, speakers, panels, and show films around a topic Bnei Akiva Schools runs an annual Public Speaking Contest designated by the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust available to all students. Judges vary from year to year, usually Education Centre. Every year, Bnei Akiva Schools has worked made up of a panel of teachers, alumni and community with the Holocaust Education Centre in order to host an members. In recent years, a people’s choice component academic scholar to come speak to our students about was instituted to the competition, whereby the audience historical aspects of the Holocaust that they likely have never members themselves act as judges and text the number of learned about before. The speakers are always excellent and their favourite finalist. The public speaking competition is a ULPANAT OROT 4 STUDENT LIFE 2019-2020 wonderful opportunity for students to learn to successfully for the many university and career options that exist for them communicate orally, to hone their public speaking skills and once they graduate high school. Current students have the to give students an opportunity to share their beliefs in an opportunity to ask questions and connect with alumni who encouraging atmosphere. offer valuable advice on their own academic and career journeys as young Modern Orthodox Jewish women. LITERARY NIGHT YOM HASHOAH As part of their summer reading curriculum, Grade 9 and Grade 11 students participate in a book club evening. Parents Every year, Grade 12 is tasked with the oversight of the school- are encouraged to read the books and participate in the wide Yom HaShoah program. As a group they determine program as well. Students craft the discussion questions and a theme and then create a program around that theme. a faculty member moderates the discussion. This evening is a Last year, the program was focused on meaningful artistic wonderful opportunity for students to share their thoughts, expression during the time of the Holocaust, including perfect their public speaking skills and engage their artwork and poetry. The choir performed, there was a skit, classmates, parents and teachers in a sophisticated literary a monologue, and a survivor is always present to provide discussion. personal testimony as well. Aside from the education and commemoration aspect of this program, this is also a way for a grade to work together toward a very worthy goal. ALUMNI CAREER DAY/POST-SECONDARY ALUMNI PANEL YOM HAZIKARON In alternating years, Ulpanat Orot is proud to host our alumni for two meaningful events: Alumni Career Day and our Post- Grade 10 students work together with a member of faculty Secondary Alumni Panel.