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ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 5775 / 2014–2015NOVEMBER 2015

BUILDING

TORAH EDUCATION FOR LIFE

THE FOUNDATIONS OF INSPIRED JEWISH LIVES

This is a year of transition for the stewardship of Vancouver Hebrew Academy. And the focus of the transition is on the future. As you read these brief comments, please reflect on the generational and demographic shift taking place within our school community. Pause for a moment and consider where our community stands, in our corner of the Jewish world, as we advance in our collective mission of Torah.

Consider at this moment what your strengths and talents are and don’t be shy to step forward. Make yourself avail-able to the board, the school and our community to en-sure we continue to strive for excellence in our service of Hashem and the Jewish people. When we Jews received the Torah — our defining constitution and reason for be-ing — we were, as Rashi explains, k’ish echad b’lev echad (as one man with one heart). We were melded together in perfect unity born of absolute humility before Hashem. We (VHA) are a diverse community and our unified diversity is the hallmark of who we Jews are.

Unity is an ideal that requires personal and collective re-solve in its pursuit — as the dynamics of our “group” shift, expand, diminish and grow, we need to stay focussed on the essential value of Achdut (unity) in the Klal (collective). In Achdut we live the spirit, and facilitate the transfer, of Torah from generation to generation.

In an interview with Jewish Action Magazine a few years ago – Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, former Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel, said the following:

“Every year at the end of Yom Kippur, we blow the sho-far, which recalls the Jubilee year that was marked only in the Land of Israel. And then we all say, ‘Next year in Jerusalem.’ I would be very happy if this indeed were to happen [all Jews around the world were to make aliyah]. But until then, there is a need to strengthen Jewish edu-cation and the Jewish community in every place around the world, so that there will be someone to whom we can declare, ‘Next year in Jerusalem.’ There is no com-munity without education.”

We wish the incoming board the best of success as they as-sume their responsibilities. Wishing the VHA family and all of Klal Yisrael chazak ve’ematz (be strong and fortified), and may Hashem see fit to bring us to Jerusalem immediately.

Yours truly,Meyer Mattuck David Emanuel

Dear Friends,

This past July, my family and I were privi-leged to mark a very special milestone, cele-brating a decade in Vancouver and as part of the VHA Family! We were humbled to be se-lected as the honorees at the Annual Garden Party and truly enjoyed sharing the evening with friends of VHA.

For those who were not able to attend, I would like to share with you my remarks from that evening as I believe they truly encapsu-late what makes VHA such a special school.

The Talmud considers every house of prayer and every house of Torah study to be a Mik-dash Me’at, a small sanctuary--a place for us to connect with Hashem in the absence of our Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Of all the vessels of the Tabernacle, the Me-norah is perhaps the most unique. The Torah tells us that the entire Menorah, from its base to its lamps, including all of the ornamenta-tion, is to be fashioned from one solid piece of gold. Even the engraved floral designs must be an integral part of the whole.

Rabbi Yisroel Meir Hakohen Kagen, known as the Chofetz Chaim, explains this peculiar law. Each component of the Menorah represents an aspect of our precious Torah. From the written law to the oral tradition passed down through the generations.

The base of the Menorah, explains Rabbi Kagen, represents the supporters that make the teaching and study of Torah possible. And that too is an essential component as all share equally in the Torah’s eternal reward.

Vancouver Hebrew Academy truly embod-ies the message of the Menorah. VHA is a beautiful example of one interconnected unit focused on our singular lofty goal. Our Board of Directors, families, staff and community work together to fan the flame of Torah in young hearts and minds.

With your help we will continue to kindle our Menorah and to shed that eternal light.

Rabbi Don PachtHead of School

2015/2016 BOARD OFDIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE

Co-PresidentsMr. Glenn Bullard Mrs. Elizabeth Nider

Past-PresidentsMr. Meyer Mattuck Mr. David Emanuel

TreasurerMrs. Rachael Lewinski

SecretaryMr. Adam Saunders

Mrs. Marie Doduck

Mrs. Ruth Erlichman

Dr. David Freedman

Ms. Hodie Kahn

Mr. Abe Sacks

Ms. Anita Shafran

Rabbi Yosef Wosk

BOARD OFGOVERNORS

DIRECTORS

Mr. Valeriy Arustamov

Mrs. Devora Goldberg

Mrs. Tammy Horvath

Mr. René Ragetli

Mrs. Bassie Tauby

Mr. Richard Wenner

Mr. Daniel Wolfson

32

CREATINGA UNITED LEARNING COMMUNITY

BUILDING ON OUR STRONG LEADERSHIP

UNITY IN OUR DIVERSITY

FORMINGFUTURE LEADERS WITHIN AND BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR SCHOOL

4

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TORAH EDUCATIONIN VANCOUVER

5

CAPACITY TO GROW

30,000 square feet, purpose built for 21st century education.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

Smart educational technology integrated into each classroom.

SPACES FOR LEARNING

Improved remedial and enrichment programs through dedicated learning spaces and pods that allow students to learn at their own pace.

With the community’s partnership, VHA will build a modern educational facility with sufficient space for learning and with the tools and technology to prepare our students for the future.

EQUIPPED FOR PE & THE ARTS

Full sized gym and properly equipped spaces allowing for improved programming in the areas of Physical

Education, Drama, Music, and Visual Arts.

SUKKOT ART WITH LOUIS BRIER RESIDENTS

Grade 6/7 girls creating Sukkah decorations together with Louis Brier residents.

LEARNING LEADERSHIP& PRESENTATION SKILLS

Students running for student council present their platforms to fellow students.

In the past year, we’ve increased our social and emotional learning initiatives and introduced more learning opportunities together with the broader Vancouver Jewish community.

6

DEVELOPINGA PATTERN OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

7

MODELING CONTINUED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

BREAKDOWN OF REVENUE AND EXPENSESFOUNDATION SKILLS ASSESSMENT RESULTSWith an overall annual budget of $1.6 million, VHA provides a top-quality education. This year, VHA has seen increased revenue from the Ministry of Education, tuition fees, and fundraising projects.The Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) is a standardized test that measures reading, writing,

and numeracy skills. It is written by grade 4 and 7 students province-wide each year. Each year, VHA outperforms the provincial average. The percentages here show the students who met or exceeded grade-level expectations for the 2014–15 school year.

74%

STAFF WAGES & BENEFITS

15%

RENT & FACILITIES

2%

SERVICES & UTILITIES

4%

EQUIPMENT& SUPPLIES

5%MISC

17%DONATIONSprivate foundation grants,major gifts, general donations

28%

TUITION FEES

30%

MINISTRY OF EDUCATIONOPERATING GRANT

8%JEWISH FEDERATIONOF GREATER VANCOUVERday school grant

7%

BONEH HATORAH

9%FUNDRAISINGevents, programs,special projects

1%OTHERinterest income, rental reimbursements, etc.

EXPENDITURES

REVENUE100READING

%of students met or exceeded grade-level expectations

37.5% EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

GRADE 4

100WRITING


50% EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

100NUMERACY


37.5% EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

100READING



GRADE 7

100WRITING



91NUMERACY



FOUNDATIONOF TORAHיסודי התורה

Marsid Family FoundationMarie Doduck, Cathy Golden & Bernice Carmeli

The Sacks FamilyAbe, Leyla, Jeffrey & Dina

Dr. Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family

Rabbi Yosef Wosk

Syd & Joanne Belzberg

The Diamond Family

The Lohn FoundationMr. Jack Kowarsky

Zev, Elaine & Anita Shafran

Samuel & Frances Belzberg

The Diamond Foundation

The Kahn Family

The Snider Foundation

PATRONSOF TORAHפרנסי התורה

BUILDERS OF TORAHבוני התורהRabbi Noam & Rivka Abramchik Andrew & Lisa Altow Les & Dr. Tracy AmesRaphael & Chana AraziValery Arustamov & Irina Likholatinikova Michael & Lisa Averbach Mark & Yolanda Babins Terry & Dr. Deborah Levy-Barnett Dr. Jeffrey & Robyn Blicker Dr. Brian & Dalia Bressler Glenn Bullard & Shelley Rivkin Dr. Jeffrey & Vivian Claman Harvey & Jody Dales Dr. Arthur & Judith Dodek Rabbi Eleazar & Shulamis DurdenLouis & Marion Eisman David & Susan Emanuel Dr. Syd & Ruth Erlichman Gina Faigen Dr. David & Ellen Freedman Rabbi Tzvi & Etti GoldmanClaudio, Ruben & Brenda Grubner Rob & Sue Hector Roy & Katya Hessel Jim & Tammy Horvath Dr. Marvin & Ruth HubermanMark & Alana James David & Debra KachaniBasil & Selma Kallner Howard & Simone Kallner David & Eva Kaplan Shai & Mickey KeilHoratio & Jackie Kemeny Ziv & Leslie Kowarsky Dr. Robert & Marilyn Krell Ariel & Rachael Lewinski Rabbi Avi & Rivka Lichtman Arthur & Nadine LipetzMeyer & Gail Mattuck Rabbi Shalom & Shira Meltzer Dr. Andrew & Shawna MerkurMarcos & Polly Nahmad Barbara NiderJeff & Elizabeth Nider Rabbi Don & Meira Pacht Dr. Neil & Michelle Pollock Dr. Allan Posthuma Lionel and Dr. Lynn Raber Dr. Stan & Shira RadomskyDr. Ralph & Vivian Rothstein Adam Saunders & Galit Sarfaty Victor & Jennie Setton Herb & Barbara Silber

Gary Averbach Craig & Carrie Diamond Gordon & Leslie Diamond Marie Doduck David & Yael Ghermezian Hodie Kahn Ralph Markin Bob Markin

SUPPORTERSRabbi Ilan & Dina Acoca Rita Akselrod Shirley Barnett Mel & Bonnie Bauer Joel z’l & Ilene-Jo BellasRabbi Stephen & Sarah Berger Rabbi Yeshurun & Sarah Blumenfeld Alejandro & Judith BlumenkransDr. Jack & Tannis BoxerRabbi Hillel & Devorah BrodyDr. Eytan & Zehavit David Rabbi Zev & Nechama Davidowitz Arnie & Susan Fine Michael & Kathi Fugman David & Tanis Goldman Harold & Gail Gutovich Andrew Hasman Joshua & Kim Hauser Dr. Arthur & Arlene HayesJose & Adela Heffes Howard & Marla Jampolsky Drs. Stan Karon & Marla Gordon Mark & Susie Kierszenblat David & Gerry Kline Dr. Peter & Kaye Legge Karen Levitt Amir & Tanya Marciano Michel Mielnicki Steve Pelman Renia Perel Bernard Pinsky & Daniella Givon Rabbi Andrew & Cirelle Rosenblatt Benée Rubin Michael & Dr. Karen Sadovnick Rabbi Chaim & Leah Shapiro Rabbi Doniel & Bracha SpectorDan & Sidney Shmilovitch Sheldon & Julie Smollan Rabbi Schneur & Shainy Wineberg Daniel Wiseman Drs. Mordehai & Hanna Wosk Martin Wright & Louise Houta David & Elaine Youngson

Ari Shiff & Carla Van Messel Infl ection Management Inc Alaina Smith Esther Steinberg Richard & Dr. Gail Wenner Heather Wolfe Isidor & Harriet Wolfe Miles Wolfe & Barby Solomon Rabbi Shmulik & Rivki Yeshayahu Dr. Barend & Judy Zack Mark & Laurie Zlotnik

ASSEMBLING COMMUNITY CHAMPIONSHIP & SUPPORT

CHAI SPONSORS

DOUBLE CHAISPONSORS

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