Yom HaAtzma’ut 2022
With flag ceremonies, plays, singing and dancing, we all put our hearts and souls into the celebration of Yom Haatzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day and 74th birthday. At Bialik, Israel is central to everything we do and students from JK to Grade 8 took the day to enjoy all that Israel, our homeland, means to us. […]
Continue ReadingBeyond the Four Questions
Surveys indicate that, for North American Jews, the two most frequently marked Jewish holiday rituals are the lighting of the Chanukah candles and the celebration of a Pesach Seder. The appeal of the Chanukiah is clear as we create light on the darkest nights of the year. And besides, the only other ritual the holiday […]
Continue ReadingBecoming Digital Mensches at Bialik
Changes in technology are a permanent reality for all of us, like it or not. From my first PalmPilot in 1997 (yeah, I’m that old) to my latest iPhone 13, my career in IT has tracked along with this generational change. Over that same period, I have been amazed to see some head-turning changes in […]
Continue ReadingSpeaking With Your Child About the War in Ukraine
As Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine continues to take its devastating toll on the lives of so many people, our parents and caregivers may feel confused about what to share with their children and how to do so in an age-appropriate way. At Bialik, this world issue has been addressed as a humanitarian crisis, with […]
Continue ReadingA Purim Message from Head of School
Dear Bialik Community Members, I want to share some brief thoughts as the festival of Purim begins tonight. We are all keenly aware of the many very serious issues in our lives right now. On a global level, the pandemic has challenged, confused and depressed us, and the situation in Ukraine is distressing and horrifying, […]
Continue ReadingOur CommUNITY Gives with Open Hearts
Fundraising at Bialik has faced the challenges of the pandemic and not only adapted, but thrived, thanks to you — our exceptional Bialik CommUNITY. We are bursting with gratitude after wrapping up our sixth annual Day of Giving. We are overwhelmed that we raised a total of $536,729 gifts from 724 donors. There was […]
Continue ReadingHow We Carefully Cultivate our Student Leaders
“As we look into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” Bill Gates. Did you know that Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team and is now a six-time NBA champion, five-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA all-star? Did you know that Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper […]
Continue ReadingUnderstanding Differences and Exceptionalities
Imagine being told to tie your shoelaces while wearing oven mitts. How about trying to understand someone speaking to you in a language that you do not speak? Imagine trying to hear a song while wearing noise-cancelling headphones. While this may all sound like a round of the game “Minute to Win It”, learning feels […]
Continue ReadingJDAIM: Striving for Inclusion!
How do we create inclusive communities where diversity is celebrated? Bialik has joined synagogues, schools, camps and not-for-profit organizations to mark JDAIM — Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month. Established in 2009, the Jewish Special Education International Consortium spearheaded this initiative to take place each February. The aim is to unite Jewish communities worldwide […]
Continue ReadingWhen Is a Mistake Not a Mistake?
When my sons were learning to walk and they fell down, I cheered loudly, giving them the confidence to get up and try again. And then, when they were building their LEGO and one of them accidentally bumped into it and broke the other’s creation, I would always jump in with, “Oops! No big deal. […]
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