Adi Barel Interviewed by Tali Lipkin-Shahak for Galat

Bialk’s Associate Director of Jewish Studies, Adi Barel, was interviewed on the Israeli radio station, Galei Tzahal (known as Galatz), by renowned broadcaster, Tali Lipkin-Shahak. They discussed the way Bialik teaches students about the Holocaust, antisemitism and rising above hate. Below, we are pleased to share a recording of the interview, together with an English […]

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. […]

The Search for Questions: An Introduction to Moreshet

Much of my workday is spent seeking answers to questions like, are our learners accomplishing all the goals we have set out for them? What’s the status of this new unit, and where are we with the implementation of that new curriculum? In the fast-moving school environment, it is easy to become absorbed in the […]

Our 2021 Valedictorians Speeches

As a school that teaches four languages, it is a treasured Bialik graduation tradition to hear addresses in each language from our four valedictorians at our Graduation Ceremonies. Kol Hakavod to Katie Ossip, Yiddish Valedictorian, Corey Bensky, French Valedictorian, Jacob Mann, Hebrew Valedictorian and Abby Mandelcorn, English Valedictorian. We are proud to share excerpts of […]

This Tu Bishvat, What Will You Plant?

Tu Bishvat — the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat — is a perfect holiday for educators! It is a one-day festival on the Jewish calendar that can become the focus of an entire unit in the classroom. Tu Bishvat lends itself readily to teaching about how and why we celebrate birthdays, how […]

Spirituality is Non-Binary

Let’s play the association game. I say “Jewish Studies at Bialik” and you say….. You might say what many of our families say, “Hebrew and academic excellence,” and you would be right, of course. The Jewish Studies program at Bialik is cutting edge. It meets the needs of our students by implementing best practices. But, […]

Lessons on Jewish Identity from My Grandfather

Today, May 2, we mark Yom HaShoah. It is a day set aside each year to remember a time in the lives of the Jewish people when it was not safe to be who you were; when a fundamental part of your identity put a target on your back. As the grandson of a Holocaust […]

The Importance of Learning ‘Ivrit’ (Hebrew)

“Shalom Yeladim!” This is how teachers greet their students. In Ivrit (Hebrew), we say “Hello” with the word “Shalom”. It means “hello” and it also means “peace.” Imagine how many times a day we wish each other “peace!” And we are hardly aware of doing it. Down the hall, we hear a teacher saying “Kol […]

ShinShinim – Bringing the Spirit of Israel to Bialik

“They are coming! Are they here yet?” Then, to thunderous applause “they” walk into our opening school assembly. Who could generate such excitement in school? The Boys in Blue? The Raptors? Drake? None of the above. “Who?” you ask. The ShinShinim, of course! Whoever said: “Dreams come a size too big so we can grow […]

Cheshbon Nefesh: Reflecting on Rosh Hashanah and the Start of the New School Year

Welcome to our new school blog! I am pleased to launch this space where, together with other school leaders and faculty, I look forward to sharing thoughts and ideas about Jewish education, pedagogy, technology, social emotional learning, and much more – and the ways that this translates into educating our Bialik students to become future […]