Living Our Values This Sukkot: Tikkun Olam In Action

As we step into the joyous holiday of Sukkot, our school is filled with warmth, song, and a deep sense of purpose. Sukkot invites us into temporary dwellings, calling on us to open our hearts, extend hospitality, and appreciate our blessings. Beyond building sukkot and gathering under the schach, this holiday offers an opportunity to put one of our school’s core values, Tikkun Olam, into practice, this school year like in those past.

This past week, our students brought the spirit of Sukkot beyond the classroom and into our broader community. Taking a deep dive into active citizenship, Grade 5 partnered with JCares to learn about homelessness in our city. Transforming empathy into action, they prepared nutritious snack bags for unhoused neighbours, ensuring our celebration of abundance extends to supporting those in need.

Continuing a cherished school tradition, our Grade 1 students will visit and decorate the sukkah at Mount Sinai. By creating vibrant artwork to beautify the sukkah, they will be fulfilling the concept of hiddur mitzvah (beautifying a mitzvah) while bringing genuine joy to patients, staff, and visitors. Middle school students will fulfill the mitzvah of bikur cholim (visiting those in need) when they visit Baycrest. With beautiful, handmade decorations in tow, students will spend meaningful time conversing and sharing holiday warmth with residents.

The way our students and families bridge traditional Jewish values with real-world impact reminds us of the true purpose of a Jewish education. Through art, visitations, prayer, and direct action, they are discovering that even the smallest hands can make a transformative difference.

Thank you to our incredible teachers, staff, and community partners who make these meaningful experiences possible. Wishing you all a warm, peaceful, and joyful holiday. Chag Sameach!

Jaime Saltz

Vice Principal, Lower School

Jeremy Powell

Vice Principal, Middle School