FEATURES
Shlichim visit TT
KG Open House
Jewish Edmonton Helps TT Families
A significant portion of the bursaries families receive are funded by the annual UJA campaign. Todah Rabah!
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Families, Alumni, Supporters and Friends,
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
We are now more than half way through 2024-2025, with dark mornings and afternoons behind us. The cold weather in Edmonton has been challenging, but inside TT we were warm and cozy from the energy and glow of our students. Milder temperatures have now brought us out of hibernation!
Students have been engaged in their learning, as well as enjoying many indoor and, currently, outdoor recesses.
Keep well.
Natalie Soroka, Executive Assistant
Talmud Torah Society
Call me at 780-481-3377 or Email me!
Message from Noga Vaisblat
President
Talmud Torah Society
Dear Community Members,
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
It has been a long, cold and sad winter, but the warming weather and the news on the returned hostages fill me with hope for better days ahead.
I’d like to share that the Society board has decided to extend the presence of on-site security for another year, until August 2026. We will send more details in a follow up email.
Many parents have expressed concerns about roof leaks. We are very much aware of the issue and are actively working on a solution, which I hope to share with you in the coming months.
Please keep reaching out to us. We appreciate your feedback.
Finally, I’d like to share that the Society has also approved the purchase of 30 new school Chromebooks to replace existing devices that will be expiring soon, as well as a new and advanced projector and screen setup for the gym.
We are always looking for board volunteers! If you would like to get involved and help us make our community better, please reach out to Natalie Soroka in the Society office.
Stay safe,
Noga Vaisblat, President
Message from Darin Johnson
Principal
Talmud Torah School
Dear Talmud Torah Community,
Thank you for your support during the continued strike. Each family is impacted in different ways. We are doing our best to reduce the impacts on student learning.
School Events and Activities:
- Registration is open! We are receiving many Kindergarten registrations and many parents have taken the time to enroll their child on SchoolZone for next year.
- Grade 3 Cooking (Peru): Our Grade 3 students have been exploring Peruvian culture through cooking! We’re excited to see them learning about different cuisines and developing their culinary skills. This is one example of the many ways parents enrich learning through their involvement in the Talmud Torah School Council and Talmud Torah Society.
- Tu B’Shevat Celebration: During Tu B’Shevat, we were honored to host Jay Cairns, Executive Director of Jewish National Fund – Edmonton, who brought us two educators (Shlichim) from Israel. They provided our students with valuable educational experiences and engaging activities.
- Student Leadership: Our Grade 6 students are enthusiastically preparing to take on leadership roles in our much-anticipated Purim carnival. This school-wide event is a beloved tradition, and we know our students will create a memorable and fun afternoon for everyone. Parents will see more information soon about volunteering and details on SchoolZone.
- Running Room Indoor Games: We are incredibly proud of our students who participated in the 45th annual Running Room Indoor Games at the Butterdome on Thursday, February 20th. They trained diligently for many weeks, and we commend their hard work and dedication to this community track and field event.
- Literacy: We greatly appreciate our library support team. These volunteers keep our library organized and ready for students. Hundreds of books are signed out in English and Hebrew each week.
- Reporting Student Achievement: Term 2 comes to an end on March 21. Progress reports will be posted to SchoolZone. Parents plan to come to our Celebration of Learning evening on March 27th to learn more about your child’s progress.
We value your continued support and partnership in your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Darin Johnson, Principal
Israeli Educators Bring Interactive Tu B’Shevat Learning to Edmonton TT Students
Recently, Jay Cairns of Jewish National Fund – Edmonton (JNF) organized a special visit from Israeli educators Yuval Sapir and Hagar Diller, who made a stop in Edmonton on their way to Toronto, continuing on to the United States. Their visit brought a dynamic and interactive learning experience to our students, highlighting the significance of Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish New Year for Trees – Feb. 12 to 13.
Arriving well-prepared and full of energy, Yuval and Hagar engaged students with immersive activities that combined education with fun. Through a series of competitive and hands-on experiences, students deepened their understanding of Israel’s geography, environmental sustainability, water conservation, and biodiversity. The sessions emphasized Israel’s innovative contributions to agriculture and ecology, while also teaching students about the country’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
Among the many engaging activities, students participated in:
- Trivia Challenges – Competing for points by answering questions about Israeli geography, water conservation, tree planting, and sustainability efforts.
- Orange Juice Squeezing Competition – A hands-on activity that not only tested students’ speed and teamwork but also connected to Israel’s rich agricultural traditions.
- Puzzles and Taste Tests – Encouraging sensory exploration while learning about the diverse fruits of Israel and their connection to Tu B’Shevat.
- Bird Migration and Nature Discussions – Exploring the vital role Israel plays as a key stop along migratory bird routes.
Kindergarten Open House
On a very cold and snowy evening in late January, Talmud Torah School and Talmud Torah Society hosted a Kindergarten Open House, warmly welcoming parents and children to explore our inviting learning environment. The event highlighted the school’s commitment to individualized learning, Jewish values, independent thinking, and creative expression, offering families a glimpse into daily routines and the nurturing atmosphere that supports young learners. You can read more about the open house HERE.
Grade 6 Program
TT Society’s inaugural Grade 6 Graduation Program has been a way to create a meaningful and engaging year that equips our students with essential life skills, while fostering personal growth, community engagement, and a deeper connection to their heritage. With input from students and parents, the focus has been on projects related to family heritage learning, life skills, and community service. Programs have included packing lunches for inner-city residents, antisemitism education, making a family tree and “Finance 101”. This program will culminate in a year-end TT Society Shabbaton.
Running Room Indoor Games
After months of dedicated training during lunch recess, led by teacher coaches Ari Sniderman, Jen Kovacs and Marlee Soroka, approximately 20 students from grades 4 to 6 participated in the Running Room Indoor Games. The mixed relay teams, along with the boys’ and girls’ long jump and 200m events, have all secured spots in the semi-finals! Yasher Koach to all participants!
Jewish Edmonton’s Integrated Bursary Program Helps TT Families
Each year, thanks to the generosity of donors through Jewish Federation of Edmonton’s United Jewish Appeal campaign, TT families in need of financial assistance may be considered for a bursary. Families with children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 can now apply for a bursary for the 2025-2026 school year. Applications are being accepted until April 17, 2025 (2024 tax documents can be uploaded after the deadline) – Click to apply
For more information, please contact Mischa at the Federation office at mrobuliak@edjfed.org or Natalie in the Society office at 780-481-3377 or nataliesoroka@talmudtorahsociety.com.
Challah Program
Thank you to Jay Cairns of Jewish National Fund – Edmonton, Stacy Shaikin of Camp BB-Riback, and the Friedman and Baza families for their support of our challah program. We also have amazing parent volunteers who pick up challah from Bliss Bakery and deliver to TT every Thursday like clockwork! Todah Rabah to Stacie, Lisa, Louise, Cara, Tanya, Rachel, Christina, Ilona, and Luba!
TT ELC
Talmud Torah Early Learning Centre
Our students had a wonderful time celebrating Tu B’Shevat, exploring the significance of trees, the variety of dried fruits associated with the holiday, and the importance of environmental stewardship. This special day highlighted the Jewish value of Shmirat HaTeva, instilling in our students a deep appreciation for the natural world and the responsibility to care for it. Our classrooms were filled with engaging activities, including planting grass heads, creating tree-themed artwork, and cultivating a variety of plants.
AJP@TT (Ancillary Judaic Program)
AJP@TT is a Society program in partnership with Kadima Academy, providing an optional after-school Hebrew language and Judaic curriculum from a Modern Orthodox perspective.
Winter break has come to an end, and the AJP program is back in full swing. Alongside our Torah studies, which include Chumash, Parasha, Halacha, and various prayers, our students participated in an experiential learning day during a recent TT PD Day.
This special day was dedicated to Tu B’Shevat, where we engaged with a vibrant presentation on blessings over different foods (Brachot). To reinforce their learning, the children enjoyed a fun game that tested their knowledge of Brachot. The day culminated in a hands-on activity where the students prepared challahs for Shabbat.
Experiential learning plays a crucial role in presenting students with the richness of Jewish life in an engaging manner. We are excited for the upcoming holidays and the projects and learning opportunities it will bring. Stay tuned for more updates!
TT School Council
Recently, parent volunteers supported the Grade 3 class as they prepared, tasted, and wrote about Peruvian cuisine as part of their social studies unit. This immersive experience deepened students’ understanding of Peru, and allowed them to develop cooking skills while engaging their senses.
Thank you to everyone who attended the last School Council meeting. The next one is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, at 7:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
Spotlight on Current TT Society Offers
The H.A. and I.R. Friedman Scholarship has been managed by Talmud Torah Society since 1984, and many Edmonton Jewish community members have benefited from a financial scholarship since that time.
This scholarship is available for individuals aged 15-25 who are interested in visiting Israel to learn Hebrew or participate in a Zionist program.
Looking for an affordable venue for your next event? Rent our spacious school gym or lunchroom at a low cost—perfect for parties, gatherings, and more!