legal issues, provide citywide classes on awide range <strong>of</strong> halakhic topics, and host<strong>in</strong>spirational community ‘Shabbatons’ withexcit<strong>in</strong>g guest speakers.The Kollel has served as a resource <strong>for</strong> theschools and shuls, provid<strong>in</strong>g teachers andextra classes.For those <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> more <strong>in</strong>dividualstudy, the Kollel <strong>of</strong>fers a one-on-one studyprogram, to explore special topics <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong> the traditional ‘beit midrash’ sett<strong>in</strong>g.May we cont<strong>in</strong>ue work<strong>in</strong>g and grow<strong>in</strong>gtogether!Rabbi Yonah A. BurrMACHON SARAH HIGH SCHOOL FORGIRLSEstablished <strong>in</strong> 1990 <strong>in</strong> honour <strong>of</strong> the<strong>in</strong>comparable Sarah Schenirer whopioneered higher <strong>Jewish</strong> education <strong>for</strong>young women, Machon Sarah is part andparcel <strong>of</strong> the Ottawa Torah Institute underthe leadership <strong>of</strong> Rabbi Eliezer Ben-Porat.It operates at a separate campus whileshar<strong>in</strong>g OTI’s teach<strong>in</strong>g staff.Based on the model <strong>of</strong> the Bais Yakovschools, the curriculum provides an <strong>in</strong>depthstudy <strong>of</strong> Humash, Navi, Hebrew,<strong>Jewish</strong> history, laws, and customs coupledwith the Grades 9-12 curriculum <strong>of</strong> theOntario M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Education.The richness <strong>of</strong> the traditional Judaiccurriculum produces graduates whoidentify strongly with Am Yisrael, ToratYisrael and Eretz Yisrael. Most pursue theirhigher education <strong>in</strong> the State <strong>of</strong> Israel orat universities <strong>in</strong> the large <strong>Jewish</strong> communities<strong>of</strong> North America and are actively<strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> these communities.NCSY’S TORAH HIGH AND JEWISHCULTURE CLUBS REACH JEWISHTEENSNCSY’s new <strong>Jewish</strong> educational program,Torah High, is a <strong>Jewish</strong> studies programthat allows public high school students totake <strong>Jewish</strong> studies courses and receive ahigh school credit. Torah High also <strong>of</strong>fersa Mitzvah Action Corps program thatprovides volunteer opportunities <strong>for</strong>students. For the fifty-two <strong>Jewish</strong> publichigh school students currently enrolled,Torah High has become the place to learnand earn credit with fasc<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g classes,amaz<strong>in</strong>g topics, excit<strong>in</strong>g discussions, andfree pizza!NCSY also runs <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mal <strong>Jewish</strong> educationaloutreach programs at six differentpublic high schools <strong>in</strong> Ottawa. NCSY is ableto reach unaffiliated <strong>Jewish</strong> teens wherethey can be found – <strong>in</strong> their public highschools. Over 150 <strong>Jewish</strong> teens participateannually <strong>in</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> Culture Clubs and manycont<strong>in</strong>ue on to Torah High where they learnmore about Judaism and Israel.Bram BregmanOTTAWA TALMUD TORAH AFTER-NOON SCHOOLLet me open our doors and <strong>in</strong>troduce youto a school that prides itself <strong>in</strong> deliver<strong>in</strong>gan excellent <strong>Jewish</strong> education — and ongiv<strong>in</strong>g someth<strong>in</strong>g greater. Talmud Torahstudents are given the tools to acquirea sound knowledge <strong>of</strong> Judaism and itsimportance. They will carry this with themthroughout their lives. The education ourstudents receive goes beyond the books.Our school’s curriculum <strong>in</strong>cludes an <strong>in</strong>novative,<strong>in</strong>ternationally-recognized Hebrewacquisition program, as well as the study<strong>of</strong> laws and customs, prayer, <strong>Jewish</strong> history,and Israel. Talmud Torah provides ourstudents with a very good basis <strong>for</strong> theirBar and Bat Mitzvahs.Talmud Torah holds events to br<strong>in</strong>g ourfamilies together and to participate <strong>in</strong> theOttawa <strong>Jewish</strong> community. We create bondsbetween <strong>Jewish</strong> families that will last alifetime. I am <strong>for</strong>tunate to have committedparents who understand that <strong>Jewish</strong>education cannot be successful <strong>in</strong> isolationfrom our homes and Ottawa’s grow<strong>in</strong>gcommunity.Tal Gilboa, Pr<strong>in</strong>cipalOTTAWA TORAH CENTER CHABADOttawa Torah Center Chabad (OTC) wasfounded <strong>in</strong> 1997 on the premise that <strong>Jewish</strong>education and mean<strong>in</strong>gful experiencesare the grass-roots method to fight<strong>in</strong>g the<strong>for</strong>ces <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>difference, apathy, and assimilation.OTC is based <strong>in</strong> the Barrhaven areawhere many young <strong>Jewish</strong> families aresettl<strong>in</strong>g. It is dedicated to serv<strong>in</strong>g all Jewswith Ahavat Yisrael—an unconditional loveand concern <strong>for</strong> every Jew regardless<strong>of</strong> background, affiliation, or f<strong>in</strong>ancialabilities.OTC has developed a full array <strong>of</strong> excit<strong>in</strong>geducational activities and social programs<strong>for</strong> the entire family <strong>in</strong> partnership withmany local <strong>Jewish</strong> organizations.Through stimulat<strong>in</strong>g hands-on workshopssuch as Sh<strong>of</strong>ar mak<strong>in</strong>g, through the BatMitzvah Club and Youth Programs, over1500 children <strong>in</strong> Ottawa ga<strong>in</strong> an appreciation<strong>for</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> tradition. These programsare now <strong>of</strong>fered to the public school systemon major <strong>Jewish</strong> holidays.The highly praised <strong>Jewish</strong> Learn<strong>in</strong>gInstitute (JLI) courses, <strong>of</strong>fered throughoutthe year at the Soloway <strong>Jewish</strong> CommunityCenter, have drawn over 300 students todate.OTC provides holiday celebrations <strong>in</strong> whichhundreds <strong>of</strong> families participate, many <strong>of</strong>them unaffiliated.P A G E 42 • C O N T I N U I T Y M A G A Z I N E
Best WishesfromSusan, Gillie& Elie VeredA P U B L I C A T I O N O F Y I T Z H A K R A B I N H I G H S C H O O L“ A L i f e t i m e o f L e a r n i n g ” • P A G E 43