Messages from the Head of School

This week we begin the annual Torah reading cycle, starting with the creation of the world in the first chapter of Genesis.  Standard English translations, based primarily on non-Jewish sources, render the first words of our parasha, “In the beginning, God created the...

The Content of our Character The most ancient of all of the prayers for the High Holidays has a special connection to The Akiva School.  Avinu Malkeinu is almost 2,000 years old, yet its central words have remained unchanged.  Akiva’s founder, Rabbi David Hartman,...

On Thursday mornings in synagogue, we recite a prayer that begins with the words, “Acheinu kol beit yisrael—Our brethren, all the House of Israel.”  The tefillah offers the image of all Jews living as siblings in the same home, caring for each other as brothers and...

One would hardly associate religion with flexibility.  Religion is about rules, and rules are, by nature, rigid.  This is by no means an affront to religion.  Rules provide our lives with structure and meaning. Rules keep us safe.  The myriad COVID-related regulations...

Today is Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of new Hebrew month of Elul.  Elul marks the beginning of the season of forgiveness, leading into Rosh Hashanah, the holiday of repentance, including Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and concluding with Hoshanah Rabbah, the end of...

As I look at our students during the final days of school before the summer, I am reminded of the Israelites standing at the border of the Promised Land.  Behind them are the trials and toils that marked their trek through the desert, the hard work that characterized...

Rabbi David Hartman, founder of The Akiva School, was known in Montreal and throughout the Jewish world as a powerful preacher, intrepid cleric, popular philosopher, and institution builder.  He was also an exceptional basketball player. Rabbi Hartman grew up in...

Everyone thrives on routine.  We have weekly, monthly, and daily cycles and routines that give life a sense of order and purpose.  Getting up each morning is eased by the fact that I know exactly the steps I must take from the time my alarm rings to the time I am at...