Messages from the Head of School
Important messages and announcements, as well as inspiring Divrei Torah from our Head of School.
The Siddur
The Torah is the most venerated book in Judaism, revered as the Word of God. The Bible is Jewish Holy Scripture, a collection of sacred books filled with the ancient history of our people, the admonitions of our prophets, and the wisdom of our ancestors. ...
Art Fair – Message from the Head of School
The Torah’s prohibition of creating artistic images, promulgated in last week’s parsha, was taken most seriously by Jews throughout our history. “You shall not make for yourself an image…” was considered by prominent rabbinic figures in different eras and...
Art Speaks! Message from the Head of School
« Par ma foi ! il y a plus de quarante ans que je dis de la prose sans que j'en susse rien !»"My faith! For more than forty years I have been speaking prose without knowing it!"Molière, Le Bourgeois gentilhommeLike Monsieur Jourdain in Molière’s play, most...
Hebrew Language Week
When the Israelites left Egypt after 430 years of exile, they brought with them their old and their young, their flocks and their herds, great wealth, and unleavened bread. So we learned in last week’s Torah reading. According to our rabbis, there was...
Message from the Head of School
As we return from winter break, I find that the most popular topic of conversation is the weather. While we know that winter comes every year—and at the same time—somehow we find ourselves unreasonably surprised that the cold and snow have returned...
Grade 6 Day
Tomorrow is Grade 6 Day, an Akiva tradition where the Grade 6 students become the teachers and administrators of the school for one day. Like so many Akiva traditions, Grade 6 Day speaks directly to the mission of the Akiva school, encouraging student...
The show must go on…
With Chanukkah’s departure, we have the opportunity to take a more nuanced look at the intersection between Jewish and Greek culture. While Chanukkah offers a binary view of Hellenism as antithetical to Biblical and Rabbinic values, the reality is more...
Light up our Learning
Chanukkah is one of my favorite Jewish holidays, but not for the reasons you may suspect. While I enjoy the foods, songs, and celebrations associated with the festival, every other Jewish holiday also has its own unique culinary, musical, and ritual...
Any Dream Will Do
Andrew Lloyd Webber was 17 years old when he began composing musical theater, the same age as Joseph when we first meet him in the Torah, in this week’s parasha. Joseph made Lloyd Webber famous when the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat...
Bilingualism as a Jewish Value
The story of Jacob’s life, which continues in this week’s Torah reading, is a swashbuckling adventure. From his theft of Esau’s birthright and blessing, the tale continues with Jacob’s furtive escape from his vengeful and murderous brother, his dream...
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Rabbi Grossman’s Blog Corner
Rabbi Grossman's Corner
The Number Fifty
The number fifty holds special significance for the Jewish people. This weekend we complete the Counting of the Omer, the fifty-day count from the holiday of Passover to the festival of Shavuot, the latter of which is observed this Sunday and Monday. For the past...
Expo ’19
This Victoria Day, I made a pilgrimage to the site of the glorious Expo ’67 World Fair. Just over 50 years ago, Montreal was the venue for an exposition that displayed the greatest achievements of human innovation and creativity in the mid 20th century. Two years...
Generation to Generation
When the Israelites arrived in the Promised Land, they brought with them four objects they had acquired at various occasions during their journey. Each item bore witness to a story from their past, and carried with it lessons that would be transmitted to...
“You shall be Holy, for I, the Lord your God, am Holy.”
“You shall be Holy, for I, the Lord your God, am Holy.” In these, the opening words of this week’s parasha, we have the essential credo of the Jewish religion. We are commanded by God to emulate Him and His ways, what is called in Jewish and general...
The value of math
Math is a priority at Akiva because it is important for our students to develop mathematical skill and reasoning that will benefit them throughout their lives. Over the past years, we have introduced new methodologies and techniques in the teaching of...
Passover
The festival of Passover is all about relationships. On Passover the Israelites ended their oppressive relationship with the Egyptians and entered into a new relationship with God. In a few days, Jews around the world will sit down to sedarim with family and friends,...
Following the Moon
Since the dawn of humanity, most nations have lived their lives by the sun. Ancient peoples turned the sun into a god; they looked to the most powerful body in the sky—the source of light, warmth, and life itself—and worshipped it as a deity. Apollo, Athena, and...
The sounds of Jewish music
The topic of this week’s Torah portion is the Tabernacle, the tent-shrine that served as the religious center of the Israelites throughout their wanderings in the desert and during their early years of settlement in the land of Canaan. In fact, the...
Parashat Tzav – Dvar Torah
By Guest Blogger: Bonnie Levine, Akiva parent and Board MemberOver the last several years our family has rented a home in the Laurentians during the winter months. We relish our time together at this special little hideaway, spending quality time with our...
Chag Purim Sameach – Message from the Head of School
There are four mitzvot, four commandments that we are required to perform on Purim: Listening to the reading of the Megillah, partaking of a festive meal, sending gifts of food to friends, and giving alms to the poor. Though these requirements seem...