News from Kol Ami

on Wednesday, 23 November 2016.

Experiential Learning at Kol Ami

“Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.”
― John Dewey

Along my journey these past two years towards earning a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education, I’ve been introduced to the educational philosophy of John Dewey. He believed that students thrive in an environment where they are allowed to experience and interact with the curriculum, and all students should have the opportunity to take part in their own learning.

Simply put, instead of learning about something, students are learning by doing.

Last year, UJA’s Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Education partnered with the Jewish Theological Seminary to offer Toronto’s Supplementary Educators the opportunity to learn more about “Jewish Experiential Education” and how we can bring it to our supplemental schools. They have provided our school with a generous grant so that we may introduce Experiential Learning to Kol Ami. I attend the seminars and Kol Ami’s teachers, in turn, are learning from me.

What is unique about Experiential Learning? We start by altering the space, even leaving the classroom completely. We provide opportunities for the students to dynamically interact with the subject material, using multiple senses and methods, such as researching, playing and building. And why do we do this? We do this to create a greater sense of community. We want to give the students time to reflect on their learning. Just as we sometimes remove the classroom from the learning, we want to take the learning out of the classroom, into the world.

You may have noticed some Experiential Learning going on already:

•  Lights turned low in a classroom, a Shabbat table set with candles, kiddush cups, challah, flowers, and kippot for a weekly welcome to Shabbat.
• Students experiencing the Jewish Life Cycle by “raising” dolls and modelling the rituals as they grow up.
• Students shopping for art materials using play Shekels in an Israeli Shuk to complete a High Holiday project.
•  Students creating their own Sukkot and demonstrating their understanding of the rules that guide Sukkot building.
•  Moving and responding to Hebrew commands during “Hebrew Through Movement.”
•  Playing games that require co-operation, active learning, and community building through Jewnior Games.

We are currently planning an all-school Chanukah program that will feature Experiential Learning at its core. Our students will be able to explore Chanukah through the lenses of History, Tradition and Freedom.

As we introduce Experiential Learning to our students, you can join in the learning. When your students hop into the car at the end of the school day, try asking,  “What did you do today?” rather than, “What did you learn about today?” I hope these questions and conversations will bring their learning out of the classroom and into your homes

Judy Silver

on Sunday, 25 September 2016.

Kol Ami’s Madrichim

Kol Ami is so lucky to have over 20 dedicated teens from grades 8-10 volunteering in our school as “Madrichim”!

What do our Madrichim do? 

• They are part of the “Hebrew Crew” working one-on-one with students from Grade 3-6 during the morning Hebrew session. Each sit with a student and listen to them read or assist them with their writing.
• Each madrich/madricha is assigned to a class as a teacher-aide. Within the class, they will assist the teacher with class preparation, assisting in projects, and working with the students. 
• The madrichim have their own one-hour study sessions with Shoshi Streiffer, our Madrichim educator and co-ordinator. This year’s topics are Reform Judaism and Hot Topics. 
• They will plan, organize, and carry out All-School programs. Last year they organized our end of the year Maccabia sports day.

Our Madrichim gain invaluable experience working with children, earn community service hours towards their high school diploma, and continued Jewish learning alongside their friends.
Our Madrichim show our younger students that Jewish learning and Jewish living does not have to end after the Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremony. They are a wonderfully energetic and compassionate group and excellent role models in our school. Our school is the better because of their involvement and dedication to Kol Ami. 
Todah rabah, Madrichim! We are so glad you’re here!

Judy Silver

on Sunday, 28 August 2016.

I just finished my week on faculty at Camp George. For my part, it's been a week of planning, teaching and meeting wonderful colleagues from across Ontario. However, my greatest pleasure has been watching our Kol Ami "kids".

Throughout the week I have seen our counselors engaged warmly with their campers, showing them compassion and kindness. I have witnessed with great pride Kol Ami campers enthusiastically engaged in Limudim (Educationals), strut their stuff on stage in a production of Lion King, enduring injuries with humour and grace, participating in T'fillah, jumping and singing to Hebrew songs, and wishing their friends and counselors a Shabbat Shalom.

Camp George is not just another Ontario camp, it's our camp, and our Kol Ami kids live and breathe Judaism here, while being their own unique wonderful selves. What a privilege it was to experience camp alongside them.

L’Shalom,
Judy

on Sunday, 26 June 2016.

Kol Ami…..

Helping to repair the world

…..one Mitzvah at a time

A TIME TO SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO GAVE

SO MUCH TO FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY

The Ladies Auxiliary of General Wingate Branch 256 Jewish Legion needs our help!

On Sunday July 10th 2016, at 46 Mistysugar Trail, Thornhill, they are holding a garage sale to raise funds for the veterans living in the nursing home wing of Sunnybrook Hospital and for homeless veterans.  All money raised will help to enrich the daily lives of these aged and disabled veterans and go towards building affordable housing for homeless vets.

DONATIONS NEEDED:  China, dishes, crystal, silverware, flatware, collectables, paintings, bric-a-brac, jewellery, ladies, men’s and children’s new or very gently used clothing, fashion accessories, new or almost new small household items, electronic games and toys and anything else of interest etc.

DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THESE OLD CANES, WALKERS,

WHEELCHAIRS ETC……WE CAN HELP SOLVE YOUR DILEMA

The Karanda Mission Hospital, located in rural northern Zimbabwe, is a 150 bed hospital treating over 100,000 patients and performing over 3,500 surgeries annually. The patients are some of the most impoverished and disadvantaged people who have ever walked the earth. The hospital is grossly underfunded.

DONATIONS NEEDED: walking canes, wheelchairs, walkers, hand and leg braces and any other orthopedic appliances you may have gathering dust in your basement or garage.

Your unwanted bicycles will also help nurses reach patients in remote areas.

To donate items and help make a difference in the lives of aged, sick, disabled and homeless veterans in the GTA, as well as the infirm and desperately underprivileged of Zimbabwe please contact: Marleine Kay at 905 763 1136 or marleine@rogers.com

Because we are KOL AMI together we CAN make a difference!