The generous donation of a courtyard bench to TanenbaumCHAT by the devoted Stern family reflects their deep connection to the school and its mission. With two daughters currently enroled—Jadyn, who is graduating this year, and Mara, who is in Grade 10—Debbie and Shawn Stern (pictured above, with Debbie and Shawn Stern with their children (from left to right) Jadyn, Mara and Jonah.) have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that TanenbaumCHAT has had on their children’s academic, social, and cultural development. With their son, Jonah, set to join the community in two years, the Sterns felt a desire to further solidify their family’s ties to the school by leaving a lasting legacy in the form of a beautiful bench in the courtyard—a place where students and staff alike can take a moment to reflect, relax, socialize, and find peace.
We asked the Stern family about their motivation for this generous gift.
Tell us about your family’s connection to TanenbaumCHAT.
Having a Jewish identity and connection to our community is incredibly important to our family. A Jewish education is a priority, and when it came time to choose a high school for our children, it was a no-brainer. TanenbaumCHAT not only provides the Jewish education we were looking for but also the sense of Jewish values and community we wanted our children to be surrounded by.
Why support TanenbaumCHAT?
For our children, Jewish education has always been essential. Coming from Holocaust-surviving families and with many relatives in Israel, we feel strongly about passing down our Jewish values and traditions. Learning about our history, being surrounded by our community, and feeling a sense of unity is truly what it’s all about. So far, our daughters have had the most wonderful experience at TanenbaumCHAT, and we are confident that our son will as well. There is nowhere else they want to be, and we are incredibly grateful. Supporting the school helps ensure that our children, and others, can have access to the incredible Jewish education that TanenbaumCHAT provides.
What role do you feel the school plays in the Jewish community of the GTA?
Now, more than ever, TanenbaumCHAT plays a vital role in our community. Since October 7, 2023 we have seen a rise in antisemitism right in our city. As the only community Jewish high school in the GTA, TanenbaumCHAT serves as a safe haven for our community’s teens—a place where they can unite, stand proud, learn about our rich history and traditions together, and further foster a love of who we are and what we stand for as a united community. By proudly donating the courtyard bench, the Stern family contributes to this nurturing environment, ensuring that TanenbaumCHAT remains a refuge for generations to come.
