As I reflect on the remarkable journey of our school, I am reminded of the profound themes of growth and resilience, much like the foundational stories of those who came before us. The Book of Genesis tells the story of the seeds of the Israelite nation. Abraham heeds God’s instructions to leave his birthplace and follow His ways. Of his two sons, Isaac is destined to continue in his footsteps, and of Isaac’s two sons, Jacob will follow him. With Jacob, the family grows with his twelve sons and daughter until a total of 70 people head to Egypt to live there in a time of famine. And so, the tiny Israelite nation grew and grew, and, as tradition tells us, 600,000 men and women left Egypt some 210 years later to stand at Sinai during the Revelation. Though we may not know all the details of their journey through the desert or how they met all their logistical needs, we can assume they received much divine assistance.
At TanenbaumCHAT, we have been blessed with our own growth over the past several years. In the last seven years alone, we have welcomed more than 2,500 new students and many dedicated teachers and staff. Our dual curriculum, commitment to academic excellence, and unique programs infused with Jewish values and Israel engagement have been key drivers of this progress. And now, more than ever, as the only community Jewish high school in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, we continue to strengthen our role as a cornerstone of the Jewish community, making even more of an impact and underscoring the need for expansion.
This past fall marked a significant milestone in our growth with the opening of the Irving & Bella Naiberg Family Wing. This addition, which spans 14,000-square-feet, includes state-of-the-art classrooms, two science labs, dedicated computer rooms, and a new guidance office. These enhancements ensure that we can better support our students, equipping them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
We are incredibly grateful to the Naiberg family for their unwavering commitment to Jewish education and their generous support, which has enabled us to meet the evolving needs of our thriving community. Together, we are planting the seeds for a vibrant future.
As we move forward together, let us celebrate our achievements and the beautiful community we continue to build.
