עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי
On October 7, 2023, we witnessed the most devastating loss of civilian Jewish lives in Israel’s history. In the difficult days since we have continued to pray daily for peace and for the safety and well-being of all the people of Israel, especially those who remain in captivity and members of the Israel Defense Forces.
Israel Every Day
Fostering strong ties to the Jewish State is a key commitment of our school each and every day. Outside our building, the Israeli flag flies proudly beside the Canadian maple leaf. In our classrooms, we begin every morning with both O Canada and Hatikva, followed by prayers for Medinat Yisrael. Our walls are alive with Israeli artwork. When we celebrate, Israeli music fills the air.
Hebrew is spoken and studied daily in every grade, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. As students advance in their studies, they learn more about the richness of Israel’s people, culture, geography, history and – in more senior grades – about the political and social complexities of our Jewish homeland.
Israel When We Celebrate
Israel is an important presence in our holiday and milestone celebrations, especially Tu B’Shvat, Yom Yerushalayim and Yom Ha’atzmaut. We celebrate Israel’s birthday with our annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Song Festival, which sees students in Grades 5-12 compose and perform original songs on Jewish and Israeli themes. Israel is remembered with somber appreciation on Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaShoah. In Grade 3, learning comes to life with an annual Virtual Voyage to Israel.
Connecting to Israel through P2G
Since 1997, our P2G (Partnership 2 Gether) program has brought Gray Academy students together with students from Dancinger High School in Kiryat Shmona, Israel. The program supports an invaluable exchange between countries and discussions related to life in Israel, as well as Jewish life in the diaspora.
Through this program, we have welcomed Israeli teens and teachers to Gray Academy to connect with our faculty and students of all ages. Conversely, we have sent more than 100 Gray Academy High School students to visit and learn in Israel for 10 days, as the second half of the exchange.
Through two-and-a-half decades, this program has created authentic and lasting relationships between students in the two countries.
P2G 2023
On Friday, October 6, Gray Academy celebrated Simchat with visiting students and faculty from Danciger High School. Less than 24 hours later, our joy turned to horror as tragedy unfolded in Israel. With no flights available, our P2G guests stayed with us far longer than planned. We were incredibly grateful to our P2G host families and the entire Winnipeg Jewish community for helping us support our visitors during their extended stay.
Upon their return home, Danciger students and staff, together with almost all residents of Kiryat Shmona, were evacuated from their homes, as rockets rained down from the north. For the next 18 months, students were dispersed in temporary homes, hotels and makeshift schools throughout the country.
Finally, in March 2025, they were able to return home and resume life in school. Throughout those difficult months, our P2G friends remained in our hearts. We look forward to resuming this important program that has brought so much to our school and our community.
See highlights from our unforgettable 2023 P2G visit:
