\u201cThe fact that, for the first time in the 160 years of Jewish history in Victoria, the first Jewish day school is opening is a testimony to the growth of Jewish life on Vancouver Island,\u201d said Rabbi Meir Kaplan, the director of Chabad of Vancouver Island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cVictoria is now a destination for families who would like to raise their children in a community with robust Jewish education,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Chabad of Vancouver Island was established in September 2003 when Kaplan and his wife, Chani, arrived in Victoria. At first, the living room of their home was used as the shul and children\u2019s play area. Their programs, and the interest they drew, expanded over the years and more space was needed to accommodate the community. On Aug. 24, 2016, the Verrier Family Chabad Centre for Jewish Life and Learning was opened.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRabbi Kaplan has been a mover and shaker, and his wife, Chani, has also been a major reason the school is happening,\u201d said Leah Kinarthy, an active member of the local Jewish community and president of Jewish Family Services Vancouver Island. \u201cThe preschool she runs is incredible. Having a successful preschool is a major requirement for the Tamim Academies to support a new school opening.\u201d<\/p>\n Kinarthy and her husband, Elior, were instrumental in enabling the school to become a reality and Leah Kinarthy will serve on the school\u2019s board. Cathy Lowenstein, who was head of Vancouver Talmud Torah for 17 years, is now a professional advisor who helps launch private schools and works to establish them as certified independent schools in the province \u2013 she was also pivotal in bringing Kineret Tamim into being.<\/p>\n Principal Kristen Lundgren, who holds a bachelor\u2019s of education specializing in French immersion and French second language instruction, has 27 years of experience in childhood education. Hebrew and Judaic studies will be taught by Viviana Finkelstein, who has taught elementary Hebrew for more than 30 years.<\/p>\n \u201cThe school has an incredible headteacher\/principal and a Judaic\/Hebrew teacher,\u201d said Kinarthy. \u201cIt\u2019s a community school that will be a unifying force for quality Jewish education for our children and grandchildren. Opening a Jewish day school was our lifelong dream; now is the time to make our legacy a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n Kineret Tamim will offer secular education, with both French and Hebrew immersion, along with Judaic studies. The organizers of the school stress their objective is to facilitate the \u201cunbounded potential\u201d and \u201cinnate desire to learn\u201d within every child.<\/p>\n Further, they aim to \u201cprioritize long-term social-emotional and spiritual health in order to fulfil our mission of developing kindness, self-efficacy and purpose in each student.\u201d This approach, they believe, will enable students to make their own positive imprint on the world.<\/p>\n The school will be inclusive. Every Jewish child, regardless of background, affiliation or level of observance, will be able to attend. No Jewish child, their website states, will be denied a Jewish education due to financial circumstances. All students must wear a uniform. Kineret Tamim has partnered with a security company to ensure the safety of children and staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The school is part of Tamim Academies, an international organization of schools, and is one of many located around the world. The name stems from Tomchei Temimim, the first formal yeshivah system of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which was founded in 1897 in Russia by Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneerson. Each student was referred to as \u201ctamim,\u201d pure, perfect or complete \u2013 the assumption being that each child is inherently holy and good, with \u201cwholeness\u201d being the foundation of the education model.<\/p>\n For several years, Chabad of Vancouver Island has been operating CTots, a licensed early childcare centre, situated on the upper level of the Centre of Jewish Life and Learning on Glasgow Street. Kineret Tamim Academy will be located on Quadra Street.<\/p>\n The Chabad centre in Victoria is one of two on Vancouver Island. There is also Chabad Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island, which launched in January 2015.<\/p>\n On Lag b\u2019Omer (May 26) at 4:30 p.m., there will be a groundbreaking for Kineret Tamimn Academy, coinciding with a community barbecue. The event will take place at the CTots Adventure Park. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Sponsorship is $180.<\/p>\n![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/may-24-cov.24.Chabad-Day-School-Kaplans.png\")
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