\u201cOur objective is to create a school that offers a unified, child-centred and future-ready approach to Jewish education, where academic excellence and spiritual development go hand in hand,\u201d Yeshayahu said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Tamim, general and Judaic studies are integrated, not compartmentalized \u2013 reflecting the belief that students should be empowered to live as their whole selves in every environment. We educate the whole child,\u201d he said, \u201cnurturing intellectual growth, emotional well-being, social responsibility and Jewish identity in equal measure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yeshayahu emphasized that each student at the school will have their own learning plan, developed to meet their unique strengths, interests and areas for growth. Tamim offers an educational model that is personal, and designed for the real world, he said.<\/p>\n
According to Yeshayahu, the school will include Hebrew taught by native speakers; a values-based culture that stresses kindness, responsibility, resilience and leadership; a nutritious hot lunch; and a diverse community.<\/p>\n Among some of the additional program highlights will be gardening, nature exploration (hiking and wildlife observation) and art across several media. The school, with access to a large field and playground, will also feature outdoor play. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTamim students don\u2019t just learn, they flourish,\u201d said Yeshayahu. \u201cThey leave school each day feeling capable, connected and proud of who they are.\u201d<\/p>\n Yeshayahu made clear that, while the Tamim Academy is situated on the location of the former Vancouver Hebrew Academy, it is a completely new school with a distinct vision, leadership team and educational model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTamim Academy of Vancouver is part of a growing international network of schools that are reimagining Jewish education for today\u2019s world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe honour the legacy of Jewish education in this city,\u201d said Yeshayahu. \u201cTamim carries that commitment forward with renewed energy, a modern educational philosophy and a warm, inclusive community. We welcome Jewish families of all levels of observance and are proud to offer a space where every child is supported, celebrated and inspired to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n Laen Hershler, the school\u2019s director of education, is currently a teaching associate and mentor for pre-service teachers at the University of British Columbia. His work focuses on literacy education, creative pedagogy and inclusive teaching methods. He has previously served as a Judaic educator at King David High School, developed interactive and performance-based learning programs, and contributed to curriculum development across K-12 and post-secondary education.<\/p>\n Itay Reuven \u2013 a former army officer and commander, with a background in business studies \u2013 is the school\u2019s operations and safety coordinator, and Preet Brar serves as director of student life, innovation and learning enrichment.<\/p>\n Khezia Gibbons is the manager of Ner Atid Early Childhood Centre. She brings more than a decade of experience in early childhood education and, most recently, worked with the Township of Langley, where she guided young learners.<\/p>\n Tamim Academy of Vancouver will be the third Tamim in Canada after those established in the York region north of Toronto and the Kineret Tamim Academy, which opened in Victoria last year. (See jewishindependent.ca\/groundbreaking-may-26<\/a>.) There are 20 such academies in North America, and others around the world. The name stems from Tomchei Temimim, the first formal yeshiva system of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement that was founded in 1897 by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Schneerson in Russia. Each student was referred to as tamim<\/i>: pure, perfect or complete. The assumption is that each child is inherently holy and good, with the concept of \u201cwholeness\u201d being the foundation of the education model.<\/p>\n![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/jul-25-cov.25.Tamim-20250627_094103.jpg\")
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