Schools join for Purim

HODIE KAHN

Golda Meir once remarked that she never did anything alone; whatever she accomplished in Israel was accomplished collectively. Taking their cue from the former Israeli prime minister, Greater Vancouver’s day schools have joined together to hold the first-ever Greater Vancouver Jewish Day School Purim Mishloach Manot Campaign.

Campaign co-chair Aimee Promislow, a parent of children at Vancouver Hebrew Academy, credits Vancouver Talmud Torah Parents’ Association co-presidents Leana Gaerber and Marnie Greenwald for the collaboration. “Last year, we began a wonderful partnership with King David High School, so it was very exciting when Leana and Marnie approached us and asked if VTT could join the party,” she said. “It just snowballed from there to include every day school in Greater Vancouver.

“I really can’t say enough great things about the incredible working relationship and support we’ve had from all the other day schools. I think this effort is a great example of community-building at its best,” she added.

The campaign is coordinated by VHA, in partnership with KDHS, Pacific Torah Institute, Richmond Jewish Day School, Shalhevet Girls High School and VTT.

“VTT’s in-house mishloach manot program was aimed at building spirit within the VTT community. But it was clear when we started using the same webserver two years ago to process orders online that there was overlap between our customers, KDHS’s and VHA’s, which was a bit problematic,” Gaerber explained.

“We approached VHA this year to consolidate our programs as a way of helping reduce confusion and assist them with, what is for them, a critical fundraiser. We are very happy that we can continue to meet our needs and play a part in supporting another Jewish school in the process.”

KDHS will serve as host for a mass “pack-a-thon,” which will bring together Grade 6 students from RJDS, VTT and VHA to help put together the 1,600 Purim packages. Senior KDHS students and parents will also lend a hand. Volunteers from each school will deliver the mishloach manot packages throughout Greater Vancouver on Purim day, this year on Sunday, March 20.

This year’s theme is being kept tightly under wraps, but Promislow is confident that it will be as well-received as those of previous years, like last year’s Olympic Recovery Kit, which included a ceramic mug with a Purim-inspired Inukshuk logo, filled with a selection of goodies to soothe Olympic fever.

Now in its 17th year, the mishloach manot campaign has become not only a signature fundraiser at VHA but also its major one of the academic year.

“We are very grateful to everyone who supports us by participating in this fundraiser, and especially thankful this year to all the day schools for working with us to maintain the integrity of this program for VHA,“ said Rabbi Don Pacht, principal of VHA. “We look forward to reciprocating.”

The cost to send mishloach manot is $5 per package for those with children in area day schools, $7 for non-day school recipients and $180 to send packages to families from an entire school.

The deadline for orders is March 10. To participate, e-mail [email protected] or call Ruth Huberman at 604-263-1274.

Hodie Kahn is a Vancouver Hebrew Academy and King David High School parent and Mishloach Manot Campaign co-chair.

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