In 1993, thanks to the incredible leadership of former HA Educational Director Rabbi Stanley Peerless and Executive Director Linda Lehrer, the Grade 10 class of 1995 was the first to participate in Lehava – an acronym for L’Shana Haba B’Yerushalayim HaBenuya – a three-month program of study and tiyulim in Israel that ran from August to November. Over the years, a number of grades participated in this fabulous program. Hebrew Academy regularly welcomes contingents from the Generations of Israel and Gesher Chai programs which aim to strengthen Jewish identity in Israel and the Diaspora. Participants of either program visit Hebrew Academy annually and share their passion and love for Israel with our students through educational programming. In the heart of Jerusalem, on Ben Yehuda, there’s a small shop with a big Hebrew Academy connection. The Muffin Boutique, a bakery/café that serves Montreal-style bagels, salads and shakes, among other fare, is owned by Hebrew Academy alumna Lainie (Dubrow) Richler ’83 and her husband Shmarya, who made Aliyah with their children in 1995. In October 2015, the Richlers, along with other Jerusalem restaurant owners, launched an initiative to support Israeli soldiers and first-responders who worked tirelessly during that difficult period to protect and assist civilians: all on-duty soldiers, police officers and ambulance workers were offered a free sandwich, drink and muffin at the Muffin Boutique! Upon learning about the project via social media, then Elementary Rav Mechanech Rabbi Eddie Shostak spearheaded a Toonie Campaign in the Elementary School. In one week alone, HA students raised $658 – enough to provide 76 free meals to the first-responders! For the second year in a row, our Grade 10 and 11 students were among 30,000 participants of the International Jerusalem Winner Marathon this past March! Hebrew Academy is the first and only Montreal team to participate in the Jerusalem Marathon in support of Shalva, the Israel Association for Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Israel. In addition to preparing themselves physically to run either the 5K or 10K race, Team Shalva participants were each required to raise $2800; money that went directly to the center. Kol Hakavod to this year’s 21 participants who raised over $73,000 for the cause! "‫ישראל‬ ‫לארץ‬ ‫הולך‬ ‫אני‬ ‚‫הולך‬ ‫שאני‬ ‫מקום‬ ‫"כל‬ ‫מברסלב‬ ‫נחמן‬ ‫רבי‬ 33