Robbins Hebrew Academy

5 It was 18 years ago when the Shekarchis first explored Jewish day schools for their eldest daughter, Amanda. Neither Sigal nor Jimmy is from Toronto, and they were looking not only for a school, but a home. They found it at RHA. "It wasn't the fanciest place," remembers Sigal, "but it immediately spoke to my heart." Three daughters – Kaylan, Lauren and Hailey – would follow Amanda to RHA, and all these years later, they are still an RHA family. "The question isn't why we chose RHA in the first place," says Sigal. "The question really is why have we stayed all this time." Sigal says they have watched each of their daughters thrive. For them, RHA's critical thinking philosophy isn't just lip-service. It has been fundamental as their daughters developed into strategic and confident thinkers. What's more, Sigal says, the teachers have been amazing. The Shekarchis also love that everyone knows one another. "There are no strangers in the hallway," they say. And for that, they are grateful. "Everyone wants our kids to succeed. They want them to be prepared for the next phase of their lives. No one is just sitting behind a desk. Our kids are their first priority." When the Coopermans started looking for a school, they had in mind Jewish education coupled with academic excellence, a warm community and a commitment by the school to stay at the forefront of education. Their search brought them to RHA. But the Coopermans wanted more than great academics. They wanted their children, Jax in grade 3, Leo in grade 1 and Shael in nursery, to feel welcome. Dani and Evan wanted to meet other down-to-earth families. "RHA is a place where everyone knows your name," says Dani. She recounts that one day, as she was walking out of the school, Jax dropped his hat. "A grade seven boy came running after him, leaving his friends and calling Jax by name to return the hat. That this boy left his friends to help a little kid tells me about the kind of souls RHA is producing." The boys agree. "I love my school," says Jax. "There is always someone to play with." And Leo says, "I love my teachers and getting to paint. It is also fun to learn new Hebrew songs and we get to sing them for all the parents." That's really high praise. "We were expecting a religious education," says Dani, "not a private school one. But the calibre of academics is outstanding and the programs — like chess, robotics, coding and skating — have completely surprised us." Dani and Evan Cooperman Sigal and Jimmy Shekarchi

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