Robbins Hebrew Academy

Jordan Allen When Jordan Allen delivered TanenbaumCHAT's 2016/17 Valedictory address he spoke not only about academics, but also about character. What we all have, he said, is the choice to uphold a certain character wherever we go, and he credits not only his high school years but his years spent at USDS/RHA. The oldest of three boys who all graduated from RHA, Jordan describes his elementary years as an amazing experience. In addition to the stellar learning, he is also passionate about the friendships he formed. "Most of the friends I made will be lifelong", he says. For Jordan, those friendships were formed not only in the classrooms but also on the gym floor. A sports enthusiast, Jordan participated in volleyball, hockey, basketball and softball. Sports were such an important part of his experience that, even after graduating, Jordan returned for four more years to coach the RHA hockey team with his dad. Currently Jordan is pursuing a Degree in Engineering at Queen's University, with plans to study applied math next year. He says that the fundamentals he learned at RHA and the way the teachers encouraged him to think prepared him well for his education. And the tikkun olam and the menschlichkeit that was a foundation of his learning enabled him to build the character that has helped him thrive. "Queen's is a big school in a small town and some students have never been exposed to Judaism before. If I am the first Jewish person they meet, I know that my behaviour will represent us all." Hannah Simpson Hannah Simpson was finishing up her Honours Degree in Business Administration at Western University's Ivey Business School when Labatt came calling. She was one of just eight people chosen from over 1000 candidates for a job in its coveted Global Management Trainee program. For the past year, she has lived in cities across North America learning the company's diverse functions – everything from marketing and sales to finance and operations. Just recently she's been promoted to Innovations at head office. Hannah spent her high school years at TanenbaumCHAT, and her elementary years at RHA. She says her early years at RHA gave her some of her most formative and influential experiences. "From the time I was really young, RHA taught me leadership skills and how to be part of a team. That has been invaluable for me. Those were exactly the qualities that companies were looking for." Hannah says that classroom learning was just one part of her educational experience at RHA. Being on the basketball team taught her collaboration. Public speaking taught her how to express her ideas coherently and confidently. And being a Class Representative, a member of the Student Council and finally Student Council President gave her the skills to both listen and lead. "RHA was a very positive experience for me. I had great teachers who went out of their way to develop relationships with their students. They cared about us at every level of learning. I also really loved the Jewish education. I still remember the Seders and Sukkah parties." And as with most RHA alumni, Hannah remembers the friends she made. Many are still part of her life today. "I love that I am close with my childhood friends. And I'm always so excited to catch up with RHA classmates I haven't seen in a while." That is, when she is not travelling the continent for Labatt. Portraits of RHA Graduates

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