CJA Mishpacha enjoy Maple Syrup and more at the June breakfast event

by Maxine Fischbein

(AJNews) – The sun was shining and spirits were high as 340 individuals gathered for Mishpacha & Maple Syrup, a multi-generational kosher pre-Stampede Breakfast at The Calgary Jewish Academy on Sunday, June 14.

The event brought together the school mishpacha (family) as well as members of the extended Jewish Calgary clan.

Highlights included good eats and entertainment by Calgary country-pop artists Megan Dawson & Flaysher.  Line dancing, games and crafts helped round out the action-packed morning, which included the opportunity for kids of all ages to check out a Calgary Fire Department truck and meet first responders.

Event sponsors included the Balaban Family, Obadia Mortgages, the Grintuch Family, Barrel Oil Corp, Alberta Jewish News, Joyce and Jeffrey Kerr, the Ashkin Family, the Frydberg Family, and Starbucks.

The festive gathering ran in tandem with the CJA Silent Auction, held online June 11-15. Proceeds of the fundraiser are earmarked for upgrades to the school PA system.

The energy at the pancake breakfast was great, buoyed, no doubt, by a sense of celebration at the school following a period of transition that included the hiring, last year, of veteran educator and school administrator Shelly Gelfand as Principal and experienced entrepreneur and community leader Jordan Balaban as school CEO. Notably, both these talented individuals were educated at the school, a point of pride for each.

During a recent interview with AJNews, Gelfand shared happy news regarding school enrollment. Retention levels are high and total registration for the 2025-2026 school year is up, Gelfand said, news that deserves a resounding YAHOO!

“CJA is currently accepting applications for the 2026–27 school year for all grades, Nursery to Grade 9, and for our affordable licensed daycare program for three and four-year-olds,” says Dana Silver, Director of Community and Advancement.

“We’re always excited to connect with families who may be looking for early learning and childcare options.”

For more information or to register your child(ren) go to www.cja.ab.ca/admissions.

Maxine Fischbein is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.