Halpern Akiva Academy’s 80’s GALA celebrates 45 years in Calgary

by Simon Aptor

(Calgary) – The world today has changed significantly since Joe Clark, Pierre Trudeau, John Turner, and Brian Mulroney were at the helm of the Canadian government, though Donkey Kong players and Bob Marley fans are still out there.

Founded in 1981, Halpern Akiva Academy will be celebrating its 45th anniversary, at this year’s school gala to be held at the Carriage House Hotel on Sunday evening, June 7, 2026. The theme of the evening is Back to the Future and everyone is invited to wear their most awesome 80s outfits to commemorate the milestone.

Halpern Akiva Academy is proud of its history and commitment to Jewish education over the last 45 years. While the classrooms now contain interactive boards and projectors instead of chalk boards and messy erasers, the students’ excitement to learn and the excellent education they receive in both Judaic and General Studies remain as vibrant as ever. The teachers’ approach to differentiated learning, appropriate use of technology in the classrooms, and hands-on learning across all the grades are the hallmark of a Halpern Akiva Academy education throughout the years.

It is a distinct honour to be recognizing Yannai and Marina Segal for their several decades of service to the school and the broader Calgary Jewish community. Marina can always be counted on behind the scenes working casinos, designing advertisements, sitting on the school board, and organizing the school gala – this year included! Yannai is a kidney donor, past-president of both the Calgary Jewish Federation and Halpern Akiva Academy, a HOJMI board member and president, and local entrepreneur.

Alumni, supporters, family and friends are invited to join the celebration on June 7. For tickets and donations, call the school office at 403-258-1312 or email office@akiva.ca. To purchase tickets online, go to https://halpernakiva.ca/gala/. The party will be totally rad!