Hundreds gathered for the CJA Mishpacha & Maple Syrup Breakfast

Community event celebrates legacy, connection, and support for student wellbeing

(Calgary) – The Calgary Jewish Academy playground was filled with laughter, music, and the smell of pancakes and hashbrowns on June 15, as more than 350 students, parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends of the CJA came together for the first Mishpacha & Maple Syrup pancake breakfast.

The new end-of-year event brought generations together to close the school year with food, games, and celebration; something organizers say they hope will become an annual tradition.

“This is exactly the kind of event our school community wants and needs,” said Principal & Head of School Joyce Kerr, retiring after 38 years as a teacher and educational leader. “It’s not just about the school, it’s about coming together as a community, celebrating each other, and building connections across generations. This is how we keep Jewish Calgary strong.”

One of the highlights of the morning was a White Hat ceremony honouring Morah Joyce and several retiring members of CJA’s Board of Directors. Joyce, who has taught hundreds of students over nearly four decades, described the moment as meaningful not just personally, but for the broader community.

“Teaching is about more than curriculum, it’s about relationships,” Morah Joyce said. “Seeing alumni, parents, and grandparents here alongside current students is a reminder of the lasting impact we have when we build a community like this.”

In addition to the breakfast festivities, CJA’s online silent auction raised over $17,000 toward much-needed facility upgrades. The same spirit of community support and togetherness seen at the breakfast is also helping to fuel the launch of the Cheder Neshama Fund, “A Room for the Soul,” inspired by and named in honour of Morah Joyce.

The Cheder Neshama will offer students a calm, supportive space to reset, whether they’re feeling overwhelmed or simply need a quiet moment during the day. The room will include tools and resources for mindfulness, movement, and emotional regulation, helping students build lifelong skills.

“The Cheder Neshama is about creating a safe, quiet space where students can breathe, reset, and feel supported,” said Dana Silver, Director of Community & Advancement at CJA. “It’s a reflection of Morah Joyce’s legacy and of the school’s commitment to nurturing the whole child – academically, socially, and emotionally.”

CJA has been a cornerstone of Jewish Calgary for generations, providing education that blends Judaic Studies with the Alberta curriculum. Events like Mishpacha & Maple Syrup reinforce the school’s role not just as a place of learning, but as a gathering place for the wider community.

“The turnout and the ruach in the air showed us that this is the kind of gathering people are craving,” Morah Joyce added. “It was a morning of joy, connection, and belonging. And it’s only the beginning.”

CJA plans to continue building on the event’s success and looks forward to welcoming the community again soon. For those who would like to learn more about supporting the Cheder Neshama Fund, please reach out to Dana Silver at silverd@cja.ab.ca