It is rare to turn a childhood dream into reality. However, for Reva Faber, an I.L. Peretz Grade 5 student in 1956, the dream of becoming a teacher became the foundation of her life. As an educator for the past 50 years, Reva has taught a great deal and learned even more. She currently lives in Calgary and serves on the CJA Board of Directors.
For as long as Reva can remember, at least since kindergarten, she has been involved in the Jewish community. She fondly remembers Lerer Heilik teaching Yiddish literature and bringing the study of Torah to life. Whenever Reva could be involved in her Jewish studies, she did. She stopped taking night classes in Grade 11 only because she was one of the few left. Luckily, Reva passed down her Jewish education and community connections to her two children, four stepchildren, and many grandchildren.
She graduated with a Master of Education from the University of Calgary in 1988 and worked with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) until June 2007. Education was a clear path for Reva; no matter where it took her, she always followed it with determination to teach those around her and made sure to continue learning along the way. After retiring from the CBE as a principal, Reva continued to accept short-term administrative contracts and eventually accepted the leadership role at the CJA in 2013 for 14 months.
She describes working with the staff and students as her most impactful experience at the CJA. “I felt a distinct connection to the children; they really were my kids,” she explains, “and to spend the first Shabbat in Avi Sherman’s class with her students – brought tears to my eyes.” That impact is clear as she exclaims, “It felt like coming home.”
The CJA created special memories for Reva and continued to shape her identity as a Jewish educator. It gave her lifelong friends and a sense of being an important member of the wider Jewish community, where she could foster Jewish education and inspire students to uphold their Jewish pride. Reva firmly believes that the most important factor in ensuring our children remain true to their culture and heritage is a solid education at a Jewish day school such as CJA.