Though years have passed since the Samchek siblings walked the halls of the Calgary Jewish Academy, both remain grateful for the foundation their nine-plus years at CJA provided. Since graduating from Grade 9 as part of CJA’s Classes of 2017 and 2023, Moriah and David have taken very different paths. David now attends SAIT, where he studies business and plays men’s soccer, while Moriah works as a clinical development engineer at a surgical robotics company in England. For both, however, many of the interests and experiences that have shaped them began at CJA.
During her time at the school, Moriah participated in the annual school- and citywide science fairs for six years, which led her to fall in love with the scientific process. Since then, she has earned her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Calgary and currently works as an engineer at a surgical robotics company in England. She will always appreciate the support she received from the CJA teaching staff during her time there, stating, “[they] were always willing to create opportunities to help you succeed.”
She continued to have strong relationships with her teachers after graduation and always felt their support. That same supportive environment she felt from her teachers led her to become a teacher in the Jewish community, as both a Hebrew school teacher at Beth Tzedec and the co-lead of the Dorshei Tzedec Teen Philanthropy Program. She shares, “[All of it] supported the environment of wanting to teach the next generation – that all came from the CJA.” Moriah teamed up with fellow CJA graduate Hannah Silver to restart the Dorshei Tzedec Teen Philanthropy program they both participated in as students. Their revised program had youth working together to debate, discuss, and learn about Jewish values and philanthropy. Moriah beams about “giving students the opportunity to give back to their communities, and appreciate and be thankful for everything that they’ve received… is a privilege.”
When he wasn’t in classes, David Samchek was playing outside or in the gym. After graduating from the CJA, he continued his athletic pursuits and is now a student-athlete, studying business at SAIT while playing on the men’s soccer team. David says his horizons broadened socially and academically during his time at the CJA. His travels outside of Canada – to Israel in Grade 9 and to San Francisco for Model UN – were particularly special. In Israel, it was exciting for him to see that his “Jewish roots go that far”, while his experience at Model UN helped with his public speaking skills.
As a student, David also had opportunities through BBYO and the JCC that further connected him to his community and allowed him to help others. His volunteer efforts led to his appointment as regional Moreh. He took pride in being a “big brother” to the next generation of BBYO members and in welcoming them into the community. At the BBYO Spring Convention in 2026, he received personal thanks from other kids for the impact he made in their lives by bringing them into the community. In his words, “It felt like the stuff I gave out came back to me.” David sees the values that he learned at the CJA reflected in his work with BBYO, where contributions, both big and small, have helped him become the strong leader he is today.
Connection, community, and compassion are just a few words to describe the Samchek siblings. Their time at the CJA helped foster those values, but the guidance of their late father, Alan Samchek, also helped shape who they are today. The CJA Alan Samchek Memorial Award for Outstanding Commitment in Athletics honours Alan’s legacy. This award is presented to a junior high student who, like their father, shows not only athletic ability but also commitment, leadership, and the drive to become the best versions of themselves. The award carries their family’s values forward to a new generation of CJA students.
No matter where life takes Moriah and David, who they are today and who they will become were shaped in part by their years at CJA. The lessons they learned and the experiences they shared there will remain with them as they continue on their own paths.