GRAY ACADEMY ESTABLISHES ENDOWMENT IN STUDENT'S MEMORY
“Do you see the face? I know I can. A
face that’s filled by colours who create a
representation of myself at hard times of
medications withdrawals. When I look at the
beauty of a soul, personality is very obvious.”
Those were the words of Ben Ben Chimol, a
grade 12 student at Gray Academy of Jewish
Education who lost his battle with cancer on
December 1, 2022.
Ben’s parents, Tatiana and David, along with
Gray Academy, have been working since then
to put together a way to honour his memory.
A way to spotlight the brightness he brought
to the lives of anyone who met him.
In March 2023, the Ben Ben Chimolz”l
Simchat Chayim Fund was launched at the
Foundation, a new fund within Gray Academy’s
endowment. Income from this fund will be
used for programs in the school that bring joy
to others, something Ben did on a daily basis.
The fund is a way for students to share their
passions and celebrate their achievements.
Ben’s passion for art was second to none,
which is evident when anyone sees his
paintings.
His kindness and perspective on life
were beyond that of a high school student,
something that his writing reflects beautifully.
At a school-wide memorial on the day the
fund launched, Ben’s friends and sister spoke
to their classmates, and each shared the
same portrait of who he was; someone who
listened, cared, and would make you smile at
the drop of a dime.
“What about the future? Will I live? Will
I succeed? Will I keep my personality? For
those questions, I have an answer, but the
understanding of my answer can only be
described by a smoke screen who presents
uncertainty of the future. That’s why I am Ben
Ben, a Better Ben Ben, to be a Better Ben Ben.”
As part of the launch, Gray Academy held its
Casual Day for A Cause, with donations going
to the new fund.
Through Gray Academy’s efforts, the
fund reached $5,000 in the first three
days, halfway to its initial goal.
If you would like to make a gift to the Ben Ben
Chimolz”l Simchat Chayim Fund please click here.