Talmud Torah Administration
JOSUÉ BENSIMON, Principal
Josue.bensimon@epsb.ca
Josué (Josh) was born in Fes, Morocco and was educated in Hebrew day schools in both Fes and Tangiers from Kindergarten through to Grade 12.
Upon graduation Josh joined the Ichud Habonim movement, and with a group of 30 fellow high-school graduates he moved to Toulouse, France, where they trained in living a Kibbutz style life on a farm owned by the Jewish Agency. In 1965 Josh joined Kibbutz Tseelim in Israel. Josh served in the Israeli Defense Forces from 1966-1968, and was on active duty during the 1967 Six Day war.
After his army service Josh attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem where he graduated with a B.A. in international relations and French Literature. It was also in Israel where he met his wife Fredelle (nee Steinberg) from Winnipeg.
Upon moving to Canada in the early 1970’s, Josh returned to school and received a Bachelors of Education degree from the University of Manitoba where he made the Dean’s honors list, as well as receiving Manitoba Government Book Prize (University of Manitoba) for highest standing for an Education Degree, and the Prix du Consulat de France (University of Manitoba) for highest standing in French Literature. It is in Manitoba where his education career started, and Josh taught Elementary, Junior High and High School in French within the Saint Boniface School system.
In 1979 Josh took a break from teaching to serve as the Executive Director of the Canadian Zionist Federation Mid-West Region. In 1983 he joined Department of Education of Manitoba as Social Studies Consultant, responsible for the Development and Implementation of K to 12 Curricula. During this time Josh returned to the University of Manitoba, subsequently receiving his Master’s of Arts Degree in Education, History and Canadian Studies in 1990.
In 1991 Joined the Department of Education of Nova Scotia as Social Studies Curriculum Consultant, responsible for the Development and Implementation of K to 12 Curricula.
In 1997 Josh joined the staff of the Edmonton Talmud Torah as a Judaic studies teacher. That same year he also became the coordinator for the Western Canadian Coalition of Jewish Educators.
In 2005 Josh was appointed the Judaic Curriculum Coordinator for Talmud Torah. In 2006 he was named Principal. He is fluent in English, Hebrew and French.
Josh has been and continues to be an active member of many boards and organizations, including Edmonton’s Beth Shalom Synagogue (1998/1999), the Multicultural Education Council of Nova Scotia (President, 1995-1997), The Canadian Council for Multicultural and Intercultural Education (National Vice-President 1995-1997), The Canadian Francophone Council for Intercultural Education (President, 1993-1995), The Canadian Association of Social Studies (Vice-President, 1991-1995), Avions Sans Frontières de Manitoba (President, 1989-1991), Cooperation Nord-Sud de Manitoba (President, 1987-1989), and the Department of Education of Manitoba Roundtable on Sustainable Development (1989-1991).
Josh has also been invited as a speaker for numerous National Organizations, including National Council of Social Studies (Detroit, U.S.A., 1992), The Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers (Winnipeg 1988; Moncton, 1989; Regina, 1990; Montreal 1991), The Canadian Human Rights Foundation (Charlottetown 1988; Montreal, 1989 and 1990), The Canadian Association of Social Studies (Winnipeg 1989; Halifax, 1990; Banff 1991), The Canadian Council of Multicultural and Intercultural Education (Montreal, 1987; Ottawa, 1990; Vancouver, 1993), and The Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (Halifax, 1988).
