Harry and Sara Gorman and their nephews, Fred and Neil Shore, are helping York reach out to students and teachers on campus and around the world. On June 9, the York University Foundation hosted a two-part reception to thank the families for their generous contributions to York’s Sport and Recreation and to an innovative, online, distance-learning program for Jewish Studies teachers.
The event began in the newly renovated Gorman/Shore Sport Injury Clinic, where guests were greeted by the York Lions mascots and a number of talented student athletes. Through the support of the Gorman and Shore families, the clinic, located in York’s Tait McKenzie Centre, has been transformed into a bright, spacious new facility that is better equipped to meet the needs of York’s growing population.
Lorna R. Marsden, York’s president and vice-chancellor, personally thanked the donors for their generosity and spoke about the significance of sport and recreation at York. “Health and wellness is increasingly important to Canadians striving for an improved quality of life,” said Marsden. “Over 20,000 students currently participate in York’s wide range of sport and recreation programs. Thank you for making the renovations of our sport injury clinic possible and adding to the health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.”
Above: From left to right, Paul Marcus, president and CEO, York University Foundation; Henry Koschitzky; Harry Gorman; Sara Gorman; Julia Koschitzky, Chair of the Centre for Jewish Studies Advisory Committee and member of York University Foundation Board of Directors; and Lorna R. Marsden, president and vice-chancellor York University, celebrate with York Lion mascots
Roger Kelton, Chair of York’s School of Kinesiology and Health Science, explained that the sport injury clinic plays multiple roles. “York houses one of very few accredited athletic therapy programs in Canada,” said Kelton. “In addition to providing physical care to our student athletes, the sport injury clinic also serves as an important teaching and research facility.”
York’s athletic therapy program is a unique three-year certificate program, which provides students with practical and comprehensive training focused on the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of sport related injuries. The program also ensures that one student therapist is assigned to each of York’s varsity teams to respond immediately to any injuries.
“Athletes experience a tremendous amount of wear and tear on their bodies,” explained Daniel Church, coach of the York Lions women’s varsity hockey team. “The clinic not only provides excellent physical care, but also helps get our athletes back on their feet and playing again as soon as possible.”
“I can’t emphasize how much this clinic does to help get us back on the field,” said Ntare Bainomugisha, a York Lions varsity football player. “On behalf of all student athletes, I thank the Gorman and Shore families for giving us this new and improved facility.”
Paul Marcus, president and CEO of the York University Foundation, extended his gratitude to the donors for their multiple contributions to the University. To commemorate the first part of the reception, he presented them with York Lions stuffed animals and sweatshirts bearing the clinic’s new name.
“It is a great pleasure to see this facility and to learn about all the work that is being done here,” said Harry Gorman on behalf of the families. “It is wonderful to see that our gift is making a difference.”
Right: From left to right, Paul Marcus, president and CEO York University Foundation; Yael Zeliger, associate director, Jewish Board of Education; Martin Lockshin, director, Centre for Jewish Studies; Harry Gorman; Sara Gorman; Julia Koschitzky, Chair of the Centre for Jewish Studies Advisory Committee and member of York University Foundation Board of Directors; Henry Koschitzky; and Joel Kurtz, program manger, Merkaz i.t.L’ Morim, gathered in TEL building for a virtual demonstration of the online distance learning program
The second part of the event took place in the Technology Enhanced Learning Building, where the families’ contribution toward the Merkaz i.t. L’Morim program was recognized. This innovative, online distance learning program, offered through York’s Centre for Jewish Studies, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education, offers professional development opportunities for Jewish Studies teachers around the world.
“Over the years, we have found that students are becoming more interested in non-standard methods of learning,” explained Martin Lockshin, director of York’s Centre for Jewish Studies. “Online courses are a wonderful way for us to reach out to people who lead busy lives and want to be able to study at different times.”
The program is benefiting teachers across North America, England and Australia who do not have any other means of accessing professional development courses on Jewish education.
Joel Kurtz, program manager of Merkaz i.t. L’Morim, and Yael Zeliger, associate director of the Jewish Board of Education and director of an online course in modern Hebrew literature, presented a virtual demonstration of the program’s interactive elements.
Marcus acknowledged the Gorman and Shore family’s leadership and involvement in various community organizations and thanked them again for their gifts to York. “Your support of this innovative program is helping to ensure that students all over the world will be able to further their education and benefit from all that York has to offer,” said Marcus. “Thank you for your contributions to the University. Your support is really making a difference.”
Marcus also thanked Henry and Julia Koschitzky, who attended the event. Julia Koschitzky is Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Centre for Jewish Studies. Marcus commended the Koschitzkys for their leadership in the community and for being strong ambassadors for York.
This article was submitted to YFile by Allison Berg, communications officer, York University Foundation.