Our school is committed to traditional Jewish practices
and is not aligned with any one stream of Judaism. Rather,
we seek to build bridges between groups, promoting a
unified Jewish community and serving the needs of children
from the entire community. Our students are taught to
recognize the worth and integrity of many approaches to
Jewish life. They discover points of agreement and
differences and learn to appreciate both. While we respect
each familyʼs choices regarding observance in the home,
our school and school-related events follow traditional
Jewish practices, including the laws of Shabbat, kashrut
and holiday observance. Our students use an inclusive,
egalitarian perspective to learn the spiritual, ritual,
and ethical precepts and practices of Judaism. Boys and
girls have equal religious opportunities.
The Toronto Heschel School uses a Torah-based approach to
studying ethics. Whether this has to do with developing
pro-social behaviour in the classroom or practising the
concept of tikkun olam (repair of the world) in the
community, Heschel students are being prepared to take
their place as engaged, democratic citizens. Our unique
approach integrates Jewish ethical precepts into all
aspects of the curriculum.
Being active in guarding and protecting the Creation is
one of the pillars of The Toronto Heschel School. Our
environmental ethos permeates our daily activities in many
ways:
Environmental studies is integrated into curriculum – JK
to 8. Some examples include:
- In Grade 3, students study structures as part of the
math and science program. They begin by examining nature’s
unique structures such as a bird’s nests, bee hives, pine
cones and then work together to build human-made
structures, following nature’s example.
- In Grade 6, students go on a three day trip to Camp
George where they participate in eco tours to relate to
the eco systems being studied in class.
- The Grade 7 students conduct energy audits to gain a
better understanding of how energy is used and how we can
reduce consumption.
The Heschel Learning Grounds provide acres of wide-open
green space, shady areas and a huge garden where students
explore nature’s treasures with awe and wonder. The garden
is a favourite place for discovery – with its butterfly
garden, native perennials, Sukkot (harvest) garden and
Besamim (spice) garden. The garden also allows students to
reap the benefits of their labours – making spring salads
and fall soups.
Tu B’Shevat (Birthday of the trees) is a very special time
at Heschel. Customized and unique programs are conducted
in every single class, including special guest speakers
and encouraging positive actions that help our
environment. Topics are directly related to a portion of
the curriculum being studied at that time. They range from
Grade 8 students discussing the “rights of nature” as part
of their study of the Canadian Bill of Rights and Freedoms
to Grade 5 students learning about fair trade, organic and
local foods as part of their Nutritional studies. Grade 2
students relate their study of the water cycle to the
value of this precious commodity. They do a water audit of
the schools’ 47 taps to ensure that aerators are in place
and leaks are repaired. Kindergarten children investigate
their favourite fruits and find out how far they have to
travel. In addition, all children participate in a
Kabbalistic Tu B’Shevat seder which celebrates the seasons
and our relationship and responsibility to the natural
world.
Maintaining our SILVER Ontario EcoSchool status entails
monthly EcoTeam meetings with Head of School, Facilities
and Caretakers, Teachers, Parent volunteers and any
Students who would like to participate. Weekly activities
by the EcoTeam student leaders aim to involve full student
body population.
Our Garden Guardians program is open to everyone and
involves activities and gardening fun in the spring and
fall as well as throughout the summer months. Our
volunteer families and student body plant, harvest and
maintain a beautiful garden rich with butterfly plants,
pollinators, herbs, vegetables, a tiny tree nursery and
composters. The area is also enjoyed by the neighbouring
community and students from other schools.
Environment clubs run during the after-hours school
programs. Led by Morah Ellen Kessler, children participate
in activities like looking closely at our insect friends,
planting, learning about pollinators and butterfly
gardening, building bird feeders and bird houses. Older
children form a Roots and Shoots group (The Jane Goodall
Institute) and are active in projects that aid the
environment in the wider community.
Each homeroom teacher in the elementary school works
jointly in general and Judaic studies. In addition to
their professional qualifications, all teachers have
skills and talents in either drama, music, dance or visual
arts. Teachers in the junior high have skills in
particular subjects and also work in an interdisciplinary
manner.
Students learn best when their teachers are also active
learners. Therefore, teachers and administrators at The
Toronto Heschel School attend an annual summer workshop
and ongoing professional development provided by the Lola
Stein Institute for Shared Learning, the publishing and
teacher training arm of our school. They also take courses
and seminars throughout North America and Israel. This
helps our teachers stay current
with the best practices in their profession.“Above all,
remember… to build a life as if it were a work of art.”
- Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel |
