The Toronto Heschel School
819 Sheppard Avenue West M3H2T3 Toronto, ON, Canada

We did it! So far we have raised $150,000 with additional gifts still coming in. If you or someone you know would like to support the school, you have until noon tomorrow! To contribute, go to raisedays.com/heschel #jewisheducation #dayofgiving

75% reached! Let’s cross the finish line together. To contribute, go to raisedays.com/heschel #dayofgiving #jewisheducation

Let’s keep going for #jewisheducation. Raisedays.com/Heschel

We're halfway there. Let's do this! To contribute, please go to the link in our bio. #dayofgiving #jewisheducation

We're halfway there. Let's do this! To contribute, go to raisedays.com/heschel #DayOfGiving #jewisheducation

Heschel staff have been working hard all week setting up their classrooms, participating in professional development meetings, and making sure everything is ready for the first day of school. We can’t wait to see all of our new and returning families next week!

What an amazing first week of our summer programs! Swipe to see some of the fun activities our students have been doing. If you are still interested in signing up for one of our many summer programs, click the link below! torontoheschel.org/heschel-summer-programs

The Toronto Heschel School is thrilled to be offering exciting in-person summer programming this year. Health and safety precautions from the Ontario Day Camp guidelines, such as daily health screenings, frequent sanitization of materials and equipment, and special drop off and pick up procedures, will be followed. For more information, and to register for the Toronto Heschel School summer programs, please click the link below. https://torontoheschel.org/heschel-summer-programs

On Friday, our Grade 1 students received their siddurim in preparation for their Kabbalat HaSiddur Ceremony which is taking place this week.

Mazal Tov to 2016 Heschel graduate Jacob Mausberg on winning one of the Schulich Leader scholarships! https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBDZ6Dpz93/

Teaching our Children About Racism, Mutual Understanding, and Respect On January 14, 1963, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel befriended Dr. Martin Luther King at a conference on Race and Religion. Two years later, Heschel marched alongside King at the Civil Rights March in Selma, Alabama. At the time, Heschel wrote that it was easier for the Children of Israel to cross the Red Sea than it was for Black students to walk unhindered across an American college campus. Tragicall...y, events of the past few weeks remind us how the reality of racism continues to deeply affect the lives of people whose skin happens to be a different colour. It casts fear over the simplest acts of going for a jog or taking a walk in the park. Heschel wrote that to judge a person in terms of white, black, or yellow, is an eye disease; the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason, the maximum of cruelty for a minimum of thinking. Rooted in Jewish teachings and the moral activism of Rabbi Heschel, our school opposes racism and discrimination in any and all of its forms. This week, let us stand in solidarity with all those who resist the unreflective thinking of racism. Let us stand in solidarity with those who promote mutual understanding and empathy. Let us teach our children to see human beings as unique, precious individuals, created in God’s image. Here are some teaching resources, some of which are part of our Heschel curriculum, that you can share with your children: Let’s Talk About Race video of the book by Julius Lester (read as part of our Grade 2 curriculum; suitable for all ages) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoDUJY9u9Jw Brief biography of author Julius Lester (ages 10 and up) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT1bvJl9GM0 Something Happened in our Town: A book and video talk with family psychologists about how to address issues of race and conflict with young children. - https://www.embracerace.org//something-happened-in-our-tow List of books recommended by P.J. Library, including As Good as Anybody about the relationship between A.J. Heschel and Martin Luther King Jr. (for all ages) - https://pjlibrary.org//jewish-books-for-martin-luther-king A.J. Heschel’s speech on Religion and Race (for parents and older students) - https://www.blackpast.org//1963-rabbi-abraham-joshua-hesc/ Extended Interview of Rabbi A.J. Heschel (for parents and older students) Minute 20:00 forward discusses the value of diversity - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEXK9xcRCho&feature=youtu.be Martin Luther King Jr. I Have A Dream Speech (used as part of our Grade 8 Heschel curriculum) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8AxgXxmgFM&feature=youtu.be The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas (used as part of our Grade 7 Heschel curriculum) L’shalom, Moreh Greg and The Heschel Team

We miss all the little and big acts of Chesed (loving-kindness) that happen everyday at Heschel. As Shavuot approaches, let’s join together in acts of Chesed, in our own home and together as a community. Swipe to see 6 ways you can get involved! DM us if you would like more information!

Special delivery! Heschel families showed their gratitude for our staff yesterday with surprise treats delivered right to their door. The thoughtful packages included homemade cookies, 3D printed "door pushers", notebooks, aromatherapy candles and mini potted plants. Thank you to our amazing community, and in particular to the Teacher Appreciation Committee and parent volunteers who drove around the GTA and to Whitby, Kitchener, Newmarket and Stouffville to deliver the packages.

On Sunday, May 24, UJA’s Walk with Israel is taking place online! Starting at 9:45 am, there will be a fantastic lineup of talented entertainers like comedian Elon Gold, acappella stars The Maccabeats, and many more! You can also download the Virtual Walk Kit for a guide on how to prepare in advance, photos and videos you can share, and a fun colouring book for the whole family. Visit walkwithisrael.com to register today!

Shabbat Shalom! #heschelathome

To celebrate Yom Ha'Atzma'ut yesterday, our students sang, danced, made Israeli flags, and played a variety of games played by children in Israel. From their individual kitchens, students made Israeli salad, hummus, and shared a (virtual) Israeli feast. As part of their learning, students participated in Eco-Zionist seminars, exploring how the innovative spirit of Zionism is alive and well in the many ways that people in Israel make decisions to protect, preserve, and enhance the land. Although we are physically distant, we are finding ways to mark these important milestones together. #heschelathome #yomhaatzmaut

To commemorate Yom Ha'Zikaron, our Israeli Affairs Committee and members of our Student Council prepared a moving memorial, which was shared with the Heschel community. An excerpt from the presentation can be seen here.