Living Our Values, Every Day
At The Toronto Heschel School, values are not just part of the curriculum—they’re part of our daily life. Guided by Derekh Eretz (דרך ארץ)—the “way of the land”—and Tikkun Olam (תיקון עולם)—repairing the world—we nurture a school culture rooted in empathy, responsibility, and care.
Whether it’s lending a helping hand, expressing gratitude, or speaking with intention, students are empowered to live out Jewish values in authentic, age-appropriate ways.
Our Shared Commitment
Every member of our community—students, educators, staff, and parents—affirms a shared code of conduct that helps create a respectful, inclusive, and joyful school environment.
Together, we commit to:
- Treat others with kindness, empathy, and respect
- Speak and act with care—both in person and online
- Take responsibility for our words and actions
- Support a safe and welcoming space for all
- Model the values we wish to see in our children
We are guided by the timeless wisdom of Hillel: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.”
At Heschel, Jewish values are more than ideals—they are habits of heart, mind, body and soul that shape how we learn, lead, and live together.
דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ קָדְמָה לַתּוֹרָה
“Derekh Eretz is a prerequisite for learning”
At Heschel we each commit to…
You shall carefully protect your lifeDevarim 4:15 | Care for each other’s physical, emotional safety and well-being | ונִשְׁמַרְתֶּם מְאֹד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶםדברים ד:טו |
Each person is created in the Divine Image, yet each of us is uniqueTalmud, Sanhedrin 38a | Respect each other’s dignity, individuality, and identity | כָּל אָדָם בְּחוֹתָמוֹ וְאֵין אֶחָד מָהֵן דּוֹמֶה לְחַבֵירוסנהדרין לח.א |
Gatherings for the sake of a good purpose will succeedPirkei Avot 4:11 | Work cooperatively with others to learn and play | כְּנֵסִיָּה שֶׁהִיא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, סוֹפָהּ לְהִתְקַיֵּםפרקי אבות ד:יא |
Take care with your wordsPirkei Avot 1:9 | Use words carefully and thoughtfully; avoid lashon hara | וֶהֱוֵי זָהִיר בִּדְבָרֶיךָפרקי אבות א:ט |
If I am not responsible for myself who will be; If I am only for myself what am I? If not now, when ?Pirkei Avot 1:14 | Take responsibility for ourselves, our community, the environment and for tikkun olam | הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, אִם אֵין אֲנִי לִי, מִי לִי. וּכְשֶׁאֲנִי לְעַצְמִי, מָה אֲנִי. וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתָיפרקי אבות א:יד |
May the doors of your house be open widePirkei Avot 1:5 | Be inclusive in our work, play, and celebration | ייְהִי בֵיתְךָ פָתוּחַ לִרְוָחָהפרקי אבות א:ה |
Don’t separate yourself from the communityPirkei Avot 2:4 | Participate respectfully in the Jewish practices of our school | תִּפְרֹשׁ מִן הַצִּבּוּרפרקי אבות ב:ד |
The heavens belong to God, but the earth is our responsibilityPsalms 115:16 | Care for our school and for each others’ belongings | הַשָּׁמַיִם שָׁמַיִם, לַיהוָה וְהָאָרֶץ, נָתַן לִבְנֵי-אָדָםתהילים קטו:טז |
May there be peace and tranquility in our gates and in our heartsTalmud, Sanhedrin 38a | Help create calm, mindful learning spaces | יהִי שָׁלוֹם בִּשְׁעָרֶיהָ וְשַׁלְוָה בְּלֵב יוֹשְׁבֶיהָשמונה עשרה |
Build your life as if it were a work of art— A.J. Heschel | Acknowledge that we make mistakes and grow and learn from them | עָלֶיךָ הַמְּלָאכָה לִגְמוֹר, וְלֹא אַתָּה בֶן חוֹרִין לִבָּטֵל מִמֶּנָּהפרקי אבות ב:טז |