The Toronto Heschel School was founded in 1996 by a passionate group of experienced and visionary educators who sought to reimagine Jewish Day School education through a more integrated, ethical, and spiritually vibrant lens.
Inspired by the teachings of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, they opened a school rooted in curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and compassion.
Learn more about our founding visionaries and their legacy here →
History Timeline
1996
- The Toronto Heschel School is founded by visionary educators seeking to build a transformative Jewish Day School inspired by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
- Opens with 52 students from JK to Grade 3 in the educational wing of Beth David Synagogue.
1999
- Expands to include a Junior High program, hosted at Adath Israel Synagogue.
2006
- Moves to its permanent home—a 45,000 sq. ft. facility nestled on 6.2 acres of green space—bringing all grades under one roof.
2022
- Launches Preschool program for children ages 18 months and up, further expanding Heschel’s early years learning pathway.
Today
- Now serving close to 300 students from Preschool to Grade 8, The Toronto Heschel School continues to grow while remaining rooted in its founding vision of intellectual curiosity, ethical living, and spiritual wonder.
1996
- The Toronto Heschel School is founded by visionary educators seeking to build a transformative Jewish Day School inspired by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
- Opens with 52 students from JK to Grade 3 in the educational wing of Beth David Synagogue.
1999
- Expands to include a Junior High program, hosted at Adath Israel Synagogue.
2006
- Moves to its permanent home—a 45,000 sq. ft. facility nestled on 6.2 acres of green space—bringing all grades under one roof.
2022
- Launches Preschool program for children ages 18 months and up, further expanding Heschel’s early years learning pathway.
Today
- Now serving close to 300 students from Preschool to Grade 8, The Toronto Heschel School continues to grow while remaining rooted in its founding vision of intellectual curiosity, ethical living, and spiritual wonder.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
©Wikimedia Commons
Our Namesake
The Toronto Heschel School draws deep inspiration from its namesake, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Joshua Heschel z”l (1907–1972), a towering figure in 20th-century Jewish thought. Descended from two distinguished Chassidic dynasties, Rabbi Heschel was a respected scholar, eloquent speaker, a prolific writer and civil rights activist who believed that Jewish life must integrate deep learning, ethical action, and spiritual wonder. He taught that “wonder, not doubt, is the beginning of knowledge,” and that to be a good Jew one must first be a good human being, committed to justice and compassion.
These values are foundational to life at Heschel. Students are encouraged to see the world, in Heschel’s words, “with radical amazement”—to cultivate a sense of gratitude and awe, and to live Torah values through both ritual practice and acts of kindness within the school and in the broader community.
“Wonder, not doubt, is the beginning of knowledge…Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement… [We should] get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.”
— Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel