Shalom and welcome to The Toronto Heschel School

At Heschel, education is a sacred partnership between school and home, teacher and student, and tradition and innovation. Inspired by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, we believe learning should spark curiosity, cultivate character, and connect children to something larger than themselves.

What makes Heschel unique is what we call the 5 Cs of Heschel: Curiosity, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Compassion, and Community. These are not just words on paper, they are the values that guide everything we do. When children are curious, they ask deeper questions that lead to discovery and growth. When they are creative, they imagine solutions and possibilities others might not yet see. When they think critically, they don’t accept easy answers but learn to wrestle with complexity, just as Jewish tradition has modeled for millennia through study, dialogue, and debate. And when they act with compassion, they bring their learning into the world in ways that make a difference.

In today’s world — shaped by technology and artificial intelligence — facts are everywhere. What children need most are the human skills that cannot be automated. At Heschel, we nurture these skills and values so that our students not only excel academically but also thrive as thoughtful, ethical, and caring human beings.

It is a privilege to lead a school where values are lived, not just taught; where teachers are passionate, families are engaged, and children are truly known. Through a distinctly Jewish lens, our teaching makes Judaism come alive in every subject and interaction, inspiring children to live with purpose, responsibility, and wonder. I invite you to discover the magic of Heschel, and to see for yourself how we nurture each child’s growth and spirit.

L’Shalom,

Alan Rusonik

Alan Rusonik

Head of School