On this page, we cover private Jewish schools in Canada and the United States.
For discussion of religious-affiliated or faith-based education in general, including extensive coverage of types of schools and curricula, check out our introductory guide.
2 | Unique features of Jewish schools |
Jewish private schools are religious-affiliated or faith-based schools, associated with the religion of Judaism. They’re commonly known as “Jewish day schools.” They’re also sometimes called “Hebrew schools”.
There are great Jewish and Hebrew day schools across Canada. These schools can be found in Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, and the York region. They can also be found in Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Edmonton.
Jewish day schools in Canada tend to be very strong in academics. They also offer a strong Jewish education, focused on torah study, Jewish history, and Hebrew. And, they aim to instill traditional Jewish values and a strong Jewish identity in their students. Most Jewish day schools don’t require their students to be Jewish or practice Judaism.
Different kinds
There are many different kinds of Jewish day schools in Canada, each with its own focus and approach. Some of these schools are associated with a specific movement in Judaism, such as the reformed, conservative, or orthodox movement. Others aren’t associated with any movement.
More orthodox or traditional schools tend to require a higher degree of religious observance. Students in these schools tend to engage in plenty of Jewish prayer. They may also be required to wear proper religious attire: for instance, boys might be required to wear head coverings—or what are called “kepas” (or “kepot” in Hebrew).
Less orthodox schools, on the other hand, tend to have less prayers and religious rites. They also tend to have fewer, if any, restrictions on attire.
Some Jewish schools focus only on teaching Hebrew. These schools don't teach any other secular or non-secular subjects. Nor do they teach Jewish studies or Judaica. These programs are sometimes called "Hebrew schools", and are normally offered after school or on weekends. They can take place anywhere from once to four times a week.
There's also what's sometimes called a “religious school.” These Jewish schools teach Jewish studies, but not Hebrew or secular subjects. Similar to Hebrew schools, these are usually afterschool or weekend programs, which may offer classes several times a week.
A final option is a Jewish boarding school. In one of these schools, your child will receive a strong Jewish education in a boarding setting.
Religious studies: Judaica
Jewish day schools, like other religious-affiliated schools, have a dual-track curriculum. They focus on both secular academics and religious studies.
In Canada, Jewish day schools have a reputation for very strong secular academics. Dedicated instructors have a rigorous approach to teaching math, science, English, French, and other subjects. In some schools, these subjects are mostly taught on their own, separately from the religious curriculum. In other schools, they’re taught in combination with religious subjects, as part of an integrated curriculum. In yet other schools, the secular and religious curriculum are taught separately, but secular subjects are often put in a religious context (and vice versa).
Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School, in Toronto, Ontario, falls in the second of these categories. They have a unique approach to integrating their secular and religious curricula. The basics of this approach, and some of its benefits, are described on their website:
“General Studies are designed to examine large concepts through the development of skills and knowledge associated with specific disciplines and through the application of critical thinking skills. English, history, science, the arts and Judaism, in its broadest sense, are integrated to help the students gain complex knowledge and insights. This multidisciplinary approach encourages students to make connections between themselves and the world around them, in its past, present, and future forms.”
The religious studies curriculum in Jewish day schools is broad and challenging. The focus is on Jewish studies or “Judaica.” Students learn about the Jewish faith and the history of the Jewish people. They also closely study the torah—the ancient and holy Jewish text. Its passages are examined, interpreted, discussed, and applied to real life. Students thereby learn about Jewish law, derive lessons from it, and learn about traditional Jewish beliefs.
Kids learn about and participate in Jewish holidays as well. They learn prayers, customs, stories, and songs surrounding Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashana (the Jewish new year), Passover, Sukkot, and other holidays. This can reinforce both their understanding of and their engagement with Jewish traditions and law.
In Jewish day schools, students are taught to read, speak, and understand the language of Hebrew—the ancient language of the Jews. Starting in grade school, they’ll usually have Hebrew class every day. This can be very challenging for some students, especially since Hebrew uses different letters and a different script than English, French, and other Romance languages.
That said, many students find Hebrew studies both stimulating and rewarding. Moreover, research has shown that learning a second language at a young age can be highly beneficial. It can lead to improved overall literacy skills and a deeper understanding of grammar. Keep in mind, though, that most students don’t become fluent in Hebrew.
Some schools also teach Jewish culture. Students learn about history, customs, festivals, food, and literature associated with Judaism.
Jewish prayers
In more traditional Jewish day schools, kids pray regularly. They’ll often pray in the morning, before meals, and during or preceding the Jewish sabbath (or “shabbat”), which runs from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. Rarely, though, will kids be required to pray.
In many schools, kids observe traditional Jewish laws in school. For instance, they’ll only eat kosher foods, which rules out pork, seafood, and meals with milk and meat, among other things. They may also not work during the sabbath (what Jews call “shabbat”). And in some schools, boys wear head coverings, called “kepas”. They may wear these only during prayers and special ceremonies, or in more religious schools, for the whole day.
Important Jewish holidays—or what are called the “high holidays”—are marked as special occasions. Schools will be cancelled for most of these holidays. Kids, though, will participate or celebrate them in special ways, such as through prayer and song.
For instance, when kids are old enough, usually around 14 years of age, they’re expected to fast for 24 hours for Yom Kippur—the Jewish day of mourning. And during Passover (or “Pesach”), kids are expected to avoid “chametz”—any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has come into contact with water and allowed to “rise.”
Jewish beliefs and values
Jewish day schools try to instill traditional Jewish values in their students. These values include respect, responsibility, community, family, and charity (or what’s called “tzedaka”). Some schools are more “zionistic,” meaning they promote the value and importance of Israel as the Jewish state. One way this is achieved is by participating in Israeli holidays, such as Yom Ha’atzmaut (day of independence) and Yom Hazikaron (memorial day).
At Robbins Hebrew Academy, in Toronto, Ontario, the teaching of values isn’t confined to a course or unit of study. It’s infused into the whole school experience. Claire Sumerlus, head of school, describes this approach.
“The values are intertwined in everything that we do at the school. From character development, playground activity, sports teams, and academics—Robbins Hebrew Academy teaches students how to be original thinkers who lead life with courage and compassion.”
“We set high expectations for all children to become a mensch (a respectful person of integrity). The school instills Jewish tradition that invites students to search, to understand Judaism in the context of universal values. The school expects the children’s attitudes and behaviour to reflect Jewish values, such as honesty, respect, caring, truthfulness, tolerance, compassion, and social sensitivity.”
3 | Benefits of Jewish schools |
There are many Jewish schools in Canada. This includes schools in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. These schools have lots of potential benefits. Some of the main benefits are discussed below.
Jewish community: One of the main reasons to go to a Jewish day school, similar to a Jewish camp, is to be part of a community. Kids get to work and interact with peers with similar backgrounds, values, and interests. Families become part of a wider community with common aims and values.
Enriched academics: Many students find the dual-track curriculum of Jewish day schools challenging and rewarding. The requirement of learning a new language—Hebrew—can be especially rewarding and stimulating, and can enrich secular studies as well. Research has also shown this can lead to positive learning outcomes, such as improved literacy skills. It can also lead to positive academic outcomes, such as higher grades.
Jewish identity: There’s lots of focus on helping students build and cultivate their Jewish identity. Students learn about the history of the Jewish people, and their traditions and values, and to apply this to their own lives. This can help students identify with their background and heritage, and see value in it.
At Robbins Hebrew Academy, Jewish identity is nurtured in various ways. Students learn what it means to be a Jew by focusing on zionism (a love of Israel), religious practices, and character development. Claire Sumerlus describes this approach.
“The students gain a deep understanding of what it means to be a Jew, and to live a Jewish life, with a strong love and connection to the state of Israel. By learning and understanding the prayers, blessings, observances of mitzvot and Jewish customs, children develop the foundations of Judaism for life. T’fillot (prayers) and mitzvot (commandments) are woven through each of the strands in an integral way, which parallels the approach that our school fosters and values.”
General private school benefits: Jewish day schools have many of the same benefits of private schools in general. They tend to have smaller classes, lower teacher-to-student ratios, more specialized instruction, more curricular and extracurricular resources, and many other advantages over public schools.
4 | Frequently asked questions about Jewish schools |
There are some questions commonly asked about Jewish day schools. Some of these have already been answered, and so won’t be addressed here. We’ll only answer those that haven’t yet been answered or fully answered.
How do I know if a Jewish day school is the right fit for my child?
You need to look for a good match between your child and the school in terms of religion, academics, culture, values, and the like. Keep in mind that each school has a different curricular approach, level of religious observance, teaching philosophy, and student culture.
As Barbara Bierman, executive director of the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools, puts it:
“Parents have to look for what best matches the environment in their home. That may be a cultural, religious, or pedagogical decision. They should be asking themselves: ‘How does my child learn best? What sorts of schools match up to our faith system?’”
How much is tuition?
This varies, just as it does for all types of private schools. Most schools cost between 10 and 20 thousand dollars a year. Keep in mind, though, that Jewish day schools, like other religious-affiliated schools, tend to have lower tuition, on average, than other types of private schools. Also, many Jewish day schools offer subsidies and tax credits to defray costs.
Are Jewish day schools accredited?
Not by the government. No private schools in Canada, including religious-affiliated schools, are accredited by the federal or provincial governments. High schools, though, must meet provincial curricular requirements. In fact, almost all schools meet these requirements and surpass them. Moreover, some Jewish day schools are accredited by independent institutions, such as the Association of Jewish Day Schools (AJDS).
What kind of training should teachers have?
This varies based on the school and the subjects taught. Ideally, teachers will have undergraduate degrees specializing in the subjects they’re teaching. A diploma from the Ontario Teacher’s College, or another provincial teacher’s college, and specialized training in education are also big bonuses.
Is French offered?
Jewish day schools, like all private schools in Canada, aren’t required to offer French. That said, almost all schools do offer French, beginning in the early grades. In fact, most schools make French a required course up until grade 9, like public schools in Ontario.
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