Welcome to Associated Hebrew Schools

Associated Hebrew Schools (AHS) is a warm and vibrant school representing the diverse
Toronto Jewish Community. Located in Toronto, Ontario,
Associated Hebrew Schools is a Jewish day school for students in Nursery-Grade 8.
    • See what some of our newest graduates have to say about what AHS offers

List of 3 items.

  • Innovative

    Associated Hebrew School is a warm and vibrant school representing the diverse Toronto Jewish Community.  We are rooted in Jewish traditions, yet our teaching methods are anything but traditional.
  • Inspiring

    We nurture a culture of innovation and support student success through inquiry-based learning. By teaching creative expression and critical thinking, we encourage curiosity and problem solving as we help your child to grow into a maker and a mensch.
  • Inclusive

    Our approach to differentiated learning allows us to meet the individual needs of our students to ensure their success. At AHS, we foster a lifelong love of learning while teaching our students to be ethical, knowledgeable and engaged citizens.

18 Kislev, 5784
 
 
Dear AHS Community,
 
In just under a week, we will light the first candle to celebrate the holiday of Chanukah.
 
Although Chanukah commemorates the military victory of the Maccabees against the hostile forces of Antiochus, it is named not for the victory but for the subsequent rededication of the Temple.
In fact, while the Jewish People have enjoyed a number of major military successes, and holidays have grown out of them, including the holidays of Chanukah and Yom HaAtzmaut, we do not have any "Victory Days" that are named and celebrated as such.
 
The reason for our lack of victory celebrations in Judaism is that in Judaism, we do not consider military might to be one of our values. If there is no choice, and it is necessary to fight, victory is an imperative tool for our survival, but it is only a tool. It is a means to an end, but not the end itself. The holiday of Chanukah received its name not from the means, but from the values-based end for which they entered the struggle: religious freedom and autonomy in our homeland. The Maccabees fought for the freedom of their faith and against the decrees of Antiochus, and the practical result of their victory was the cancellation of those decrees, the liberation of the Temple, and the rededication of the altar.
 
So, too, with Yom HaAtzmaut, in the modern era: it, too, is connected to a military victory and it, too, received its name not from the victory but from the independence, security, and autonomy that we fought for, and that we must uphold when we celebrate the holiday.
 
As we prepare to celebrate Chanukah this year, those values and that struggle feel particularly relevant. At AHS, we are dedicated to instilling in our students a strong sense of pride in their Judaism, and rich Jewish experiences to inform their identity. We invite you to share in the Nachat we derive from this video of our students sharing about what their Jewish values and identity mean to them:


 
On Chanukah, we increase the light that we add to the world each night with the addition of another candle, and so, too, may the world truly become a brighter place with each passing day. As we celebrate Chanukah and remember the victory of the Maccabees that brought us continued self-determination in our homeland, we are thinking, as always, of our home and loved ones in Israel.
 
AHS stands with Israel, and continues to be committed to upholding our Jewish values and ideals. We are proud to share with you our Fall 2023 issue of We Are Associated, with a focus on "Associated with Israel." Click below to read the magazine on our website:



With warm wishes for all of us to be imbued with the values of strength and light this Chanukah, 
 
 
Dr. Lee-Ron Kaye
Head of School

List of 6 items.

  • 1,100+

    Students
    In the current 2023 - 2024 academic year, we have over 1100 students across 3 campuses in Nursery, Elementary and Middle Schools.
  • 22

    Countries
    Our parent body is diverse. Current parents come from 22 different countries. 
  • 461

    Parent-Alumni
    461 of our current parents are Alumni of Associated.
  • 67

    Day schools / Daycares / Nurseries
    Our students come to us from many different day schools/daycares and nurseries from across Toronto, Canada, and Internationally.
  • 8

    Languages
    There are a total of 8 languages spoken throughout our student body.
  • Synagogues

    Associated Hebrew Schools families are also members from every synagouge across the Greater Toronto Area.