Jewish Life
Overview
A Reform Jewish Education
Leo Baeck models progressive, inclusive Jewish values, a love of Israel and a genuine, spiritually rich environment. Our students build a strong Jewish foundation by deepening their understanding of tradition while embracing innovative change and diversity within Jewish practice.
Our approach to prayer and ritual is joyful, vibrant, musical and accessible. Students lead weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services, as well as regular Shacharit and Rosh Chodesh services. They celebrate and learn about customs and traditions through a wide array of experiences and ceremonies. All students and staff wear a kippah during tefillah and have equal opportunities in all religious rituals. The option to read from the Torah upon reaching B’nei Mitzvah age is available to everyone.
"Anyone who has attended a holiday assembly, choir performance or Shabbat service with us can attest: the idea of celebrating with joyful song is deeply embedded in our school culture."
- Rabbi Katz
History of our school
The Leo Baeck Day School was established in 1974, when Reform leaders of Toronto convened and dreamed of creating a local day school for Jewish students to immerse themselves in progressive Jewish values and experiences. They chose to name it after Rabbi Leo Baeck (1873-1956), one of the most prolific German-Jewish scholars and historians of the 20th century. He served as a leader of Reform Judaism and is credited with helping concentration camp inmates in Theresienstadt to survive the Holocaust.
The Reform movement has spread globally since the establishment of the first Reform congregation in Hamburg in 1810, championing social justice, innovation in prayer and Jewish music, community outreach and making Jewish decisions and commitments based on informed choice. We are proud to embrace the values and traditions instilled by Reform Jewish leadership.
Jewish Living & Learning
Rabbi Noam Katz, our Dean of Jewish Living, works with all staff to integrate Judaism across the curriculum in meaningful and relevant ways. He was ordained by Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2010, with a background in religious education, and has served Leo Baeck ever since.
From engaging students in deep conversations about the role of God in our lives, to leading spirited Jewish holiday celebrations to coordinating Interfaith encounters for our Grade 8 students. Rabbi Katz is committed to building a strong sense of community and pride in every family’s Jewish identity.
Ahavat Yisrael
We are proud to foster a community in which students forge a personal, reflective and evolving relationship with Israel.
Learning meaningfully and in a variety of ways about Israel is essential for shaping one’s Jewish identity, values and connection to the Jewish people. Such learning provides grounding for students to understand their place in history and inspiration for what they can contribute to the Jewish future. Israel engagement fosters a deep sense of solidarity and a personal stake in the ongoing strength and continuity of Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel), Am Yisrael (People of Israel) and M’dinat Yisrael (State of Israel).
Israel engagement:
- Helps learners make informed choices about the role Israel plays in their lives
- Encourages multiple lenses and narratives
- Explores democratic, egalitarian and progressive qualities of Israel
- Cultivates empathy for the welfare of all Israel’s inhabitants.
Our community seeks to inspire students to value the role Israel plays in their lives and encourages active involvement as responsible and caring modern Jews.
Shinshinim Program
Leo Baeck participates in a UJA Federation program in which two students from Israel join us for a year after they graduate from high school and before they serve in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
The Shinshinim lead activities that foster love for and connection to Israel, bringing a personal perspective and energy to school-wide programming. Hosted by Leo Baeck families during their time here, they also contribute to our partner Reform communities at Holy Blossom Temple and Temple Sinai. We are delighted to welcome Neta and Yahel for the 2024-25 school year.
The Czech Torah Project
Leo Baeck is honoured to be a part of The Memorials Scrolls Trust project. This organization allocates Torah scrolls recovered after the Holocaust to schools and synagogues throughout the world. Since 1981, we have been proud stewards of a rescued Czech Torah scroll which is used regularly during Rosh Chodesh services and on Simchat Torah. Learn more about our Torah scroll and the work of this organization here.
