The Anne & Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto

האקדמיה העברית ע"ש טננבאום

 

The Anne and Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto, TanenbaumCHAT, is a co-educational Jewish Community high school, welcoming students and families of diverse Jewish traditions and beliefs from all streams within the Jewish community, joining together in common learning. Admission to the school is open to all students who meet its entrance requirements.

TanenbaumCHAT strives for excellence in both its Jewish and General Studies programmes.

The totality of Jewish experience - religious teachings, history, sense of peoplehood, literature and culture, national aspirations, musical and artistic creativity - is actively embraced in the school's programme, which includes:

• the transmission and appreciation of Jewish religious and cultural traditions;
• an understanding of Halacha;
• the encouragement of students to observe mitzvot;
• the teaching of moral and ethical values of Judaism as an integral part of the student's life;
• a commitment to the use and understanding of the Hebrew language;
• the study of classical and modern Jewish texts in their original language;
• a commitment to Zionism and identification with the State of Israel;
• involvement in Jewish communal life and encouragement of a sense of responsibility for Jews everywhere;
• development of a universal sense of social concern and social conscience through voluntarism.

TanenbaumCHAT identifies with and supports the Greater Toronto Jewish community, in its diverse religious and ideological commitments. It seeks to provide the framework within which all students may explore, extend and intensify their involvement with Judaism and Jewish life, in an open, tolerant and pluralistic atmosphere in which they can feel comfortable.

The TanenbaumCHAT educational programme, in the classroom and outside of it, meets the highest standards of the Ministry of Education and Training of Ontario, preparing and encouraging TanenbaumCHAT students to continue the pursuit of knowledge throughout their lives.

Beyond formal classroom instruction, the students are encouraged to participate and develop leadership skills in a wide range of sports and extra-curricular activities. The Student Council coordinates student activities within the school and acts as a liaison to the Administration, Faculty and Board of Directors.

A Board of Directors that is broadly representative of the TanenbaumCHAT parent body and of the Jewish community governs TanenbaumCHAT. Parents are encouraged to support the school by participation in its many lay committees and by working with the school Administration and Faculty in furthering the goals of the school. Education is a partnership between school and family, and families are expected to support and reinforce the TanenbaumCHAT ethos and values.

TanenbaumCHAT fosters an atmosphere of inquiry and intellectual stimulation and during the crucial teenage years provides a setting for emotional growth in a safe, nurturing environment. These combine to enable the students to formulate and articulate the integration of their Jewish values into the democratic traditions of Canada and the western world.