Description: Associated Hebrew Schools (AHS) is a Jewish elementary school in North York., Ont., that was established in 1907. The school offers programming from nursery to middle school, with tuition fees for 2025/2026 ranging from $14,685 to $19,750 per year. The school states it has more than 10,000 alumni, around 90 per cent of whom went to Jewish private high schools.
Describing its alumni, the school states: “Above all, they are citizens of the world with the grounding that comes from seeing the world through a Jewish lens and a fierce pride for Israel.” The school’s website also states: “Students gain a deep affinity for the State of Israel.”
The school’s “Strategic Plan” guidebook for 2020-2025, meanwhile, has a section dedicated to “Love of Israel.” The section states: “Through interactive learning and programming, students are introduced and connected to the history, heritage, and culture of the Jewish people’s homeland, Eretz Yisrael,” and, “AHS invites an authentic Israeli experience into its school and classrooms with Israeli teachers planning and programming an immersive curriculum and annual Shinshinim visitors who spend a year volunteering before serving in the army.”
IDF mentions since Oct. 7, 2023: The Fall 2023 issue of the school’s magazine contains a page with a photo of an Israeli soldier and others, with a caption stating: “We are one community – our AHS community is united with Israel and with the Jewish community worldwide, now and always. We are so proud of our AHS alumni who are supporting Israel’s war effort through serving in the IDF, working as emergency physicians, and other acts of volunteerism.”
In December 2023, the school’s Instagram page posted photos of Israeli soldiers holding letters sent to them by the schools’ students, and wrote: “Our letters to the chayalim have reached their destination, thanks to an AHS parent who delivered them personally! One soldier’s response was ‘this is what keeps us going’. Another said that he would be putting his letter in the vest that he wears each day, as a reminder that there are kids who are thinking about him and caring about him from across the world. Words can’t express how meaningful it was to participate in this letter exchange.”
In May 2024, the school’s Instagram page posted about a day of remembrance the school hosted for Israeli soldiers that had been killed. They wrote: “On Yom Hazikaron, we remember the soldiers who gave their lives to save and protect others. Our students have been marking this significant day in many different ways, including special programs and assemblies, choir performances, and visits to a Cheder Zikaron [memorial room] to honour those who are forever in our hearts.”
The Fall 2024 issue of the school’s magazine stated that in October 2024, they brought in an Israeli soldier to speak to students. The magazine noted: “Later in the month, our Danilack Middle School students had the very meaningful opportunity through Bet Halochem Canada to hear from Itai Sagi, an IDF veteran who sustained multiple serious injuries and lost several close friends on October 7, when he was called out of the reserves. Itai Sagi’s story of resilience and rebuilding was deeply meaningful and inspiring to our students, offering hope even in very difficult times.”
The Spring 2025 issue of the school’s magazine mentioned the IDF in multiple places.
The issue contains an interview with Peter Rewega, the school’s director of education. Rewega is asked, “What is your favourite thing about AHS, or the AHS experience you’re most looking forward to as Principal and DOE?” He replies, “My favourite thing about AHS is the incredible sense of purpose woven into everything we do. So many moments this year have deeply moved me: the powerful October 7th assembly where our community came together, the Grade 6 My Family Story project that filled a shul with grandparents and parents, students wrapping yellow braids in support of our dearly missed hostages, a student wrapping tefillin on the arm of an IDF soldier, and the Grade 8 students who started their own Minchaminyan [afternoon prayer service].”
The magazine featured a photo of an alumnus in the “achievements” section of the issue in Israeli uniform, writing, “Edan (Edan Cohen)’12 from his Officers Course. Edan is currently serving in Israel’s Air Force, IDF, as an engineer. He graduated this year as an Officer and was awarded the ‘best soldier’ award from his graduating class.”
The magazine also featured a blurb about an event held at the school, writing: “HS had the honour of welcoming a delegation from Peace of Mind, an organization offering support and trauma processing for IDF veterans, with an unforgettable display of unity, gratitude, and support. In collaboration with Peach of Mind, we planned a reception that would both uplift their spirits and offer our students a firsthand experience of what it means to stand with Israel and its protectors.
The delegation entered our school to see students lining the hallways, waving Israeli flags and singing. Our choir performed a repertoire of songs, and our Head of School, Dr. Lee-Ron Kaye, hosted a lunch reception, allowing for the delegates to engage in meaningful conversations with students, faculty, and families and for our community to connect, express gratitude, and show our unwavering support.
This visit was a powerful lesson for our students on the importance of solidarity, gratitude, and the deep bonds that connect us as a people.”
Associated Israeli military members: Benjamin Brown; Zachary Brown; Edan Cohen; Seth Frieberg; Jake Goodman; Nava Ratzon; Naomi Stochinsky; Aby Volcovich.
Connections to other organizations included in GTA to IDF:
- Bnei Akiva Schools and TanenbaumCHAT: All of these schools are listed as being “affiliated” with the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto.
Associated charity: The Associated Hebrew Schools Of Toronto is the charity associated with Associated Hebrew Schools. It has had charitable status since 1967, and has brought in at least $103,913,183 in revenue since 2020. This has included at least $50,701,335 in receipted donations, for which donors enjoy tax breaks, and at least $4,382,252 in direct government funding.
