Description: TanenbaumCHAT (CHAT) is a private Jewish high school in North York, Ont., that was “established in the early 1960s originally as part of The Associated Hebrew Schools.” The school describes itself as the “only community Jewish high school in the GTA,” and says it has more than 10,000 alumni. CHAT’s website notes that tuition for the 2025/2026 academic year was $24,800.
The school’s website repeatedly stresses the importance of Israel in its curriculum and student life.
A message from the school’s principal states, “We develop in our students a steadfast commitment to the State of Israel and its People.” The website’s “Mission & Core Values page” states that the school aims to “foster a commitment to Zionism, deepen [students’] sense of responsibility towards the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”
The website’s “Israel Engagement” page, meanwhile, states, “Instilling a strong and vibrant connection to the State of Israel enriches our students’ own identities as Jews, while fostering a deep understanding of the important role Israel plays on the global stage and in the lives of Jews around the world. Israel engagement pervades our curricular and extra-curricular programming and is a shared vision – part of the consciousness of all our teachers and educators. Through connecting with our staff, guests and visiting speakers, our students develop relationships with Israeli peers and Israeli role models. The celebration of Jewish holidays is infused with an Israel component and we emphasize the centrality of Hebrew language to creating a strong bond with Israel.”
The 2021 issue of the school’s yearbook, meanwhile, states: “Israel engagement pervades our curricular and extracurricular programming and it is a shared vision — part of the consciousness of all our teachers and educators. Through connecting with our staff, guests and visiting speakers, our students develop relationships with Israeli peers and other Israeli role models. Students enjoy special Israel weeks and IDF days.”
The school states that it sent nearly 700 students, faculty and staff to a December 2023 “rally for the Jewish People on Parliament Hill.” In March 2024, the head of the school wrote: “Commitment to Israel has always been a priority for TanenbaumCHAT. Since October 7, we have further increased our efforts to reinforce this with our students.”
IDF mentions since Oct. 7, 2023: In January 2024, the school hosted a “Challah Bake event.” A poster for the event stated: “In this light, we come together on Tu B’Shvat to make challah and pray for Israel. May our actions merit the hostages’ swift return, safety of the IDF and the continued well-being of the people of Israel.”
In February 2024, CHAT sent 36 of its students “on the first TanenbaumCHAT Chesed Solidarity Mission to Israel,” according to the head of the school. A March 2024 post on the school’s website written by its head states: “Since arriving, they’ve engaged in a wide range of activities including visiting with injured terror victims, bearing witness to the devastation at Ofakim (called A City of Heroes), and BBQ-ing for soldiers on an army base.”
In December 2024, the school hosted a speech from Yoseph Haddad, which was described on the Allied Voices for Israel’s Instagram page as follows: “Prior to our ‘United We Stand’ event in Toronto, AVI brought Yoseph to meet students at Tanenbaum CHAT, the largest Jewish high school in Canada. Yoseph spoke about his experiences as an Arab living in Israel, his time serving in the IDF, and how to refute the falsehoods surrounding Israel, particularly as an Arab-Israeli.”
Also in December 2024, a post on the school’s website states: “In remembrance of Yom HaZikaron, the Israel Engagement Committee organized an assembly honouring Israel’s fallen heroes and victims of terror by commencing a moment of silence. The event served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for peace and security in Israel.” Yom HaZikaron is a day for mourning Israeli soldiers that have been killed.
Associated Israeli military members: Edan Cohen; Noam Elituv; Seth Frieberg; Yonah Morrison; Nava Ratzon; Dima Ressin; Michael Saskin; Naomi Stochinsky; Jeremy Urbach; Aby Volcovich; Yoav Volman; Zac Winkler.
Connections to other organizations included in GTA to IDF:
- Associated Hebrew Schools and Bnei Akiva Schools: All of these schools are listed as being “affiliated” with the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto.
Associated charity: Anne & Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy Of Toronto is the charity associated with TanenbaumCHAT. It has had charitable status since 1974, and has brought in at least $150,336,136 in charitable revenue since 2020. This has included at least $71,566,786 in receipted donations, for which donors enjoy tax breaks, and at least $157,890 in direct government funding.
