Our Story...
It started with a few mothers and their infant children on a Saturday afternoon in Toronto. Although school days were years away, these moms began to talk about educational choices. Few topics seem to stir passion, as do the issues and concerns of children’s education. From a casual conversation, a group of families emerged bound together by a shared understanding of the important decision they were about to make.
The group grew and was able to articulate the values, goals and aspirations developed for their children’s education. Someone verbalized the unspoken dream of many: “Let’s start a school!” The initial responses dismissed the notion as fantasy and impracticality, but were replaced with excitement, vision and leadership along with a statement of philosophy and goals that identified the unique position that our school would occupy in the educational landscape of Toronto.
Netivot HaTorah Day School is based on values that inform a modern orthodox perspective. We believe the religious teachings of our Torah are the foundation for Jewish life and that life should be lived to its fullest extent. Therefore, we are required to embrace and explore the world through a meaningful general studies program. Modern Jewish life is not complete, however, without an appreciation for and identification with the State of Israel – its people, history and language.
On the opening day of classes, in September 1984, 42 students arrived. The viability and communal need of this fledgling school were proven when 160 students enrolled the following year. The growth of our student population, the construction of a new school building and our expanding educational program all clearly demonstrate the vitality of Netivot’s contribution to the Toronto Jewish community. Our dedicated staff and the Podolski Netivot Educational Support Services (Podolski N.E.S.S.) department provide support for students through enrichment programs as well as small group learning opportunities. From science experiments to Bible classes; from Talmudic analysis to championship basketball games; from early morning prayers to after-school clubs, Netivot is a thriving, growing school that embraces the whole Jewish child in today’s modern world.
It began with a dream. We followed our hearts, our goals and our hopes for the future of our children.