Shabbat School
Shabbat School
What is Shabbat School?
Our Shabbat School reimagines Jewish learning for families at Darchei Noam, and in Toronto. It’s where Jewish life, learning, and community come alive on Shabbat. Rooted in tradition yet open to contemporary expression, this program invites children and families to explore Jewish values, texts, and practices through hands-on experiences. Learning happens when and where Jewish life happens—on Shabbat, in the community, and within the sacred rhythm of Jewish time. By learning Jewish and doing Jewish, we cultivate a vibrant and meaningful connection to Judaism for families and the next generation.
Darchei Noam is a Shabbat community that celebrates, creates, studies, and prays together. Our community lives on all three floors, with something for everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or background. This model provides opportunities for engagement allowing endless possibilities for integration across ages and access points for deeper exploration into Jewish identity.
Why Shabbat School?
At Darchei Noam, we believe Jewish learning should inspire joy, connection, and justice. By anchoring education in Shabbat—the heart of Jewish time—we align our teaching with the practices, traditions, and values that sustain Jewish life.
Through immersive, values-driven education, Shabbat School equips families to live Jewishly, meaningfully, and in harmony with Darchei Noam’s mission of inclusivity, egalitarianism, and working towards shleimut (wholeness) for ourselves, our community, and our world.
Our aim is to foster curiosity, connection, and community:
- Curiosity (Knowledge):
- Build a foundation of Jewish knowledge.
- Explore holidays, rituals, traditions, and customs in sacred community.
- Foster inquiry into Torah, traditions, and Jewish texts through creative and engaging methods such as Storahtelling or darshan roles.
- Connection (Relationships/Inward):
- Strengthen personal relationships with Jewish practice, Torah, and spirituality.
- Emphasize Shabbat as a space for reflection, joy, and shared moments of growth.
- Cultivate personal practices and connections that are authentic and relevant for a modern Jewish life.
- Community (Belonging/Identity/Outward):
- Highlight the interconnectedness of all members of the Darchei Noam community: kids, parents, young adults, grandparents, and diverse families who are exploring Jewish life alongside you.
- Belong to a community in which you are an essential part.
- Take what we learn and bring it to the world, creating a more just and compassionate society.
What to Expect/What Does It Look Like?
Our Shabbat School runs on Shabbat (Saturday mornings) from 9:30am-12:30pm, and provides high-quality programming for our multigenerational community, seamlessly integrating learning, praying, eating, and celebrating Shabbat together. Each Shabbat we gather, you can expect:
- A mix of different modalities and learning configurations: cohort-based learning, curated family services and learning, praying alongside our full community, and celebrating our B’mitzvah students.
- Cohort learning opportunities (Pre-school, K/1, 2/3, 4/5, B’mitzvah, Teen, Parents) around Torah, T’fillah (prayer), and understanding Jewish identity.
- Parent Learning Circles: an opportunity for parents, grandparents, and guardians to explore their own questions about Jewish living.
- A commitment to experiment with space, method, modality, and format (Havdalah programming), in order to maximize each learner’s goals.
OPTION ONE: Typical Schedule These mornings will create opportunities for children, parents, and grandparents to experience communal prayer, learning in age cohorts, and celebrating with our full Shabbat community. 9:30am – T’fillah (Prayer) 10:15am – Cohort Time 11:00am – Hebrew Time 11:45am – Concluding Prayers 12:00pm – Kiddush Lunch | OPTION TWO: B’mitzvah Service On mornings when our B’mtizvah students become B’mitzvah, the Shabbat School will join the service to witness, celebrate, and (when appropriate) participate in the morning’s celebrations. 9:30am – Hebrew Time 10:10am – Cohort Time 10:45am – B’mitzvah Service 11:45am – Concluding Prayers 12:00pm – Kiddush Lunch | OPTION THREE: Family Shabbat Service This occasional service will provide an opportunity for our children, parents, and grandparents to experience and lead a Shabbat service at an age-appropriate level. 10:00am – T’fillah (Prayer) 11:15am – Torah Service 11:45am – Concluding Prayers 12:00pm – Kiddush Lunch |
Curriculum At A Glance
Tots (Pre-Kindergarden): Build Foundations of Jewish Wonder
- Introduce Jewish rituals, holidays, and stories through music, movement, and sensory play.
Celebrate Shabbat with song, storytelling, and family-friendly experiences.
Foster an early sense of belonging within the Darchei Noam community.
Engage parents and caregivers in learning alongside their children, supporting Jewish learning in the home.
Key Insight: This foundational stage focuses on nurturing curiosity, creating a safe and welcoming space for young children and their families to explore the rhythms and joy of Jewish life. The emphasis is on making Jewish identity feel natural and meaningful through sensory, engaging experiences.
Gan: (Kindergarten to Grade 1): Explore Jewish Time and Tradition
- Learn about the Jewish calendar, holidays, and Shabbat through interactive activities.
- Begin exploring Torah stories through dramatic play, art, and song.
- Develop early prayer skills and comfort with Jewish blessings.
- Create opportunities for hands-on mitzvah projects that bring Jewish values to life.
Key Insight: At this stage, children develop a foundational understanding of Jewish time, beginning to recognize the cycle of holidays and their meaning. Through art, play, and song, children are introduced to Jewish tradition, creating a sense of continuity from the very start of their Jewish journey.
Grades 2/3: Deepen Jewish Knowledge and Practice
- Explore foundational Torah stories and Jewish ethical teachings through storytelling and roleplay.
- Learn key prayers and blessings, fostering a sense of familiarity and confidence in Jewish ritual.
- Engage in creative expressions of Jewish values, such as art, music, and social action.
- Strengthen connections between home, school, and community through family learning experiences.
Key Insight: This stage focuses on connecting Jewish learning with action. Children begin to internalize core Jewish values, develop their prayer practice, and deepen their understanding of their place within both Jewish history and their local community.
Grades 4/5: Ownership of Jewish Identity & Community Engagement
- Study Jewish heroes, ethical dilemmas, and the evolving nature of Jewish tradition.
- Engage with prayer in a meaningful way, understanding its structure and purpose.
- Take on leadership roles within the Shabbat School community, such as leading blessings or teaching younger students.
- Explore Jewish history and traditions with an eye toward social justice and responsibility.
Key Insight: At this level, students begin to take ownership of their Jewish identity. They move from learning about tradition to actively engaging with it, assuming leadership roles, and understanding their ability to make a positive impact on their community and the world at large.
B'mitzvah (Grade 6/7): Prepare for Jewish Adulthood with Meaning and Intention
Our B’mitzvah program is designed to guide students through a process of Jewish learning, spiritual growth, and community involvement, providing a foundation for their journey into Jewish adulthood. This program is rooted in our values of Torah (learning), Avodah (prayer and service), and G’milut Chasadim (acts of kindness), offering an immersive and individualized approach to each child’s growth.
Key Components:
- Torah Study: Students will engage in Torah study using interpretive and creative methodologies, such as Storahtelling, to help deepen their understanding and connection to the text.
- Ritual Literacy: Students will develop their skills in Torah reading and prayer leadership, with a focus on personal prayer practice and comfort in leading key prayers. This includes preparation for chanting Torah and Haftorah and for leading parts of the Shabbat service.
- Jewish Identity: Through the integration of Moving Traditions’ B’mitzvah curriculum, students will explore their Jewish identity by reflecting on ethical questions, personal responsibility, and growth. The curriculum includes thoughtful discussions on what it means to be a Jewish adult in the context of modern life.
- Tzedek Project: A significant aspect of the program is the Tzedek (justice) project, where students choose a meaningful way to engage in service to the community. This reinforces the connection between learning and action, ensuring that each student’s journey is not just academic but also centred in making a difference in the world.
- Mentorship: Students will build mentorship relationships with teen leaders and adult members of the congregation. This includes guidance throughout the B’mitzvah process and participation in meaningful service projects.
Key Insight: The B’mitzvah program provides students with the tools to become responsible and engaged Jewish adults. It’s not just about acquiring knowledge and ritual skills—it’s about fostering ethical development, ensuring that students internalize the values of justice, responsibility, and self-awareness. The goal is for each student to become an active, thoughtful member of the Jewish community, prepared to take on the responsibilities of adulthood in a meaningful and intentional way.
Teen Leadership Program (Post-B'mitzvah-Grade 12): Empower the Next Generation of Jewish Leaders
- Develop leadership skills through mentorship, service projects, and active participation in congregational life.
- Explore advanced Jewish learning, including theology, social justice, and contemporary Jewish identity.
- Lead Shabbat and holiday experiences for younger students, fostering intergenerational learning.
- Engage in community-building initiatives, strengthening connections with Jewish peers and mentors.
- Participate in immersive experiences, such as retreats and trips, that deepen Jewish identity and engagement.
Key Insight: This program is designed to help teens transition from being learners to becoming leaders in the Jewish community. By taking on responsibility in both Jewish learning and community building, teens deepen their commitment to Jewish values and develop the skills necessary to lead with empathy and wisdom.
Parallel Parent Learning Cohort: An opportunity for parents, grandparents, and guardians to explore their own questions about Jewish living.
- Engage in deep study of Jewish texts, theology, and contemporary issues.
- Explore prayer and spirituality through classes like “The Prayground.”
- Build community through shared learning experiences, fostering intergenerational connections.
- Participate in social justice initiatives that integrate Jewish values into action.
- Create mentorship opportunities, allowing adults to support youth and emerging leaders within the congregation.
Key Insight: Adult learning is central to fostering a lifelong Jewish journey. By emphasizing deep, thoughtful study, alongside social action and community involvement, adults continue to grow in their Jewish identity, while also mentoring the next generation.
Community Programs:
Holiday Celebrations: Honouring Sacred Time
Jewish holidays mark the rhythm of our lives, providing opportunities for reflection, celebration, and communal connection. As a part of our Shabbat School, we want you to recognize that holidays are not just historical markers but living experiences that shape our Jewish identity. Through engaging, family-friendly holiday programming, we will create spaces where tradition meets contemporary expression—where families can celebrate, learn, and grow together. Our holiday experiences will be woven into the fabric of Shabbat School and the wider Darchei Noam community, reinforcing the idea that Jewish life is vibrant, accessible, and deeply relevant to our modern lives.
Holiday programming at Darchei Noam will:
- Bring Jewish time to life with multi-sensory experiences that engage all ages.
- Create a shared communal experience that fosters intergenerational connections.
- Deepen understanding of Jewish traditions and values through hands-on learning and engagement.
- Emphasize social justice and action, integrating tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) into our celebrations.
Tzedek Opportunities: Living Our Values Through Action
At Darchei Noam, we believe that Jewish learning is not complete without action. The pursuit of justice (tzedek) and acts of loving-kindness (chesed) are core to who we are as a community. Through Shabbat School and congregational partnerships, we will provide tangible opportunities for children and families to put Jewish values into practice by engaging in meaningful, hands-on social justice initiatives.Our tzedek programming will connect families to organizations throughout Toronto that are doing the sacred work of caring for those in need—feeding the hungry, supporting refugees, advocating for environmental justice, and more. Shabbat School will incorporate hands-on service projects, storytelling from community activists, and opportunities to build relationships with those we serve—ensuring that our students don’t just learn about justice, but actively work toward it.
Here is a list of organizations to connect with: [coming soon]
Calendar
For a full calendar of events for the 5786 School Year, Click Here!
Membership & Tuition Structure
As part of Darchei Noam’s Strategic Plan and with the leadership of our Director of Jewish Living and Learning, Hebrew School is evolving into Shabbat School, moving classes from Sundays to Saturdays. This shift will integrate Jewish learning with Shabbat services, kiddush, and offer programming for parents including Torah study and other communal learning opportunities. B’Mitzvah students will benefit from active participation in services, gaining familiarity with melodies, traditions, and community.
Starting September 2025, all Shabbat School families will become full members of Darchei Noam. As part of your membership, Shabbat School is Free!
To ease this transition, tuition for a family’s first child will count toward the annual Membership Contribution. Families will never pay more than the set annual Membership Contribution for their age bracket. Tuition for second children is 50% of the first child’s, and third+ children in the same household attend free. Bursaries are available for those needing financial assistance.
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