Every year, students at de Toledo High School speak about the way Judaism comes to life for them in the classroom, in holiday celebrations and tefillot (community prayers), in our dynamic Jewish-themed clubs, as well as in our extensive range of off-campus experiences like our annual Shabbaton retreat… as well as our study-abroad programs with Jewish schools in Israel and several other countries across the globe.
Across the full breadth of our school’s curriculum… philosophy, justice, and environment courses are taught through a Jewish lens. Our students become strong, confident and ethical leaders who are inspired by, and secure in, their Jewish identity.
Based on centuries of timeless wisdom, de Toledo students are grounded in Jewish values, texts, culture, and the Hebrew language… all of which help to sharply enhance their analytical and critical thinking skills.
Jewish Life and Activities Include:
Jewish life at our school is also immeasurably enriched by the near-constant presence of Jewish exchange students from many different countries. Hearing Jewish kids speaking Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, and other languages – while having our students host these foreign guests in their own homes – creates life-long bonds of friendship and cross-cultural learning.
Though I’ve always considered Judaism to be my religion, being here at de Toledo has, maybe for the first time, made me feel like it’s part of my core identity.
- Goldie M. (’26)
If there were one event that could be said to most perfectly encapsulate the entire de Toledo experience, it would have to be our annual all-school Shabbaton. Regularly described by students as “magical” and “life-changing”… this four-day retreat brings all students and faculty together at the beautiful AJU Brandeis-Bardin campus in Simi Valley for celebrations, singing, dancing, learning, and bonding activities.
Each year, one of the central highlights of the Shabbaton is a moving havdalah ceremony, when our seniors symbolically transfer the reins of school leadership to their younger peers.
When the havdalah candles are lit, and you see our students’ unending smiles and laughter, their tears of joy, as well as the intensity of their connections to our school and one another, you begin to understand the uniqueness of de Toledo’s educational philosophy.
In the 12th grade, all de Toledo students make drishat shalom (“words of peace”) presentations to the school. These deeply personal, introspective presentations weave together teachings based on traditional Jewish texts alongside firsthand experiences the students are willing to share from their own lives.
Iyun has been an amazing experience for me. I’ve really enjoyed our moot beit din competitions, chevruta work, and class discussions.
- Maya R. (’28)
