The TDSB recognizes Jewish Heritage Month in May.
This year, the TDSB is partnering with the Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre to present a “Stories of Spadina” Walking tour of Kensington Market which introduces the Market to TDSB students through a lively and engaging experience that combines history, music, and architecture.
This opportunity will connect students to this significant part of Toronto’s local history and to the market as a destination for new immigrant groups. The tour focuses on the stories of Toronto’s early Jewish community, largely immigrants from Eastern Europe, and their domestic, religious, social, and political lives through an exploration of the sites, smells, and sounds of the market including historical homes, synagogues and former businesses. The tours are delivered by our own TDSB TUSC (Toronto Urban Studies Centre) staff. This is a wonderful opportunity for students (Grades 6-9) to connect and learn about this significant part of Toronto’s local history. There will be four tours each day consisting of two tours for each timeframe.
As part of the tour, the groups will enter the Kiever Synagogue, one of Toronto’s most historic Jewish buildings. At one of the stops we will have a short, live performance presented by Ashkenaz.
The program is currently full with 59 schools participating from right across the city – some with multiple classes – approximately 3,700 students. The teaching goals of this program include: presenting the challenges and opportunities of living in early 20th century Toronto; developing awareness and empathy for the Jewish people and their experiences of the past and present; and demonstrating contemporary resonances and connections with Toronto’s present day immigrant population.