The Village Shul and Learning Centre

The Village Shul and Learning Centre is a Canadian nonprofit Orthodox Jewish synagogue and educational institution located in Toronto, Ontario. It serves as a community synagogue offering daily, Shabbat, and holiday services alongside a broad range of religious, social, and educational programs for individuals and families across various age groups.

History and Mission

Founded by a group of dedicated Aish HaTorah students aiming to create a synagogue in the Forest Hill Village area of Toronto, The Village Shul embraces the philosophy and educational style of Aish HaTorah. The institution has grown into a vibrant community hub, welcoming over 300 families. Its mission is to foster a warm, inclusive community atmosphere grounded in traditional Jewish practice and learning.

Affiliation

The Village Shul is affiliated with Aish HaTorah International and partners with Aish Toronto. Aish HaTorah, founded in Jerusalem in 1974 by Rabbi Noah Weinberg, is a global leader in Jewish education and leadership training, aiming to inspire Jews worldwide to explore their heritage with openness and respect. The affiliation enables The Village Shul to provide diverse and creative educational programming drawing on Aish HaTorah’s extensive global resources.

Facilities and Programs

Housed in a building constructed from Jerusalem stone on Eglinton Avenue West, The Village Shul offers a welcoming environment with accessibility features including wheelchair access and a Shabbat elevator.

The centre features:

• Daily morning and evening minyan (prayer services).
• Shabbat and festival services with strong communal participation.
• A preschool program, including the Tots Together Preschool catering to children aged 22 months to 3 years, emphasizing quality education and child care.
• Hebrew school with special programs for Grades 7 and 8.
• Religious, social, and educational activities for youth, families, and seniors.
• Family events, classes, and community-building initiatives.

The leadership, including Rabbi Ahron Hoch and Rebbetzin Faigy Hoch, is noted for creating a warm and dynamic community, often inviting newcomers to share in Shabbat meals, enhancing a sense of belonging.

Community Impact

The Village Shul is recognized as a unique community shul in Toronto’s Jewish landscape, notable for its dynamic programming and inclusive spirit. Its partnership with Aish HaTorah places it among internationally connected Jewish institutions dedicated to fostering Jewish identity and education.

This organization operates under Canadian nonprofit business registration number 130842099RR0001.