Brief History of TanenbaumCHAT

TanenbaumCHAT—originally founded as the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto—was established in 1960 by the Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto. In its early years, the school was housed within the Associated Hebrew Schools building before relocating in 1979 to its current Wilmington Avenue facility, formerly a Toronto District School Board property.

In 2000, a second campus opened in Richmond Hill to serve the growing Jewish population north of the city; that campus later moved in 2007 to the Lebovic Jewish Community Campus in Vaughan. In 2006, the school was renamed the Anne & Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (TanenbaumCHAT) in recognition of a major gift from the estate of Dr. Anne Tanenbaum.

From 2000 to 2017, TanenbaumCHAT operated two campuses—the Wallenberg Campus in Toronto and the Kimel Family Education Centre in York Region—before consolidating into a single campus in September 2017.

Today, TanenbaumCHAT stands as one of the largest and most influential Jewish high schools in North America, serving as a cornerstone of Jewish life in Toronto for more than 60 years and offering a renowned dual curriculum rooted in academic excellence, Jewish values, and deep Israel engagement. TanenbaumCHAT currently has more than 10,000 alumni and currently over 1,400 students from Gr9-12 with projections for continued growth.

SCHOOL MISSION & CORE VALUES

Academic Excellence

The school maintains a rigorous academic program, offering more than 100 electives, extensive co‑curricular opportunities, and pathways that support achievement and postsecondary success.

Jewish Identity & Values

Jewish learning, tradition, community engagement, and ethical leadership anchor the student experience. TanenbaumCHAT emphasizes character development, responsibility, and connection to the wider Jewish community.

Israel Engagement

Deep engagement with Israel is woven throughout curricular and extracurricular programming. Students develop strong relationships with Israeli culture, people, and contemporary issues, fostering a lifelong bond and sense of global Jewish responsibility.

Mission

TanenbaumCHAT is dedicated to delivering an outstanding dual curriculum that integrates exceptional general studies with rich, meaningful Jewish education. As the only community Jewish high school in the Greater Toronto Area, the school seeks to empower students with the academic foundation, Jewish identity, ethical grounding, and connection to Israel necessary to thrive as engaged citizens and committed members of the Jewish people.

Core Values

Community & Inclusivity

TanenbaumCHAT welcomes students from across the spectrum of Jewish backgrounds—religious, cultural, and secular—and cultivates a school environment grounded in respect, openness, and belonging. The school’s New Stream program further expands access for students from public and independent schools.

Position Summary

The Head of School (HOS) serves as the Chief Executive, Administrative, and Educational Officer of TanenbaumCHAT, responsible for articulating and advancing the school’s mission; leading all facets of school operations; and representing the school to internal and external stakeholders. The HOS oversees academics, senior administration, operations, advancement, community relations, and financial management across the full institution.

The role requires an inspiring educational leader and skilled institution builder who can guide curriculum excellence, lead strategic planning, support faculty and staff, and strengthen relationships within the Toronto Jewish community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Visionary Leadership

• Articulate and implement a compelling vision and mission for the school.
• Foster trust, positive morale, and strong relationships across all constituencies.
• Hire, supervise, evaluate, and support members of the senior management team.
• Ensure curricula and educational programs meet the highest standards and evolving needs.
• Serve as the spokesperson and public representative of the school’s values.
• Build strong partnerships with UJA Federation, Jewish day schools, synagogues, camps, and other community organizations.
• Promote dialogue and engagement across diverse Jewish denominations.

Development & Fundraising

• Partner with the Director of Advancement to lead annual, capital, and endowment fundraising.
• Engage directly in donor cultivation, stewardship, and the solicitation of major gifts.
• Strengthen the school's long-term strategy through advancement leadership.
• Steward relationships with key community parters including UJA Federation

Finance & Operations

• Collaborate with the CFO to ensure sound fiscal management and efficient operations.
• Oversee and participate in annual budget preparation.
• Provide the Board with financial analysis and projections for strategic decision-making.
• Lead community-focused initiatives on tuition assistance and affordability.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Jewish Education, Nonprofit Management, or related fields.
• Minimum of 10+ years of senior leadership in educational settings, ideally in Jewish or independent schools.
• Experience working with Boards of Directors and complex organizational structures.
• Proven success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and community engagement.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Experience leading multi-campus or multifaceted educational organizations.