The de Toledo Difference

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

• Did you conduct your worldly affairs in a righteous manner? 

  Did you take unfair advantage?
  Were you honest in business?

  
  Our graduates engage in thoughtful acts of Tikkun Olam (world repair); understand that they are part of a larger plan, yet are essential to the completion of that plan through individual acts of loving kindness; and know that justice is created in the world through personal dedication of time and material resources.
  
  Our graduates understand that knowledge is for the sake of achieving wisdom, that wisdom leads to peace, peace engenders a context for Tikkun Olam, and Tikkun Olam creates an atmosphere of Godliness in our world.

• Was lifelong learning a priority?
  Was it a regular part of one’s life?
  Did you fix a regular time to study?

  
  Our graduates possess deep and integrated knowledge of Jewish tradition, values, and world civilization; recognize the relationship among all facets of human knowledge; and appreciate the interaction between the greatest minds of Jewish and general thought.
  
  With a genuine love of learning, our graduates have mastered the reading, comprehension, and analytical skills to pursue lifelong learning, and to strive for excellence in intellectual activities, personal health, and artistic development. Graduates comport themselves in accordance with Jewish values and the ideals of American democracy, striving to live by high standards of moral character and behavior.

• Did you engage yourself in the raising of children?
  This means not just in the sense of procreation, but were you part
  of the “village” that raised all of the community’s children?
  Did you become a part of all of the communities of all of our children?

  
  Our graduates consider themselves “trans-Jews,” or those who possess a full range of Jewish knowledge and skills, so as to be comfortable in any Jewish community anywhere in the world. When asked to lead a prayer minyan, our graduates can lead; when asked to explain Jewish holidays, texts, history, and philosophy, our graduates can expound. In essence, dTHS graduates appreciate and respect all facets of Jewish life and can easily “transit” within the complex Jewish world.

• Were you an optimist?
  Did you try to make things better by participating in acts of Tikkun Olam?
  Did you have faith in God and the goodness of the world?
  Did you work for peace in Israel and the world?

  
  Our graduates achieve a sense of self-confidence, joy, and passion for life, based upon Jewish tradition and a deep understanding of how that tradition creates personal meaning and inner peace. They support the State of Israel and appreciate Israel’s centrality in Jewish life and Jewish history.

• Did you use wise judgment? Did you argue details with wisdom?
  Did you know when to let go of the unimportant? Did you separate
  the argument from the individual? Did you make a contribution of wisdom
  to the greater academic and world communities?

  
  Our graduates know and apply critical thinking skills needed for analytic and synthetic thought. These include inductive and deductive reasoning; finding similarities and analogies, synthesizing information, assessing the costs and benefits of ideas, predicting short and long-term consequences, and achieving insight- the awareness of self in relation to others, to moral problems, and to world issues. They can analyze their own thinking process to identify strengths and weaknesses and to adopt strategies for productive action based on the highest principles of moral and ethical thinking.
  
  Our graduates gain admission to fine colleges and universities not only to enhance their own education and opportunities, but also as a means to enhance their ability to make a significant contribution to our local and national communities.

• Did you understand and search for the deeper meaning and hidden meaning of life?
  Did you understand a word within a word or the thing within a thing?

  
  Our graduates value their special gifts and understand their responsibility to use those gifts to uplift humanity. They maintain balance and perspective in life, thereby being able to determine that which is truly important and meaningful and that which will make a difference for future generations.