Roaring into a New School Year at Edmonton Talmud Torah

By: Natalie Soroka

(Edmonton) – On Wednesday, August 28, Edmonton Talmud Torah (TT) buzzed with excitement as students and families came together for our annual—and always popular—Welcome Back to School event! The hallways were alive with energy as students met their teachers, checked out their classrooms, and dropped off their school supplies, ready to launch into a new year organized and prepared.

It wasn’t just about the school prep—this was also a chance for families, both new and returning, to connect with each other and the wider TT community. The Edmonton Talmud Torah Society (TTS), TT School Council, and Jewish Federation of Edmonton were all there to greet everyone, joined by the day’s most anticipated guest: Ari the Lion! Our beloved mascot brought smiles, high-fives, hugs, and a big dose of school spirit to students throughout the event.

The fun didn’t stop there! Students loved filling out the Society’s “First Day of School” boards with answers like “My teacher’s name is…”, “My favourite subject is…”, and “When I grow up I want to be…” (plus a quick height check for future bragging rights!). The always-popular Spin the Wheel game had kids lining up for a chance to win some TTS swag, including the crowd-favourite lion stuffies.

A big thank you goes out to our TT alumni volunteers who ran the craft and prize stations—their energy helped make the day a roaring success.

The Welcome Back event was the perfect way to reconnect after summer, celebrate new beginnings, and set a joyful tone for an exciting year of learning, growth, and community.

Here’s to a fantastic 2025/26 school year at Talmud Torah—let’s make it one to remember!