A Fresh Vision for Jewish Learning at Smith
Since joining Smith Jewish Academy as director of Jewish living and learning, Rabbi Justin Held has infused new energy, structure, and intentionality into our Jewish learning program — nowhere more evident than in the evolution of morning t’filah.
Student-Led T'filah on Mondays
Each Monday, our entire K-8 community gathers for morning t’filah led by students. In past years, leadership rotated by lunch-table assignment, meaning groups of eight to 10 students were “up,” whether or not they felt ready or eager. This fall, Rabbi Justin introduced a meaningful shift: leadership by student choice.
At first, only a handful of courageous students stepped forward. But after Rabbi Justin addressed the school — reminding students that anyone could be a leader if they felt inspired — something remarkable happened. Following the assembly, students lined up to say, “I want to lead!” Rabbi Justin encouraged them to think intentionally about the responsibility and email him when they felt ready. Within hours, two groups emailed to volunteer — a beautiful reflection of growing student confidence and ownership of their spiritual lives.
Classroom Leadership on Fridays
To complement the volunteer model, Friday t’filah continues the tradition of classroom-led services. Each class prepares with their Jewish studies teacher and then leads the full school in Kabbalat Shabbat, ensuring every student has the chance to build skills and confidence over time. Together, the Monday/Friday structure celebrates both personal initiative and communal responsibility — core pillars of Jewish leadership.
Davening & Donuts: A New Weekly Tradition
Rounding out the week is our community favorite: Davening & Donuts on Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.
Originally founded by parents Fran Biel and Asher Gavzy as a bi-weekly gathering, it has grown into a beloved weekly ritual where students, parents, staff, and community members pray together.
This year, Rabbi Justin has added thoughtful structure:
Every other week, he leads with support from student volunteers, providing consistent practice and musical familiarity.
On the alternating weeks, guest clergy from across the Jewish spectrum lead, offering families a meaningful window into the diversity of Jewish prayer and melody.
Attendance keeps growing — so much so that during a recent heavy snowstorm, Rabbi Justin feared the room would be empty … only to find it packed with hearty souls eager to daven together.
As Fran Biel shared:
“Davening & Donuts is a way to bring a robust t’filah practice to school, expose kids and parents to different melodies and traditions, and — with Rabbi Justin’s support — provide a consistent framework for student leadership. It’s been beautiful to watch it grow.”
Students, naturally, love the donuts (always eaten after a b'rakhah!), adults love the coffee, and everyone loves the sense of community that fills the room.
Under Rabbi Justin’s leadership, t’filah is becoming more than a routine — it’s becoming a vibrant expression of who we are as a Jewish day school: curious, connected, courageous, joyful, and rooted in tradition while open to new possibilities.
We invite you to join us for t’filah — on Mondays at 9:50 a.m., Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m., and Fridays at 2:10 p.m. — a chance to come together in prayer and community.