If you’ve met Abby Schmulewitz, Smith Jewish Academy’s new director of admissions, you’ve likely felt it right away: warmth, clarity, and a genuine love for this community. Abby is also a Smith alum, and returning in this role feels deeply meaningful.
“Four years ago, I bought a house half a block from the school because I felt so connected to my community,” Abby shared. “Being able to work here now is an added elevation of gratitude — to come full circle and be on the giving end of everything I received.”
When Abby reflects on her time as a student, what stands out most is the care she experienced — especially in moments when she needed it most. She remembers teachers holding her hand through anxiety on class trips, looking out for her in unfamiliar places, and making sure every student felt safe and supported. “Those specific moments of deep care,” she said, “are what stayed with me.”
Abby also brings a unique perspective as a member of Smith’s first eighth-grade class, growing alongside a school that was evolving. She credits that experience — and the closeness of the community — with helping her transition confidently into larger schools and beyond. “There’s a narrative that you need to go to public school to see ‘real life,’” Abby said. “I don’t believe that. This is real life. I felt prepared, grounded, and successful.”
Professionally, Abby’s path has come full circle. “At Camp TEKO, I learned Jewish education. At Groves Academy, I learned admissions. At Hillel, I learned outreach,” she explained. “Now this role feels like everything connects.” Admissions, she said, is about guiding families through an important decision and helping them feel confident and welcomed from the very beginning.
To families just discovering Smith, Abby describes the school as “the best of both worlds” — strong general studies paired with Jewish learning that shapes identity every day. “In kindergarten, students are already being fully formed as Jewish people,” she said. “That kind of identity is lived here in a way you just can’t replicate.”
What feels timeless about Smith? “The sense of family,” Abby answered. And what feels new? “A fresh, intentional focus on excellence — in academics, Judaics, and the overall experience we’re creating for students and families.”
And the Smith tradition that still makes her smile? The kindergarten and eighth-grade buddy program and the way alumni continue to return and stay connected. “Our graduates know how to build Jewish community,” Abby said. “They’ve been practicing it their whole lives.”
Abby is excited to meet families — alumni, current, and prospective — and help open the door to a Smith experience rooted in care, learning, and belonging.