Kindergarten is ready for Passover!
Through our dual curriculum, students brought together Jewish studies and the arts to design and create their own matzah covers, blending tradition with creativity. As they explored the meaning of the holiday, they also learned artistic techniques, resulting in practical pieces they’ll be proud to use at their seders!
Chag Pesach kasher v'sameach! Happy and kosher Passover!
Seventh grade has returned from their trip to Washington, D.C.! 🏛️🇺🇸
From hands-on workshops to powerful study visits at landmarks like the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery, our students experienced civics not as a textbook subject, but as a living, breathing responsibility. They examined how individual voices shape government, grappled with the complexity of creating just laws, and reflected on the values that sustain a democratic society. This kind of immersive, values-driven learning empowers students to think deeply, engage thoughtfully, and see themselves as active participants in something larger — grounded in identity, guided by purpose, and prepared to lead with integrity.
Thank you to Senator Amy Klobuchar for taking the time to meet with us!
From hands-on workshops to powerful study visits at landmarks like the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery, our students experienced civics not as a textbook subject, but as a living, breathing responsibility. They examined how individual voices shape government, grappled with the complexity of creating just laws, and reflected on the values that sustain a democratic society. This kind of immersive, values-driven learning empowers students to think deeply, engage thoughtfully, and see themselves as active participants in something larger — grounded in identity, guided by purpose, and prepared to lead with integrity.
Thank you to Senator Amy Klobuchar for taking the time to meet with us!
Naches alert! We’re so proud to celebrate SJA alum Laila Schoenberger on her outstanding achievement at the Minnesota DECA State Career Development Conference earlier this month. Competing among students from across the state, Laila earned third place in the General/Home Service Lines Sales Demonstration, reflecting her confidence, skill, and dedication and embodying our school value of aspiring to excellence.
150 community members attended fifth grade’s Mitzvah Fair and together
🥫 Donated 86 canned food items
🐕 Created 44 chew toys for animal shelters
🪢 Made 81 friendship bracelets for children facing illness
🇮🇱 Wrote 57 cards for Israeli soldiers
💌 Sent 60 cards to isolated seniors
🛍 Prepared countless bags for people facing housing insecurity
💵 Raised $326 for tz'dakah through a bake sale
Kol hakavod to the fifth grade class for stepping into their role as the oldest students in our lower school and planning and leading a joyful and impactful Mitzvah Fair for the community, putting Jewish values into action.
While you're finalizing your March Madness brackets, our third graders are celebrating March Mathness!
All month long, multiplication is moving beyond the page and into the gym, where third grade is learning through kinesthetic math games that combine movement, teamwork, and repetition to help cement their multiplication facts through joyful learning experiences. When students are fully engaged, knowledge truly sticks!
All month long, multiplication is moving beyond the page and into the gym, where third grade is learning through kinesthetic math games that combine movement, teamwork, and repetition to help cement their multiplication facts through joyful learning experiences. When students are fully engaged, knowledge truly sticks!
Shavua tov (good week)!
Fourth grade led a beautiful Havdalah ceremony a couple weeks ago. Families came together to mark the close of Shabbat and celebrate a season of learning together.
Students shared songs and classwork, including the glass Havdalah drip plates they created with SJA grandparent and glass artist Claude Riedel — meaningful pieces they can continue to use to connect tradition and ritual, artistry, and hands-on learning as they welcome each new week.
You’re invited to go back to school with us at the Smith Annual Benefit on Sunday, April 19 — and your donation at any level is your ticket in!
(head to smithja.org/page/annual-benefit)
Join us in celebration of the community that makes this school possible and of the Smith Annual Campaign, which helps sustain everything that makes a Smith education possible — from academic excellence and Jewish learning to tuition assistance that keeps our community accessible to families across the Twin Cities.
Your support helps ensure that the next generation of Jewish children grows up with the knowledge, confidence, and sense of belonging our community depends on. Make your gift, and join us on April 19 as Smith transforms into a lively, after-hours school day for adults — complete with trivia, music, hands-on experiences, and plenty of ruach.
(head to smithja.org/page/annual-benefit)
Join us in celebration of the community that makes this school possible and of the Smith Annual Campaign, which helps sustain everything that makes a Smith education possible — from academic excellence and Jewish learning to tuition assistance that keeps our community accessible to families across the Twin Cities.
Your support helps ensure that the next generation of Jewish children grows up with the knowledge, confidence, and sense of belonging our community depends on. Make your gift, and join us on April 19 as Smith transforms into a lively, after-hours school day for adults — complete with trivia, music, hands-on experiences, and plenty of ruach.
For the seventh year in a row, Smith Jewish Academy third graders earned top honors in the Minnesota Zoo’s ZOOMS STEM Design Challenge!
Students researched about sea lions and the importance of enrichment in animal care, then designed, engineered, and presented their own enrichment ideas for the wellness of the zoo’s sea lions. Out of the 30 teams from across the state that advanced to the exhibition round in the elementary enrichment design category, our two finalist teams brought home two of the eight awards!
Mazal tov to Amira B., Arne D., and Eli W. for earning first place overall, and to Isaiah G., Rowan K., Eitan S., and Matan S. for receiving the Innovation Award.
Kol hakavod to Ms. Vlodaver and all of our third grade engineers! What an accomplishment, with curiosity, creativity, teamwork and hard work leading to great success!
Last Tuesday, our Purim festivities lasted all day! From our eighth graders reading Megillah, seventh graders reciting poems, and sixth graders performing skits to the full student body participation in a Purim shpiel, activities with the b'not sherut, a Purim feast, costume parade, and even a student vs. staff basketball game! The day was full of ruach (spirit), joy, and community as we celebrated Jewish survival and resilience.
Sharon & Mark Rosenblum and Hayley and Phil Rosenfield are our Smith Annual Benefit co-chairs!
***
We are honored to serve as co-chairs of The Smith Annual Benefit. Together, we are leading a fundraising team of 46 passionate friends of the school who, like us, believe that a strong day school is the foundation of a strong Jewish community. This year’s benefit will transform Smith Jewish Academy into a playful, grown-up take on the classroom experience — celebrating curiosity, creativity, and community through hands-on “lessons” designed to inspire connection and support.
For our families, Smith Jewish Academy has become more than a school — it has become a second home. While we come to this work from different experiences, we share the same goal: a strong, thriving school. As new Smith parents, we did not fully understand the importance of supporting the Annual Fund at first. We are grateful now to see how critical this support is in ensuring that every family who wants a Smith education for their child is able to access one.
We are proud to take on this work together, guided by the belief that a strong Jewish school is at the heart of a strong Jewish community. Supporting Smith Jewish Academy is our way of investing not only in our own children, but in the future of the entire Twin Cities Jewish community.
We believe deeply in Smith’s mission to provide academic excellence, nurture Jewish identity, and foster a meaningful connection to Israel — pillars that prepare our children to become leaders and mensches in the world. We invite you to join us on Sunday, April 19, for an evening filled with joy, purpose, and impact, and to stand with Smith Jewish Academy as we strengthen our school and our community for generations to come.
An invitation will be coming soon, and you can start registering now! Your sponsorship at any level is your ticket in. Head to smithja.org/page/annual-benefit for more information and to make your contribution.
***
We are honored to serve as co-chairs of The Smith Annual Benefit. Together, we are leading a fundraising team of 46 passionate friends of the school who, like us, believe that a strong day school is the foundation of a strong Jewish community. This year’s benefit will transform Smith Jewish Academy into a playful, grown-up take on the classroom experience — celebrating curiosity, creativity, and community through hands-on “lessons” designed to inspire connection and support.
For our families, Smith Jewish Academy has become more than a school — it has become a second home. While we come to this work from different experiences, we share the same goal: a strong, thriving school. As new Smith parents, we did not fully understand the importance of supporting the Annual Fund at first. We are grateful now to see how critical this support is in ensuring that every family who wants a Smith education for their child is able to access one.
We are proud to take on this work together, guided by the belief that a strong Jewish school is at the heart of a strong Jewish community. Supporting Smith Jewish Academy is our way of investing not only in our own children, but in the future of the entire Twin Cities Jewish community.
We believe deeply in Smith’s mission to provide academic excellence, nurture Jewish identity, and foster a meaningful connection to Israel — pillars that prepare our children to become leaders and mensches in the world. We invite you to join us on Sunday, April 19, for an evening filled with joy, purpose, and impact, and to stand with Smith Jewish Academy as we strengthen our school and our community for generations to come.
An invitation will be coming soon, and you can start registering now! Your sponsorship at any level is your ticket in. Head to smithja.org/page/annual-benefit for more information and to make your contribution.
Learning comes alive right in our hands!
Kindergartners explored how clothing was made long ago in social studies then stepped into the Makerspace to card and spin wool and try their hands at weaving. Through hands-on discovery and an interdisciplinary approach, with every thread history became something students could see, feel, and create.
Smith Jewish Academy alumni go on to become leaders! Julia perfectly encapsulates our vision — embracing heritage and leading with purpose — in serving our community at the JCRC. Mazal tov, Julia!
Do you see any seven-year-olds in this photo? We only see 100-year-olds! It’s not Purim yet, but first grade dressed up for the 100th day of school.
They celebrated with 100th Day Olympics activities plus a math challenge, counting to 100 by different numbers and showing just how much they’ve grown in 100 joyful days of school.
They celebrated with 100th Day Olympics activities plus a math challenge, counting to 100 by different numbers and showing just how much they’ve grown in 100 joyful days of school.
We took Grades 3 and up ice skating for some winter fun!
Shabbat shalom! Wishing our families a Midwinter Break as relaxing and fun as fifth grade had out in the snow! ⛄
Hebrew Champion – Aluf Ha’ivrit! We held a schoolwide Hebrew competition in honor of the birthday of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the reviver of the Hebrew language. Mazal tov to all of the finalists and to our winners Ruthie B. and Batya H.!
Our community is one of our greatest teachers.
To expand on first grade’s study of animals, last month SJA parent and veterinarian Colette Friedenson shared her expertise on animal care, modeling responsibility, kindness, and the power of a community invested in student learning.
To expand on first grade’s study of animals, last month SJA parent and veterinarian Colette Friedenson shared her expertise on animal care, modeling responsibility, kindness, and the power of a community invested in student learning.
Just in time for the Winter Olympics, third graders put science into motion and designed, built, and tested snowboards as part of their hands-on learning about forces 🏂
Kol hakavod to the sixth grade classes on the completion of the B'tzalel Project!
The annual project led students on a spiritual and creative journey that culminated in meaningful and beautiful talitot (prayer shawls)/wall hangings and thoughtful presentations as they prepare to become b'nei mitzvah.
See more pictures on our Facebook and Instagram!
The annual project led students on a spiritual and creative journey that culminated in meaningful and beautiful talitot (prayer shawls)/wall hangings and thoughtful presentations as they prepare to become b'nei mitzvah.
See more pictures on our Facebook and Instagram!
📸 Kol hakavod to our 2026 Minnesota Scholastic Art Award photography winners!
Six Smith Jewish Academy seventh and eighth graders were recognized by Scholastic and earned Gold Key Awards, Silver Key Awards, and Honorable Mention Awards, a great achievement at the state level. These photographs reflect careful observation, creative risk-taking, and the confidence to see our world through a thoughtful and expressive lens.
1. The Light Within by Dalia D.
🥇 Gold Key Award
2. Symmetry of Self by Annie B.
🥈 Silver Key Award
3. Ocean Eyes by Miri O.
🥈 Silver Key Award
4. Weeeeeeeee by Benny G.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
5. Golden Hour by Mia M.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
6. Evergreen Essence by Noah H.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
7. Pink Cloud by Dalia D.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
8. Golden Hour by Annie B.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
Six Smith Jewish Academy seventh and eighth graders were recognized by Scholastic and earned Gold Key Awards, Silver Key Awards, and Honorable Mention Awards, a great achievement at the state level. These photographs reflect careful observation, creative risk-taking, and the confidence to see our world through a thoughtful and expressive lens.
1. The Light Within by Dalia D.
🥇 Gold Key Award
2. Symmetry of Self by Annie B.
🥈 Silver Key Award
3. Ocean Eyes by Miri O.
🥈 Silver Key Award
4. Weeeeeeeee by Benny G.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
5. Golden Hour by Mia M.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
6. Evergreen Essence by Noah H.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
7. Pink Cloud by Dalia D.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
8. Golden Hour by Annie B.
🏅 Honorable Mention Award
