We’re excited to introduce history scholar and educator Micah Shull into our new position of lower school social studies teacher, which is designed to support and connect across disciplines and help students understand and make meaning of the world around them.
“I’m excited to learn, grow, and build meaningful connections with students, families, and colleagues at Smith.”
Read about Mr. Shull at smithja.org/o/sja/page/staff-bios.
Another passionate Israeli educator, Orly Silidor, comes to Smith Jewish Academy from Agamim Classical Academy. B’rukhah haba-ah, HaMorah Orly!
"I look forward to joining the amazing SJA community and sharing my love for the Hebrew language and culture with my students."
Read about HaMorah Orly at smithja.org/o/sja/page/staff-bios.
Educator, vocalist, pianist, oh my! We’re excited to welcome Matt Kiminski to SJA as our music specialist.
“I'm so excited to join a school community where the arts thrive and where students, teachers, and families support one another on our learning journeys!”
Read about Mr. Kiminski at smithja.org/o/sja/page/staff-bios.
B’rukhah haba-ah also to Sigi Biton, our new morah sh'lichah/emissary teacher, who will be teaching kindergarten Hebrew & Jewish Studies. She brings a unique philosophy and expertise as an art therapist.
“I am looking forward to a wonderful year of growth, connection, and a beautiful journey together!”
Read about Sigi at smithja.org/o/sja/page/staff-bios.
“I am looking forward to a wonderful year of growth, connection, and a beautiful journey together!”
Read about Sigi at smithja.org/o/sja/page/staff-bios.
Hailing from Israel, Avi Biton is joining us as a moreh shaliach/emissary teacher to teach fifth grade Hebrew & Jewish studies. Not only is Avi an experienced educator, but he holds degrees in Land of Israel studies as well as Jewish history and contemporary Jewry. Barukh haba, Avi!
"I look forward to getting to know our school community, learning about your culture, and embarking on this meaningful journey together!"
Read about Avi at smithja.org/o/sja/page/staff-bios
"I look forward to getting to know our school community, learning about your culture, and embarking on this meaningful journey together!"
Read about Avi at smithja.org/o/sja/page/staff-bios
Sharing a campus with community partners gives us special opportunities, from access to art exhibitions and interactions with community members of all ages and abilities to ... our end-of-year pool party back in June!
As we head into August, it's time to check in on summer reading goals! Students entering fifth grade and middle school, don't forget to complete your summer reading assignments — summer reading keeps the mind engaged and prepares students for another year of joyful learning.
Our favorite part of summer is visiting our students and alumni at Camp Olami, Herzl Camp, and Camp Ramah in Wisconsin! We've missed these smiling faces and are so happy to see them building community at Jewish summer camp.
We helped them beat the heat with Smith cooling towels and can't wait to welcome everyone back to SJA soon for another year of joyful learning!
We helped them beat the heat with Smith cooling towels and can't wait to welcome everyone back to SJA soon for another year of joyful learning!
The SJA community is growing!
Bruchim habaim, welcome, to our incoming kindergarten students who came together for a popsicle playdate to make new friends and begin feeling at home before their first day of school. We can't wait to watch these students learn, grow, and thrive together at Smith Jewish Academy.
Bruchim habaim, welcome, to our incoming kindergarten students who came together for a popsicle playdate to make new friends and begin feeling at home before their first day of school. We can't wait to watch these students learn, grow, and thrive together at Smith Jewish Academy.
“What we value most about Smith: teachers who see each child’s potential and actively nurture it.”
The Biel family says if they could have done things differently, they would have sent their children to Smith earlier. Head to our blog (smithja.org/article/2998964) to read about why Smith parents Fran and Reuben Biel choose Smith Jewish Academy and the confidence, community, and love of learning their family has found along the way!
The Biel family says if they could have done things differently, they would have sent their children to Smith earlier. Head to our blog (smithja.org/article/2998964) to read about why Smith parents Fran and Reuben Biel choose Smith Jewish Academy and the confidence, community, and love of learning their family has found along the way!
Our yearbooks were not only a sendoff into summer but a look back at all the amazing learning and fun from the past school year — from hands-on creativity and scientific exploration in the Makerspace to integrated Jewish and general academics and quality time spent together.
📢 Shout out to Benny G. for designing the yearbook cover in Ms. Thor’s graphic design class!
📢 Shout out to Benny G. for designing the yearbook cover in Ms. Thor’s graphic design class!
We are excited to announce morim shlichim (Israeli educator emissaries) will be joining Smith Jewish Academy! Avi and Sigi Biton will join our faculty as Hebrew and Jewish studies teachers, and their children will join our student body!
Check your inboxes or head to smithja.org/page/inside-the-pride to read more about this initiative and the Bitons as well as a new kindergarten scholarship and more in the latest issue of Inside the Pride.
Check your inboxes or head to smithja.org/page/inside-the-pride to read more about this initiative and the Bitons as well as a new kindergarten scholarship and more in the latest issue of Inside the Pride.
We are also thrilled to celebrate our SJA alumni high school graduates! We are filled with such naches (pride) to see our 2026 seniors return to our halls as proud, confident, compassionate, and thoughtful young people. May they continue to grow as lifelong learners, grounded in Jewish values and prepared to lead, contribute, and make a meaningful impact in the world.
🎓 Mazal tov and kol hakavod to the Class of 2026! 🎓
🎓 Mazal tov and kol hakavod to the Class of 2026! 🎓
Graduation at Smith Jewish Academy is filled with meaningful school traditions: Every graduate shares reflections from the heart, and every graduate is honored by a teacher who has helped guide their journey. With singing, laughter, gratitude, and even a few tears, we are so proud to celebrate the Smith Jewish Academy eighth grade graduating class of 2026!
🎓 May they be blessed as they go on their way to becoming Jewish leaders and lifelong learners. 🎓
📸 See more graduation photos on Facebook!
As another school year comes to an end,
We thank you, PTO, for being such a friend.
For every volunteer hour, snack, and helping hand,
Your support has helped our school community stand.
One of our greatest joys is watching your children grow,
Learning, laughing, and gaining confidence as they go.
Becoming the best versions of themselves each day,
And making us proud in so many wonderful ways.
Thank you for your generosity, kindness, and care.
We couldn't do what we do without you there.
Wishing your families a summer filled with fun and sun,
Rest, renewal, and memories for everyone.
With Love and Thanks,
The Smith Faculty
We thank you, PTO, for being such a friend.
For every volunteer hour, snack, and helping hand,
Your support has helped our school community stand.
One of our greatest joys is watching your children grow,
Learning, laughing, and gaining confidence as they go.
Becoming the best versions of themselves each day,
And making us proud in so many wonderful ways.
Thank you for your generosity, kindness, and care.
We couldn't do what we do without you there.
Wishing your families a summer filled with fun and sun,
Rest, renewal, and memories for everyone.
With Love and Thanks,
The Smith Faculty
Celebrating the year with 🌈 COLOR 🌈! Thank you to our parent volunteers and Booster for helping to create a joyful celebration of another successful year full of experiential learning, meaningful relationships, critical thinking, and growth.
As we look back on a year filled with discovery, leadership, and connection, we're grateful for the community that makes these experiences possible. Here's to a year well spent and a colorful future ahead!
And thank you to our event sponsors:
Premiere sponsor
💗Mint Orthodontics
Race Champion Sponsors:
❤️ AmeriStar Laser & Water Jet Cutting
🧡 Bravura Group P.C.
💛 Property Solutions & Services
💚 Wholesale Imprints
Friend of Smith:
💙 Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapels
💜 Open Door Financial Powered By Farther
🤍 Park State Bank
As we look back on a year filled with discovery, leadership, and connection, we're grateful for the community that makes these experiences possible. Here's to a year well spent and a colorful future ahead!
And thank you to our event sponsors:
Premiere sponsor
💗Mint Orthodontics
Race Champion Sponsors:
❤️ AmeriStar Laser & Water Jet Cutting
🧡 Bravura Group P.C.
💛 Property Solutions & Services
💚 Wholesale Imprints
Friend of Smith:
💙 Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapels
💜 Open Door Financial Powered By Farther
🤍 Park State Bank
And with a beautiful Closing Ceremony, the 2026-2027 school year has come to an end!
One of the most meaningful traditions of the day is a reflection of how far our students have come. In a reversal of our Opening Ceremony, where eighth graders walk their kindergarten buddies under the chuppah, our kindergartners proudly escorted the seventh graders under the chuppah as they stepped into their new role as the school’s next leaders.
Moments like these capture the continuity, connection, and growth that define life at Smith Jewish Academy. As we celebrate another remarkable year of learning, friendship, and achievement, we look ahead with gratitude for all that has been accomplished and excitement for the journeys still to come. Have a great summer!
One of the most meaningful traditions of the day is a reflection of how far our students have come. In a reversal of our Opening Ceremony, where eighth graders walk their kindergarten buddies under the chuppah, our kindergartners proudly escorted the seventh graders under the chuppah as they stepped into their new role as the school’s next leaders.
Moments like these capture the continuity, connection, and growth that define life at Smith Jewish Academy. As we celebrate another remarkable year of learning, friendship, and achievement, we look ahead with gratitude for all that has been accomplished and excitement for the journeys still to come. Have a great summer!
At Smith Jewish Academy, one of our core values is to be a mensch: We act with integrity, kindness, and empathy, fostering a culture of belonging where every individual is valued.
We practice this value every day and proudly celebrated Pride Month with a joyful community gathering: Pride Story Hour, with J-Pride and PJ Library. While our commitment to belonging extends throughout the year, this was a special opportunity to highlight LGBTQ+ stories and affirm the values that strengthen our community. Happy Pride!
We practice this value every day and proudly celebrated Pride Month with a joyful community gathering: Pride Story Hour, with J-Pride and PJ Library. While our commitment to belonging extends throughout the year, this was a special opportunity to highlight LGBTQ+ stories and affirm the values that strengthen our community. Happy Pride!
Participation in the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Art Adventure is a decades-long tradition for Smith Jewish Academy, started by art teacher Aimee Orkin. Last week, our K-4 students explored artworks on the theme of Artist’s Inspiration, a capstone to weeks of learning in the classroom.
This year’s trip was especially meaningful because it was the first time students visited the Harold and Mickey Smith Gallery of Jewish Arts and Culture as students of Harold and Mickey Smith Jewish Academy. More than that, it was Aimee’s final Art Adventure as she retires after 32 years!
Thank you to Aimee for over 30 years of taking students on adventures, leading the B’tzalel Project, and encouraging students to be curious, think critically, express themselves, and create!
This year’s trip was especially meaningful because it was the first time students visited the Harold and Mickey Smith Gallery of Jewish Arts and Culture as students of Harold and Mickey Smith Jewish Academy. More than that, it was Aimee’s final Art Adventure as she retires after 32 years!
Thank you to Aimee for over 30 years of taking students on adventures, leading the B’tzalel Project, and encouraging students to be curious, think critically, express themselves, and create!
🌏 Our kindergarten students took us around the world at their Festival of Nations program! 🌏
Students proudly displayed reports of their classroom learning about various countries and further showcased their learning with a musical program featuring songs from around the world in celebration of cultural diversity.
Starting right from kindergarten, Smith Jewish Academy encourages kids to be curious about the world around them and develop an appreciation for the diverse people, cultures, and perspectives that enrich our worldwide community.
Students proudly displayed reports of their classroom learning about various countries and further showcased their learning with a musical program featuring songs from around the world in celebration of cultural diversity.
Starting right from kindergarten, Smith Jewish Academy encourages kids to be curious about the world around them and develop an appreciation for the diverse people, cultures, and perspectives that enrich our worldwide community.
