You can meet our new Director of General Studies in the latest issue of Inside the Pride! Check your inboxes (or smithja.org/page/inside-the-pride) to meet Nathan Meyer, reflect on a successful annual benefit, and hear why the Biel family chooses Smith Jewish Academy.
Shabbat shalom!
Shabbat shalom!
How often does the author of the book you’re reading come to visit your classroom???
Third grade students had a special opportunity to meet Dori Weinstein, SJA alumni parent and author of the Jewish middle grade series YaYa & YoYo. She spoke with students about the book and the writing process and answered thoughtful questions from our readers. Even more exciting, she is incorporating one of the students’ ideas into her next book!
📘 With the book Sliding Into the New Year and Dori's visit, our students can see themselves in the stories they read and as creative thinkers!
At today’s annual meeting we honored our teachers and staff who have been giving their hearts to Smith Jewish Academy for five, 10, 20, 25, and 30 years, as well as those who will be leaving at the end of this year.
We’ll honor them in another post, but today we also welcomed a new board of trustees and celebrated this year’s accomplishments while looking ahead to exciting new things for next year, from a cascading schedule and more leveling to a new director of general studies and new teachers, including morim schlichim (Israeli teachers)!
These new initiatives and community members will help us further our vision of building a vibrant Jewish community dedicated to experiential learning, meaningful connections, and critical thinking.
We’ll honor them in another post, but today we also welcomed a new board of trustees and celebrated this year’s accomplishments while looking ahead to exciting new things for next year, from a cascading schedule and more leveling to a new director of general studies and new teachers, including morim schlichim (Israeli teachers)!
These new initiatives and community members will help us further our vision of building a vibrant Jewish community dedicated to experiential learning, meaningful connections, and critical thinking.
We are immensely proud of our SJA eighth graders who presented their capstone projects, the culmination of weeks of thoughtful research, mentor meetings, and meaningful hard work. Each student explored a social justice issue they feel passionate about, sharing their learning, insights, and ideas for change with peers, teachers, and families.
These projects reflect more than academic achievement — they showcase confident communicators, critical thinkers, and compassionate leaders prepared to engage thoughtfully with the world around them. We love seeing our soon-to-be Smith graduates speak with such eloquence, purpose, and passion, proving they are well-prepared for high school and beyond!
Kol hakavod to the eighth grade class of 2026!
These projects reflect more than academic achievement — they showcase confident communicators, critical thinkers, and compassionate leaders prepared to engage thoughtfully with the world around them. We love seeing our soon-to-be Smith graduates speak with such eloquence, purpose, and passion, proving they are well-prepared for high school and beyond!
Kol hakavod to the eighth grade class of 2026!
Chag Shavuot sameach! Throughout the week, in preparation for Shavuot, our b'not sherut met with each class to highlight and harvest the Torah that our students have learned throughout the year. They then brought all of those pieces together to create a beautiful, collaborative display on our central staircase (look through to the final photo!).
Rabbi Justin shared: "There is something profound about placing our students' Torah on the steps. Shavuot commemorates our collective ascent to Mount Sinai, reminding us that Torah is not a stagnant text, but a continuous climb — one we can only make together. By weaving every single classroom's learning into a single staircase, Klil-Or and Oriya showed us exactly what Rashi and the Book of Ruth teach: Our community is only complete when every voice is lifted up and brought inside."
Fifth grade visited the Walker Art Center Minneapolis Sculpture Garden today, culminating their study of sculptures, sculptors, and sculpture gardens through the exploration of and interaction with the garden's large-scale artwork.
At Smith Jewish Academy, learning comes to life through experiences that encourage students to think deeply, engage creatively, and connect classroom learning to the wider world around them.
At Smith Jewish Academy, learning comes to life through experiences that encourage students to think deeply, engage creatively, and connect classroom learning to the wider world around them.
One of the highlights from the eighth grade trip to Florida was volunteering at Give Kids The World. They helped families with critically ill children enjoy their vacations by helping with dinner service, serving food, bussing tables, and helping kids carry their trays.
Some students said that being a part of helping these families facing hardship find joy was even more magical than Epcot. Mia M. shared a reflection on the experience of building loving-kindness and community:
"[We volunteered] at Give Kids the World where each eighth grader experienced something truly eye-opening. It was an incredible, meaningful opportunity and I am very glad that I was able to participate in it. It really gave me a new perspective on how much people’s lives differ, and how different our lives are from theirs. It was amazing to be able to help so many people, even in the smallest ways. I loved making people smile and laugh, and seeing their joy despite their situations. It was so inspiring and empowering to see people connecting in this way and how everyone continues to give their children the best time possible. Volunteering can sometimes not be the most fun but I was honestly able to have a great time by interacting and joking with not only my friends, but the children and family members at Give Children The World. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Once again, I am extremely grateful for the experience and know I am going to remember it forever."
Some students said that being a part of helping these families facing hardship find joy was even more magical than Epcot. Mia M. shared a reflection on the experience of building loving-kindness and community:
"[We volunteered] at Give Kids the World where each eighth grader experienced something truly eye-opening. It was an incredible, meaningful opportunity and I am very glad that I was able to participate in it. It really gave me a new perspective on how much people’s lives differ, and how different our lives are from theirs. It was amazing to be able to help so many people, even in the smallest ways. I loved making people smile and laugh, and seeing their joy despite their situations. It was so inspiring and empowering to see people connecting in this way and how everyone continues to give their children the best time possible. Volunteering can sometimes not be the most fun but I was honestly able to have a great time by interacting and joking with not only my friends, but the children and family members at Give Children The World. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Once again, I am extremely grateful for the experience and know I am going to remember it forever."
What better way to learn about the natural world than out in it! During sixth grade's stay at Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center, students climbed 20 feet above the ground on the high ropes course and also worked together to build shelters and fires in a survival class.
Students encouraged one another and confidently stepped out of their comfort zones on the ropes course and explored resilience, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving with the hands-on learning of survival class, all while learning about sustainability, ecosystems, and the world around them.
Students encouraged one another and confidently stepped out of their comfort zones on the ropes course and explored resilience, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving with the hands-on learning of survival class, all while learning about sustainability, ecosystems, and the world around them.
Saba Eliezer VeHaGezer (Grandpa Eliezer and the Carrot) tells the story of how only through teamwork can Saba Eliezer harvest his giant carrot. First grade took this lesson to heart, sharing the story with us at Kabbalat Shabbat but also working together to learn lines in Hebrew and English, build confidence on stage, and creatively present their play — all through collaboration.
Shabbat shalom.
Sixth grade is up north at Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center, immersed in hands-on learning in nature. One of their activities included collecting and identifying macroinvertebrates to help them understand water quality and the important role our lakes, rivers, and streams play in sustaining life.
Through exploration, observation, and scientific inquiry and discovery, students are deepening their understanding of environmental stewardship while experiencing the outdoors firsthand in this annual environmental learning center trip.
Through exploration, observation, and scientific inquiry and discovery, students are deepening their understanding of environmental stewardship while experiencing the outdoors firsthand in this annual environmental learning center trip.
What's a trip to Florida without a stop at Disney World! In addition to fun at Epcot, our eighth graders spent Shabbat in Miami and visited the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach and its brand-new education center. They visited synagogues and immersed themselves in the vibrant Jewish life of South Florida, deepening their understanding of Jewish history, identity, and community while creating lasting memories together. More to come from Florida!
The results are in! 👨🚀
Seven teams of SJA fifth graders participated in the Cosmic Leap Foundation's Space Colony Competition, and of almost 60 total teams across three countries, two of our teams earned Honorable Mentions! Kol hakavod to Evan B., Yoni F., Sollie J., and Marko K. of Team Y.E.S. to Mars, and Ruthie B., Tzipporah O., and Charlotte R. of Team Dancing With the Mars!
Congratulations to all of our students for their hard work, creativity, and collaboration. Their projects showed strong use of engineering design and scientific thinking, and we’re proud of the way they applied both throughout the challenge.
We didn't want to spoil first grade's surprise yesterday, so today we're wishing a belated happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing moms and mother figures in our community!
Our first graders combined science with love and turned healing ointment into homemade hand cream as a special gift to celebrate the people who care for and support them every day. Happy Mother's Day!
Our first graders combined science with love and turned healing ointment into homemade hand cream as a special gift to celebrate the people who care for and support them every day. Happy Mother's Day!
As we close out Teacher Appreciation Week, thank you to the PTO for treating our teachers this week with decorations, baked goods, beverages, Shabbat supplies, and even spending time in the classrooms to give our teachers a break to enjoy a breakfast together!
And, of course, thank you to the teachers, staff, and administrators for everything they do to make Smith Jewish Academy the Twin Cities' school of choice for academic excellence in a nurturing Jewish environment.
Guess Who, Part 2! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
Guess who (faculty and staff), and wish them a happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Pt. 1
In the spirit of Lag Ba-Omer, our b'not sherut led meaningful lessons and activities centered on respect and kindness, guiding students to live out these values. Happy Lag Ba-Omer!
Sarah G.'s book report brings the lessons of the Whole Brain-Child to life, highlighting the "upstairs brain" and the "downstairs brain" in a creative diorama that showcases how teachers can understand and support children as their brains develop.
📘📘📘
Learning at Smith extends beyond our students! Throughout the year teachers engage in ongoing professional development, and to cap off a text study of The Whole-Brain Child, each teacher chose a creative way to represent an area of learning from the book. Ms. Glassman’s project highlights how in high-stress moments, children operate from their “downstairs brain” (driven by emotion and reactivity). The role of the teacher is to guide the student back to the “upstairs brain” (where logic, empathy, and thoughtful decision-making can happen). This is just one way Smith nurtures students to have strong minds and become resilient, self-aware, and compassionate individuals.
This Teacher Appreciation Week, join us in thanking our teachers for their compassion, expertise, and ongoing commitment to being their best selves for Smith students. Thank you, SJA teachers!
The ultimate season is underway, and our SJA Lions are ready to roar!
We're excited to watch our student-athletes grow and build discipline, teamwork, confidence, and skill throughout the spring season. Go Lions! 🦁🥏
Innovation in action!
In fourth grade, students didn't just learn about sound, they designed, built, and coded their very own electronic instruments. Through the exploration of sound waves, vibrations, and how pitch and volume are produced, they moved beyond theory to create their own sound based in science, engineering, and technology. Here they are proudly demonstrating their instruments to third grade, inspiring curiosity and creativity in next year's fourth grade class!
#smithja
In fourth grade, students didn't just learn about sound, they designed, built, and coded their very own electronic instruments. Through the exploration of sound waves, vibrations, and how pitch and volume are produced, they moved beyond theory to create their own sound based in science, engineering, and technology. Here they are proudly demonstrating their instruments to third grade, inspiring curiosity and creativity in next year's fourth grade class!
#smithja
