You’re invited to💡Or l’Derekh: Ideas That Illuminate 💡 a new speaker series from Smith Jewish Academy, bringing thought leaders to our community to spark dialogue on education, identity, and issues shaping Jewish life today. These conversations welcome all who are inspired to learn and connect.

Join us to launch this initiative with Kim Lear, a nationally recognized generational researcher. Kim will address how generational differences shape our experiences at work, home, and in raising children (it takes a village!) — and how understanding these differences can bring us closer together.

💡 Learn more and get your tickets at smithja.org/page/or-lderekh. Link in bio

about 1 month ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Or l'Derekh: Ideas That Illuminate poster. Information at smithja.org/page/or-lderekh
✡️ G'mar chatimah tovah — a good final sealing — to all. 📖

Across the grades, classes took time today to reflect and take responsibility for past mistakes and for future actions.

🔑 In fourth grade, students had a discussion and wrote on keys something they choose to do better from today on. With these keys, they open the doors for themselves to try new things and improve upon themselves.

Have a meaningful Yom Kippur. ✡️
about 2 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
fourth graders write resolutions on keys with bat sherut
fourth graders cuts out key
fourth grader writes resolution on key with bat sherut
fourth graders write resolutions on keys
fourth graders write resolutions on keys with bat sherut
A favorite of the Smith community is our kindergarten/eighth grade buddy program! Our youngest and oldest students have a year-long partnership, where eighth graders become mentors and friends to kindergarten students.

Eighth graders welcome their buddies into the Smith community, lead by example and become their guides, and even make Rosh Hashanah crowns with their buddies 👑
about 2 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
kindergartner colors Rosh Hashanah crown with eighth grade buddy
kindergartners color Rosh Hashanah crowns with eighth grade buddy
kindergartner colors Rosh Hashanah crown with eighth grade buddy
kindergartners color Rosh Hashanah crowns with eighth grade buddy
kindergartners color Rosh Hashanah crowns with eighth grade buddy
kindergartner colors Rosh Hashanah crown with eighth grade buddy
kindergartner colors Rosh Hashanah crown with eighth grade buddy
kindergartner colors Rosh Hashanah crown with eighth grade buddy
kindergartner colors Rosh Hashanah crown with eighth grade buddy
kindergartners color Rosh Hashanah crowns with eighth grade buddy
It was an honor to have Rabbi Mitch Smith join us for a week. He visited classrooms and met with administrators, and we hosted a small private event to thank him for his generosity and honor his parents, Harold and Mickey Smith.

Their gift is just the start! You can support the Smith's vision for an enduring Twin Cities community Jewish day school too. Visit smithja.org/page/ways-to-give.
about 2 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
audience sings, claps along
singers Omer Shaish and Marc Devigne
singer Daniel Montenegro
pianist Mario Antonio Marra
singer Marc Devigne
singer Omer Shaish
singers Daniel Montenegro and Marc Devigne
singers Daniel Montenegro, Omer Shaish, and Marc Devigne
singers Omer Shaish and Marc Devigne
audience listens to singer Omer Shaish
As we enter a time of reflection and renewal, we are deeply grateful for the strength and warmth of the Smith k'hillah (community), from teachers to students, to parents and supporters.

This week our students also had the opportunity to reflect and renew:
🎨 They completed holiday art projects to be used in the new year for Simchat Torah
🍎 They participated in a Rosh Hashanah seder with festive activities
💧 They took a tashlikh walk to think about the past year and the year ahead, to reflect and repent.

May we all have a sweet new year and be written into the Book of Life.
about 2 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students blow shofar
students paint
students throw pebbles into pond for tashlikh
students compete to come up with Rosh Hashanah-related words
students race holding apples on spoons
students on tashlikh walk
student paints
students paint
students hold hands on tashlikh walk
rabbi reads prompt on tashlikh walk

Shanah tovah! We at Smith Jewish Academy wish you a sweet new year. 🍎🍯 שנה טובה ומתוקה

about 2 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students hold shofars. Shanah tovah
Did you know our very own Ms. Schear is a published author?

Ms. Schear read her book 📘 My Pixie Dixie 📘 to her first grade students, teaching them about relationships and letting go of what holds us back.

We can't wait to see which of her students will become inspired and write their own stories!
2 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Ms. Schear shows book title, My Pixie Dixie
Ms. Schear introduces book My Pixie Dixie
Come one Lion, come all! All Smith families, alumni, and community members are invited to join the fun of Smith Homecoming on Thursday, September 18, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on our home field on the Barry Family Campus.
🦁 Dr. Dan will grill up hot dogs (while supplies last; veggie dogs available) while we cheer on our 7/8 soccer team as a community.
⚽️ Here’s a snapshot of the action you’ll see on the field!
2 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Smith player dribbles soccer ball
Smith student kicks soccer ball
Smith player and opposing player jump
Smith player versus soccer opponent
soccer team
Smith middle schoolers spent Thursday and Friday last week on a retreat, and they returned with a stronger bond and sense of community, ready to be leaders within our school.

They learned from one another as well as their teachers through team-building exercises and games 🎈
2 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students keep balloon in the air while holding hands
students do team-building activity
students play "three-armed" golf
students play Red Light, Green Light with a twist
students pick flowers
student rock climbs
students work together to control pen with strings
students do team-building activity
students pose with tray of plastic balls from relay
student with beach items for relay race

It's Week 2, and we are so happy to be connecting with new and old friends as we get back to learning! Our classrooms are full of community, curiosity, and confidence.

2 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students do get to know you activity
students do activity with teacher
students in reading nook
students do get to know you activity
teacher helps student
students do get to know you activity
students interact
students get to know one another
students listen to teacher
students in welcome circle
💙💛 This Labor Day, let's honor our amazing staff, faculty, and administration! Make sure to show them your appreciation for their hard work getting ready for a great year with students. 💛💙
3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Smith staff group photo
Today we welcomed our newest students, faculty, and staff as well as the new school year at Smith Opening Ceremony. Eighth graders escort their kindergarten buddies, and mentor students escort their mentees — every new students is paired with a buddy to give them an extra special welcome and support as they settle in at Smith Jewish Academy.

Please help us in welcoming our new families into the Smith community! See more photos on Facebook.
3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
K-8 buddies walk through chuppah at Smith Opening Ceremony
We are shocked and deeply saddened by the attack that took place this morning at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in south Minneapolis. Our hearts go out to Annunciation’s students, families, and staff, and to our Smith community members who are connected as friends, neighbors, and colleagues. We will be reaching out to Annunciation to offer support as they navigate this tragedy.

As we so often sing together, oseh shalom bimromav. G-d who makes peace on high, may G-d bring peace to the Annunciation community and to us during this tragic time.
3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Our teachers and staff have been bringing their best — collaborating, learning, growing, and preparing together this past week. And now we're ready to welcome our students for the first day of school tomorrow! We can’t wait to see our halls filled with joy, curiosity, and Smith pride! 💙💛
3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
teachers listen to presentation
teachers collaborate
teachers present
teachers discuss
teachers present
teachers and staff collaborate
teachers collaborate
teachers discuss
We are so back, and we're rocking blue and gold! 💙💛

We saw so many smiles, hugs, and new Smith T-shirts and kipot as we welcomed our families back to school to reconnect, meet their teachers, and celebrate the end of summer and start of school with our Smith Summer Social.

We're just a few days away from the start of another amazing school year of learning, growing, and thriving at Smith Jewish Academy!
3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
teacher and student hug
Smith parents hug
teacher and family walk through school
adult shows kids locker
kids smile with ice cream
grownup and child picnic and smile
kids smile with ice cream
mom and daughter smile
family smiles
grownup and child smile with ice cream

Welcome, Chef Eric! This week Chef Eric is fueling our faculty and staff as they prepare for a great year ahead, and he will be preparing delicious and nutritious food for our students all throughout the school year.

"I hope to share my ideas and experience as well as gain from the group. I believe that you are never too young to teach, and never too old to learn."

Read about Chef Eric on the website.

3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Welcome to Smith Jewish Academy, Eric Olson

Rabbi Carrier teaches some of our alumni at St. Louis Park High School, and now he will also teach Jewish studies to our sixth and seventh graders! Barukh haba, Rabbi Carrier!

“In my new role at Smith Jewish Academy, I'm most looking forward to learning Torah every day through middle school eyes.”

Read about Rabbi Carrier on the website.

3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Welcome to Smith Jewish Academy, Rabbi John Carrier

We're proud to have a Smith alum joining our general studies faculty! Mr. C began working with our students last year and is now joining us full time as a fifth grade teacher.

”I’ve enjoyed serving this community greatly and am thrilled to work with fifth grade this year! Students are beginning to explore the world beyond the classroom at this age, and I'm excited to help them develop and voice their thoughts as we prepare them for middle school.”

Read about Mr. C on the website.

3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Welcome to Smith Jewish Academy, Tobio Cooperman

Please help us in welcoming Ms. Flek as one of our kindergarten teachers! Ms. Flek is coming to Smith Jewish Academy from Osseo Public Schools and has worked with youth in the community at Adapt and Herzl Camp.

”Hello, Smith community! My name is Abby Flekier (or Ms. Flek), and I am so excited to begin building relationships with students and families in kindergarten!”

Read about Mr. Flek on the website.

3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Welcome to Smith Jewish Academy, Abby Flekier

Rabbi Justin has been working hard this summer with the rest of the administration team to plan a great school year, one infused with joy, connection, and meaningful Jewish experiences. Welcome, Rabbi Justin!

"I’m thrilled to be part of a school where community, learning, and Jewish pride come together!"

Read about Rabbi Justin on the website.

3 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Welcome to Smith Jewish Academy, Rabbi Justin Held