Mazal tov to Elliot R. (Grade 4) and Haddie R. (Grade 1), the second runner-up and Young Lights Honoree of the American Jewish World Hanuka Cover Contest!

They and other kids in Grades 1-8 across Minnesota submitted artwork expressing the meaning of the Festival of Lights, and we're especially proud that Elliot's and Haddie's representations appear in the December issue of the American Jewish World.

At Smith, we encourage students to share their voices — academically, creatively, and as joyful Jews in the world. Congratulations to all the young artists at SJA and in the community who entered, and happy Chanukah!
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
Elliot R.'s Chanukah art: chai in star of david, color burst, chanukiah, spinning dreidels, yellow ribbon for Israel's hostages, sufganiyot, present, gelt, latkes, happy hanukah
Haddie R.'s Chanukah art: smiling chanukiah, dreidel, present, star of david, nun, gimel, hey, shin

Happy Chanukah! Let’s spread the light with one more week of fifth grade’s food drive for PRISM Golden Valley, MN Marketplace Food Shelf.

If you are able, please bring non-expired, non-perishable food items to the Smith Jewish Academy main office by Thursday to help support our community members in need. This week’s suggested foods are dinner and dessert.

And if we meet or exceed our goal of 500 donated items, the entire school will earn a pajama day!

4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students sort and count food drive donations

Third grade gifted first grade crowns to decorate. Why? Because today is the 6️⃣7️⃣th day of school, and our first graders are ages 6️⃣ and 7️⃣!

Leave it to our amazing teachers to make a trend educational — the first graders rolled dice and practiced their addition skills to get to 6️⃣7️⃣.

🤷‍ Happy 6️⃣7️⃣ Day, and happy Chanukah 🕎!

4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students wear 6-7 crowns
students wear 6-7 crowns
students rolls dice to count to 67
Kindergarten
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
kindergarten sings and dances to L'khah Dodi to welcome in Shabbat
students put coins in tz'dakah box
kindergartners lead candle blessing
kindergartners lead candle blessing
kindergartners lead kiddush
kindergartners lead hand washing
kindergartners lead hand washing
kindergartners lead hamotzi
Smith Jewish Academy graduates not only become lifelong learners but lifelong friends! Last year’s graduating class reunited last weekend for an early Chanukah party 🕎
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
class of 2025 at Chanukah party
Kol hakavod (good job/all honor) to eighth grader Noah H. for leading Davening & Donuts this morning!

A perfect example of how Smith Jewish Academy empowers individuals to embrace their heritage and lead with purpose.
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
eighth grader leads davening
eighth grader leads davening

📣 SAVE THE DATE!!! 5 P.M. SUNDAY, APRIL 19 📣

The Smith Annual Benefit is going back to school! Join us for an all new benefit, a fun evening of "school activities" for adults. Be there or be square! ⬛

4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
save the date flyer: the Smith Benefit is going back to school Sunday, April 19.  Books, pencils, apple, alarm clock
Thank you to our friends at the Minnesota JCC and others who have already participated in fifth grade's food drive for PRISM Marketplace Food Shelf!

Let's keep the momentum going — this week's focus is lunch and snack food. If you are able, please bring non-expired, non-perishable food items to the Smith Jewish Academy main office to help support our community members in need.
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
JCC staff members bring cereal boxes to food drive

First grade has been studying animals and animal adaptations in science, so Alfa the security dog stopped by! They are also learning about one-syllable words that end with a double letter, so they decided to BLESS Alfa!

Students got to ask about Alfa's training, how she's taken care of, and how to treat a working dog respectfully. We're grateful to Alfa and her handler for coming by and to the security team that helps keep our campus safe.

4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
security dog sits with first graders
security dog Alfa with her pet blessing from the first graders
students ask questions about security dog
student pets dog
security dog sits with first graders
students ask questions about security dog
students pet security dog
security dog sits with first graders
students meet security dog
students ask questions about security dog
Calling all alumni! 🏀 Join us for our third annual Alumni Vs. Students Basketball Game! Come to play or cheer on your old classmates — we look forward to reconnecting over a friendly game and dinner on Thursday, December 18. Register at forms.gle/MqpiAsmrhuY6xezH8 and unleash your Lion spirit!
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
alumni vs. students basketball game flyer. Thursday, December 18 4:30 p.m. warm-up 5 p.m. game 6:15 p.m. dinner. RSVP
students and alumni at annual basketball game against each other
alum defends against student with basketball
students and former PE teacher
students and alumni play basketball
students and alumni at annual basketball game against each other
From chariot races to robot sports and jousting, students dive into hands-on challenges each week in the Exploration Hour robotics elective. Exploration Hour opens doors for every learner to try something new, discover new skills, and uncover what inspires them.
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students with robots
Our fifth graders are planning something important ... a FOOD DRIVE to support the PRISM Golden Valley, MN Marketplace Food Shelf! If you are able, please help our fifth graders make a difference — bring non-expired, non-perishable food items to the Smith Jewish Academy main office, and we will get them to PRISM.

The food drive will run through December 18 with a special focus each week:

🐶 Week 1 (December 1-5): Breakfast Food and Pet Food
🥫 Week 2 (December 8-12): Lunch Food and Snack Food
🍝 Week 3 (December 15-18): Dinner Food and Dessert Food
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
food drive flyer showing fifth graders planning the drive
In our latest issue of Inside the Pride you'll read about the third grade poetry unit and an award-winning poem, Dr. Dan's message about AI in the classroom, our Israel connections, and a beautiful tribute to Bernie Goldblatt (z"l). Plus upcoming events and alumni news!

📰 Check out Issue 4 right here on our website: smithja.org/page/inside-the-pride
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
cover of November newsletter
Monday at Smith Jewish Academy could best be described as a day of community and gratitude! Ahead of Yom Dor l'Dor, students participated in rotations, including creating gratitude art, making cards, and doing STEM activities. Kindergartners spent time with their eighth grade buddies, and fifth grade even used the time to plan a food drive! It was a busy, meaningful day, and we at Smith Jewish Academy wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow, full of gratitude and love.
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students show gratitude art
art teacher helps student
students stamp art
students plan food drive
students show their gratitude art
student shows gratitude art: I am thankful for my mom and my daddy and sister
student draws family for gratitude art
student cuts paper for parade balloon
students show their gratitude art
child hands write: I am thankful for my family and friends
Grandparents lay a family foundation; we lay an academic foundation. And together, we lay the foundation for the vibrant, values-driven community that surrounds our children every day but especially today, Yom Dor l’Dor — our grandparents and special persons day!

Here are just a few of the special guests who joined us today.

#smithja
4 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
student with special guest
student with special guest
student with special guest
student with special guest
student with special guest
student with special guest
student with special guest
student with special guest
student with special guest
student with special guest
Shabbat shalom from Smith Jewish Academy!
5 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
kids smiling with arms around each other at Kabbalat Shabbat
It's Give to the Max Day, Minnesota's annual day of giving!

Please consider being a part of Harold and Mickey Smith Jewish Academy's impact.

At Smith Jewish Academy, we believe education is both intellectually rigorous and deeply meaningful — engaging students through an integrated curriculum that fosters academic excellence and Jewish identity. For over 40 years, our dual curriculum has immersed students in rich general and Jewish studies, all within a supportive community rooted in shared values. During their most formative years, students are nurtured as critical thinkers, encouraged to grow as leaders, and celebrated for their individuality.

Contribute through Smith's secure portal: smithja.org/o/sja/page/ways-to-give

Thank you for your generosity and support!
5 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
one student smiles at camera as class looks over rolled out Torah. Give to the Max Nov. 20, 2025 Harold and Mickey Smith Jewish Academy
Each year, sixth grade makes their own talitot (prayer shawls) with imagery meaningful to them. As they begin the project, students are planning the artwork for the four corners of the talit.

This months-long project brings together the creative arts, Jewish studies, and the students’ personal spiritual journeys.
5 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students sketch talit corner designs
student sketches talit corner designs
students sketch talit corner designs
students sketch talit corner designs
We're seeing double! With a fun variety of materials and shapes, kindergarten created self portraits.

With this part of our art program, young students build fine motor skills while exploring how they see themselves, celebrating their unique features, and developing confidence in expressing who they are.
5 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
student with collage self-portrait
student with collage self-portrait
student with collage self-portrait
student with collage self-portrait
📖 Sixth grade is learning to navigate the Tanakh (Jewish Bible)! 📖

As a multidenominational school, our Tanakh and Text curriculum acknowledges and supports multiple paths to engage with, understand, and apply the Mikra's lessons.
5 months ago, Smith Jewish Academy
students navigate Tanakh
students navigate Tanakh