Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy

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Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy
Address
2400 Pine Tree Drive
postal code 33140

Miami, Florida
United States
Information
Type Private High School, Yeshiva
Established 1947
Founder Rabbi Alexander S. Gross
Grades PreK-12
Enrollment approx. 500
Color(s) blue and white
Website

The Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy, is a coeducational, yeshiva and college preparatory, Zionistic, private, Modern Orthodox Jewish day school, located in Miami Beach, Florida. The school has been awarded a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.[1]

History

Rabbi Alexander S. Gross founded the school in 1947 and was instrumental in its development as the first Orthodox Jewish Day School south of Baltimore. The vision of the Hebrew Academy is to inspire and equip students to achieve their greatest potential academically and spiritually by focusing on their individual attributes and instilling eternal Torah values in a changing world. The Hebrew Academy serves a diverse Jewish community that is reflective of South Florida.

Beginning with just six students in first grade, the Hebrew Academy has grown over the years to a student body of approximately 600 students. It provides education for children ranging from 6 weeks of age through grade 12. Students complete daily coursework in conversational Hebrew, the study of Chumash, Talmud, and Judaic history. In addition to a full Judaic curriculum, students are also receive instruction in college preparatory math, language arts, science, and social studies, with opportunities to participate in Advanced Placement and college level courses. Graduates of the Hebrew Academy subsequently attend universities and yeshivot worldwide.

Athletics

As members of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), students compete at the 2A level in organized sports against other private schools in girls volleyball (Fall), girls and boys basketball (Winter), boys soccer (Winter), girls and boys tennis (Spring), girls flag football (Spring) and boys baseball (Spring). There are clubs, shabbatons, school field trips, and other activities throughout their school life.

The Varsity Basketball program began under Coach Robert "Bob" King and Assistant Coach Jonathan Grossman in the 1981-1982 school year. The first basket in RASG Varsity history was scored in the St. Patrick's gym by freshman Rich Scharlat on a pass from senior Jay Schechter. Avi Littwin, Bernie Schuster, and Gil Neuman also played significant roles for the varsity that year.

In present year, Nathan Miller, Mikey Shakib, Caleb Katz, Ellis Greenstein, Avigayil Adouth, and Ezra Sultan led the warriors to the 2nd round of the playoffs.

Faculty

Faculty at the Hebrew Academy are certified through the State of Florida and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

Honors

In 2008 Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro presented the "Key to the County" to several families and individuals who have made significant contributions to Rabbi Alexander S. Gross (RASG) Hebrew Academy.[2] During the award it was also noted that the Hebrew Academy was "Launched in 1947, the RASG Hebrew Academy is the oldest Jewish Day School in the state of Florida...The presentation was part of the 60th Anniversary Diamond Dinner celebration where Sumner Redstone, the executive chairman of the Board for Viacom and CBS delivered the keynote speech and received a "Distinguished Visitor" recognition."[3]

Several educators associated with the school have won notable awards: "Rabbi Chaim Benhamou of the Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy... a Bible, Talmud, Philosophy, and Art teacher for 9th – 12 grade students at the Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy on Miami Beach" won the 2007 Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards[4] for Excellence in Jewish Education[5][6] sponsored by the Jewish Life Network of Michael Steinhardt.

In the news

The school joined with other Jewish educators to seek solution for retaining Jewish teachers in specialized fields:

Project Kavod, a three-year pilot program, is working with four Miami institutions: the David and Mary Alper Jewish Community Center; the Conservative Bet Shira Congregation; the Reform Temple Beth Sholom (Miami Beach, FL); and the Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy, whose student body is largely Orthodox. In addition, Project Kavod — the Hebrew word for "respect" — is working with the Miami-Dade Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.[7]

An article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported the news about a group of twelve RASG students who went on a trip to the Galapagos Islands for Advanced Placement Biology students to get more connected with the natural world:

...Some students even snorkeled with sea lions, stingrays, starfish and whitetip reef sharks, which are considered the top predator of deep equatorial waters. The students even saw a dormant volcano with different types of rock formation that the lava had created when it erupted...The students and chaperons kept kosher while they were on the island. On the vessel the students had fresh fish and vegetables and were able to feast on food cooked from the kosher ship kitchen, including kosher pancakes."[8]

References

External links

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