American Hebrew Academy
Both our children now attend the American Hebrew Academy (AHA), a very unique Jewish boarding school in Greensboro, NC. What's so unique about it? It's the only boarding school in existence with a dual college prep-Jewish studies curriculum and which is pluralistic in Jewish terms. We are very fortunate that this wonderful school exists for those of us living in towns and cities without Jewish day schools.
If you've read my essay on the problem of Jewish education elsewhere on this site, you know that I'm very big on full-time Jewish educational experiences whether they be boarding or day school. Simply put, a parent for whom it is a high priority that their children be committed Jews for Life, choose Jewish marriage partners, and see the world through Jewish eyes should strongly consider choosing full-time Jewish education for their kids.
There's no question that this represents a great commitment. Tuition for two kids at AHA, or at most Jewish day schools, is not cheap. Full tuition (including room and board) at AHA is over $26K per year per child. We are not paying anywhere near that much, but we ARE making a considerable financial sacrifice to send our kids there. Nevertheless, I'm guessing that if you have two kids heavily involved in sports, to the point of their being on travelling teams and taking private lessons, you're spending at least as much on kids' sports (and probably more) than we're spending to send our kids to AHA. Each family must examine its priorities and make its investment in what matters most to them; in our case, the decision was easy.
I hope you won't read this as telling you that Rabbi Don is anti-sport. I'm not. In fact, at AHA all freshman and sophomore students MUST play one intramural or varsity sport each year - juniors and seniors must play TWO! And I'm all for this...I think that sport is a healthy and important part of a child's development. What I disdain, and I make no bones about it, is when sport takes on an importance where it trumps oher values - especially Judaism and Jewish education. At AHA, the kids all play sports - but those sports do not interfere with their Jewish education and observance (e.g., Shabbat). This is, to me, a big part of what is so special about AHA.
If you're interested in learning more about AHA, I certainly recommend you peruse the school's website. Additionally, feel free to contact me with any questions and I'll be happy to help!
The AHA campus is very modern and pastoral; it's extremely conducive to serious learning and Jewish life. Here Ma'ayan is preparing for her freshman year and Eyal is getting re-acquainted with the school for his sophomore year.
This is the fine arts corridor in the lab sciences building.
This is at the very moving ceremony where the parents bless their children in the incoming freshman class before leaving them on campus.
We had a free day between when Ma'ayan began orientation and when the returning students were allowed to move back in. Eyal and I managed to get in a sail at Lake Townsend, where the city of Greensboro rents boats. I learned to sail as a child growing up in Miami, and Eyal learned at the boathouse at school. He tells me he's the first freshman to get himself qualified to check out sailboats! He's got his priorities straight, all right! :-)