- Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy
The Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy (also abbreviated and known as RASG), is a coeducational,
yeshiva and college preparatory, Zionistic, private, Modern OrthodoxJewish day school , located inMiami Beach, Florida .History
Rabbi Alexander S. Gross founded the school in1947 and was instrumental in its development as the first OrthodoxJewish Day School south ofBaltimore . With a mission to provide a thorough traditional Jewish education to meet the different needs of students while providing a general studies education. The Hebrew Academy serves a diverse Jewish community that is reflective ofSouth Florida .Beginning with just six students in Kittah Aleph (grade one), the Hebrew Academy has grown over the years to a student body of approximately 600 students. It providies education for children ranging from 12 months 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 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.As members of the Florida High School Athletic Association, students compete in organized sports against other private schools, in volleyball, basketball, soccer, tennis, and flag football. There are clubs, shabbatons, school field trips, and other activities throughout their school life.
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. [ [http://www.miamidade.gov/officeofthechair/ Miami Dade County: Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro presents "Key to the County" to members of Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy] ] During the award it was also noted that RASG was "Launched in 1947, the RASG Hebrew Academy is the oldest
Jewish Day School in the state ofFlorida ...The presentation was part of the 60th Anniversary Diamond Dinner celebration whereSumner Redstone , the executive chairman of the Board forViacom andCBS delivered the keynote speech and received a "Distinguished Visitor" recognition." [ [http://www.miamidade.gov/district05/releases/08-01-16_hebrew_academy.asp Miami Dade County: News Release, January 16, 2008] ]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 the 2007 Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards [ [http://www.grinspoonsteinhardt.org/ Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education] ] for Excellence in Jewish Education [ [http://www.caje-miami.org/articlenav.php?id=751 CAJE Miami: Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education] ] [ [http://www.floridajewishnews.com/site/a/South_Florida_Teachers_Receive_Grinspoon-Steinhardt_Awards/ Florida Jewish News: "South Florida Teachers Receive Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards"] ] sponsored by the
Jewish Life Network ofMichael 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; 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. [ [http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=14529 Chanan Tigay, 2005-08-26, Jewish Telegraphic Agency: "Retaining Educators No Easy Assignment"] ]An article in the
South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported the news about a group of twelve RASG students who went on a trip to theGalapagos 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." [ [http://www.newsday.com/topic/sfl-fljjdchebrew0226jjdcfeb26,0,4953273.story From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Sergio Carmona, February 26, 2008: "Hebrew Academy students travel and learn"] ]Class of 2008
The Class of 2008 consisted of 51 individuals. Approximately 85% of these seniors will be attending a
Yeshiva or Seminary. The remaining seniors will be attending a University or College. Colleges that these students will be attending includeCornell University ,University of Pennsylvania ,University of Miami ,Brandeis ,Yeshiva University ,University of Maryland, College Park ,Barnard College ,Laboratory Institute of Merchandising ,Florida International University , andJohnson and wales .The
valedictorian of RASG Hebrew Academy's Class of 2008 is Gabriel Charles Wiesel Weingrod Nemzow, and thesalutatorian is Mollie Sussman. Gabriel will be attending Brandeis, and Mollie will be attending University of Pennsylvania. These students not only showed their mettle within the classroom, but also without: Gabriel founded and runs a non-profit corporation called Gleanings, and Mollie has participated in numerous science fairs, has medaled in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and created and ran a program for elementary school children at the Scott Rakow Youth Center.References
External links
* [http://www.rasg.org Official Hebrew Academy Website]
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