www.hacds.org | Blogs | Making it R.E.A.L. Blog

Name: Kindergarten Preview
Start: 2025-01-00
Location: Hebrew Academy

Why Our Students Can’t Wait for the Seder Table

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 4:51:00 PM

There is a specific kind of magic that happens at the Hebrew Academy in the days leading up to Pesach. It’s in the way a Kindergartner grips their brown crayon with intense focus, as they color in their matzah, and the way a Middle Schooler stops mid-conversation to push back on an idea, because they’ve been thinking about what the Haggadah is really saying.

But the real magic isn't what stays in our classrooms. It’s what is currently "bottled up," waiting to explode at your Seder table.

Collecting the Sparks

Every day this month, our students have been "collecting."

They are collecting songs that they’ve practiced until they can sing them in their sleep.
They are collecting insights into why we lean, dip, and eat matzah.
They are collecting handmade Haggadahs that aren't just art projects; they are their personal "scripts" for the most important night of the year.

The "Bursting" Point

We often hear from parents that the car ride home during these weeks is filled with "Dad, did you know...?" or "Mom, wait until you see what I made!"

At the Hebrew Academy, we don't just teach children to follow along with a Seder; we prepare them to lead the way. We want them to be so full of knowledge and excitement that they physically cannot sit still until they’ve shared their "finds" with you.

From Hands-on to Hearts-on

Whether it’s our littlest learners exploring the sensory experience of the Seder plate or our older students who find how their own family traditions fit into the Passover narrative, the goal is the same: Ownership. When a child owns the story, they don't just recite it. They live it.

This year, when your child opens their Haggadah, get ready. They aren't just participants; they are the experts. And they can’t wait to show you what they know.

The Blurred Lines of Excellence: Why You Can’t Tell Which Class This Is

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 2:42:00 PM

Walk into an upper-elementary classroom at HACDS, and you’ll likely find yourself playing a guessing game.

You’ll see 5th-grade students huddled over laptops, collaborating in real-time on shared documents. You’ll see them deep-diving into the logistics of Second Harvest Food Bank, analyzing community impact data, and drafting professional-level reports.

At first glance, it looks like a high-stakes General Studies research block. But look more closely at the tabs they have open, and you’ll see the value of Tzedakah in addressing 21st-century problems.

Beyond the Silo: Education Without Borders

Most schools teach in silos: Math at 9:00 AM, Writing at 10:00 AM, and Judaic Studies in its own separate box. At HACDS, we’ve flipped that script. We believe that if you want a child to truly master a skill, they need to see how it works in the wild.

Our 5th graders aren't just "doing a project"; they are operating as a research team. To build their Mitzvah Day presentations, they are empowered to use every tool in their kit:

Mathematical Analysis: They are calculating hunger statistics and the scale of food bank operations to understand the "why" behind the work.
Professional Literacy: They are researching an organization, synthesizing complex information, and writing reports that advocate for support.
Ethical Leadership: They are applying the different levels of Tzedakah to real-world scenarios, learning that leadership is as much about the heart as it is about the head.

The "Boss Mode" Results

When you give a 10-year-old a mission that actually matters, like helping the community through Second Harvest, they stop acting like students and start acting like advocates.

The result? A student who doesn't ask, "When am I ever going to use this?" They already know. They’re using it to change the world.

Join Us for the Mitzvah Walk-Through

We invite you to witness these incredible acts of Tzedakah and see our values brought to life by the next generation of leaders.

When: Monday, March 9th, at 2:30 PM
Where: Hebrew Academy
Alternative Viewing: For those unable to join on Monday, class displays will be available in the MPR on Tuesday, March 10th, from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM.

Come see how our K–5 students are turning research into results. We look forward to sharing this inspiring journey with you!

The Invisible Curriculum: Learning by Doing

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 2:27:00 PM

The marble teeters on the edge of a curve, caught between momentum and a dead stop. Two pairs of hands grip the cookie sheet pan. No one breathes. In this moment of suspense, students encounter the delicate balance of force and gravity, realizing that even the slightest adjustment can change the marble's path; a masterclass in learning by doing.

They tilt the pan slightly, then pull it back, engrossed in the marble's precise journey across the path they created. Their focused faces and synchronized movements form a harmonious image of intent, subtly adjusting just enough to keep the marble in motion. The room is wrapped in quiet anticipation. No one is talking; the only sound is the soft scrape of the marble’s roll and a collective, almost imperceptible, held breath.

The entire room is leaning in. Eyes following the trajectory with bated breath. The marble turns. It slows. It almost stops amid a sharp turn. In that silence, there’s a shared energy, a collective calculation happening in exchanged glances and subtle nods. The room feels alive with connected intention. You can see the shift of weight, not just between the pair guiding the pan, but among the onlookers who have seamlessly blended into this single, unified team.

Then, the final curve. The marble clears the last corner and finds the finish line, landing with a sharp, hollow clink into the clear plastic cup.

The reaction is instant. Smiles. Laughter. A collective “yes” that belongs to everyone in the room. They did it. Together. Embodying a newfound "collaborative confidence" that turns a shared challenge into an empowering community strength.

Mrs. Santos leans into the celebration, her eyes bright with a pride that goes far deeper than the success of the moment. In her 2nd-grade classroom, science isn't just about gravity and force; it’s about students' courage to be challenged and the power they exercise as they learn together as part of the "invisible curriculum." Here, the students take center stage, questioning, designing, and revising their own ideas until they finally click into place.

She knows the planning, the way these two negotiated the track's design long before they ever picked up the pan. She values the persistence, the way they treated a challenge not as a failure, but as data. Above all, she sees the trust in the way they relied on each other’s steady hands without needing to say a word. As a school community, we recognize that while the students built the path for the marble, she built the culture that allowed them to navigate it.

Hebrew Academy doesn't just teach science; we foster an environment where students feel safe enough to test a theory and connected enough to try again if it fails. This is a space where children question boldly, collaborate fearlessly, and discover the joy of learning.

This environment is no accident. It is the result of teachers who view their work not just as a profession, but as a calling to see and support the potential in every child. We are deeply grateful to our educators, like Mrs. Santos, who act as the architects of these moments, building the bridges between curiosity and confidence. Thank you to our teachers for creating a world where our students don’t just learn for the future, they thrive in the present, knowing they have a community standing firmly behind them.

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At Some Point, Every Parent Chooses More Than a School

Tue, 6 Jan 2026 5:02:00 PM

Most parents want the same thing.

We want our children to feel safe and confident. We want them to enjoy learning, build real friendships, and feel comfortable being themselves. We hope they’ll grow into adults who feel grounded and capable, and empowered to create greatness.

When it comes time to choose a school, we naturally look for the things we can measure: classrooms, curriculum, class size, and enrichment. We ask thoughtful questions about academics, safety, structure, and support. All of that matters.

And then there’s another question that tends to surface more quietly, often over time.

What will our children carry with them when the schedules, assignments, and school years are behind them?

Not just what will they remember, but what will they live.

Identity isn’t shaped in a single moment. It forms slowly, through repetition, modeling, belonging, and meaning. Through the messages children absorb not only in what they’re taught, but in how they feel day after day.

Sometimes the impact isn’t immediately visible.
Sometimes you see it years later.

What began as a message from a Jewish mother became something lived, day after day. In the link below, Mr. Allen Alevy shares that moment and how it continues to shape his understanding of family, values and Jewish education.

Read the full story here: Jewish Long Beach Chronicle Article

Confidence Is Built Long Before It’s Tested

Tue, 9 Dec 2025 6:44:00 PM

Most parents aren’t worried about whether their child will succeed. They’re wondering how their child will meet the world.

Will they speak up when it matters?
Will they trust their own thinking?
Will they stand with confidence when their identity is questioned?

When you stop and think about it, the moments we felt most confident weren’t the ones where we were pushed forward. They were the quiet moments when we knew we were trusted, anchored, and supported.

It grows in environments where children are known, not managed. In classrooms where teachers listen before they direct. Where a child’s voice is taken seriously early, so it doesn’t feel fragile later.

At Hebrew Academy Community Day School, this is not accidental. Confidence is shaped through daily interactions, meaningful relationships, and classrooms designed to help children think, question, and speak, knowing they belong.

For parents seeking a school that will prepare their child not just for the next grade but for the world beyond it, this foundation matters.

The video below offers a glimpse of what that kind of confidence looks like in real life.

The short film below captures Rooted in Confidence through the voice of a student herself —

When a Child Chooses to Learn: A Moment That Says Everything

Wed, 5 Nov 2025 1:46:00 PM

When a Child Chooses to Learn: A Moment That Says Everything

This is every parent’s dream moment.

A child who chooses to learn, who leans in, not because someone told them to, but because curiosity pushed them forward.

This morning in our TK classroom, a little boy sat with a blank page and a big idea.

“Can you help me make a calendar for my mom?”

He wrote the month. The days. The numbers.

He asked for support when he needed it.

He led the moment.

Not a worksheet.

Not a script.

Just a child who felt confident enough to try, supported enough to ask, and proud enough to create something meaningful.

This is learning in motion. This is childhood with purpose.

This is what happens when a child feels safe, seen, and excited to grow.

The environment matters

At Hebrew Academy, learning is not just about what children know, but what they come to believe they can do.

They are guided by teachers who notice the spark, nurture it, and then gently stretch it.

They explore.
They take initiative.
They practice foundational skills in moments that matter.

Confidence grows.

Independence shows up.

And learning deepens because they feel safe enough to try and try again.

It is that safety and support that moves them beyond absorbing facts and into becoming confident thinkers who trust their abilities — growing to lead, inspire, and shine.

Looking Ahead

A strong beginning is too valuable to interrupt.

Confidence. Initiative. Jewish identity.

A love of learning that grows year after year, not just through preschool and TK.

See how it continues.

Kindergarten Preview

Date
Hebrew Academy
RSVP for the Kindergarten Preview

Experience a place where children do not wait to learn.
They step forward and lead.

When Confidence Finds Its Place

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 3:09:00 PM

Ever watch your child get so focused that the world disappears?

That's what I saw this week.

A room full of first graders in Mrs. Wolder’s class, working on their journals.
Heads bent.
Pencils moving.

At first glance, it looks simple: penmanship practice, spelling words, forming sentences.

But look closer:
This isn’t about spelling.

It’s about building the confidence to trust their own thinking.
The determination to keep going when it isn’t easy.
The joy of “I did it myself.”

And here’s the part that matters most:

When this happens in a place where children feel safe, nurtured, and respected, that confidence doesn’t just stay in the classroom; it extends beyond.

It empowers them to grow.
It empowers them to belong.
It empowers them to lead.

What begins as first-grade journal writing grows into something far greater: children stepping into who they are, carrying confidence in their voices, joy in their learning, and Jewish pride in their hearts.

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Sticky Fingers Leave a Mark

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 1:58:00 PM

There’s something about sticky fingers. They leave a mark long after the flour is swept and the bowls are washed.

Peek into our kindergarten kitchen and you’ll see what I mean. Tiny aprons, little hands pouring honey, careful stirs that are equal parts joy and determination.

At first glance, it’s adorable. But stay a moment longer, and you realize — this holds the key to so much more.

Learning that Sticks

When learning doesn’t feel like learning, children lean in. They explore. They discover. They connect.

Sticky fingers don’t just bake.
They measure. That’s math.
They pour. That’s fine motor skill.
They stir and watch reactions. That’s science.
They follow a recipe step by step. That’s literacy and sequencing.

And the best part? These lessons stay. Study after study has shown that when children do the learning, they remember it longer and use it more deeply than when they only listen. Pouring, stirring, tasting — it’s the kind of learning that doesn’t fade when the day ends. It sticks.

And because it’s a honey cake for Rosh Hashanah, the moment runs deeper than flour and honey. Every scoop and stir is still math, literacy, and science, and when we wrap those skills in tradition. The sweetness of the New Year isn’t only talked about, it’s lived. It’s carried home in little hands (sometimes too sweet to even wait for). And in the process, children aren’t just learning how to bake — they’re learning who they are.

The Lasting Impact

Here’s the thing about sticky fingers: they leave a residue. Flour on a desk. Honey on a sleeve. A memory of creating something meaningful. Those marks will fade from the surface, but inside, where it counts, they remain.

That’s the value of a Jewish day school education. The sweetness of Jewish learning isn’t in the books. It’s in the bowl. It’s in their hands. It’s in their hearts. And it’s in the Jewish future they are already shaping with pride.

Jewish Long Beach Chronicle Highlights Hebrew Academy Alumni Success

Tue, 2 Sep 2025 1:43:00 PM

When Hebrew Academy graduates returned to campus this summer before continuing to UCLA, UC Berkeley, CSULB, and other programs, they carried more than medals and diplomas. They took the confidence, curiosity, and Jewish pride built in our classrooms.

The Jewish Long Beach Chronicle recently featured their stories, highlighting how Hebrew Academy prepares students not just for academic success, but for life. With small class sizes, rigorous academics, and Jewish values at the core, our alumni thrive in top universities while holding strong to their identity.

81% of Jewish day school alumni say their Jewish identity is fundamental in college. This national Prizmah study echoes what we see at Hebrew Academy: belonging and excellence go hand in hand.

Read the full article in the Jewish Long Beach Chronicle →

From ‘Nothing’ to Amazing: A New Way to Ask About School

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 6:17:00 PM

Every parent knows the scene: you ask, “What did you do in school today?” and the answer comes back—one word, flat and final: “Nothing.”

This week, when parents gathered to meet our new principal, Mrs. Coen, she leaned right into that familiar moment. And she gave us a new way to think about it.

“Your children have a full-time job,” she said. “Being here at school is an introduction to what the world is like, and this job here at Hebrew Academy is filled with joy. If you could see it daily… You would feel the joy.”

That word—joy—isn’t just a nice extra. It’s what we work for. It’s the sign that our students are not only learning, but belonging. It’s the outcome of teachers who see each child, a community that nurtures them, and an environment where Jewish identity and academic excellence go hand in hand.

And Mrs. Coen left us with something practical, too. A way to move past the one-word answers and open the door to what’s really happening inside those school walls:

Instead of asking “What did you do?” try asking:

“What was the most amazing thing you learned today?”
“What was the most amazing thing you did today?”

The answers will surprise you. They’ll make you smile. And they’ll remind you why you’ve entrusted us with something so precious.

We’re thrilled to welcome Mrs. Coen—not just as a leader, but as family. Her roots at Hebrew Academy run deep, as the wife of a proud graduate and the daughter-in-law of a beloved former teacher. That makes her homecoming all the more meaningful.

Here’s to a year filled with growth, learning, and, most of all, joy.

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We’re Not a School You Join. We’re a Family We Build Together

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 4:42:00 PM

Earlier this week, I gave a tour to a family exploring our school for their sixth-grade daughter, who has been homeschooled.

She kept referring to Hebrew Academy as a “brick-and-mortar institution”. They were here to explore what it could look like, to learn in a more traditional setting.

She meant it respectfully. But the phrase kept catching me off guard.

When I walked into our Parent Coffee and Gratitude Breakfast the next morning and looked around the room, the word institution couldn’t have felt farther from the truth.

We’re not brick and mortar.

We’re not walls and systems and scheduled days.

We’re not just a school building.

We are people.

We are presence.

We are parents who say yes, not because it’s convenient, but because it matters.

The morning could be described as simple: coffee, bagels, and parents from across every division, preschool to high school. And yet, the room carried an energy you can’t fake.

It felt like heart.
It felt like investment.
It felt like what’s possible when people show up not just for their kids, but for each other.

It reminded me of something I keep learning over and over:
When we give from a place of purpose, not pressure, it fills us.

We also took a moment to honor two parents who’ve done exactly that—Brandyss and Karen, both of whom are moving with their families on to new chapters.

As Chassidim, we don’t say goodbye because when you bring your purpose into the spaces you’re in, it doesn’t disappear when you leave. It carries forward.

Their impact isn’t leaving.
It’s expanding.

To every parent who showed up this morning

It was a reminder of what’s already here.

We are not brick and mortar.
We are a family that builds together.

And this morning, we felt it.

If you're a parent considering Hebrew Academy, just know: you're not just enrolling your child. You're joining a family that believes in raising children who know who they are, where they come from, and why they matter. You're joining a place that does more than educate: it shapes identity, inspires values, and builds the kind of leadership that lasts a lifetime.

HACDS.org/Discover

More Than a Mural: Trusting the Next Generation to Color Their World

Wed, 21 May 2025 10:15:00 AM

It’s not every day a student is handed a spray paint can and told, “This is yours.”

Perhaps it should be.

This week, something remarkable happened at our school.

Thanks to the vision of artist Yitzchok Moully and the generosity of the Jewish Community Foundation Orange County, students across our school were invited to be part of something bigger than themselves.

From preschoolers discovering the joy of color to middle schoolers carefully selecting their shades and confidently taking aim with the spray paint, contributing to the shared masterpiece — a reflection of the values that shape the Hebrew Academy school community.

We gave our students more than a can of paint.

We trusted them with the tools that said: We believe in you.

Each child chose a color. A shape. A space. And each one left their mark — not just on the wall, but on the story we’re writing together.

That’s what happens when education goes beyond the textbook.
When creativity meets values.
When a school says to its students: This is yours.

It’s beyond permission. It’s ownership.
It’s the message that turns learning into identity, and education into something that truly belongs to them.

This is Jewish education at its finest.
Where identity is shaped not only by what’s taught, but by what’s experienced, and even our youngest voices are empowered to express themselves, contribute boldly, and create something that lasts.

And that’s precisely what Yitzchok Moully did.
With patience, intention, and heart, he met each student where they were, helping them color their world.

We’re proud of the mural. It’s beautiful.
But we’re even prouder of what it represents:

A school that believes in its students.
A community that invests in creativity.
An education that prepares them not just to succeed, but to leave their mark.

Because when every child is trusted,
When every voice is invited,
And when we come together,
Something beautiful happens.

This mural is part of the Jewish Street Art Festival, in which murals will be painted across Orange County, California. Presented by Weissman Arts, a project of the Jewish Community Foundation Orange County. The Foundation partnered with institutions around Orange County including Hebrew Academy, the 2025 Festival will bring together Jewish artists from around the US and Israel to paint this summer. Painting at select locations began at our campus and will culminate at a full-day event on Sunday, August 24 at the Merage JCC open to all ages including programming for families. Visit https://jcfoc.org/weissman-arts/ to learn more.

We are equally grateful to artist Yitzchok Moully, a conceptual artist and Chassidic Rabbi whose work explores the intersection of Jewish spirituality and contemporary expression. Also known as The Pop Art Rabbi, Moully brings a unique blend of depth, color, and intentionality to everything he creates. He didn’t just guide students through a mural—he invited them into the creative process as true collaborators. And in doing so, he gave our students more than an art experience. He gave them a sense of ownership, agency, and pride. In every spray of color, our students saw that their ideas matter—and that creativity is a powerful way to express their identity and values.

You Could Feel It in the Room—But Did We Catch It All?

Fri, 16 May 2025 10:58:00 AM

It wasn’t just the smiles or confident voices. It was the ownership.

The way our middle school students stood in front of their peers, faculty, and parents, presenting not just a project, but what happens when learning truly belongs to them.

Over the last few weeks, students immersed themselves in something bigger than a lesson. In English, they read The Book Thief, a story that brought history close to the heart. They studied the bubonic plague and the Black Death in history, learning how societies responded to crises centuries ago. And in their own lives, they still remember living through COVID-19.

This PBL experience wasn’t just school—it was personal. And it led to a question that mattered—not just for class, but for life:

Does history repeat itself?

That single question guided everything. Across subjects and throughout the classroom, students made connections that mattered.

They studied the Black Plague.
They discussed the Holocaust.
They reflected on COVID-19.
And through it all, they began to see patterns—and responsibility.

🧪 In science, they created water filters and observed bacterial growth in petri dishes. Some had more bacteria. Some had less. Some had none. They saw with their own eyes how something as simple as clean water could have changed lives.

📊 In math, they modeled exponential growth. Not on worksheets—but with beads, slides, and real-world examples. One group tracked how quickly a rumor spreads. Another used pennies to demonstrate the power of compounding. It wasn’t abstract anymore—they got it.

🎭 In their presentations, they had a full choice. Some created films. Others built slide shows or acted out skits. Their learning came alive because they had a voice in how to share it.

And in every subject, they returned to a deeper question—one that sits at the heart of why we study history, wrestle with complex topics, and connect ideas across disciplines:

If understanding the past could help prevent the pain of the future, what could be more important to learn?

What if the real value of school isn’t just what students know, but how they grow?

We saw the smiles. We clapped for the students.

But did we notice what was happening beneath the surface? Did we see the spark—the moment a student realized their voice mattered? Did we recognize the quiet encouragement that helped them get there? The teamwork that turns classmates into collaborators. The courage that builds when students feel safe enough to take the lead.

The PBL collaboration was more than a presentation. It reflected trust, growth, and the kind of support that turns learning into confidence and the experience that grows with them.

It’s not just what they presented. It’s how they got there—together.

Students begin to see meaning in every subject when learning is rooted in values, even the ones they once dismissed. They realize that each discipline has something real to offer, and each connection builds something bigger than a grade.

Because when learning is integrated, Math becomes a way to explain the world, science becomes a tool to protect it, literature teaches empathy, and history inspires responsibility.

And students? They don’t just perform.

They grow.

And they do it in a safe space.
A space that celebrates them.
A space that sees who they are—and who they can become.

That’s the difference.

None of this happens by accident. Behind every confident presentation, every thoughtful project, and every moment of growth, is a teacher who believed in their students and gave them the space to discover what they’re capable of.

The passion, care, and creativity of our teachers were mirrored in the work of their students—because when teachers pour their hearts into the learning, our students rise to meet it.

Thank you to our incredible educators for guiding, inspiring, and bringing this vision to life.

You Can’t Always Name the Moment a School Becomes Something More

Tue, 6 May 2025 6:31:00 PM

But when it does—you feel it.

At Hebrew Academy, we often talk about the strength of our curriculum, the warmth of our community, and the values we instill. But sometimes, it’s not the programs or academics that stay with you—it’s the moments.

A new article in the Jewish Long Beach Chronicle shares stories from three people whose experiences with Hebrew Academy shaped their families in lasting ways.

These are not just stories of enrollment. They’re stories of belonging, transformation, and connection.

At Hebrew Academy, learning is strong. But what truly matters is that each student—and each family—feels seen, valued, and uplifted.

You may not be able to name the moment your child truly belongs here, but we hope you’ll feel it.

📰 Read the full article in the Jewish Long Beach Chronicle
👉https://issuu.com/jewishlongbeachajcc/docs/chronicle_may_june_2025_/s/80691270

🎯 Want to learn more about Hebrew Academy?
Schedule a tour today: hacds.org/tour

A Legacy That Protects What Matters

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 2:32:00 PM

What do we do with the gift of freedom?
We protect it. We teach it. We live it.

Roei isn’t just our security guard.

He’s a proud IDF soldier.

He’s a reminder that Jewish strength isn’t something we read about—

It’s something our students see every single day.

When he returned from serving in Israel,

Our students didn’t just welcome him back.

They showed him what he was fighting for.

Smiles. Signs. Gratitude.

Not just for Roei, but for the values we learn to defend.

Because when we talk about supporting Israel,

This is what it looks like:

~Creating schools that feel safe and proud.

~Teaching children that Jewish identity is worth protecting.

~Raising the next generation to stand tall in who they are.

And honoring those who serve—

from Roei, to our alumni, to every soldier defending our homeland.

This is legacy.

This is strength.

This is how we protect what matters most:

Knowing who we are.

This is Hebrew Academy.