Making it R.E.A.L. Blog - The Hebrew Academy

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

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - 10:15 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 t… Read More »

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

Friday, May 16, 2025 - 10:58 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 fo… Read More »

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

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 6:31 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.

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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 tr… Read More »