Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy

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The Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy (also abbreviated and known as RASG), is a coeducational, yeshiva and college preparatory, Zionistic, private, Modern Orthodox Jewish day school, located in Miami Beach, Florida.

1 History
2 Honors
3 In the news
4 Class of 2008
5 References
6 External links

[edit] 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. 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 of South 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.

[edit] 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.^[1] 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 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."^[2]

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^[3] for Excellence in Jewish Education^[4]^[5] sponsored by the Jewish Life Network of Michael Steinhardt.

[edit] 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.^[6]

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."^[7]

[edit] Class of 2008

The Class of 2008 consisted of 51 individuals. Approximately 85% of these seniors will be attending a Yeshiva or Seminary. The remainder will be attending a University or College. Colleges that these students will be attending include University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, University of Miami, Brandeis, Yeshiva University, University of Maryland, Barnard College, Laboratory Institute of Merchandising, Florida International University, and Johnson and wales.

The valedictorian of RASG Hebrew Academy's Class of 2008 is Gabriel Charles Wiesel Weingrod Nemzow, and the salutatorian 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.

Classmates have deemed Gabe to be divine, formed from image the of G-d.