Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy

The Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy, is a private coeducational college preparatory yeshiva and Modern Orthodox Jewish day school located in Miami Beach, Florida. The school has been awarded a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.^[1]

Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy
Location
2400 Pine Tree Drive Miami Beach , Florida 33140 United States
Coordinates	25.800707°N 80.130290°W / 25.800707; -80.130290
Information
Former name	Hebrew Academy
Type	Private school yeshiva
Motto	Through the light of Torah and academic excellence the Hebrew Academy inspires each and every child to improve the world.
Religious affiliation(s)	Modern Orthodox Judaism
Established	February 1947 (1947-02)
Founder	Aaron S. Lauer
President	Jean Kim-Lehmann
Grades	Infant–12
Gender	Mixed
Enrollment	Approx. 600
Color(s)	Blue and   White
Teams	Hebrew Academy Warriors
Website	hebrewacademymiami.org

History

According to Joseph I. Lauer, in November 1946 a meeting was set up by his father Aaron S. Lauer at The Tides of Miami Beach with the purpose of setting up a yeshiva. The meeting, which was attended by The Tides owner Samuel N. Grundwerg, the school's first president David S. Andron and a few other community activists, ended with brothers Ira and Joseph Rosenzweig of Brooklyn contributing $10,000 towards the establishment of the yeshiva. In the next month, Lauer asked Torah Umesorah for help, and they sent Alexander S. Gross on fundraising trips. Classes began in February 1947 with a kindergarten and six students in first grade, which were housed in two rooms of the YMHA community center located at 1 Lincoln Road. Later, the Hebrew Academy moved into the former Methodist Church building at 918 Sixth Street. By 1950, the school had already gone through two principals when Lauer suggested that Gross be appointed to the role.^[2] The latter was instrumental in Hebrew Academy's development as the first Orthodox Jewish Day School south of Baltimore.

The Hebrew Academy has grown over the years to a student body of approximately 600 students. It educates children from 6 weeks 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 also receive instruction in college preparatory 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. Hebrew Academy is the only religious, Zionistic, and college preparatory school in Miami-Dade County.^{[citation needed]} The school serves a diverse Jewish community that is reflective of South Florida.

Athletics

As members of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), students compete at the 2A level in organized sports against other private schools in girls and boys volleyball, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, girls and boys tennis, girls and boys flag football, and girls and boys cross country. There are clubs, shabbatonim, school field trips, and other activities that provide students with a full school life.

The Varsity Basketball program began under Coach Robert "Bob" King and Assistant Coach Jonathan Grossman in the 1981-1982 school year. The first basket in RASG Varsity history was scored in the St. Patrick's gym by freshman Rich Scharlat on a pass from senior Jay Schechter. Avi Littwin, Bernie Schuster, and Gil Neuman also played significant roles for the varsity that year.

In 2013, standout basketball player Ellis Greenstein, led the Warriors to a FHSAA JV Championship and received MVP honors for averaging 16.7 points a game and 5.9 assists per game. Fellow Players Nathan Miller, Mikey Shakib, and Caleb Katz, played large roles in helping the Warriors make it to the Big stage.

The Warrior Girls Varsity Basketball team has won District Championships for the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 years. Additionally, the Boys Varsity Basketball team won the Tier 2 Championship at Yeshiva University's Serachek Tournament in 2016.

Recently, Hebrew Academy Junior, Ben Tal, was named Underclassman of the Year and was placed on the 1st Team by All Jewish Hoops America. An Honorable Mention was also received by Junior, Jack Esformes.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[3] During the award it was also noted that the Hebrew Academy 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."^[4]

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 2007 Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards^[5] for Excellence in Jewish Education^[6][7] sponsored by the Jewish Life Network of Michael Steinhardt.

Notable alumni

• Shmuley Boteach, rabbi, author, TV host, and public speaker.^[8]
• Ron Dermer, Israeli Ambassador to the United States^[9]
• Sam Grundwerg