AJA News
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A Basketball Championship Run to Remember
Way to Go AJA Lions! Our school celebrated an unforgettable showing at the District Basketball Championships, with three teams advancing to championship games and every athlete leaving it…
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Students Earn $3K During Annual Market Day
Our campus was absolutely buzzing during Market Day, and calling it a success feels like an understatement. Held at the Tocker Engagement and Education Center, the event transformed…
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AJA Presents Bohemian-Style “The Lion King, Jr.”
“The Circle of Life” at AJA Our students delivered an unforgettable theatrical experience with their incredible performances of The Lion King, Jr. From the very first notes of…
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AJA Welcomes 150 Middle Schoolers at Winter Dance
Snowflake Soirée Austin Jewish Academy recently hosted its annual middle school dance, the Snowflake Soirée, welcoming more than 150 students from across the Austin area for an evening…
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Fourth-Grade Havdalah Ceremony
Our fourth graders recently celebrated a meaningful milestone by leading a beautiful and engaging Havdalah ceremony for their families. This special evening highlighted not only their growing Jewish…
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How AJA Celebrates Tu B’Shvat
Tu B’Shvat Austin Jewish Academy marked Tu B’Shvat with a meaningful afternoon of special programming that brought students together to celebrate nature, growth, and responsibility for the world…
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AJA to Accept Texas Education Vouchers
Austin Jewish Academy has registered to participate in the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program. TEFA (sometimes referred to as vouchers) is a new statewide initiative that provides…
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Liora Susswein: AJA Alumna Spotlight
Liora Susswein remembers Austin Jewish Academy as the place where her confidence, creativity, and Jewish identity were given room to grow. A K–8 alum (2008–2018), she’s now a…
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Incredible Portfolio Day 2025!
On the Friday before winter break, AJA students proudly shared their learning during our annual Portfolio Day—an event that highlights both academic growth and personal reflection. Portfolio Day…
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Hanukkah at Austin Jewish Academy
At Austin Jewish Academy, Jewish life isn’t something students visit occasionally—it’s part of the rhythm of each day. Hanukkah is a good example of how learning, tradition, and…
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Austin Jewish Academy Announces New Head of School
After more than six months of careful planning and a comprehensive national search, Austin Jewish Academy is pleased to announce the selection of its next Head of School.…
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Kindergarten PBL: Giving Thanks/Giving Back
Our Kindergarten students have spent the past several weeks immersed in a heart-warming PBL titled “Giving Thanks / Giving Back.” Their project centered on exploring gratitude, expressing appreciation,…
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Putting Jewish Values into Action
This week, AJA 3rd and 4th-grade students brought their learning to life as they put key Jewish values into meaningful practice through on-campus field trips to Shalom Austin.…
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AJA Grandparent Interview: Lisa Friedlander
Rooted in five generations of Jewish life and community in Houston, Lisa Friedlander has spent a lifetime immersed in Jewish education, tradition, and connection. From her own early…
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Emily Kolodney: Alumna Interview
Emily Kolodney’s AJA journey is rooted in community, joyful Jewish learning, and the kind of confidence that comes from being truly seen and supported. A proud alumna, Emily…
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Second-Graders Becoming Super Citizens
Second-graders proudly took the stage this week to share the culmination of their Project-Based Learning unit on Kindness, showcasing both their academic growth and the compassionate character they…
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Lady Lions JV Volleyball Crowned Champions
On Saturday, November 8th, the AJA Lady Lions JV Volleyball team captured the championship title in an unforgettable match against St. Andrew’s. The girls came out strong in…
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Why Middle School at a Jewish Day School is So Important
The Times of Israel recently published this article on the importance of Jewish Day Schools for middle-schoolers. The author, Dr. Daniel Weiss, facilitates a PRIZMAH weekly discussion with…
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Honoring Our Heroes: AJA Veterans Day Program
On Tuesday, our school community came together for a heartfelt Veterans Day program honoring the brave men and women who have served our country. The ceremony began with…
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A Spirited and Meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat
Last Friday’s Kabbalat Shabbat was a truly special morning that beautifully blended joy, pride, and reflection. In addition to our regular service, we were joined by several special…
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AJA Celebrates Sukkot!
This week, our AJA community came together to celebrate the joyful holiday of Sukkot! On Friday, students gathered to sing festive songs, shake the lulav and etrog, and…
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Middle School Students Build Community at Candlelight Ranch
Earlier this week, AJA’s 6th and 7th graders kicked off the school year with an unforgettable three-day trip to Candlelight Ranch near Marble Falls. This annual tradition is…
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Learning, Leadership, and Adventure: A Look Inside AJA Middle School
At Austin Jewish Academy, Middle School is a time for discovery — of new ideas, new skills, and new strengths. Whether exploring the natural world at Candlelight Ranch,…
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What Begins at AJA Reaches Beyond the Field
Coach Bobby Schwartz and the AJA Lions Football team once celebrated a perfect, undefeated season capped by a championship win. That special group of athletes has since carried…
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4th Graders Lead Rosh Hashanah Seder
Our 4th graders had a very special opportunity to help lead a Rosh Hashanah seder with the ECP students, alongside Ms. K and the Shinshinim. They guided the…
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AJA October Open Houses
We would love for you to join us to learn more about AJA. Register here! Related posts: Making of the AJA Mural Purim Celebration at AJA: A Half-Day…
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The Magic of Reading Buddies
One of the most anticipated moments of the week at Austin Jewish Academy happens every Friday afternoon, when Kindergarten and 2nd grade students gather for Reading Buddies. For…
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When the Floodwaters Rose, Our Community Rose Higher
This summer, the AJA community was reminded of the strength that comes from standing together. On July 4, devastating floods swept through Central Texas, destroying homes—including that of…
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AJA Community Rallies Around the Eliashar Family After Devastating Flood
On July 4, devastating floods swept through Central Texas, destroying the Jonestown home of the Eliashar family—deeply valued members of the Austin Jewish Academy community. In the days…
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Kindergarten Milestone: Siddur Ceremony
This past week, our kindergarten students reached a beautiful and memorable milestone in their Jewish learning journey – the Siddur Ceremony. With joy and pride, each child received…
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Coach Bobby Schwartz: Overcoming Life’s Obstacles with a Championship Mindset
Living His Childhood Dreams WWhile most 8-year-olds would tell you they want to become doctors, police officers or pro athletes, Coach Bobby Schwartz had one goal at…
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Chapters for Change: AJA Fifth Graders Raise $4.2K For Destroyed School Library
Earlier in the fall, AJA fifth graders were learning about natural disasters—like hurricanes—and read about the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. When they heard that a school in…
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Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut: A Day of Reflection and Celebration
Last Thursday, AJA students in grades 3 and up participated in a deeply meaningful programcommemorating Yom HaZikaron, followed by an all school celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut. The morning…
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Fifth Grade Milestone: Trope Ceremony
The 5th graders had their moment to shine with their milestone Trope Ceremony last week. This event was a celebration of the students’ hard work and knowledge of…
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Teaching Empathy and History: 8th Graders Lead Holocaust Exhibit for 5th Grade
This month, our 8th grade students took on a powerful and meaningful project: sharing their learning about the Holocaust with our 5th grade peers through a student-curated exhibit.…