AJA News

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 that age: to become a coach. Everything he’s done over the years has been to that end, and he says he’s living his dream come true. Schwartz is the athletic director and head football and basketball coach at Austin Jewish Academy, where he took a floundering athletics program and turned it around with this “championship mindset.”  But AJA wasn’t the first underdog athletics program to get a Schwartz makeover — and he didn’t...

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 North Carolina called Black Mountain Elementary had lost its entire library, they knew they wanted to help. So they combined two of their big goals: learning about real-world issues and their 40 Book Challenge—and that’s how their fundraiser, Chapters for Change, was born. ogether, AJA fifth graders read over 669 books and raised more than $4200 to help rebuild Black Mountain’s library, with the hope thattheir love for reading brings new stories...

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. This exhibit was the culmination of in-depth historical research, guided by the essential question:How can we use historical research and storytelling to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and its lessons for future generations? Each 8th grader chose a specific topic related to the Holocaust to research—ranging from the rise of antisemitism and life in ghettos to stories of resistance, liberation, and the experiences of child survivors. They then created posters that...

From the classroom to the garden, our fifth graders are growing in every way—academically, emotionally, and as members of a thriving community. Whether they’re crafting art with meaning, planting seeds of change, or imagining a better world through ancient texts, one thing is clear: it’s a great day to be in fifth grade at AJA. Morning: From Egypt to Austin The day begins with a deep dive into our Judaics studies, where Passover preparations are in full swing. This year, students aren’t just learning about the Haggadah—they’re making it personal. By creating their own Haggadah “companions,” students explored the Four...

Each year, our third graders reach an important milestone in their Jewish learning journey—one that blends deep learning, personal growth, and joyful celebration. This year’s Chumash Ceremony was a beautiful and heartfelt occasion, marking a pivotal moment in our students’ connection to Torah and tradition. Throughout the year, our third-graders dive into rich learning experiences. In class, they begin to think critically about narratives like those of Abraham and his family, engaging deeply with the question: What is Torah? The Chumash Ceremony is a highlight of this journey. Adding a joyful and personal touch to the ceremony, the students performed...

At Austin Jewish Academy, from the very first day of kindergarten, students are introduced to Jewish holidays, Torah portions, and basic Hebrew vocabulary. As they progress through each grade, the focus expands to include key Jewish prayers, traditions, and values. Students begin learning Hebrew in earnest by first grade and, by second grade, are leading Tefillah and studying topics like Shabbat and the Kibbutz. By the time students reach the older grades, they explore more complex Jewish history and texts, such as the Torah and the Mishna, and engage with global Jewish issues like the Holocaust, all while continuously making...