From AJA to Duke University and now the National Institutes of Health, Brooke Silverstein has embraced curiosity and innovation at every step of her journey. With a degree in chemistry and a passion for biomedical research, she is now working to develop novel drug therapies targeting opioid receptors. In this Q&A, Brooke shares her proudest accomplishments, future aspirations, and the lasting impact of her AJA experience—offering inspiration and advice for current students.
Many people ask Renee Lafair about her secret to child-rearing. Her three kids, now adults, attended Stanford, Northeastern, and Johns Hopkins University. In their spare time, they’ve worked together to build board games and advocate for change in national policies. But Renee says the “secret” to their successes started with Austin Jewish Academy’s Portfolio Day....
Step into the vibrant halls of Austin Jewish Academy’s middle school, where every corner hums with energy, curiosity, and learning. Walking down the hallway today, let’s peek into their schedule and see what makes AJA such an extraordinary place to be. 8:00 AM: ArrivalThe school is bustling with energy as students arrive, backpacks slung over...
On Friday, November 15, Zahava Merlis, seasoned speech-language pathologist and owner of Firefly Friends Speech Therapy, PLLC, presented to AJA parents on “Salient Speech and Language Challenges,” the latest in a series of parent education events at AJA. Zahava currently works with several AJA and ECP students, as well as many students around Greater Austin....
One of the things we try to foster here at AJA is a Growth Mindset in our students, as articulated by Carol S. Dweck in her book, "Mindset." But what is a Growth Mindset, and how can education encourage children to develop one?
The students at AJA get to experience a real Torah service multiple times a week, but how did the 1948 Torah get here? It was the generous gift of Andrew and Andrea Bowen and their daughter Mychaella, an AJA alumna. The Torah was first commissioned by the Jews of Tripoli in Libya, but when the...
