Welcome to the Budowsphere! This is where Rabbi Budow will share his thoughts, musings, and insights on Jewish education and various other topics of interest to the Jewish community.
In the beginning…. So, where did Abrams Hebrew Academy start? In 1904, the school was established in the Capitol city of Trenton, NJ as the Dr. Herzl’s Zion Hebrew School, led by Rabbi Issachar Levin. At that time Trenton had a thriving Jewish community and supported all of the attendant businesses that provided the necessary goods and services required by observant Jews. Over the ensuing years, the school was eventually renamed the Trenton Hebrew Academy.
Unfortunately, Trenton, along with many urban cities, found itself losing constituents to the suburbs, and its Jewish population followed suit. Thirty five years ago, the school’s board of directors decided to move the school across the river to Yardley, PA, renaming it Abrams Hebrew Academy.
Interestingly, a parcel of land now being developed in Yardley on Rt. 332 at Scammell’s Corner was originally purchased as the site of the new Abrams Hebrew Academy. That plan was abandoned when zoning issues prevented the construction, leading to the purchase of our original building, the then-closed Yardley Elementary School. Abrams outbid its closest competitor by $100,000 and paid a whopping $320,000 for the property! What a buy!!
The key to understanding the uniqueness of Abrams Hebrew Academy is in understanding the town of Yardley. Normally, a day school is established in a community when there are enough Jewish residents to support it. A network of businesses, synagogues, social and religious organizations create a demand for a school- that is what happened in Trenton.
However, when Abrams moved to Yardley it was the first Jewish organization to locate in the small borough in Bucks County, PA. There was virtually no Jewish community in Yardley, and as a result, trying to build a day school was a tremendous challenge. Even today, 35 years later, the Jewish population is small, and the infrastructure is limited to a few synagogues and one kosher bakery.
How does Abrams survive? …
Science Fair
Abrams Hebrew Academy Science and Engineering Expo
Friday, February 27th, 2015
9:30-11:30 am
Mark your calendars! Abrams Hebrew Academy students will celebrate a day of science and scientific thinking. With the generous support of the Abrams PTO, students will get a chance to see student work and meet community scientists and engineers. After lunch, students will be treated to a Mad Science assembly.
Call for help – Are you a scientist or engineer?
Can you volunteer your time to judge student work on Friday morning the 27th?
Please note that the car pool line is for grades N and K only. All other students are to be dropped off in the front of the building.
Parents who use the back for drop off should follow the directions of the teachers in the parking lot. They are there to assist students and maintain a safe environment.
Under no circumstances are parents to park their cars in the middle of the line and leave them unattended to walk students into the building.
** We ask that parents refrain from cellphone use in the parking areas while dropping off and picking up their children.
Abrams Notes
Birthday Celebrations at School
When sending birthday treats into school to celebrate that special day for your child, please consider sending in a healthy treat, such as frozen fruit bars, rice cakes, fruit salad or cups, sugar free pudding snacks, yogurt cake or pie, cheese sticks, light popcorn or air popped popcorn (when age appropriate), pretzels, carrots/celery (when age appropriate).Please avoid nuts because of allergies.
In order to maintain a consistent kashrut policy and to avoid confusion, ALL orders for birthday cakes/cupcakes MUST be ordered from Cramer’s Bakery, 16 E. Afton Avenue, Yardley. Cramer’s will deliver the order to the school at a discounted price.
Please call Kim Pierce at 215-321-5707 to place your cake/ cupcake order.
Celebrate Your Simcha at Abrams
Abrams Hebrew Academy is a perfect choice to host your family or social affair, business meeting or athletic event. Whether you’re looking for an inviting space to celebrate a special occasion; a meeting area with state-of-the art technology; a fun, safe environment for a child’s birthday; or a gym or athletic field for a sporting event, Abrams can accommodate your needs and your budget. For more information on room rentals at Abrams Hebrew Academy, call (215) 493-1800 or e-mail info@abramsonline.org.
Check Your Child’s Assignments with Homework Now
Parents- all homework will be posted on-line by all teachers grades K-8 by Sunday evening each week.
Instructions for use of homeworknow.com:
Click on homeworknow.com
Click on Parent and Student
Click on find school
Click on Pennsylvania
Click on Abrams Hebrew Academy
Click on your child’s teacher
View homework assignments
Share Abrams News With Others
Is there a family member (such as a grandparent) or friend who would be interested in hearing about everything going on at Abrams? Sign them up for our e-mail list today! Please contact the Main Office.
Information about the Extra
Please submit any information to be considered for inclusion in the Extra to Dale Sattin, Director of Development & Communications: dsattin@abramsonline.org. (215) 493-1800 ext. 22 by
