Abrams Hebrew Academy originated as the Dr. Herzl’s Zion Hebrew Academy in the 1950’s in Trenton, NJ. The school was eventually named the Trenton Hebrew Academy, and was led by Rabbi Issachar Levin z”l, a noted European Rabbi and scholar.
Due to changing demographics in Trenton, the school moved to Yardley in 1980 and was re-named the Abrams Hebrew Academy. At that time Rabbi Ira Budow was hired through Aish Torah Umersorah as the school’s director. Rabbi Budow is a graduate of Ner Israel Rabbinical College, and his experience in Jewish education spans his entire adult life, from his start at Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth, NJ under Rabbi Pinchas Teitz z”l; to the Rudin Torah Academy in Richmond, VA, led by Rabbi Kalman Rosenbaum (presently Menahel in Yeshiva Aderes HaTorah in Jerusalem); to Abrams Hebrew Academy.
In 1980, when Abrams moved to Yardley, the student body and its parents were an extremely diverse group of Jews who came from various levels of observance, and the school’s commitment to pluralism continues today.
Abrams prides itself on its ability to reach a heterogeneous population and bring these families and children together to forge lasting bonds to their Jewish roots. The school has enrolled a number of families who live in Northeast Philadelphia and are immigrants. These families, many of whom originate from Russia, where freedom to live openly and practice their Judaism is expressly discouraged, if not forbidden, are eager for the opportunity to teach their children about their heritage and to instill in them the love and knowledge of their religion. Abrams welcomes these students and teaches them Judaism in an atmosphere of caring and acceptance, regardless of background and knowledge.
Abrams is proud to include a significant number of Israeli families, and they are reassured that their children will retain the knowledge of speaking Hebrew, practicing Jewish values, and being taught to live Jewish lives among other Jewish children.
Abrams creates an environment that promotes Zionism starting in Nursery and culminating in the annual 8th grade trip to Israel where its students hold their Judaic Studies graduation at the Kotel. From the time a student enters the school in Nursery he or she is immersed in an environment that celebrates Israel, both as the historical birthplace and home of the Jews, and as a living, breathing, modern country that thrives in the face of perpetual opposition and challenge. Every aspect of life at Abrams teaches the duality of being both American and Zionists, and Abrams students all look forward to the day that they board the bus taking them to the airport and to Israel for their 8th grade graduation trip.
Abrams is also cognizant of the importance of a stellar secular education. Abrams students score top honors in math, science, STEM and reading competitions and are accepted at the finest high schools, colleges and universities, including prestigious institutions such as Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, and many others.
Abrams collaborated with the Technion to develop a science curriculum administered by its science teacher/coordinator and offers its students an integrated science program with an up-to-date science lab and an outdoor classroom. Abrams has a strong math program, as well. Abrams students participate in after-school sports, art, and science and math enrichment programs, as well as in Bucks County and PA State-wide competitions. Abrams graduates are leaders of their communities, becoming doctors, lawyers, business people, Rabbis, etc., and are sources of pride to their families and the Abrams faculty and administration.
Abrams embraces new and innovative education methods and strives to think “outside the box” to provide intellectual stimulation and encourage creative learning. The recently completed outdoor classroom and new playground provide important avenues for outdoor learning. The outdoor classroom provides a new environment to teach topics such as math skills, literacy, art, social studies, science, health and nutrition, and music.
There is a significant body of research on the important role of play in children’s development, and the new playground provides that opportunity in an attractive, safe space. The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) recognizes the need for children of all ages to play and affirms the essential role of play in children’s lives. ACEI believes that as today’s children continue to experience pressure to succeed in all areas, the necessity for play becomes even more critical.
During the past 40 years Abrams has fulfilled its mission to provide value-based education to as many Jewish children as possible. Abrams has always believed, as its leader Rabbi Ira Budow continually states, that a core mission of the school is to provide a Jewish education to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
Abrams is the starting point of a Jewish journey that prepares children for a lifetime of practicing Judaism. It has been the first step for hundreds of children and families, and the challenge is to keep them on this path so that they complete their journey into adulthood by marrying within the Jewish faith and beginning their new families as committed Jews.