Our Jewish Way of Life 
Addlestone Hebrew Academy is a community day school which has been in existence for over 50 years; thus making AHA one of the oldest day schools in the country.  As a community school, we are not affiliated with any synagogue or branch of Judaism. Moreover, we accept all students and their families regardless of affiliation, level of observance or Matri/Patrilineal descent.  The school constitution stipulates that the Board of Trustees must have a minimum of two representatives from each congregation and that all pulpit Rabbi’s have a seat on the school board.  As a result, our Board of Trustees governs the school with a diversity of people and ideas and, as such, is not limited to one-sided thinking. In addition, all congregational Rabbis are asked to participate in programs and or classes each year, to further enrich each student’s Jewish education.  One of our core values is respect for all people and as a community school we not only welcome all families and staff regardless of race, religion, gender or skin color but we respect them for who they are and the choices they make. 
 

Prayer / T’Filah 

Discovering a common language to express joys, sorrows, appreciation, love, and hope is empowering to children. It is our goal that your child’s Tefilah experience becomes personally meaningful through the integration of art, music, drama, and discussion as they are woven into weekly discussions on the Torah portion, daily classroom services, Shabbat and holiday celebrations.   Students participate in daily services in their classrooms, or in the library depending on grade level.  These services are for students only and are part of the educational experience.  Students also pray following lunch with a variety of students from different grades with whom they eat lunch. 

Shabbat & Holidays: Connecting to Judaism & the World

Kids at AHA celebrate their Jewishness in a variety of ways including holiday celebrations such as planting a tree on Tu’Bshavat, baking challah for Shabbat, participating in a model seder, or dressing up in costume for Purim and parading around the school. Student’s Jewish experience is further enriched through multi-sensory activities such as making their own Kiddush cups, performing in a play for Yom Hatzamut, listening to a Holocaust survivor on Yom HaShoah and singing prayers daily.