We encourage students to excel in both General and Judaic Studies, starting from early childhood and progressing with increasing rigor into elementary school. Our curriculum is designed to be developmentally appropriate, building a strong foundation of knowledge and skills year by year. Through this approach, students not only learn how to learn but also develop a love for learning and Torah, gain self-confidence, and cultivate a sense of responsibility towards their Jewish community and beyond.
Hebrew Academy’s elementary school follows an A/B schedule, carefully designed to enhance student learning through teacher feedback and the latest cognitive research. Studies reveal that cognitive performance varies among students, with some excelling in the early morning and others reaching their peak in the afternoon. This schedule ensures a balanced approach to support every student’s optimal learning time.
The purpose of this program is to provide students with a structured opportunity to connect with Hashem. During tefillah, students engage in traditional prayers and activities nurturing spiritual growth. The format and content vary by grade level. Tefillah also promotes community building and inclusivity, welcoming students of all backgrounds and observance levels.
Our Kriyah program, spanning Kindergarten through Grade 3, ensures students become proficient Hebrew readers, paving the way for active Jewish engagement. Starting with letter and nikkud learning in Kindergarten, they progress to mastering complex endings and multi-syllabic words. The AlephBeis Kriya APP is a vital internal assessment tool, allowing educators to closely monitor progress and provide personalized support where needed. Beyond Grade 3, the focus shifts to applying Kriyah skills to new texts in Tefilah, fostering continued growth and confidence in reading abilities.
Learning our Jewish texts in depth and proficiently is essential to be a Ben or Bat Torah. Students in grades 2-5 participate in the skills-based Chumash program, L’Havin U” Lehaskil creating a strong foundation to enable them to become independent Torah learners. Rashi’s script and his commentary are introduced in third grade with a visit from Rashi himself. Students begin the basic language of breaking down words into their components and answering Rashi’s questions posed in the commentary. Lessons utilize different modalities and connect Torah values and messages to the student’s everyday lives
Our elementary school offers a comprehensive Hebrew language program aimed at providing students with a strong foundation in communication, reading, and writing in Hebrew. Starting with hands-on activities and games using the Tal Am program, students learn the Hebrew alphabet and basic vocabulary in the early grades. As they advance, they delve into grammar, syntax, and various language contexts to enhance their skills. Cultural activities and Israel studies complement classroom instruction, enriching students’ understanding of Jewish history and traditions. We prioritize Hebrew learning as integral to a well-rounded Jewish education, ensuring students receive top-notch instruction and support.
Our curriculum focuses on conveying core messages, laws, and customs, ensuring active participation in the chagim. Students participate in making shofars for Rosh Hashanah, building model sukkot, crafting Chanukiyot and latkes for Chanukah, and enjoying carnivals and noisemakers for Purim. They also bake matzah and create Haggadot for Pesach and participate in model seders, and so much more.
Our Parshat HaShavua program immerses K-5 students in weekly Torah portions, promoting early involvement in the Jewish world. Starting with basic storylines, the program evolves in grades 4 and 5 to emphasize Divrei Torah and deeper explorations of the Parsha. We also distribute a weekly Elementary School Parsha Sheet to all students, featuring summaries, discussion questions, and trivia, to encourage family learning and discussions.
Every Friday morning, our entire division gathers to celebrate at a weekly Shabbat Assembly. Making brachot over the candles and wine, singing traditional Shabbat melodies, reciting the prayer for the IDF, sharing Parsha games, and recognizing the Warrior of the Week are some of the highlights of our weekly Shabbat assemblies.
Our academic program is enriched by grade-wide celebrations, providing students with opportunities to showcase their learning through siyums, siddur presentations (Kitah Aleph), Chumash presentations (Kitah Bet), and the Brachot Fair. Parents and families are warmly invited to attend these special events.
Hebrew Academy hosts four B’not Sherut from Israel, enhancing awareness of Eretz Israel and offering various services within our school community. Engaged in National Service for the Israeli Government, they interact daily with our students, bringing Israel to life in Miami. The Sherut girls play a multifaceted role, providing informal education on Israel and Jewish holidays while actively engaging with our students.
At our elementary school, we prioritize Ahavat Yisrael, the love of one’s fellow Jew, as Rabbi Akiva declared it the most important mitzvah in Torah. This mitzvah permeates our daily activities, from discussing current events in Israel to praying for those in need, like our IDF soldiers. Students also engage in actions like writing letters and creating artwork for Chayalim, fostering personal connections. Through these efforts, we aim to instill a strong Jewish identity in our students, rooted in love, pride, and belonging to Klal Yisroel.
At Hebrew Academy, students cultivate a school garden, weaving together the practices of gardening and the teachings of the Torah. GrowTorah aims to cultivate a more passionate, compassionate and sustainable future driven by Torah values. GrowTorah develops experiential & environmental Torah education programs for Jewish institutions.
Our ELA program supports reading acquisition in grades K-2 and comprehension in grades 3-5, using Fundations for foundational reading skills. MAP benchmark assessments guide progress, integrating Science and Social Studies into non-fiction reading. Students explore literary genres, develop critical thinking through writing, and benefit from leveled reading groups and a classroom library.
Mitzvot and Middot are integral to our program, shaping every facet of our curriculum and student life at all ages. Project Gevurah, developed by our elementary school team, promotes positive behavior and kindness, drawing from Torah principles. Our social worker offers counseling, crisis intervention, and collaborates with our student support team for school-wide programming.
Our Mathematics program centers on the Big Ideas curriculum, employing direct instruction and corrective feedback. Students advance through whole-class and personalized small-group lessons. We enhance math skills using resources like IXL, Xtra Math, Khan Academy, and Prodigy. Our Math Enrichment program, led by Zaniac math instructors, offers tailored instruction to students showing exceptional aptitude. They receive customized curriculum matching their proficiency levels, encouraging them to excel and tackle mathematical challenges.
The Math Enrichment program, which is run in partnership with Zaniac, supports students who are academically gifted and above grade level in math. Students are selected for the program based on their scores on a math assessment, previous teacher recommendations, and current teacher’s approval. Students are placed into small pods in the Math Enrichment program. They work with a customized advanced curriculum that matches their skill levels/abilities, and encourages them to advance and be challenged in math.
In our elementary STEM program, students engage in Active Science, Engineering is Elementary, and Novel Engineering. They participate in weekly STEM activities led by specialists. Grades K-2 focus on tinkering and coding with Scratch Jr., while grades 3-5 delve into Scratch coding, game design, and 3D design using Tinkercad. Our Science coordinator supports lessons and hands-on activities.
By incorporating Google Digital Tools for education, students become familiar with and incorporate the latest digital tools into their skill sets. Digital tools help us create engaging content for our students, such as videos, podcasts, infographics, animations, power points, slides, games, quizzes, and interactive presentations. Students use these tools to explain concepts, demonstrate skills, and content specific presentations.
Our art program includes weekly art sessions with an art specialist. Many of the projects integrate the chaggim as well as American holidays. In our Studio Art classes, we create art using a variety of mediums and techniques such as drawing, coloring, painting, collaging, and sculpting. While making these masterpieces, we learn and utilize the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. We highlight different artists and use them as inspiration in our work. Our main goals are for students to incorporate art while unlocking creativity and self-expression. Our Annual Art Showcase highlights the work of our young artists.
At Hebrew Academy, our PE program teaches fundamental sports skills and motor skills tailored to each sport. In grades K-2, students master skills like throwing, catching, hitting, and kicking before advancing to more complex activities. Grades 3-5 focus on different sports biweekly, emphasizing specific skills required for each sport and progressing to competitive play by the second week.
Elementary students receive tailored support from learning specialists as part of our AEP program for reading, math, language arts, and Judaic studies. Accommodations are offered based on individual needs identified in evaluations. ESOL assistance is provided for English language learners, with personalized learning plans. The Mechina program offers accelerated Judaic Studies for students transitioning from public or less intensive private schools, focusing on Aleph Bet, Chumash skills, Ivrit, and Tefilla, before integrating back into mainstream classrooms.
Mrs. Susan Adelman, was born and raised in Florida. She and her husband Seth have raised their 5 children in the South Florida Jewish community. She graduated Cum Laude from Florida Atlantic University.
Mrs. Adelman has 18 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education. Mrs. Adelman’s goal is to constantly encourage everyone to do their personal best. She works hard to develop a community of educators and students in where everyone feels valued, respected, and important.
Mrs. Adelman engages students and staff to understand the deeper meaning of their studies through hands-on learning activities and technology in the classroom.
Rabbi Litton previously served as the Director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Ann and Nate Levine Academy in Dallas, Texas. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Brooklyn College, a Masters in Education from Aspen University, and Smicha from Yeshiva B’nai Torah in Far Rockaway, New York.
While at Levine Academy, Rabbi Litton managed the Judaic studies program for infants through 8th Grade. He also implemented educational philosophies for the program with a focus on socio-emotional development and mindfulness. Rabbi Litton inspired a new school vision for inclusivity and fostered a sense of Jewish community within the school and the community at-large.
Prior to that, Rabbi Litton spent five years as Director of Youth Services at the West Side Institutional Synagogue in New York, where he managed a team of 15 youth group leaders. Additionally, Rabbi Litton is the founder of Ta Shma Orchestra which has served as a “house” band for organizations such as Camp HASC, NCSY, and Bais Ezra. Rabbi Litton has also spent time as Dean of Discipline for Magen David Yeshivah in Brooklyn, Director of Student Activities for Manhattan Day School, and Assistant Director of Student Activities for both Hebrew Academy of Five Towns and Rockaway High School, and Rambam Mesivta High School in Lawrence.
Adam was born and raised in Miami where he attended Miami Palmetto Senior High School. He was a standout performer on the school’s baseball team for three seasons, culminating in a senior season where he went 7-3 and posted an ERA of 1.81 with 76 strikeouts. After the season, he was named to the First Team All Miami/Dade County, selected by the Miami Herald.
He continued his baseball playing career as a pitcher for the University of Miami, where he featured in 69 games over four seasons, finishing with a career ERA of 3.90 and a total of 58 strikeouts. He graduated from the University of Miami in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in Education, majoring in Sports Administration with a minor in Sociology.
Prior to teaching at Hebrew Academy, Adam spent a year teaching English in Taiwan and then moved home to become the Athletic Director at Yeshiva Toras Chaim Toras Emes in North Miami Beach. At YTCTE, Adam started the middle school flag football, basketball, and soccer programs, coaching all three teams. Additionally, he oversaw the PE department for the middle school. Entering his second year at Hebrew Academy, Adam oversees the K-12 Physical Education programs, in addition to coaching the 4th Grade Flag Football and Basketball Teams, the High School JV Boys Basketball Team, and the Middle School Girls Flag Football Team.
Adam lives in Miami Beach with his wife Tori and their dog Marble. They love spending time at the beach and exercising, with activities like yoga, paddle boarding, and skateboarding.
