Our Mission
The Jewish Leadership Academy is a world-class Jewish Middle and Upper School dedicated to developing the skills, curiosity, and potential of Miami’s most ambitious students for a life of purpose, commitment, and service.
Our Board President A MESSAGE FROM:
Dear JLA Community,
As we conclude our second year at JLA, we are deeply proud of the community we are building a community where religious expression, political orientation, or financial resources never determine who belongs A community committed to graduating students from diverse families who can lead in a world increasingly marked by polarization and a shrinking center
From the very beginning, we committed to ensuring that a JLA education would be accessible to families across the spectrum Today, that vision is real: nearly three-quarters of our students receive financial assistance, and almost one-third pay within our two lowest tuition tiers Our indexed tuition model has drawn families who might never have considered a Jewish day school, and in just two years we have created a parent and student community where socio-economic background is truly immaterial This diversity enriches every classroom, strengthens our culture, and makes JLA unlike any other independent Jewish school.
Our growth reflects that conviction Enrollment nearly doubled this year to 185 students, and we are projected to welcome more than 230 students, with a completely full Middle School, in Year Three Families are choosing JLA not only for our academics, Jewish mission, and culture of service but because we have made it possible for all who share our vision to join this journey This commitment has not been easy, and we continue to expand our network of partners to sustain it
As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude for our teachers, families, and supporters who make this school possible Together, we are not only building a school we are opening doors, shaping leaders, and transforming the future of Jewish education in Miami and in the diaspora
Sincerely Yours,
Daniel Ades
Our Head of School
Dear JLA Community
The second year of the Jewish Leadership Academy was marked by extraordinary expansion We doubled our student body from 99 to 185 and increased our faculty by 50% Along with the growth came a natural concern about whether we could maintain the "magic" we felt in Year One; whether the warmth and camaraderie that had come to define this nascent community would survive this dramatic change in form It is with awe and gratitude that a year later I can say with certainty that it has
Academically, our students at every level not only met but exceeded even our highest expectations From excelling in math and robotics competitions to creating literary journals and newspapers, and from delving deep into scientific research to passing industry exams in biotechnology, it seemed like every week brought another new milestone and achievement
The religious growth we ’ ve witnessed has been no different Every day of this past year offered another story of students and families taking steps on their own unique spiritual journeys Whether it was with a cohort of students in a Judaic Studies class, alone in solemn prayer, or gathered as a crowd of 400 plus to commemorate Yom HaZikaron and celebrate the miracle that is our State of Israel on Yom Ha’atzmaut, each student and each family progressed at their own pace
When it came to building our capacity for empathy and our commitment to serving others, however, we were all in step together Students spent hours every week at soup kitchens and homeless shelters, cleaning beaches and parks, doing art with the blind and athletics with the disabled And parents, through our Volunteer Corp, modeled for our children that service isn’t just a school activity, but an integral part of a Jewish life
Of course, the year wasn’t without its challenges But like our beloved State of Israel, and our people throughout history, every struggle made us stronger When threats from Iran forced us to delay our JLA Ba’aretz program we pushed it off from the beginning of the first semester to the end of the first semester And then when the war forced us to pivot again, we responded by developing a transformational Jewish history journey to Italy instead.
And all of it, along with the best practice we ’ ve been aspiring to in our governance and business practices, led to heartwarming and deeply validating commendations from the team of school leaders who visited us on behalf of the Southern Association of Independent Schools and who unanimously recommended us for accreditation
So while Year One was marked by disbelief that this audacious dream of the Jewish Leadership Academy had come to life, Year Two has been defined by our growing confidence inside our walls and well beyond that, with your continued help and support, this special school is here to stay
Sincerely Yours, Gil
Perl
Leadership
Board of Trustees
Daniel Ades
President
Gisela Ades
Jassi Antebi
Matan Ben-Aviv
Administration
Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl Head of School
Joe Sharp CFO/COO
Judd Shapiro* Associate Head of School, Upper School
Lori Kubach* Associate Head of School, Middle School
Dr. Debbie Stone
Associate Head of School, Judaic Studies
Jenna Gasner Director of Operations
Joaquin Infante Director of Technology
Vanessa Shamosh Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
Isaac Fisher Mark Kleinman
Anna Shields-Bartfeld
Nir Shoshani
Yamit Linde Director of Communications
Sabrina Perlstein Associate Director of Development
Frances Alexander* Humanities Chair
Dr. Claudia Ochatt* STEM Chair
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer Campus Rabbi
Rabbi Yosef Albo Director of Jewish Life
RC Ganser Athletics Director
*This denotes that the 24/25 school year was their last year at JLA
Academics
Core to our school is a belief that what is happening any given day inside the classroom is of criti importance and ought to be elevated Across departments, our teachers were pushing the boundar of what deep, meaningful learning can look like
In Dr Morton's 9 grade Biology class, our students worked to support NASA's goals of feeding astronauts on the ISS, Moon, and Mars, by doing classroom-based research on crop readiness and sharing that data with the team at NASA Kennedy Space Center. th
In 10 grade United States History, Dr. Jackson challenged his students to consider the relationship between bias, opinion, and perspective Like he did for his college students, Dr Jackson offered high-level editing for this semester-long paper assignment, which, amidst the chaotic noise of the world, challenged our students to articulate a clear thought they believe in By the end of the semester, each student was able to achieve an essay leagues better than where they started. th
Ms. Assraf’s beginner coding students coded interactive Sukkot projects on Scratch, a block-based visual programming language, guiding users through how to build a kosher sukkah and what happens inside one
In one of our Friday Language Labs, Upper School students heard from Shaked Rogovsky, a JLA parent who spoke to them about his life journey from serving as a pilot in the Israeli Air Force, to building its ballistic missile defense system, to a career in private aviation here in Miami - all in Hebrew
Ms Gil facilitated Harkness discussions in which students brought their own questions, concerns, and analysis to the table about everything from The Great Gatsby to Jhumpa Lahiri short stories.
Ms Grant’s science lab became an incubator for problem-solvers at the beginning of the year. Her 9th-grade environmental chemists constructed their own water filtration systems, testing materials like activated charcoal and coarse sand to purify contaminated water and then verified their success with real-world chemical analysis
In Ms. Cahana’s Sanctifying Maker Space course, students blended traditional text study with artistic expression For example, when interpreting the story of Nadav and Avihu, they did so through original songs, dances, and visual arts Her partnerships with faculty from across all disciplines made sacred learning tangible and alive
Ms. Palgon’s 9 graders wrapped up a sixweek poetry unit with a live Poetry Café in the Upper School Commons Each student performed an original piece, offering a window into their thinking, feeling, and voice th
During their unit on The Giver, Ms. Alexander's 7 graders each identified a real-world problem they wanted to solve, then created a visual representation of a utopian society where that problem no longer existed th
Each day at JLA was filled with meaningful moments like these powerful instances that, collectively, continued to raise the bar for educational excellence in all our classrooms
Program Highlights
16
CLUBS
Different clubs from French Fusion Club to Model UN to Chess
MATH COMPETITIONS
We competed in several competitions around South Florida.
At a state-wide Mathcounts competition, our middle school students achieved an impressive 4th place!
At the Math League Contest, our 7th grade team earned 2nd in Brevard, Miami-Dade, and Orange County
Our incredible mathematics d throughout the year with stud competition and took home f from multiple competitions!
ROBOTICS CO
In addition to a local compet Middle School team, both th Jagwires traveled to New Yo Finals at the Aromry Nike Sta
Two of our teams secur place among 70 teams
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
6
SPORTS TEAMS
5
3
Competitive sports at JLA included: boys and girls basketball, soccer, and volleyball; boys flag football; and co-ed cross country, golf, and tennis.
Zionism
JLA BaAretz
“The burning of the Talmud in Campo di Fiori moved me the most I saw that although our enemies tried their best to destroy our books so we could not teach future generations, they failed I feel now that I have a duty to keep learning and teaching what I learn to other people, to make sure our ideas and identity remain untouchable”
- Student reflection on JLA BaAretz
Light to the Nations: Judaism’s Encounter with the West
Due to the war in Israel, our Upper School was unable to begin the year in Israel as planned Instead, our team developed a three-week academic program named "A Light to the Nations," in partnership with the Tikvah Fund’s Lobel Center After two weeks of intensive study on our campus, the Upper School students embarked on an unforgettable journey through Florence and Rome Led by expert educators and guides, the trip provided an immersive exploration of Jewish history and the intellectual heritage of the Greco-Roman world Students delved into the roots of Western thought and civilization, examining Judaism’s enduring encounter with the West
A highlight of the trip was Shabbat in Rome, featuring Kabbalat Shabbat at the majestic Great Synagogue and interactions with local Bnei Akiva youth The students explored iconic sites like the Colosseum and the Arch of Titus, reflecting on their historical significance The trip concluded with reflections on Jewish resilience at Campo di Fiori, where Talmudic texts were once burned Our students returned home with a profound appreciation for Jewish history, a strengthened sense of Jewish identity, and lasting memories of their transformative experience
Yom HaZikaron & Yom HaAtzmaut
At our largest community gathering of the year, we hosted a "Tekes Maavar," a special memorial ceremony for Yom HaZikaron, leading into a joyous celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut It was a meaningful transition from darkness to light, from a day of solemn reflection to a vibrant celebration of Israel's independence and resilience
We had over 400 people in attendance, and it was incredibly moving for all who were present not only to hear stories shared of our fallen heroes, but also to see all the parents, grandparents, and faculty in our community rise to light a candle to signify their IDF service
We all shared in a moment of gratitude The ceremony concluded with student performances and dancing before enjoying an unforgettable shuk experience in our courtyard for dinner.
Israel Education
Zionism came to life on our campus throughout the year via visiting scholars, guest speakers, and parent educational classes We kicked off the year by hosting a Zionism seminar in August Students attended sessions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US-Israel relationship, and parents joined for sessions on antisemitism on campus and Israel’s internal challenges
Our STEM and Judaics departments hosted presenters from one of Israel's largest teaching hospitals with a lecture delivered by Professor Aaron Ciechanover, a Distinguished Research Professor at the Technion and the winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry On the week in which the Torah portion tells of Abraham’s journey to the Land of Israel, Professor Mordechai Kedar spoke to the Upper School about how Jews made their way back to the same land in the late 19th and 20th centuries Zionism is not only a value we teach, but a living thread woven into the intellectual, spiritual, and communal life of our school
Signature Programs
Morning Joe
Soul Center
From a mock trial that brought Jewish business ethics to life, to a hands-on watercolor workshop in which renowned artist Mauricio Avayu guided students in creating customdesigned tambourines of Miriam, and from speakers who shared stories of modern Sephardi expulsions to parents who led a program on respectful disagreement each Friday, our Soul Center program brought the weekly Parsha to life through imaginative experiences that deepened our community’s connection to Torah
One of the most poignant moments was a special JLA Voices Soul Center event, during which our gymnasium was transformed to evoke the atmosphere of the Nova Music Festival There, we gathered in music and dance to commemorate October 7 honoring the past while affirming our hope for a brighter future
Morning Joe, our weekly forum where we teach and discuss current events, digital citizenship, and media literacy, became a forum for robust debates about past historical events as well as current ones Students also began honing their ability to separate fact from opinion and recognize the angles and agendas of the media we all consume
Pictured is a particularly impactful Morning Joe in September, during which faculty shared their accounts of what they experienced on the fateful morning of September 11 , 2001 th
Grade 6 | Beginnings 6th graders had field trips all 3 weeks, finishing at the trampoline bounce park
Star Summit
Star Summit, a 3-week, immersive educational experience for our middle schoolers, starts the year by helping our students discover themselves, prepare for the rigors of a JLA curriculum, and connect deeply with their peers and mentors
With unique programs tailored to each grade and culminating in a thrilling color war, many students cited this program as their favorite part of the year While each grade had field trip highlights, the true star was getting to know one another, building community, and starting the year off on the right foot, together.
Grade 7 | Leadership
7th graders stayed at Camp Geneva for 3 days soaking up the sun, doing team building challenges, and having fun jumping on the blob!
Grade 8 | America
8th graders traveled to Boston, Gettysburg, and Washington DC for a week, visiting the National Mall, the Holocaust Museum, the Smithsonian, and other historical places They also spent an amazing Shabbat at Camp Zeke, tucked in the woods of Pennsylvania, rejoicing, resting, and reflecting
Service Entrepreneurship Program
SEP continued to deliver on bringing the Jewish values of Chesed and Tikkun Olam to life We partnered with over 15 different organizations to bring volunteering and educational opportunities to our students every Friday Some of those organizations included Ji4Life, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, Repair the Sea Tikkun HaYam, Miami Jewish Health, Miami Kosher, and The Miami Foundation
We heard from CEOs and non-profit founders, we hosted two Kindness Fairs in our Beit Midrash, and we challenged ourselves in the classroom to creatively solve problems facing our community
Amongst many impressive accomplishments, our 7th and 9th grade students cleared over 150 pounds of trash from our beaches over the course of the year and our 8th graders created prototypes for devices to assist the visually impaired After developing a deep personal understanding of the clientele they were designing for, one team created a prototype of a walking stick that, through cameras, would have the ability to announce what object the stick touched while another team created crayon caps that had the color of the crayon written in braille
Our students logged over
10,000
HT A N KSGIVING
Since opening our doors, we ’ ve been committed to building meaningful connections with our local community. This vision came to life when we offered to host the PreThanksgiving Dinner for the New Shiloh Baptist Church, located just three blocks down on 95 Street The event brought together over 200 guests from New Shiloh and JLA families for an evening of shared meals, dialogue, and mutual respect It was a beautiful opportunity to break down stereotypes, foster understanding, and celebrate the power of community
Community H A CKATHON
In November we welcomed over 250 students from 40 schools across South Florida from 3 grade through 10 grade for our second annual Mini Mu Math competition! It was a full day packed with tests, games and friendly competition In addition to elementary school math, PreAlgebra, Algebra 1, and Geometry, students competed in speed math, mental math, and even Rubiks Cube The day was a testament to the power of community and a shared love of mathematics among the students Check out the 2024 awards here. rd th
We held our first annual JLA Hackathon, hosting 8 different outside public and private schools This event combined real-world problem solving and creativity with knowledge and skill at coding and design It showcased several core elements of our mission both to our students and to students from across the region Most importantly, though, it challenged our students to think, learn, take risks, fail, and succeed amongst similarly minded peers in an uplifting and inspiring environment. The Hackathon is something we plan to host for many years to come!
In addition to the aforementioned Zionism seminar, parents came to campus later in the fall for a Mahloket Matters program to learn Jewish wisdom on constructive and respectful disagreement (in the weekend prior to the election!) and then shared their learning with our students as facilitators during Soul Center We hosted a 6-part Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning series facilitated by Dr Bella Tendler Krieger of CAJE with over 20 parents that explored the history and phenomena of anti-semitism Morah Vered hosted parent Hebrew classes, with one cohort that started in the fall, and a second cohort that started in the spring. To conclude the first cohort’s second semester, they all went to an Israeli restaurant and ordered everything in Hebrew! With increasing parent interest, we will continue offering Hebrew classes next year!
Engagement
Ji4Life, the non-profit organization run on JLA’s campus ninja gym, partnered with us throughout the year to fulfill their mission to take children with physical challenges through extreme sports Every Sunday morning, they were training their athletes on our ninja gym, and many of our JLA families made it their ritual to join in and volunteer We hosted their athletes on campus every Friday, and many of our students built long-lasting connections with them Our 11 grade hosted a Shabbaton in Orlando for the athletes and their families, before the athletes completed the Disney 10-Miler! Our students created an unforgettable weekend during which everyone came together to get healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually
On November 14, 2024, we welcomed over 300 women and girls to our second annual Challah Bake Everyone came together, baked challah, and prayed for our community It was an inspiring sight to see our gym transformed and full Everyone there felt the deep and meaningful spirit of the evening and united in dance once the challahs were ready to bake! As our families and staff came together, we were reminded of the power our Jewish traditions hold It was a beautiful event, and we will be hosting our third annual Challah Bake in the fall!
Purim was an extravaganza this year on the JLA campus Celebrations began Friday morning with a beautiful class run by Rabbi Perl After tefillah, the festivities picked up with an amazing, theatrical Megillah reading Rabbi Albo read the 10 chapters of Esther, and between each chapter, a JLA-produced movie played, telling the story with a whole lot of humor alongside the reading. Everyone was treated to a Megillah Esther that was creatively crafted by our students during one of our earlier Soul Center programs After the reading we shared a festive meal, a costume contest, and there was even a women ’ s only Megillah reading
At our second annual Night of the Arts, the program more than doubled in features. From solely visual arts- painting, drawing, and pottery- last year, to the addition of performing arts- singing, dancing, poetry recitation, music, improv, drama, and video production- this year, the evening reflected our students’ growing desire to express themselves artistically and share their interests and talents with our community It was a memorable evening filled with impressive student work
Our Technology
JLA’s classroom technology is as cutting edge as it is practically useful. The unique arrangement of cameras, speakers, and screens positioned strategically around every classroom capture the teacher, whiteboards, in-person students, and remote students, while seamlessly integrating digital tools This first-of-its-kind middle and high school classroom environment, offers remote students an immersive classroom experience while enabling all students to go back over anything that was taught over the course of a semester This infrastructure allows us to offer students three remote learning days each semester a flexible and forward-thinking benefit not commonly available at other secondary schools
These days allow students to engage in meaningful learning from any location, while fostering independence, adaptability, and continuity in their academic experience
4
CAMERAS
recording each class
6
REMOTE DAYS
given per year
Our remarkable campus technology, coupled with an astounding 100% adoption rate amongst faculty, continues to position us as a leader in educational technology. Our Director of Information Technology, Joaquin Infante, ran educational sessions at multiple conferences throughout the year, with particularly wellattended sessions on unleashing the power of hybrid learning Joaquin was also invited to become a sitting member of Zoom's K-12 Education Council
STUDENTS
able to effectively understand the teacher
88
“It’s really useful if you couldn’t finish notes/need to review for a test. I especially like the search tool, it helps me stay productive ”
A Awards cognition
the 24/25 school year, JLA won 3 awards from 3 distinct organizations:
N AWARD
ATIVE ATION AWARD
K-12 SCHOOL
Continuing Education
At JLA, we believe that a great education begins with great educators Our teachers are not only masters of their subjects they are lifelong learners themselves, modeling the very mindset we aim to instill in our students
For the 24/25 academic year, 70% of our faculty held advanced degrees beyond a Bachelor’s, with 45% having earned their Master’s and an impressive 25% holding doctoral degrees
Six teachers were actively furthering their own education:
Shelly Assraf
Computer Science Teacher pursuing a Master’s of Science in Computer Engineering Network Security
Zoe Grant
Science Teacher pursuing a Master's of Science in Chemistry
Amy Biscombe
Mathematics Teacher pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership and Education
Shalhevet Cahana
Judaics Teacher pursuing a Doctorate in Jewish Education
Kimberly Hughes Dr. Pushpa Kurian
Librarian (and our 25/26 Humanities Chair) pursuing a Doctorate in Instructional Design
Mathematics Teacher earned an Instructional Leadership Certificate
At every level, we are constantly asking how we can do better for our students, for our craft, and for each other That drive for excellence starts with our faculty, and we are proud to showcase their continued growth
Volunteer Corps
At JLA, service is more than a value it’s a way of life Our Parent Volunteer Corps exemplified this commitment in both quiet, consistent acts of presence and in major moments of community impact
The Parent Volunteer Corps was the driving force behind some of our most meaningful initiatives They packed and distributed food boxes for the homeless during Thanksgiving in partnership with the Miami Rescue Mission At each of our SEP Kindness Fairs, parents took the lead in organizing and running tables, creating warm and welcoming spaces for students to have fun while giving back When more than 300 volunteers gathered for our Matzah Mitzvah event, assembling and delivering food and hygiene baskets to Holocaust survivors and homebound seniors across South Florida, it was the Corps that prepared the gym for the day’s powerful work
Every Friday, Corps members were on campus, participating in SEP and giving their time to make service to others joyful, communal, and hands-on Their dedication was felt in every corner of school life, and their example set a tone of partnership, humility, and generosity
We are deeply grateful for the Parent Volunteer Corps and for all the ways they helped turn our school’s values into action They constantly reminded us that building a vibrant Jewish community takes all of us working together, serving others, and lifting one another up
gathered for our Matzah Mitzvah event
Admissions Report
34 DIFFERENT FEEDER SCHOOLS
CITIES
Our new students came from: *by Parents' Country of Origin
17 COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN*
JDS Orthodox JDS Pluralistic Charter Public Independent Homeschool
We nearly doubled in size from 99 students in our first year to 185 in our second. It took a massive effort from our admissions office, and they delivered Few schools have the opportunity of having almost the same number of new and returning students in one year, but that made our 24/25 year all the more special and unique.
Financial Report
Guiding our spending is a principled approach to invest in the educational infrastructure needed to truly compete with the best independent schools, while reducing frivolous costs and eliminating waste In our second academic year, we gained greater insight into how best to accomplish that goal We adjusted our projections, refined our purchasing processes, launched new budgeting software, and stabilized programming costs.
Our tuition, which is evaluated annually based on all available data, is priced at the projected cost per student at capacity Because we believe that a family’s financial means should never stand in the way of a deserving student’s opportunity to attend our school, we remain steadfast in our commitment to accept mission-aligned students based solely on merit and fit, not financial capacity. Moreover, we proactively seek out a socio-economically diverse student body, and we are proud to have achieved that with 75% of our families utilizing our Indexed Tuition (IT) program. This year, we launched a brand new IT application to make it easier for our families to submit their materials and streamline the review process for the business office
2024-2025
Tuition Tiers
TRUE COST
TIER A
TIER B
TIER C
TIER D
TIER E
(MS) - $49,000 (US)
Percentage of Families in Tier
With a sizable annual deficit created by our 75% scholarship rate, our approach to covering it is something we call “A Third / A Third / A Third.” The “Thirds” signify funding from three sources, each contributing a roughly equal amount: the family foundation that founded the school, annual fundraising, and endowment distributions. Because endowments take time to build, and we don't yet have an alumni base or significant parent base from which to draw, we introduced the concept of the JLA Scholarship Fund, shown below under “Donations” in our revenue stream, to infuse much needed revenue in the short term while we begin to build an endowment to secure our long term sustainability.
Revenue
Expenses
Development Overview
$2.4M
WE SURPASSED OUR GOAL FOR THE 24/25 ACADEMIC YEAR AND RAISED $2.4 MILLION
For the 24/25 year, our goal was to raise $2 million outside of the critically important and immensely generous support from our founders. We were able to surpass our goal, which was a team effort by our administration and board members alike. While this was an exciting achievement, the goal for this year was set bearing in mind that this was the first year we had a fully functioning development office; in order to offset “A Third” of the annual deficit, we will need to nearly double our fundraising outcomes in the years ahead.
As a young school currently without an endowment that will someday cover “A Third,” we are blazing an innovative path. Launched in July 2024, this fund seeks capital appreciation for investors at attractive risk/return, while providing meaningful tuition assistance to JLA students. Unlike outright investments, whereby large management and incentive fees are carved out from contributions, or endowments, in which the principal and all returns belong to the school, the JLA Scholarship Fund reserves investment principal and 50% of net returns for its investors The underlying funds waive all management and incentive fees to the fund Lawyers, administrators and other service providers waive all, or a portion of, their fees for the fund
Our Scholarship Fund has generated much excitement in our community and beyond, and, like so many programs at JLA, the hope is that it will be replicated by other Jewish Day Schools and nonprofit organizations across the country
WHERE OUR GIFTS CAME FROM BY NUMBER OF GIFTS
Outside of JLA
