ForwardTogether B’Yachad SinaiAkibaAcademy
2025-2030StrategicVision
STATEMENTOFBACKGROUND
Since1968,SinaiAkiba AcademyhasprovidedLos AngelesJewishfamilieswith aneducationthatblendsthe joyoflearningwiththe disciplineofacademicand Jewishstudies,preparing graduatestoimpacttheworld asproudandprincipledJews.
As the first non-Orthodox Conservative Jewish day school on the West Coast, SinaiAkiba offers a curriculum where Jewish and General Studies are intertwined. Beyond academics, the school is cherished for its close-knit community, providing families with fellowship, support, and lifelong friendships. Following a period of transition and change, motivated leadership and a renewed commitment to Jewish values position SinaiAkiba to unite its community and thrive in an increasingly competitive educational landscape.
1.
KehillahKedoshahleadsustocommitto:
UniteOurCommunity
Wewillworkthroughdifferences,findsolutionsthroughcollaboration,and respectfullyhonormultipleperspectives.
StrategicPriorities:
● Prioritizeandcodifypracticesforclear,respectful,transparentcommunicationbetweenfaculty, administration,andfamilies.
● Createacommunity-widecodeofconductandbehaviorsthatincludestandards,goalsand consequenceswithinaclearlystatedframeworkforconflictresolution.
● Unifythethreeacademicdivisions(DouglasFamilyEarlyChildhoodCenter,LowerSchool,Middle School)tocreateacohesivecultureandincreasebelonging.
● Increasethenumberofopportunitiesfortheentirecommunitytocometogether,includingworking parents(iecommunity-wideorgrade-wideShabbats,potlucks,and/orcelebrations).
● Prioritizefacultyandstaffsatisfactionandwellnessbyensuringtheyfeelvaluedaspartofthe community.
●
2. TalmudTorahleadsustocommitto:
EmbraceLearningwithCuriosity
Wewillfearlesslyembracelearningwithintellectualcuriosityandresilienceand facechallengeswithcollaboration,questioning,andrespectfuldebate.
StrategicPriorities:
● Establishaphilosophyoflearningandschool-widecurriculumsequencedacrossallgradesand divisions.
● Prioritizegettingstudentsoutsideinnatureandmorephysicallyactive.
● Definestandardsofacademicexcellenceandintegrityforstudentsandteachersandmetricsand practicesforevaluationacrossalldivisions.
● Recruit,retain,anddevelopexceptionalfacultyandstaffwhodemonstrateacommitmenttoour valuesandourstandardsofacademicexcellence.
3. DerechEretzleadsustocommitto:
CreateASenseofBelonging
Wewilltreatothershowtheywanttobetreated,honorandembraceall membersofourcommunity,andcreateasenseofbelongingandasafespace whereeveryoneisseen,heard,andcelebrated.
StrategicPriorities:
● Codifyandtransparentlycommunicatethepolicies,lessons,andcommunityexpectationsregarding inclusionandbelonging.
● Nurtureacultureinwhichallcommunitymembersfeelsafesharingtheirthoughtsandideaswith peersandadministrators.
● Clarifyandcodifyschoolvaluestostrengthenourcommunitytodayandtomorrow.
● Increaseaccesstomulticulturalexperiencesatschoolforstudentsandfamilies(events,speakers, fieldstudies,etc.)
4. Tzedek,TzedekTirdofleadsustocommitto:
RepairtheWorld
Wewillcreateabetterworldthroughactsoflovingkindnessandtzedakahand inspireallcommunitymemberstobeleaderswhoimpactpositivechange.
StrategicPriorities:
● Formalizeandintegrateaconsistentandpracticalservice-learning(TikkunOlam)curriculum.
● Utilizesocietalchallengesasproblem-solvingpromptsinacademiccurriculumtoteachempathy, compassion,anddoingtherightthing,evenwhenitishard.
● Offerfieldstudiesconnectedtocommunityissues(ietheenvironment,foodscarcity,homelessness, educationaccess).
● Increaseanddeepenpartnershipswithcommunitynonprofitorganizations,includingbutnotlimited toJewishorganizations.
5. AvodatHalevleadsustocommitto:
LivewithIntention
Wewilldoeverythingwithastrongsenseofsoul,purpose,andruach(spirit).We willactwithlovingintention,reflectregularly,andexpressgratitude.
StrategicPriorities:
● Establishacultureofclearly-statedexpectationsandactionableaccountabilityacrossalldivisions anddepartments.
● Evaluatehiringandonboardingpracticestoensureweattractandretainvalues-alignedfacultyand staff.
● Focusontheconceptsofsimcha/joy,gratitude,andthebeautyoflife.
● Honorfacultyandstaffbycreatingacultureofrespect,reflection,mindfulness,andcollaboration.
6. AhavatYisraelguidesustocommitto:
HonortheSanctityofIsrael
WeloveJudaism,theJewishpeopleandIsrael—includingitsdynamicevolution andhistory.WewillbuildstrongconnectionstoJewishcommunitieslocally,in theUnitedStates,inIsrael,andaroundtheworld.
StrategicPriorities:
● CodifyandensureconsistencyofJewishlearningandIsraeleducationacrossandintegratedintoall divisions,includingtheDouglasFamilyECC.
● MakeJewishlearninginclusiveforallSinaiAkibaAcademystudents;celebrateandstudythediversity ofIsraelandoftheJewishcommunityatSinaiAkibaandacrosstheworld.
● Offermorehands-onopportunitiestoconnectwithIsrael,includingforyoungerstudentsandfor facultyandstaff.