From Hardware Store to Brooklyn Jewish Academy

It doesn’t seem that long ago that Brooklyn Heights Jewish Academy building was a neighborhood hardware store, and was only a theory waiting to happen.

When Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin coined the idea of opening an elementary school and brought it home it was nothing anyone could really see happening in the near future of Brooklyn Heights.

Rabbi Raskin believed in the school from its inception. He never stopped to contemplate on all the hardships on the way to the top. Brooklyn Heights Jewish Academy first year started in the Gan Menachem Kiddie Korner Preschool building located in 117 Remsen street, directed by Rebbetzin Shternie Raskin.

Shortly after the first year BHJA students finally moved to their new building located at 81 Atlantic Avenue. The impressive modern building filled its hallways with new emerging students and with the help of professional staff, innovative directors, family effort, and devoted parents the school was rapidly growing and building. Today BHJA constitutes of K-3RD grade and adding a grade every year with a comprehensive Judaic and secular curriculum which challenges and leads students to excellence.

The school currently offers a variety of classes such as chess, tennis, music, choir, basketball, art, and is in processes of adding new after school programs.

Currently, the school hours of operation are 8:30am-3:30pm and for the next school year of 5781 the plan is to extend the school hours by adding the option of early drop-off and after-school.

This coming Sunday will be the 4th year for the Annual Charidy event for BHJA which is organized by Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin and Yankel Raskin with the help of the BHJA staff, PTA, Gan Menachem Kiddie Korner preschool staff and directors, and close family and friends. The 36 hour campaign gets everyone together and helps the school tremendously to be able to grow while paying payrolls and day to day expenses.

BHJA choir is now getting ready for the Grand Menorah Lighting event in Borough Hall this coming Chanukah on 12/22 organized by the Chabad Lubavitch of Brooklyn Heights. BHJA Students and Gan Menachem Kiddie Korner preschoolers, will all perform in front of Eric Adams, Borough president after the Grand Menorah Lighting outdoors.

To learn more about our BHJA growth, certified teachers, innovative curriculum, and future plans join us for a tour. You can contact us through our website: www.BHJA.org or call (718)403-0690.

Click here for our Charidy Campaign starting Sunday, 12/8!!!