Epstein Hebrew Academy

H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy is a Jewish day school in Olivette, Missouri. It was established in 1943 and was the first Jewish day school in St. Louis. The school is named for the first chief rabbi of the Orthodox Jewish community of St. Louis, Rabbi Hayim Fischel Epstein (1874–1942). It has been given the nickname EHA, an abbreviation of its full name.

Epstein Hebrew Academy now Miriam academy, who bought the building because they moved
Epstein Hebrew Academy
Location
Olivette
,
Missouri
Information
Religious affiliation(s)Orthodox Judaism
Established1943 (1943)
Head of schoolRabbi Shmuel Miller
Faculty31
Enrollment140 (2012)
Hours in school day8
NicknameEHA
AccreditationISACS
YearbookThe Source
Websitewww.eha.org

From 1960 until the end of 2019, the school was housed on the six-acre Israel and Yetra Goldberg Educational Campus in Olivette, Missouri. In January 2020, it moved to a new location in University City, closer to where many of the students of the school are from.[1] The school also housed Yeshivat Kadimah High School from its founding in 2013, until it merged with EHA in 2019 and moved with it to University City in 2020.[2]

History

The H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy, established in 1943, was the first Jewish day school in St. Louis. The school is named for the first chief rabbi of the Orthodox Jewish community of St. Louis, Rabbi Hayim Fischel Epstein (1874–1942).[3][4][5]

Until the establishment of the school, Jewish education in St. Louis had been provided by a system of Talmudei Torah. These schools were administered by the "United Hebrew Schools" organization, later reorganized as the "Associated Hebrew Schools of St. Louis", under the leadership of Harry Yawitz. In 1922, there were four Orthodox Talmudei Torah in St. Louis providing for the Jewish educational needs of the community. By 1939, there were fourteen of these schools, located mostly on the premises of various synagogues. In 1943, Yawitz was one of the founders and supporters of the H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy, which consolidated the Talmudei Torah into the first Orthodox Jewish day school in St. Louis.[4]

At first, the school did not have a dedicated school building. Classes were held in various locations including homes, synagogue classrooms and other school buildings. In 1960, the construction of a building in Olivette was completed and became the permanent location of the EHA.

In 2019, EHA sold the school building and property in Olivette to the Miriam Academy and purchased a new location in University City.[6] The school moved to the new location in January 2020. The new location was originally a public school building built in 1958.[2]

Curriculum and activities

The school defines itself as a child-centered Orthodox Jewish day school, dedicated to educating Jewish children in Torah and general studies, developing love for Israel and the Jewish people, teaching critical thinking and reasoning, excelling in all the academic disciplines and instilling good character (middot) and values of caring for others (chesed).[5]

The school is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and is associated with the Torah U’Mesorah (National Association of Hebrew Day Schools) network of schools and Yeshiva University’s Institute for University School Partnership.[1][5]

The school is overseen by an elected Board of Directors. The parent organization, Friends of the Hebrew Academy raises funds and holds educational and other events for the school.[1]

The school follows a dual curriculum of Judaic studies, including Hebrew language, and general studies. The general studies curriculum generally complies with the requirements of the Missouri Department of Education.

After-school activities that are offered include art, sports and drama.[1]

Heads of School

Rabbi Shmuel Miller is the current Head of the School, since August 2021.[7]

Former heads of school include:

  • Rabbi Moshe Shulman (2019 - 2021)[2]
  • Rabbi Yaakov Green (2014 - 2019)[8]
  • Rabbi Avi Greene (2010 – 2014)[1]
  • Rabbi Shmuel Kay (2005 – 2010)
  • Rabbi Joshua Einzig (1998 – 2005)
  • Rabbi David Leibtag (1990 – 1998)
  • Rabbi Dr. Joseph Rischall (1978 – 1990)
  • Rabbi Donald Patchen
  • Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Hollander (1964-1973)
  • Rabbi Abraham Kellner[9]

References
  1. "H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy". St. Louis Jewish Light. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  2. Motchan, Bill (22 Jan 2020). "Epstein's New Home: School starts 2020 in University City location". St. Louis Jewish Light. No. Vol 73. No. 4. pp. 1, 6.
  3. Cohn, Robert A. (2007). "Saint Louis". Encyclopaedia Judaica (2nd ed.). Thomson Gale.
  4. Ehrlich, Walter (2002). Zion in the Valley: The Jewish Community of St. Louis: The Twentieth Century. Vol. II. Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press. p. 116. ISBN 0-8262-1414-2.
  5. "About EHA". Epstein Hebrew Academy. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  6. Baugher, David (September 25, 2019). "Epstein sells campus to Miriam". STL Jewish Light. Vol. 72, no. 39. pp. 1, 8.
  7. Berger, Eric (2021-07-29). "Epstein Hebrew Academy appoints new head of school". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  8. "Epstein Hebrew Academy announces new head of school". St. Louis Jewish Light. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  9. "St. Louis Jewish Light 12 May 1965, page 15". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
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