Spotlights on...
Jewish-star-2.jpg
![Yom Ha'Ivrit – Hebrew Day at PJA!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738952042/portland/rbwi6z9tnfgmu0hvjdpc/YomHaIvritHebrewDayatPJA.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738952042/portland/rbwi6z9tnfgmu0hvjdpc/YomHaIvritHebrewDayatPJA.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738952042/portland/rbwi6z9tnfgmu0hvjdpc/YomHaIvritHebrewDayatPJA.jpg","width":800}])
Yom Ha'Ivrit – Hebrew Day at PJA!
PJA's Yom Ha'Ivrit celebration honored Eliezer Ben-Yehudah with student-led activities and joyful expressions of Hebrew language and culture.
![First grade class helper assisting other students during recess - pointing to a chart and wearing a neon vest.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738348829/portland/d7urkdiquezsvensafok/ClassroomHelperSpotlight-final.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738348829/portland/d7urkdiquezsvensafok/ClassroomHelperSpotlight-final.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738348829/portland/d7urkdiquezsvensafok/ClassroomHelperSpotlight-final.jpg","width":800}])
Peacemakers on the Playground
First graders are taking on a new role as recess helpers, gaining practical life skills while building a more inclusive and peaceful playground.
![Community in Action]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1737740189/portland/rmcgnxvhitjsavjlkmie/jan24spotlightimage.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1737740189/portland/rmcgnxvhitjsavjlkmie/jan24spotlightimage.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1737740189/portland/rmcgnxvhitjsavjlkmie/jan24spotlightimage.jpg","width":800}])
Community in Action
PJA transformed into a global village at the Work for the World Fair, with 100 families joining for a day of service.
![Book sprawling open on a desk with a pile of closed books in the background. Text overlays the image in a green ribbon reading "I am... You are..."]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1737157113/portland/ocye0sbp7mfuwhufs5by/iamyouarespotlight_2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1737157113/portland/ocye0sbp7mfuwhufs5by/iamyouarespotlight_2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1737157113/portland/ocye0sbp7mfuwhufs5by/iamyouarespotlight_2.jpg","width":800}])
Anita Chase
After hearing Anita Chase's story of being one of the first Black students to integrate into Boston Public Schools, students wrote a poem inspired by her legacy of racial justice.
![Volunteers assemble meals for Blanchet House at Portland Jewish Academy's Work For The World Fair Sunday, Mar. 10, 2024. This year's event, scheduled for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, will include expanded volunteer opportunities and connections to local service organizations. (Laura Jeser/Jewish Review file)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736537149/portland/tena9eaarwjv4rhfhdui/wftfspotlightimage.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1736537149/portland/tena9eaarwjv4rhfhdui/wftfspotlightimage.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736537149/portland/tena9eaarwjv4rhfhdui/wftfspotlightimage.jpg","width":800}])
Work For The World Fair 2025
Work for the World returns at PJA on MLK Day, offering hands-on service projects for all ages.
![a large group of PJA Staff and families smiling posing for a picture while at their family camp activities.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734659590/portland/r093xiwzogxxngvpuusy/familycamp.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1734659590/portland/r093xiwzogxxngvpuusy/familycamp.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1734659590/portland/r093xiwzogxxngvpuusy/familycamp.jpg","width":800}])
S'more Fun with PJA!
PJA friends and families enjoyed a fun-filled weekend at camp, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.
![Shining our Light]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734725923/portland/gsxuupfaqbzf81xk85pb/DEC20SPOTLIGHT.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1734725923/portland/gsxuupfaqbzf81xk85pb/DEC20SPOTLIGHT.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1734725923/portland/gsxuupfaqbzf81xk85pb/DEC20SPOTLIGHT.jpg","width":800}])
Shining our Light
How do we bring light into our world? In preparation for Hanukkah, we asked our students to consider this question.
![Four children holding magnifying glasses inspecting a small decomposing stump on the forest floor.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733335521/portland/e4lufuy7nzo066ixxrkb/TinyScientistsBigDiscoveries-image.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733335521/portland/e4lufuy7nzo066ixxrkb/TinyScientistsBigDiscoveries-image.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733335521/portland/e4lufuy7nzo066ixxrkb/TinyScientistsBigDiscoveries-image.jpg","width":800}])
Tiny Scientists, Big Discoveries!
First graders embarked on a journey into the microscopic world of decomposers, discovering how these tiny organisms play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.