Greenfield Hebrew Academy's upcoming graduation day not only marks the end of one stage and the beginning of another for its 50 eighth graders, but also brings to a close a year of growth for GHA. GHA implemented technological and programming changes and added Directorial positions, that further enhanced the quality of education at GHA. Notes Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, GHA's newly appointed Head of School, "These changes have led us on to exciting new changes for the future." With new student applications for the 2004-2005 school year surpassing last year's new student enrollment by almost 8 percent and the expansion into new grades in the M'silot program, the future couldn't be more promising for the Academy.

GHA's graduating class

In an informal survey conducted in mid-March, a significant number of graduating students indicated that they would be continuing their education in a Jewish environment, not only representing the students' impressive commitment to Judaism, but also indicating GHA's lasting impression on them. "GHA has shaped me into the person I am," says Carla Traub, who volunteers in a nursing home once a week with her sister. Classmate Sara Frankel, who volunteers at the Weinstein preschool afternoons and summers, agrees, "I think [the Academy has] helped build my Jewish character." Adds Student Council co-president Jacob Plasker, "GHA connected me to my religion more."

Coming from nearly twenty different pre-schools, four counties, and members of over twenty synagogues, the school's growing student body truly represents the character of Atlanta's Jewish population. Says Student Council co-president Adin Pearl, "I have learned to be with many different people with different Jewish backgrounds and have received a sense of good morals." 

Greenfield Hebrew Academy is one of Federation's local beneficiary agencies, and received an allocation of $422,139 in FY04.