Berman Hebrew Academy

What an incredibly exciting week at Berman!

We have so many moments, milestones, and photos to share from the past few days, and we’ll be posting more soon. But we wanted to begin with two beautiful culminating experiences that captured the heart of our school community.

On Monday evening, we celebrated our Upper School Graduation, honoring the Class of 2026 with beautiful speeches, meaningful moments, and the joy of watching our graduates take this next important step.

We also celebrated our 5th Grade Siyum, as our students marked the completion of Lower School and prepared to move on to Middle School. This year’s siyum featured a special new format, beginning with parent-child learning, where students connected with their parents, reflected on favorite Lower School memories, and proudly shared their learning.

From our youngest leaders stepping into Middle School to our graduates preparing for life beyond Berman, this week reminded us how much there is to celebrate at every stage of the journey.

More to come...

For nearly 30 years, Norma Johnson has helped generations of Berman students understand that history is not simply something we study. It is something we inherit, question, learn from, and carry forward with responsibility.

As a beloved history teacher and educational leader, Ms. Johnson brought civic learning to life. She challenged students to think deeply, ask hard questions, listen carefully, and see themselves as active participants in the world around them. Through her teaching, students learned not only about the past, but about their own role in shaping the future.

Her commitment to civic education has had a lasting impact on our school. Under her leadership, U.S. History became a foundational part of the high school experience, helping students begin their Upper School years with a deeper understanding of citizenship, responsibility, and belonging. Read more in this recent Prizmah article - https://prizmah.org/hayidion/cusp/wisdom-wicked-child-reclaiming-civic-education?__cf_chl_rt_tk=kkM5EgdlF3..AAVKcttDqYiSfzr4Pp6LYQ6xbbF9D5A-1780664730-1.0.1.1-Imxx8JeyzhWrFQ4HL0nfA5rAXLi3qQbvhVHHVin9G9Y

While Ms. Johnson is retiring from teaching at Berman, her important work continues through , where she will continue helping schools across faith traditions strengthen civic knowledge, responsibility, and belonging in their communities.

Thank you, Ms. Johnson, for your years of dedication, wisdom, and inspiration. Your impact on Berman students, faculty, and families will be felt for generations.

Mazal tov to the Berman Hebrew Academy Class of 2026!

This morning we had the honor of beginning our graduation celebrations with our Senior Brunch. Seniors and their parents were treated to a brunch where we spoke about each of our graduates and shared this year's awards recipients. We can't wait for graduation tomorrow night! And a special mazal tov to the many families who are graduating their youngest child this year!

Our 7th graders took learning beyond the classroom during Minimester!

Throughout the week, students worked in cohorts for an intensive deep dive into topics like crime scene investigation, fashion, the science of sports, food management, and more. They explored their subjects through hands-on activities, field trips, guest speakers, collaboration, and real-world learning experiences.

At the end of the week, students showcased their learning through creative “exhibits,” sharing what they discovered, created, and investigated with our community.

What an exciting week in Middle School!

Our 6th graders headed off to Teva for an unforgettable outdoor learning experience filled with exploration, connection, and hands-on discovery. Meanwhile, our 8th graders celebrated their Middle School journey with a culminating trip to Hershey Park and New York City, making memories together as they prepare for the next chapter.

And there’s more to come! Stay tuned to hear all about 7th grade’s Minimester when it wraps up tomorrow.

We are proud to celebrate 11th grade student David Melamed, whose independent research project was published in the American Journal of Student Research!

David’s systematic review, “Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition After ACL Reconstruction: Implications for Return-to-Sport Decision-Making,” explores how neuromuscular factors may affect athletes recovering from ACL reconstruction and the decisions involved in safely returning to sports.

This impressive accomplishment reflects David’s curiosity, dedication, and commitment to serious academic research. Mazal tov, David! We are so proud to see your work recognized and shared with a broader scholarly audience.

Read More - https://ajosr.org/papers/volume-4/issue-3/arthrogenic-muscle-inhibition-after-acl-reconstruction-implications-for-return-to-sport-decision-making/

Our 3rd and 4th grade students had an unforgettable day exploring Washington, D.C.!

The trip began with a special visit to the White House, followed by lunch at Pershing Park and a meaningful stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial before heading home.

The day was filled with fun, learning, and wonderful memories, and our students represented Berman beautifully.

A special thank you to Lower School Assistant Principal, Rachel Cohen, for organizing an incredible interactive tour, complete with a scavenger hunt that made the experience even more engaging for our students!

Our 5th graders wrapped up their colonial studies with an unforgettable trip to Williamsburg!

As the culmination of their learning about colonial America, students explored Colonial Williamsburg, went fishing, enjoyed time at the amusement park, and made memories together during this special end-of-Lower-School experience.

Beyond the history and hands-on learning, the trip was also a meaningful opportunity for our students to bond, celebrate their time together, and mark this exciting milestone before moving up to Middle School.

What a wonderful way to bring their studies to life and close out their Lower School years!

Our seniors are making the most of their Senior Trip to Deep Creek this week!

Today, they braved some very white waters on an exciting rafting adventure, cheering each other on and creating memories they’ll carry with them long after graduation. This trip has been a wonderful opportunity for the Class of 2026 to spend meaningful time together as a community, celebrate their friendships, and soak in these final moments as Berman students.

We are so proud of our seniors and can’t wait to celebrate all that is ahead! 💙🤍