From its inception, the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy has been known for its pluralism. The Kansas City Jewish community couldn’t possibly support Jewish schools for different movements, so HBHA was designed as a community day school when it was created 45 years ago.

But that didn’t always serve the needs of the Orthodox Jewish community. In the past many families left town in search of the proper education for their children or sent them away to boarding schools in Memphis, Tenn., Chicago or New York. Two years ago, after being approached by members in the community, school officials decided to try to find a way to provide the type of Jewish education these families requested.

“We needed a school community that unapologetically taught according to Halachah and Orthodox Jewish practice,” explained HBHA Head of Jewish Studies Rabbi Avi Weinstein. “We were excited by the idea that might be possible.”

So with the help of the Community Kollel of Kansas City and Congregation BIAV’s Dani Rockoff, a program was created two years ago to give the school’s youngest students a more in-depth Jewish education. The program, known as Matmidim (the persistent ones), began for kindergartners and adds a new grade each year. This year it is in grades kindergarten through second. These students attend general studies and specials with their entire grade. They break off into a separate class for Hebrew, prayer and Judaic studies. Currently there are about eight students enrolled in each of the three grades.

“This program was initiated to meet the growing needs of the Orthodox community to have a program of its own where their practice at home would be reinforced in the school as well as a tool for the growth of the community,” Rabbi Rockoff said.
The program was created at HBHA, Rabbi Weinstein said, because it is in everybody’s interest not to replicate infrastructure.

“Our hope would be that while one community would be happy our entire community would be enriched just by demonstrating that part of a pluralistic vision is to give people what they want Jewishly without us judging whether it’s good or bad,” Rabbi Weinstein said.
Rabbi Rockoff said he is pleased that the Orthodox community and the school have worked together on this project for a variety of reasons, including the sharing of resources.

“We support the Academy as the flagship educational institution for day school education in Kansas City. We want the community as a whole to be stronger,” Rabbi Rockoff said. “The HBHA administration as well as the lay leadership has really shown support for our program and for our community. Things are going very well and we are looking forward to growth and success.”

Rabbi Weinstein pointed out that the program isn’t exclusively for Orthodox children.

“Any child can attend this program. They just have to understand the framework in which this program is operated. Every single year we’ve had people who are not Orthodox in practice in this program,” he said.

Rabbi Rockoff said plans are to continue growing the program through eighth grade. Other than adding second grade, the only change made to the program this year is the expansion of the role Ayala Rockoff, Ph.D., plays. The first-grade Matmidim instructor is now also the liaison for the community and has become the curriculum coordinator.

“She will spiral and build the curriculum and make sure it fills the needs that this curriculum requires,” Rabbi Weinstein said.

Older HBHA students who want more Jewish enrichment often meet one-on-one with a member of the Kollel.

“If an older student wants Jewish enrichment, we make sure they get it,” Rabbi Weinstein said.

Parent Cara Ernstein likes the program, and its small classes, for her 6-year-old daughter Charli.

“A lot of kids start school needing to learn basic Judaism like what is kosher and what is Shabbat,” Ernstein said. “In our case, we do that already, so it gives our daughter a chance to get a deeper understanding of laws and customs and things like that.”

Rabbi Rockoff said the program has already been instrumental in keeping families here. It’s also been instrumental in attracting Orthodox families to the community.

“Now we can tell people about our very exciting and innovative Matmidim program that is continuing to grow. There have been families who have moved here for the express purpose of supporting our community and the growth of the Matmidim program,” Rabbi Rockoff said.

Minyans available to all

Two minyans take place every day there is school at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy — one egalitarian and one with a mechitzah. The community is welcome to attend either minyan.

“People in the community have always come and we always like that,” said Rabbi Avi Weinstein, HBHA head of Jewish Studies.
Minyan begins at 7:55 a.m. The egalitarian minyan is held in the chapel and the mechitzah minyan is in Conference Room C.

“Depending on your flavor of Judaism, everyone will feel comfortable and everyone is welcome,” Rabbi Weinstein said.