About

Shape

Hillel Academy has been educating Jewish children in Colorado since 1953, instilling generations with a love of Torah, a passion for learning, and a commitment to personal growth.

We are proud of the many contributions Hillel Academy graduates have made to their families, their communities, and beyond. Today, Hillel Academy continues to provide a strong Judaic and General Studies education, while nurturing and inspiring our students.

Hillel Academy’s early childhood education department, and separate girls and boys divisions are located on a spacious campus in the heart of the East Denver community, in the shadow of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

Mission & Vision

We partner with our families to help children grow into proud, compassionate, and committed young adults, able to succeed in high school and beyond.

Our vision is to serve the needs of every child and raise the bar for excellence in elementary school Torah education in Denver.

Accreditations & Affiliations

Hillel Academy is proud to be accredited and certified by Cognia, the premier educational accrediting agency. We are also privileged to be affiliated with Torah Umesorah – The National Society for Hebrew Day Schools.

Additionally, our Early Childhood Center is honored to have received the highest possible rating of 5 stars from Colorado Shines, a quality rating and improvement system that monitors and supports early learning programs.

History

In 1953, Colorado saw history in the making. Several pioneering families dreamed of bringing Torah-based education to the region. Their determination led to the founding of the first Jewish day school west of the Mississippi. In September 1953, the school opened its doors with two teachers and 27 students in kindergarten and first grade.

For over 70 years, Hillel Academy, the first Jewish day school in the West, has served as an example of dedication and faith. Over several decades, Hillel Academy has grown significantly. Originally housed in two classrooms in Beth Joseph Congregation, in 1958 Hillel Academy moved to an abandoned school building on Holly and Leetsdale. Seven years later, a new facility was built with the guidance and support of Sheldon Beren, zt”l. The building was recently expanded and renovated thanks to the generosity of Dr. Philip and Mrs Leah Mehler.

Our Leadership

Mr. Avi Mehler – President

Mr. Graeme Bean – Member at Large

Rabbi Ephraim Cunningham – Member at Large

Rabbi Hillel Erlanger – Member at Large

Mr. Zvi Gelt – Member at Large

Rabbi Avraham Mintz – Member at Large

Mr. Dov Ort – Member at Large

Mr. Avi Mehler – President

Mr. Graeme Bean – Member at Large

Rabbi Ephraim Cunningham – Member at Large

Mr. Yehuda Aminov – Member at Large

Mr. Zvi Gelt – Member at Large

Rabbi Avraham Mintz – Member at Large

Mr. Dov Ort – Member at Large

Mrs. Chaya Abrams – Educational Coordinator

Miss Bayla Chill – School Receptionist

Mrs. Eliana David – School Receptionist

Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh Finkelstein – Director of Development

Mrs. Faigy Gertz – Assistant Menaheles

Rabbi Yisroel Goldbaum- Principal

Mrs. Devorah Leah Gorelik – Database Administrator

Mrs. Yehudis Heyman – Accountant

Mr. Mordechai Hoffman – Executive Director

Mrs. Karen Schweitzer – Special Services Coordinator & Early Childhood Director

Mrs. Naami Zuckerman – Marketing & Communications Director

Rabbi Avraham Abrams – 3rd Grade Boys Kodesh, 4th Grade Boys General Studies

Mrs. Kineret Abrams – 2nd Grade Girls Kodesh

Mrs. Yehudis Shifra Aragon – Art/PE

Rabbi Dovid Balaban – 6th Grade Boys Kodesh

Mrs. Chana Borukhov – Preschool Assistant

Mr. Marc Bull – 3rd Grade Boys General Studies

Rabbi Eli Chernitzky – 4th Grade Boys Kodesh, 7-8th Grade Boys General Studies

Miss Miriam Chernitzky – 2nd Grade Girls General Studies

Mr. Justin Churillo – 6th Grade Boys General Studies

Ms. Patricia DeLeon – 5th Grade Girls General Studies

Ms. Karine Drechsel – Kindergarten General Studies

Mrs. Margaret Elfstrom – Kindergarten Assistant

Mrs. Rena Finkelstein – 5th Grade Girls Kodesh & 8th Grade Girls Science

Mrs. Connie Fisher – Kindergarten & 1st Grade General Studies

Miss Chava Leah Fleisher – 2nd Grade Boys General Studies

Mrs. Estee Fraitag – 1st Grade ASsistant

Mrs. Raacheli Fried – Preschool

Mrs. Leah Fyzakov – Preschool Aide

Miss Dena Heyman – 6th Grade Girls Science, 7th & 8th Grade Girls Social Studies

Mrs. Chavi Greiniman – Kindergarten & Resource Room Teacher Kodesh

Rabbi Yeshayahu Greiniman – 2nd Grade Boys Kodesh, 5th Grade Boys General Studies, 7th Grade Boys Science

Mrs. Esti Gross – 4th Grade Girls Kodesh

Mrs. Sara Halpern – 7th Grade Girls Kodesh

Mrs. Elana Hoffman – 3rd Grade Girls General Studies

Mrs. Adina Horowitz – Middle School Girls Math

Mrs. Miriam Joseph – 3rd Grade Girls Kodesh

Miss Penina Joseph – Preschool Kodesh

Mrs. Tzippy Kamenetsky – Ruach Program

Mrs. Rivky Kaplan – Kindergarten Kodesh

Mrs. Tzippy Katanov – 2nd Grade Boys Assistant

Mrs. Tamar Kellner – Resource Room Kodesh

Mrs. Shevy Kipper – 1st Grade Kodesh

Ms. Esther Malka Kishkinov – Preschool Assistant

Mrs. Jeannie Kravitz – Librarian

Rabbi Levi Lebovits – Mashpia

Mrs. Yocheved Lebovits –  6th Grade Girls Kodesh

Rabbi Chaim Leib Lipschutz – 7th Grade Boys Kodesh

Ms. Hana Rafailova – Preschool General Studies

Miss Shoshana Reiss – 1st Grade Assistant

Miss Hadassa Ross – Kindergarten Assistant

Mrs. Inbal Shraiber – Kriah Specialist & Language Arts Proctor

Rabbi Aaron Sommers – Resource Room Kodesh

Miss Emma Taylor – Preschool Assistant

Mrs. Brocha Leah Wenger – 8th Grade Girls Kodesh

Rabbi Aharon Wilen – 8th Grade Boys Kodesh

Rabbi Avi Wilen – 5th Grade Boys Kodesh