metro Celebration T FJA looks back at its expansion and success as a Jewish day high school. he idea of building a school like Frankel Jewish Academy from scratch was so audacious many doubted it could be done well, if at all. Now, 13 years later, FJA is celebrating its bar/bat mitzvah year by continuing to grow and surprise — and with a celebra- tion April 30 honoring donors Jean and Samuel Frankel's contributions to Jewish education. The school's founders "felt there was a tremendous void for a Jewish day high school [that has a dual curriculum, is col- lege preparatory and non-denomination- al]:' said former president Steve Shanes, "but there were many in the community that doubted us. And there are many in the community that still doubt us. But, year after year, we surprise them. Each week I come by here, I see something that I haven't seen before. And I can't stop smil- ing. It's just wonderful." FJA has expanded in myriad ways: from 51 students in 2000 to close to five times that number today; from modest perform- ing arts productions to award-winning plays at the Berman Center; from a hand- ful of sports teams to more than a dozen, including the only all-Jewish ice hockey club team in the nation, and more. The school has regularly raised the bar in innovation, with moves such as inte- grating iPads school-wide in 2011 and offering classes in entrepreneurship and operations research. Just as importantly, FJA has grown from a tiny school with a limited student base and an uncertain future to a pillar of the community that attracts a wide array of students, from every part of Jewish Detroit. Fully 40 percent of this year's freshman class of students comes not from local Jewish day schools, but from public schools and other private schools. on to study at noted institutions of higher learning in the United States and Israel. Afterward, most remain in the Metro Detroit area; some even work at FJA. As alumni marry and start to raise children here, they envision sending their kids to FJA one day, too. "It is a great source of pride for the Detroit Jewish community that one of the nation's top Jewish high schools is located in our city:' said Head of School Rabbi Eric Grossman. "So many of FJAs faculty and students, myself included, have come from all parts of the country and the world to be part of this unique and dynamic educa- tional and religious community. "Our founders dreamed of a school that could offer secular academics on the level of the best private schools, and Jewish studies that would prepare students to be lifelong learners, and attend the top Jewish studies programs and yeshivot. I see them look at the school now, the way all parents look at their children at their bar or bat mitzvah, and say, 'I can't believe how much you have done in such a short time. Imagine what you will accomplish in the next 13 years!"' ❑ FJA students: front: Ben Canvasser and Jeremy Cohn, West Bloomfield; Aviv Lis, Farmington Hills; Emery Weiss, West Bloomfield; Asaf Pollock, Huntington Woods. Back row: Danielle Keith, Farmington; Samantha Goldsmith, West Bloomfield; Anil Nadiv and Jesse Adler, Farmington Hills; Erica Kelman, Southfield. Standing: Samantha Grosinger, Farmington Hills; Sarah Broner, West Bloomfield; and Rabbi Eric Grossman, head of school. At the heart of the school's success is its foundation in the "four pillars" of open intellectual inquiry, commitment to the study and practice of Jewish law, ardent Zionism, and a deep appreciation for America and Western civilization. As Jeffrey Weiss, father of FJA graduate Kenny Weiss, said of his son's transition to college: "The academic excellence at FJA not only opened the door for my son to attend a wonderful college but, more importantly, opened his heart by instilling priceless Jewish values:' The hundreds of FJA alumni have gone On April 30, a fundraising celebration of the late Jean and Samuel Frankel's contributions to Jewish education will be held at 7 p.m. at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. Remarks by U-M Prof. Zvi Gitelman. Tickets are $118 and $36 for FJA alumni. Patron tickets start at $1,800 and include a strolling dinner at 6 p.m. Contact Tim Burke at (248) 592-5263 ext. 235 or tburke@ frankelja.org . Frankel Jewish Academy milestones 1997 Parents meet to discuss the creation of a Jewish day high school. 1998 Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit grants $750,000 in matching funds for the school being planned. 2000 Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit opens its doors to 51 freshmen and sophomores. JAMD is housed in the basement of the West Bloomfield JCC. Schostak family donates $1 million. 10 April 25 • 2013 2001 Enrollment increases to 91 students in grades 9-11. School moves to portables. 2002 Enrollment increases to 113 in grades 9-12. Frankel family donates $20 million. 2003 School receives !SACS accreditation. First senior class trip to Israel. First commencement ceremonies. 2006 Enrollment increases to 212 students. School renamed the Jean and Samuel Frankel Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit (FJA). 2007 School moves into 50,000-square-foot facility on the second floor of the JCC. 2008 Rabbi Eric Grossman appointed new head of school. First wedding of an alumnus. 2010 First baby born to an FJA alumnus. 2012 With enrollment up to 228, school celebrates its bar/bat mitzvah year.