Brandeis Hebrew Academy in Lawrence is beginning a new chapter as Lev Jewish Academy — with the aim to strengthen Jewish education and expand opportunities for children to attend Jewish day school.
The move was made possible through a partnership with the Leviev Foundation and philanthropist Lev Leviev.
The transition was celebrated at an Oct. 15 dedication ceremony, which was attended by Lev and Olga Leviev; their daughter, Chagit Leviev-Sofiev, the school’s new president; Head of School Raz Levin; and school families, community leaders and rabbis from the Five Towns and beyond.
For families who have been part of Brandeis, the change represents more than a new name, signaling a renewed vision for a school that seeks to combine academic excellence with a meaningful Jewish education rooted in Torah, mitzvot and Jewish values and tradition.
“We want our students to know where they came from, their history, their traditions, to develop a love for Torah, Israel and the Jewish people,” Levin said.
At the same time, he said, students must become accomplished readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists and thinkers, prepared to succeed in the wider world while remaining connected to their Jewish identities.
“We are preparing our children not only to succeed in the world, but to face the world knowing exactly who they are,” Levin said.
The school’s Modern Orthodox approach is designed to give students a strong foundation in Jewish learning while preparing them to be thoughtful, confident participants in contemporary society.
The partnership with the Leviev family is intended to help advance that vision while making Jewish education accessible to more families.
For Leviev-Sofiev, the commitment is personal.
“Jewish education has been part of my family’s legacy for generations,” she said.
She recounted how her grandfather worked to help Jewish families maintain their traditions, including during a period when Jewish religious life faced significant restrictions in the former Soviet Union.
The message helped shape the family’s philanthropic work, she said, which has supported more than 150 Jewish schools and educational institutions throughout the former Soviet Union, Israel and elsewhere.
The family’s commitment to Jewish education in New York began more than 25 years ago, she said, and has continued to grow.
Leviev-Sofiev described her father as someone who continually pushes the family to expand its efforts.
“We need to do, we need to help, we need to work, we need to build,” she said, recalling his message.
She thanked her parents for teaching her the importance of taking responsibility for the Jewish community and expressed gratitude to Levin, the school’s teachers and staff, its leadership and the families who support its mission.
The Leviev Foundation’s current education program is specifically designed to help Jewish families whose children attend public schools, or are transitioning from them, make the move to Jewish day school. The program provides financial assistance and guidance to families navigating that transition.
For Lev Jewish Academy, the initiative creates an opportunity to reach parents who may have wanted a Jewish education for their children but believed it was financially out of reach.
Levin said the school’s mission carries particular importance at a time when antisemitism is increasingly visible, and Jewish children may face hostility because of their identity.
“Our children are growing up in a world where they may encounter prejudice simply because they are Jewish,” he said.
He added that the answer is to strengthen Jewish communities and educate the next generation.
“We respond by building strong schools. We respond by strengthening our communities,” Levin said. “And most importantly, we respond by educating our children.”
Village of Lawrence Mayor Samuel Nahmias welcomed the Leviev family and recognized their contributions to Jewish education in a village proclamation presented during the ceremony.
The mayor also noted the school’s longstanding roots in Lawrence, pointing out that the institution predates the village’s incorporation.
“Lev Jewish Academy is an invaluable part of our community,” Nahmias said. “Its commitment to Jewish values, academic excellence and the preservation of Jewish tradition makes it an important institution in Lawrence.”
In the proclamation, Nahmias recognized Lev and Olga Leviev and the Leviev Foundation for their generosity, leadership and commitment to supporting Jewish education and preserving Jewish heritage.
Under the Lev Jewish Academy name, the school aims to build on its existing foundation while creating new possibilities for families seeking an education that challenges students academically, strengthens their Jewish identities and prepares them to become future leaders, the school’s leaders said.
“My family has always believed that we have a responsibility to invest in Jewish education and to ensure that the next generation has the opportunity to learn, grow and remain connected to its heritage,” Leviev-Sofiev said. “May Lev Jewish Academy continue to grow and flourish, raising generations of Jewish children who are proud of their identity.”
