Hillel Academy Capital Naming & Building Campaign
Since its founding in 1947, Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh has grown to offer a highly accredited and exceptionally strong foundation in Judaic and General Studies. The school has been at its current location on Beacon Street in the heart of Squirrel Hill since 1959. Our students excel academically and score amongst the highest in standardized testing and continue to win scholastic awards on the state and national level.
In order to accommodate our growing pre-school enrollment, our physical facilities and early childhood programming are in need of new resources, expansion and refurbishment. A Capital Building & Naming Campaign are necessary to ensure the future of our school.
Building and Facilities
Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh- A meaningful opportunity to name the entire school by establishing an honorial or memorial tribute that will create an identification and bond to Jewish education for perpetuity.
Gift: $1,000,000
Pre-School: Named
Jean & Lillian Goldstein Pre-School - Of Blessed Memory
Elementary School: Named
Mark L. Rosenblum Elementary School – Of Blessed Memory
Girl’s High School: Named
Abe & Helen Ohringer High School
Inner Foyer Entrance* - Secured front entry facing Beacon Street. Security camera in this area monitors all visitors entering and exiting the building.
Gift: $ 25,000
Main Foyer Entrance*- 
This expansive area acts as a welcoming and gathering point for all who enter into our school. The original wall mural depicting biblical scenes was installed in the mid 1950’s. Over the years, the main foyer has become worn and dated and is need of renovation and remodeling. This area represents a highly visible and meaningful opportunity to establish an honorial or memorial tribute.
Gift: $75,000
Student Library: Named
Garrett-Bloom Library- Named by one of our alumni to honor their parents. Drs. Jeffrey Garrett and Elana Bloom are currently parents of children enrolled at Hillel. Their ongoing support of the school is a wonderful gift to all children.
Judaic Library*: Named
Abraham Butler Library- Named to honor one of the founding fathers Hillel Academy. This library houses an extensive collection of Hebrew and Judaic text used by the faculty, students and community. Our goal is to modernize and provide Judaic computer programs, activities and enhanced learning opportunities to this already valuable asset. This is a rededication opportunity.
Gift: $18,000
Computer Lab: Named
Charles Morris Technology Center- This dedicated learning area is equipped with approximately 12 computers and printers. Each computer is loaded with up-to-date programs that will enhance and facilitate a wide range of learning abilities and activities. Both students and faculty use the computers for learning, research and class work preparation. Additional funds are needed to replace and upgrade computers and purchase additional new learning programs.
Faculty Lounge*- An important area that allows our staff of teachers to prepare their next lessons, do research, or relax and refresh themselves before teaching their next class.
Gift: $50,000
High School Lounge*- An area where our high school girls meet to study, plan activities and to socialize. Minds and friendships are expanded here.
Gift: $50,000
Kitchen- Our kosher kitchen serves both the student and staff needs for breakfast, lunch and snacks as well as for catering to school and community related special events.
Gift: $15,000
Gross-Motor Skills Room*- Pre-school playroom devoted to the development of gross- motor skill. This large open room is equipped with educational toys that encourage coordination and shared play/learning. This room doubles as an important activity area during inclement weather.
Gift: $15,000
Pre-School Playground*- This fenced in area is located behind the pre-school classrooms. A variety of playground equipment and riding toys provides our youngest students with a safe opportunity to play and develop social and gross motor skills.
Gift: $50,000
Gymnasium*- A full sized gym offers an important facility to ensure that all of our students are engaged in a physical education program that promotes and encourages exercise through a wide range of activities. This area doubles as an important play area for the older students during inclement weather.
Gift: $250,000
Meditation Garden- Named – Of Blessed Memory
Pelled Memorial Garden is located in front of Hillel Academy facing Beacon Street. This tree-shaded area enhances the exterior of our school.
Flag Area- Located in front of Hillel Academy facing Beacon Street. Daily American and Israeli flag-raising/lowering ceremony is observed to instill a sense of patriotism and Zionism. This shaded area with benches also provides a serene outdoor learning environment.
Gift: $18,000
Multi-Use Classrooms- Throughout the building, a number of grade-level and special focus classrooms are available for dedication. Classrooms which have already dedicated include: Room 107 - In Memory of Rabbi Marine
Room 112 - In Honor of Saul (OBM) and Miriam Fineberg
Room 116 - In Memory of Dr. David Linzer
Science Lab by Drs. Joel & Tova Weinberg
Special Education Resource Center – Mr. & Mrs. Ira Marshak
Gift: $25,000 (18 available; 5 reserved)
Special Needs Classroom- Teachers meet privately with individual students and small groups of students who have special learning needs and an I.E.P. to augment and enhance their learning. Meeting privately and in a quiet classroom provides the one-on-one attention that many students need to progress and succeed.
Gift: $10,000
II. Sanctuary –
Pfeffer Bais Medrash: Named
Dedicated by one of the leaders within our community and a patron of our educational institution. Because of their support we are blessed with a most dignified and beautiful space for our daily worship and study.
Ark- Opportunity to memorialize or honor the spiritual center housing the Torahs that used by the children for their morning and holiday services
Gift: $100,000
Torahs- Scrolls for Shacharis used on Monday and Thursday mornings by our students. Our Torahs are in need of repair and restoration. Honorial or memorial gift will include a new torah cover as part of the dedication.
Gift: $25,000 per Torah
Ner Tamid- A guiding light to us in the mission of educating our children. This eternal light is a symbolic remembrance of the menorah of the First and Second Temples.
Gift: $15,000
Bima- The Bima is the focal point of the Pfeffer Bais Medrash. Upon it, our children are called to read form our holy Torah. Our rabbis, teachers and guest speakers deliver important lessons and instruction to our students, faculty and parent body.
Gift: $50,000
Lectern- The lectern acts as an area where the leader of the service can pray and rest his book.
Gift: $1,000
Windows- Opportunity in our Pfeffer Bais Medarash to design and install biblical stained or decorative glass windows.
Gift: $10,000 Each window (6)
Bookcases- These shelves house the important primary text including but not limited to Talmud, Mishna, Siddurim, Chumashim, Shulchan Aruch.
Gift: $2,500 each (3)
Yahrzeit Plaque holders- Many of our teachers, alumni and students and their extended families observe the tradition of purchasing a yahrzeit plaques in memory of their beloved family members. During the course of the year, our older students make certain that the individual plaques are illuminated on their anniversary dates.
Gift: $7,500 (2)
Mezuzah Plaque- Each classroom and office doorframe is sanctified with the holy blessings of the Shema. A plaque will be installed in the outer foyer entrance to dedicate each mezuzah.
Gift: Plaque: $5,000 Mezuzah: $1,000 each
III. Administrative and Professional Offices:
Office of the Dean – Named:
Office of Principal of General Studies- This office houses the important work of the general studies principal for grades 1-12 in the Mark I. Rosenblum Elementary School and the Abe & Helen Ohringer High School. Honorial or memorial opportunity to safeguard our young people’s future by assuring that they are given the academic tools that will enable them to be admitted to the finest Universities and post-high school programs.
Gift: $36,000
Office of Principal of Judaic Studies- This office houses the important works of the principal for our Judaic studies program for grades 1-12 in the Mark I. Rosenblum Elementary School and the Abe & Helen Ohringer High School. Honorial or memorial opportunity to ensure and preserve our young people’s future by creating a Torah environment that will teach life-long values and skills and will prepare them for life long Torah learning.
Gift: $36,000
Office of Administrative Assistant to the Dean& Principals - This area represents both the focal point for all student/faculty/parent-related information and the busiest activity center of the entire school. All information pertaining to school/student/staff activities originates from this office. This office is charged with the responsibility of coordinating day-to-day activity and information.
Gift: $36,000
Office of the High School Advisor - The office of the High School Advisor provides both academic support and counseling as well as emotional and spiritual guidance for the young women in grades 9-12 in the Abe & Helen Ohringer High School. This office is an important place where the students come for information and advice, to share ideas and sort through problems and discuss plans and dreams for their future.
Gift: $36,000
Office of the Pre-School Director - The office of the pre-school director oversees all aspects of our NAEYC accredited Jean & Lillian Goldstein Pre-School. Developmentally appropriate curriculum is created for the team of teachers working with our youngest two-year-olds through our kindergarten students. This office serves as a resource center to staff and intervention area for individual children or group management.
Gift: $36,000
Financial Office:
This office is responsible for maintaining all pecuniary activities for the school. All matters and records relating to fiscal planning, accounts receivables and payables, tuition and financial aid, employee compensation and benefits and analysis and projections of the school’s current and future monetary needs are handled by the book keeper and financial officer.
Gift: $25,000
Development Office - The primary work of this office is to create opportunities within the school and the larger community to raise the additional dollars that are needed to cover the mounting operating expenses and the basis for future growth and expansion of the school. Development is accomplished through fundraising efforts, special events, alumni development, bequests and grants.
Gift: $54,000
* Each of these established and designated areas are visibly and in many cases functionally worn out and in need of repair. A portion of each Gift will be used to refurbish and remodel in a manner that is appropriate and will enhance the learning and teaching environment.