Perelman Jewish Day School and Barrack Hebrew Academy to merge
The Perelman Jewish Day School and Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy announced that the two schools plan to merge. An independent pre-kindergarten through grade 12 Jewish day school is planned for the Greater Philadelphia area, opening in the fall of 2027.
The Bryn Mawr-based Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, founded in 1946 as Akiba Hebrew Academy, is a pluralistic Jewish day school for students in grades 6 through 12. (Image courtesy of JMBHA)The name of the new school will be announced at a later date. A new combined school will utilize different campuses of both current facilities in Melrose Park, Wynnewood, and Bryn Mawr. The unified school will be the only pre-kindergarten through 12 Jewish community day school in the Philadelphia area to serve a broad spectrum of the Jewish community.
“The two schools share a commitment to exceptional academics and programs infused with Jewish wisdom and values, a strong connection to Israel and the Jewish people, and the preparation of students to live lives of purpose, leadership, and contribution,” officials said in a joint press release.
In a joint letter to the community, Dov Haselkorn, Perelman Jewish Day School Board President, and Jonathan Zabusky and Scott Erlbaum, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy Board Co-Presidents, wrote, “For nearly two years, Board leaders and Heads of School from both institutions have engaged in thoughtful, sustained collaboration to explore how best to advance Jewish education for the future. This work has affirmed what we believe deeply: together, we can build on the distinctive strengths, traditions, and cultures families cherish at each school—while creating something even stronger for the next generation.”
The board presidents also announced in the letter to the community that Rabbi Marshall Lesack, Barrack Hebrew Academy’s Head of School since 2021―and a Barrack alumnus and Perelman alumni parent―has been appointed the first head of school for the new facility. Daniel Eisenstadt, an officer of the Perelman board of directors, will chair the new school’s board.
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead the new unified school and am committed to carrying forward the distinguished and rigorous academic standards and cherished traditions and cultures of both legacy schools as we engage in the sacred work of educating future generations of Jewish leaders,” Lesack said.
“Our vision is a transformative educational experience in which students are known and nurtured, grow to their fullest potential, engage meaningfully in Jewish learning and life, deepen their commitment to Israel, and make a lasting impact in the world,” the board presidents wrote in their announcement. “Concurrently, we seek to build deeper relationships across Jewish Philadelphia through ongoing engagement with families and partners in the broader community, realizing our vision of the school as a welcoming hub for learning, growth, and connection.”
“We believe that we are stronger when we work together on behalf of our shared values, our students and their families, and our community,” said Eisenstadt. “We also know that Jewish education has never been more critical than it is now, and it is clear to us that a unified school will put us in the strongest position to ensure that Jewish education thrives in Greater Philadelphia and beyond for generations to come.”
“The merger of Perelman Jewish Day School and Barrack Hebrew Academy marks a defining moment for the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community,” said Michael Balaban, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. “Together, they will form the region’s first pre-K–12 Jewish community day school. Creating a seamless, values-driven educational journey for the next generation.”
Barrack and Perelman will maintain their current operations for the 2026-27 school year, while beginning to unify their admissions and development programs. Each school will be led by a dedicated senior leadership team working closely with Lesack.
Perelman―whose Head of School Mitchell Daar, previously announced that he would become Head of School at his alma mater in Chicago and will depart Perelman at the end of the current school year―will bring in an Interim Head of School for the upcoming school year. Beginning in fall 2027, faculty and staff from both schools will come together in the new unified school―located across three Perelman and Barrack campuses.
“At a time when strengthening Jewish identity and connection has never been more important, this unification represents both vision and momentum. By bringing these two institutions together, they are not only expanding access to high-quality Jewish education, but they are also fostering continuity and building a stronger, more connected community for years to come,” Balaban added.
Perelman Jewish Day School was founded in 1956 and is a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade school. It’s located on two Greater Philadelphia campuses, one in Melrose Park and one in Wynnewood.
“Perelman’s mission is to cultivate character, inspire minds, and nurture souls while preparing students to build lives of contribution and purpose,” the school said in a press release. “The school provides a bilingual, immersive curriculum that combines academic excellence with Jewish values and wisdom to foster future leaders, change agents, and compassionate individuals.”
The Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, founded in 1946 as Akiba Hebrew Academy, is a pluralistic Jewish day school for students in grades 6 through 12 from a wide variety of backgrounds. Located in Bryn Mawr, the school integrates a comprehensive and rigorous college preparatory curriculum, while teaching Jewish and American values and texts, officials said.
Perhaps the most well-known graduate of the then Akiba Hebrew Academy is Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Both schools launched dedicated web pages and announced upcoming in-person and online community meetings for those who want to learn more, as well as email addresses where questions can be sent: [email protected] and [email protected].
