Lawrence, New York—On Thursday, October 15, Lev Jewish Academy marked a milestone in its history as parents, alumni, distinguished guests, elected officials, and leaders of the local Jewish community and the Bukharian Jewish community of Queens gathered in Lawrence, New York, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the school’s new name and strategic partnership with the Leviev Foundation and the Jewish Institute of Queens (JIQ) school network.
Young yeshiva students and teachers lined up to welcome Leviev Foundation President Lev Leviev, his wife Olga, and their daughter, Chagit Sofiev Leviev. For many years, the family has demonstrated its commitment to advancing and supporting Jewish education, guided by a renewed vision for the future. Through the leadership and partnership of the Leviev Foundation and the JIQ school network, Lev Jewish Academy will strengthen its position within the community and expand its ability to serve Jewish families seeking an education that combines academic excellence with a strong foundation in Torah and Jewish traditions.
The school’s educational mission remains at the heart of its work, with students, teachers, and the community it serves continuing to be its highest priorities.
Before the ceremony, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a longtime friend of the Bukharian Jewish community who is running for governor of New York as a Republican this year, visited the yeshiva.
“I am proud of your efforts, which carry an important message about strengthening and expanding Jewish educational programs in our community and promoting the well-being and safety of all New Yorkers,” he said. In his remarks, Blakeman also emphasized the importance of protecting religious values and combating antisemitism.
Blakeman then presented Zalman Zavlunov, coordinator of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews, with a certificate of recognition intended for Lev Leviev, honoring his many years of dedication to Jewish education in the United States.
Among those attending the ceremony were State Senator Patricia Canzoneri Fitzpatrick; Lawrence Mayor Samuel Nahmias; Chief Rabbi of the Bukharian Jews of the United States and Canada Baruch Babaev; Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky, executive director of the Machne Israel Development Fund; Rabbi Yudo Bloy, CEO of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews; and Queens community leaders Leon and David Nektalov, Gavriel Sofiev, Boris Kandov, Rabbi Yitzchak Wolowik, Rabbi Asher Vaknin, Mikhail Borukhov, Rafael Nektalov, Yosef Khaimov, and others.
The traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by the affixing of mezuzahs at the school’s entrances. The mezuzah ceremony held special significance, symbolizing a new beginning rooted in the Jewish faith, traditions, and values that form the foundation of the school’s educational mission. The occasion marked the opening of a new chapter in the academy’s history.
Speakers included Lev Leviev; Chagit Sofiev Leviev; Batya Zvulunov, director of Judaic Studies for JIQ schools; and Raz Levin, principal of Lev Jewish Academy. Each emphasized the importance of investing in the next generation, strengthening Jewish identity, and ensuring that Jewish education remains accessible, relevant, and deeply rooted in tradition.
The program was emceed by Rabbi Simon Taylor, executive vice president of the Bukharian Jewish Congress and the Leviev Foundation. His participation helped make the event not only a celebration of the school’s achievements but also an opportunity to reflect on the broader importance of Jewish education to the community.
Following the ceremony, Raz Levin, accompanied by the school’s rabbi, Aaron Bein, led the Leviev family on a tour of the campus. Visiting classrooms and observing lessons firsthand, the guests had an opportunity to see the dedication of the teaching staff and the effectiveness of the school’s educational approach.
Building on a Strong Foundation
At Lev Jewish Academy, the new partnership is grounded in a clear objective: to strengthen the school’s existing foundation while creating opportunities for continued growth and long-term success.
The collaboration with the Leviev Foundation and the JIQ school network provides leadership, support, and a shared commitment to the future of Jewish education. It reflects the belief that strong schools are essential to strong Jewish communities and that investing in children today is an investment in the future of Jewish life.
The school’s educational philosophy recognizes that every child brings individual strengths, interests, and needs to the classroom. By combining rigorous academics with a comprehensive Judaic Studies curriculum, Lev Jewish Academy seeks to nurture students who are intellectually curious, confident in their identity, and firmly grounded in Torah, mitzvot, and Jewish values.
The partnership also creates opportunities to reach families who may have considered a Jewish day school education but encountered financial or practical barriers. The Leviev Foundation’s educational initiatives are designed to make Jewish education more accessible and support families seeking to establish or deepen their children’s connection to Jewish learning.
About Lev Jewish Academy
Lev Jewish Academy is a Jewish day school in Lawrence, in the Five Towns area of New York, formerly known as Brandeis Hebrew Academy and the Brandeis School. It was founded in 1930.
The school is committed to academic excellence, a comprehensive Jewish education, and the development of each student’s individual potential. Through a curriculum that combines rigorous academic preparation with the study of Torah, mitzvot, Jewish values, and traditions, Lev Jewish Academy seeks to prepare students for the future while fostering a strong and lasting connection to Jewish life and the Jewish people.
The Five Towns is an informal but widely used historical name for a group of neighboring communities along the South Shore of Long Island in Nassau County, New York, bordering the New York City borough of Queens. The five communities are Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Inwood, and Hewlett.
By Rafael Nektalov
Editor-in-Chief of The Bukharian Times
