Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky met with Glenn Drew, chief executive officer of the American Hebrew Academy, the international Jewish college preparatory boarding school with a distance-learning program via internet, on March 17 to discuss educational opportunities for members of the LJC and their children. The Baltic Council for International Education facilitated the meeting.

Mr. Drew first visited Vilnius in October, 2016. Reading recently about the Lithuanian Jewish Community’s chairwoman and her work, he decided to make contact with the Community directly.

In a letter to the chairwoman sent before the meeting, Mr. Drew wrote:

“I spend a considerable amount of time traveling around the world visiting Jewish communities to inform them about opportunities for Jewish teenagers to study and the American Hebrew Academy in the United States. During my visit to Vilnius, I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and your board. I believe we share many common interests and would like to explore how we may collaborate in the future.

“By way of introduction, the American Hebrew Academy is the only school of its type in existence. The school was founded in 2001 by my own family to provide a modern Jewish education to teenagers of all Jewish backgrounds and inspire future Jewish leadership. The Academy has welcomed students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-19) from 28 states in the U.S. and 35 countries. Our school provides an intensive college preparatory education as well as Jewish education, instilling our students with pride in their Jewish heritage, history, and identity. Our students come from many types of families, both secular and religious. The American Hebrew Academy is a unique educational environment. International students come to immerse themselves in the English language, American culture, and a contemporary Jewish atmosphere, honoring all Jewish traditions together with students from across the United States, at a rigorous academic institution. All create an international student body where Jewish teenagers live and learn together while preparing for their future at university and as leaders of the global Jewish community.”

He also provided a link to a short film about the school here:

Get Ready for the Journey of Your Life – 3 minutes from American Hebrew Academy.