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Hebrew Academy: Together Again After 50 Years

The seventh-grade class of 1976 reconnected in Atlanta this past April.

By Jordan Ross 27 May 2026, 4:13 pm

The Hebrew Academy’s 1976 seventh-grade class recently held their 50th reunion. Pictured with the former students is their kindergarten teacher, Isabelle Maslia.

Stuart Danneman, a 1976 alum of the Hebrew Academy, now the Atlanta Jewish Academy, came across a graduation announcement one day while cleaning. Danneman realized that 2026 would mark the 50th anniversary of his graduating class and that he hadn’t seen many of his classmates in years. He began reaching out to gauge interest in a reunion, setting in motion a weekend of connection and catch-up.

The Hebrew Academy had a profound impact on Danneman, and he said the friendships and memories he made were very meaningful.

“We formed a strong bond by doing everything together,” Danneman said, discussing the differences between a private school environment and a public one.

The alumni also honored their classmates who have passed away. The group donated to the Steven Eidex Memorial Fund in their memory.

After significant outreach, the class planned a weekend reunion. The planning committee included Danneman along with Jana Eplan, Jeff Lewis, Toni Troop, Sharon Wasserman, Lisa Zier, and Ed Zinn. On April 25, they gathered at Jana Eplan’s house, with several attendees travelling from out of state.

The next morning, the class gathered for brunch on site at the Atlanta Jewish Academy. Guests dined on bagels and looked through school photos.

Rabbi Avi Levitt delivered appreciative remarks. He updated the group on new happenings at the school, recent accomplishments, and even what challenges the school currently faces. He shared a glowing letter from a parent discussing the school’s latest Yom HaAtzma’ut program, in which the parent wrote, “The level of execution, coordination, enthusiasm, excitement, professionalism, and heart that I saw while showcasing and featuring the students of this community was just beyond my expectations.”

The graduation invite from 1976 that Stuart Danneman found.

The class also toured the school, taking in the many updates made over the past 50 years. They were delighted to hear about the continued high quality of education and to see the impressive upgrades around the campus.

“It was amazing to come back and reconnect and reminisce with former classmates,” alumni Debbie Spielberg shared. “I formed friendships there that are some of the deepest connections in my life. And now, I’m running for local elected office in Maryland, and I feel the support and love of this lifelong community.”