Hyman Brand Academy Raises $715,000 at Anniversary

The Kansas City Jewish school's 60th anniversary celebration drew more than 330 alumni, families, and community members.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Judaism

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy raised more than $715,000 during its 60th anniversary celebration held October 20 at the Kansas City Marriott Muehlebach in downtown Kansas City. The event drew more than 330 alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, community leaders, and friends.

Why it matters

The funds will support educational programs, student opportunities, faculty excellence, and long-term sustainability for the Greater Kansas City community the school serves. The milestone highlights the school's six founding families and its dual curriculum combining general academics with Jewish education since 1966.

The celebration raised more than $715,000 and drew over 330 attendees, marking 60 years since the school's 1966 founding. No breakdown of how the funds will be allocated was provided.

The players

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy

A Jewish day school in Kansas City offering a dual curriculum that combines general academics with Jewish education.

Cantor Azi Schwartz

A cantor who performed at the school's 60th anniversary celebration.

The details

The October 20 event featured a performance by Cantor Azi Schwartz and guest tributes reflecting the school's influence on students and families. The celebration also highlighted the contributions of the six families who helped establish the academy.

1966: Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy is founded.
October 20, 2025: The 60th anniversary celebration raises more than $715,000.

Roadmap

Community-funded Jewish day schools that pair secular academics with religious study have long depended on alumni and family giving to sustain their programs. This anniversary campaign shows how such institutions in mid-sized American cities continue to rely on that donor base across generations.

Greater Kansas City families considering Jewish education for their children can see how a dual-curriculum school has been supported locally for six decades. Community members who attended or donated may find the funding outcomes relevant as the school announces how the $715,000 will be used.

The takeaway

Long-standing community institutions often depend on the continued engagement of alumni and families who see lasting value in their mission. Supporters interested in the school's programs can look to its anniversary fundraising as an example of how sustained giving shapes educational access.