Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Rabbi Elie Abadie, MD., and Rabbi Avraham Moyal cutting
the ribbon to launch the E.96th Street campus of The SAM School.
The Stanley I. Chera SAM School (formerly Sephardic Academy of Manhattan) recently celebrated a major milestone with the opening of its second campus at East 96th Street and Fifth Avenue. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked not only the launch of this landmark building but the continued growth and vision of a school that has become increasingly essential to the Orthodox Jewish community in Manhattan.
SAM has experienced remarkable expansion since its founding, with its early childhood program at 74th Street now serving over 140 new and returning students, including its largest toddler group to date. The new 96th Street campus currently has 50 students in grades K-4 enrolled, creating much-needed space for families seeking an education that combines academic excellence with a deep connection to our Torah values.
Rabbi Elie Abadie, SAM’s visionary founder, was honored at the event for his leadership in establishing this institution, alongside the dedicated educators, board members, and community volunteers who have been instrumental in SAM’s success. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine attended along with many community leaders, celebrating SAM’s role in filling a critical need in the area.
SAM emerged as an educational institution that not only meets the educational demands of our community but is actively expanding to fulfill future needs. The leadership team emphasized exciting plans for the school’s future, including the launch of a middle school next year, with a high school on the horizon. These expansions ensure that SAM will continue to offer a complete, high-quality education for students, from early childhood through high school. To accommodate families from across the Jewish Orthodox community, SAM will also introduce bus service from Brooklyn next year.
SAM’s expansion is not just a reflection of its success but also a response to the community’s needs for a strong educational institution that honors our Orthodox Jewish heritage while providing a world-class education. As SAM looks toward the future, it remains deeply committed to shaping the next generation of leaders and thinkers.
Standing behind this remarkable achievement are a dedicated board and parent body, with countless individuals who have made this possible. Rabbi Ariel Mizrahi (Rabbinical Leader), Chary Fox (Early Childhood Director), Michelle Dayan (Executive Director), Dr. Rachel Harari (Co-Head of Elementary School), and Mary Peldman (Co-Head of Elementary School) have been instrumental in making the dream a reality. For those interested in learning more about SAM or taking a tour of the new campus, the school encourages reaching out to admin@thesamschool.org for Early Childhood, and Dr. Rachel Harari at rharari@thesamschool.org for the Elementary and Middle School.
