The JOSEPH AND FLORENCE MANDEL JEWISH DAY SCHOOL, formerly Agnon School, located at 26500 Shaker Blvd. in Beachwood, is a private Jewish day school committed to excellence in academic and religious education through individualized instruction and creative learning. Founded in 1969 by a group of parents and community leaders for children from Reform, Orthodox, Conservative, and non-Jewish families, Agnon is a self-supporting institution not affiliated with any congregation or denomination.
Agnon's founders include Rabbi Mordecai and Haniti Schreiber, Linda Ellett, Robert Goldberg, Simon and Ziona Kadis, Gene and Marilyn Macroff, Aviva Orlan, Peter and Aliki Rzepka, and Walter (Agnon's first board president) and Beth Schaffer. Morris Sorin was Agnon's first director. Agnon School was named for the Israeli writer and Nobel Prize winner, Samuel Joseph Agnon. Offering a complete program of general and Judaic studies, Agnon's central purpose is to teach students about their American and Jewish heritage in a non-regimental manner. During its first year Agnon had 19 kindergarten and 1st grade students with classes held at Temple Brith Emeth, 27575 Shaker Blvd., in Pepper Pike. In 1994 Agnon School offered classes in preschool, kindergarten, lower school (1-5), and middle school (6-8). Projected enrollment for the 1994-95 academic year was 336 students. Students receive a written evaluation and a letter grade and advance at their own pace. Ray Levi, Ph.D., was head of the school in 1994 and Dan Aaron Polster was president of the Board of Trustees.
In 2015, Agnon School, located at 26500 Shaker Blvd. in Beachwood, became Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School, in appreciation of a generous gift from the Joseph and Florence Mandel Family Foundation.
The building underwent extensive renovation. In 1996, an early childhood wing and classrooms were added. In 2016, the gymnasium was expanded in a $1.7 million project, doubling in size and adding a climbing wall, locker rooms, and bleachers. In 2017, the school converted offices into a middle school wing; added a state-of-the-art science lab, four classrooms, commons area, and offices; and upgraded technology throughout the building in a $1.5 million project. In 2020, the school dedicated a $5.8 million project that included a new entrance, parent lounge, offices, library/media commons and computer lab. A multiphase renovation at a cost of $10 million was also announced.
By 2022, the school enrolled over 350 students and remained true to the original vision set forth by its founders. As Cleveland’s only Jewish community day school, the school’s mission was to develop ethical leadership, confident critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning in its students. Enrollment embraced a wide spectrum of the community in terms of perspective and affiliation. Jay Laberman was head of school and Noam Magence was president of the Board of Directors.
Updated by Sylvia Abrams 2 December 2025
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