The American Hebrew Academy was founded in 1996 by Maurice “Chico” Sabbah and his wife Zmira who dreamed of developing a first of it’s kind Jewish community in which Jewish teenagers from around the world and from all Jewish denominations could come together and live in a serene environment to enrich their knowledge of Jewish culture, history and religious practice, both traditional and modern while preparing for admission to college and university and future positions of leadership in the Jewish community.

In 1999 the first foundational steps were taken to bring “Chico’s dream” closer to reality with the purchase of 100 wooded acres and lake frontage in Greensboro, North Carolina. Chico viewed the land as a perfect setting to create his vision for the Academy’s campus in a park-like setting. By early spring 1999, following a national architectural competition to design the campus, Frank Lloyd Wright’s associate architect, Aaron Green was commissioned to create the master plan for the campus and building designs for every building the Academy would eventually need for the immediate future and for years to come.

On September 10, 2001 the Academy opened its gates to 77 pioneering (“Chalutzim”) students. During the first year of the Academy’s existence, both students and staff endured on-going construction across the campus. Today, the Academy boasts having now graduated students who are continuing their education at some of the finest colleges and universities in the country and in Israel.

With completion of the phase two construction plan, our students and esteemed faculty now enjoy state of the art classrooms, athletic facilities, student housing and advanced technology in a nurturing but rigorous academic environment rich in Jewish culture, tradition and diversity.     

On a quiet morning in March of 2000, history was made when a few select guests were invited to join Chico and Zmira Sabbah for the Academy's groundbreaking. While two years of planning had passed, the project remained a relative secret and it was not until this day that the public was able to get its first glance of what was soon to come. Chico & Zmira Sabbah and Glenn Drew give remarks at the dedication Mr. Sabbah explains the campus master plan to guests, including board members Victor Ackerman and Freddy Robinson Master Architect Aaron Green, Construction Manager Raymond Hunt and Engineer Chris Roth