The idea that transpired in the minds of a few important Jewish community leaders over a period of years culminated in a meeting at the Tides Hotel in November 1946. Aaron S. Lauer, of blessed memory, ever active and forceful to this end, helped fulfill the dreams of these men with his tireless efforts to make this meeting a success. Present at this eventful meeting, where the foundation of the Hebrew Academy was started, were the late Samuel Grundwerg, Dr. David Andron, the late Rabbi Jacob Andron, Marty Lazar, Nathan Ginsberg, H.M. Kagan, Samuel Reinhard, Mitch Reiner and the late A.M. Bear. Ira and Joe Rosenweig, two New York industrialists, pioneers in Day School education, while on vacation here, pledged $10,000 at this meeting.

Rabbi Mendell Eller, a recruit from Torah U'Mesorah, was the first Hebrew teacher and director of the Hebrew Academy. Torah U'Mesorah, a national establishment of Day schools, located in New York City contributed one-half of Rabbi Eller's weekly salary. Rabbi Alexander S. Gross, then Director of School Organizations of Torah U'Mesorah, was delegated by the New York agency in December 1946 to visit Miami to assist in the coordination of plans for a community supported Day School. (Rabbi Gross accepted the position as principal of the Hebrew Academy in September 1950.) After a series of parlor meetings, the final determination to open the school was made at a meeting in December 1946. Community Rabbis applauded and upheld this new movement. The Hebrew Academy would open its doors in February 1947. Rabbi Gross and Mr. Lauer pledged themselves to find a suitable location and to introduce the idea to as many people as would listen (or could be reached.)

In April 1947, Herman M. Berk, a Miami Beach attorney, drew up a charter in the name of the Greater Miami Hebrew Academy, a nonprofit educational, charitable, religious corporation. Officers and Board of Directors, as shown in the original charter were: President, Dr. David S. Andron; Vice President, A.M. Bear, Joseph Rosenweig, Ira Rosenweig; Secretary, Aaron S. Lauer: Financial Secretary, Samuel Reinhard; Treasurer, Samuel M. Grundwerg. Board of Directors: Dr. I.H. Makovsky, Jacob Steinberg, the late Harry Levitt, Isidore Goldberg, Morris Berk and the above officers.

As the idea of a school combining a Hebrew and secular program caught on, the need for larger quarters became urgent. The original two rooms in the Y.M.H.A. were inadequate. Parents quickly realized the need for this type of bilingual cultural background for their children and requested open registration for the new school year. An idea, sparked by genuine enthusiasm, had started to spread. In May 1947, Aaron S. Lauer, Dr. David Andron, and the late Harry Levitt, acting on behalf of the Hebrew Academy, purchased the building located at Sixth Street and Jefferson Avenue, which then housed the Methodist Church, whose spiritual leader was Paul Jewett. The price was $45,500.

Working with limited funds that were pledged at the original meeting, this committee of three paid $5,000 as a deposit and $16,000 was allocated to redesign, repair and remodel the building at 918 Sixth Street, Miami Beach, Florida.

In September 1947, with an enrollment of 80 students, the Greater Miami Hebrew Academy opened its heart and doors to welcome its students into the concepts of a bilingual program. Thirty of these were in the Nursery and Kindergarten, the other 50 were in grades one to four. The day-school movement, popular for its high academic standards, had now taken roots in the South. The Charter members had overcome innumerable obstacles before this cherished idea became a full realization, but their determination never faltered.

In December 1947, Rabbi Alexander S. Gross, delegated with further responsibilities to this new off-spring of Torah U'Mesorah, arrived in Miami to plan, work for and carry through the dedication of the Hebrew Academy, which took place in January 1948.