Our Team
Faculty & Staff
Avital Ashtar
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
aashtar@akivanashville.net
Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty
Carolyn Benick Brown
Staff
(615) 432-2554
cbenickbrown@akivanashville.net
Business Manager
Vardit Binstein
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
vardit@akivanashville.net
Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty, Technology Lead Teacher
Education
- B. Sc. Industrial and Management Engineering, Ben Gurion University
- Master’s of Business Administration, Ben Gurion University
What I Love About Akiva
Akiva is like a family for me, I enjoy seeing the children grow and make huge progress in language.
Marissa Brady
Staff
(615) 356-1880
marissa@akivanashville.net
Front Office Adminstrator
Education
- BA Business Administration, Clark Atlanta University
- Masters Business Administration, Clark Atlanta University
- M.Ed. Montessori Education, Loyola University Maryland
What I Love About Akiva
I love that at Akiva the whole child is the focus of education. I love that the faculty and staff work together to help each other in this endeavor of education. I love the joy and smiles of the children who make up the school.
Lilly Carver
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
lcarver@akivanashville.net
First Grade General Studies Faculty
Education
- BA English Literature and Spanish, Pomona College
- Masters Elementary Education, Vanderbilt University
What I Love About Akiva
Everyone at Akiva speaks so positively about their experiences! It is so encouraging from a newcomer’s perspective to see that Akiva’s faculty truly loves the school.
Rotem Cohen
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
rcohen@akivanashville.net
Kindergarten Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty
Education
- BA Art
- BA Psychology
- Certificate in Behavioral Analysis
What I Love About Akiva
I love the community at Akiva! Everyone is truly part of a caring and thoughtful family.
Emma Cribb
Faculty
(917) 744-6422
cribb@akivanashville.net
Athletic Director and Coach
Education
- BS Biology, Columbia University
- Master’s of Business Administration, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Certifications
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (N.S.C.A.)
- Personal Trainer (A.C.E.)
- USA Cycling Coach
What I Love About Akiva
Teaching kids to embrace an active lifestyle. Giving all kids a chance to be athletic. I love playing & sports!
Yifat Crouvi
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
ycrouvi@akivanashville.net
Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty
Education
- BA Education & Special Education, Tel Aviv University
- MA Derby University
DVORA DAVIDSON
Staff
(615) 356-1880
essandfresscatering@gmail.com
Lunch Coordinator
What I Love About Akiva
I love the kids and faculty at Akiva! The kids keep me going on a daily basis with their positivity and zest for Jewish life, and the teachers and faculty truly embody what it’s like to work as a team.
RACHEL DEGA
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
rdega@akivanashville.net
School Counselor
Education
- BA Psychology, Wheaton College, Norton MA
- M.Ed Human Development Counseling, Vanderbilt University
What I Love About Akiva
I love that there is an emphasis on educating the whole child at Akiva, and faculty members work as a team to support each individual student’s academic and social-emotional needs.
Annie Douthit
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
adouthit@akivanashville.net
Second Grade General Studies Faculty, Math Lead Teachers, and Theater Director
Education
- BA Economics, Bates College
- M.Ed Elementary Education, Vanderbilt University
Certifications
- Reading Specialist Endorsement
What I Love About Akiva
I love when a child’s face lights up when he/she figures out a new strategy, solves a challenging problem, or improves on a project.
Elly Ebin
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
eebin@akivanashville.net
Marketing and Development Coordinator
Education
- BA History, York University, Toronto
What I Love About Akiva
I love being part of a school that values innovative thinking, both in the students and in the faculty and staff.
Julie Fortune
Staff
(615) 432-2552
jfortune@akivanashville.net
Director of Admissions and Outreach
Education
- BLS Religion in Society, University of Memphis
- MALS Philosophy of Religion, University of Memphis
- MA Religious Studies, Florida State University
Certifications
-
Highly Qualified Status in All Middle School Subjects, Special Education K-12
-
Reading Specialist Endorsement
What I Love About Akiva
I love being apart of a community and a school that ensures that every child is loved, supported, and challenged in new ways every day. Unlike any other program I have worked in, Akiva does everything possible to ensure that ‘the whole child’ is being nourished.
Nili Friedman
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
nfriedman@akivanashville.net
Third Grade General Studies Faculty
Education
- BA English, Brandeis University with Minors in Elementary Education, Jewish Studies, and Humanities Interdisciplinary Program
- M.Ed. Elementary Education, Vanderbilt University
Certifications
-
Highly Qualified Status Grades K-6
What I Love About Akiva
Akiva provides students with a nurturing environment in which they feel comfortable being themselves while taking on new challenges. Students explore what it means to be a Jew, an American, and a global citizen while learning how to express themselves as individuals. I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing community.
Ellen Haber
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
ehaber@akivanashville.net
Kindergarten General Studies Faculty
Education
- BA History, Washington University, St. Louis
- MA Elementary Education, Belmont University, Nashville
What I Love About Akiva
I love Akiva because of the close knit community and opportunity to collaborate with great colleagues. I love cultivating the community garden and enjoying the beautiful campus with the children
Gina Holton
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
gholton@akivanashville.net
Fourth Grade General Studies Faculty
Education
- B.S. Public Health, Minor in Education
What I Love About Akiva
The warm and friendly community with amazing students!
Jennifer Hosey
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
jhosey@akivanashville.net
Kindergarten General Studies Faculty
Education
- BS Elementary Education K-6, Middle Tennessee State University
What I Love About Akiva
I feel blessed to be at Akiva because of the teamwork amongst the faculty members and the ability to tailor our curriculum to meet each child’s needs.
Jessica Jarrett
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
jjarrett@akivanashville.net
Learning Specialist
Education
- BA Elementary Education, Ohio Dominican University
- MA, Curriculum and Instruction, Ashland University
Certifications
- Reading Specialist Endorsement, Ohio State University
- English Language Learners Endorsement, Capital University
- Orton-Gillingham Certification
What I Love About Akiva
The happiness when you walk in the door! Everyone is so happy and welcoming. It is an environment anyone would love spending their time.
Kelly Love
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
klove@akivanashville.net
Middle School Humanities Faculty, Writing Lead Teacher, and Teacher Mentor
Education
- BA, Reading, Dual Minors: Education & Women’s Studies, University of Texas at El Paso
- MA Curriculum and Instruction, University of Phoenix
Certifications
- Reading Specialization 6-12
What I Love About Akiva
Akiva is a place that encourages students and teachers to follow their passions. The small class sizes make it easy for teachers to give students the help and attention they deserve.
Rena Malkofsky-Berger
Faculty & Staff
(615) 356-1880
rena@akivanashville.net
Director of Curriculum and Instructional Coach
Education
- BS Psychology and Biological Studies, University of California at Davis
- MA Education & Developmental Psychology, University of California at Berkeley
What I Love About Akiva
At Akiva, everyone is supported to become their best self—students and teachers alike.
Rabba Daniella Pressner
Faculty / Staff
(615) 356-1880
dpressner@akivanashville.net
Head of School and Middle School Judaic Studies Faculty
Education
- BA Religion and Dance, Barnard College, Columbia University
- MA Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt University
- Continued Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Current Member of Yeshivat Maharat Kollel Track
What I Love About Akiva
Akiva is this unusual community that puts every child at the center. It is a place where children are nurtured and loved and a place where they are challenged to be curious, to wonder, to take risks and to have moral courage. I am inspired every day by the children, the parents and the faculty. It is a community and a family and a space for every child’s spark to be ignited.
Kelly Qiao
Faculty / Staff
(615) 356-1880
kqiao@akivanashville.net
Middle School Math & Science Teacher
Education
- BA Communication, BS Science in Recreation, Sport & Tourism, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- MA Elementary Education, Vanderbilt University
What I Love About Akiva
I look forward to joining the Akiva family, hope to bring my unique vision to the community, and learn from everyone. At Akiva, everyone is inspired and encouraged to be the best of themselves — this is what attracts me the most.
Batya Rosenfeld
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
batya@akivanashville.net
Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty
Education
- B.Ed, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Israel
What I Love About Akiva
I love Akiva for its inclusiveness and diversity and I am grateful to be part of a community that strives for spiritual growth as well as academic growth. It brings me so much joy to hear Akiva students speaking Hebrew!
Nechemya Rosenfeld
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
nechemya@akivanashville.net
Middle School Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty
Education
- BA Education, Levinsky College, Israel
What I Love About Akiva
JENNIFER RUNDBERG
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
jrundberg@akivanashville.net
Art Faculty
- BFA Advertising Design, Austin Peay State University
- MA Clinical Mental Health and Counseling and Art Therapy, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
What I Love About Akiva
I appreciate that the staff is truly supporting and educating the child. That means holistically strengthening the child to feel valuable, valid, and loved.
Ellen smyth
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
esmyth@akivanashville.net
General Studies Faculty
- BA Education, Wofford College
- MA Early Childhood Education, Converse College
What I Love About Akiva
I love the strong student centered community of faculty, staff and parents. I appreciate how experiential, real world learning at Akiva helps foster curiosity and a love of the world around us.
Amber Woodruff
Staff
(615) 356-1880
Building and Grounds Maintenance
Jessica Yousem
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
jyousem@akivanashville.net
Elementary General Studies Faculty
Education
- BA Sociology, Wheaton College
- MA Education, Pepperdine University
Certifications
California State Teaching Credential
What I Love About Akiva
I am so excited to join the Avika School Team! I am looking forward to an incredible year ahead and cannot wait to learn and grow with my class.
Michal Zidkyahu
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
mzidkyahu@akivanashville.net
Middle School Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty
Education
- BA Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, Bar Ilan University, Israel
- MA Expressive Arts Therapy, Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Certifications
- Certified Psychodramatist
- Creative Arts Therapist
What I Love About Akiva
Akiva is a microcosmos of the Jewish community of Nashville. It is small, diverse, warm and inclusive. I appreciate that it lets me take part in and support the process of building an academically, and emotionally strong future Jewish community.
Contact Us
P: 615-356-1880
F: 615-356-1850
info@akivanashville.net
809 Percy Warner Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37205
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