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Our Team

Faculty & Staff

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.

Sarah Bronchetti

Faculty

(615) 356-1880

sarahb@akivanashville.net

Music Faculty and Substitute Teacher

Education

  • BA Music, Vanderbilt University
  • Master of Education in Voice Performance and Choral/General Music Education, Vanderbilt University

What I Love About Akiva
Sarah is excited to join the Akiva community because she believes strongly in the mission to educate the whole child.

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.

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

      Middle School Math and Science 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.

      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.

      Hadas Hovav

      Faculty

      (615) 356-1880

      hhovav@akivanashville.net

      Elementary Hebrew and Jewish Studies Faculty

      Education

      • BS Physiotherapy, Tzefat College

      What I Love About Akiva

      Moshe Hovav

      Faculty

      (615) 356-1880

      mhovav@akivanashville.net

      Elementary Hebrew and Jewish Studies Faculty

      Education

      • BA Clinical Psychology
      • MA Clinical Psychology

      What I Love About Akiva

      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.

      Nili Liat

      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.

      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.

      Connor Murphy

      Faculty / Staff

      (615) 356-1880

      cmurphy@akivanashville.net

      Third Grade General Studies Faculty

      Education

      • BA, Middle Tennessee State University
      • Masters in Education, Middle Tennessee State University

      What I Love About Akiva
      Connor is thrilled to join the Akiva community and find inspiration from his students and fellow colleagues. What excites him the most is guiding his students on their learning journey and building relationships with the community at large.

      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

       

      Certifications

      • 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.

      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

        Second Grade 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

        First Grade 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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