Our Team
Faculty & Staff
Carolyn Benick Brown
Staff
(615) 432-2554
cbenickbrown@akivanashville.net
Position
Business Manager
Vardit Binstein
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
vardit@akivanashville.net
Teacher
Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies & Technology Lead
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
Position
Front Office Administrator
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
Teacher
First Grade General Studies
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
(615) 356-1880
cribb@akivanashville.net
Coach / Athletic Director
Physical Education, Cross Country and Track 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
Hebrew Teacher
Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Education
- BA Education & Special Education, Tel Aviv University
- MA Derby University
DVORA DAVIDSON
Staff
(615) 356-1880
essandfresscatering@gmail.com
Position
Lunch Coordinator
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.
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
Teacher
2nd Grade General Studies & Math Lead Teacher
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
Position
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
Position
Director of Admission 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
Teacher
3rd Grade General Studies
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
Teacher
Kindergarten General Studies
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
Jennifer Hosey
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
jhosey@akivanashville.net
Teacher
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
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.
Kelly Love
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
klove@akivanashville.net
Teacher
Middle School General Studies, Writing Lead, & 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
Position
Curriculum Specialist
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
Position
Head of School
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.
Anna Rentz
Staff
(615) 356-1880
arentz@akivanashville.net
Position
Student Support Specialist
Education
- BA Elementary Education,
Certifications
-
Wilson’s FUNdations
What I Love About Akiva
I love Akiva because I love being a part of a kind, warm Jewish community and a school that is dedicated to cultivating an environment where each child can be and feel successful.
Batya Rosenfeld
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
batya@akivanashville.net
Teacher
1st and 2nd Grade Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Education
- BA Education
What I Love About Akiva
Nechemya Rosenfeld
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
nechemya@akivanashville.net
Teacher
Middle School Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Education
- BA Education
What I Love About Akiva
Amber Woodruff
Staff
(615) 356-1880
Position
Building and Grounds Maintenance
What I Love About Akiva
Jessica Yousem
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
jyousem@akivanashville.net
Teacher
1st Grade General Studies Teacher
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
Teacher
Middle School Hebrew and Judaic Studies
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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