Our Team
Faculty & Staff
Ruti Apple
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
Hebrew and Jewish Studies Faculty
Education
- BA Early Childhood Education
What I Love About Akiva
Eli Arnold
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
Middle School General Studies Faculty
Education
- BA History, Lipscomb University
What I Love About Akiva
I love Akiva’s mission to educate and nurture each whole child!
Rachel Ben-David
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
Hebrew & Jewish Studies Faculty
Education
- BA, History & French
- MA, French Literature
- Teaching Certification, Tel Aviv University
What I Love About Akiva
I’m excited to join the Akiva community and looks forward to growing alongside her students and colleagues.
Vardit BinsHtein
Director of Technology &
Hebrew Faculty
(615) 356-1880
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
Administrative Staff
(615) 356-1880
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
Music Educator
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.
Emma Cribb
Faculty
(917) 744-6422
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
Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty
Education
- BA Education & Special Education, Tel Aviv University
- MA Derby University
DVORA DAVIDSON
Staff
(615) 356-1880
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.
Annie Douthit
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
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
Administrative Staff
(615) 356-1880
Director of Development
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.
hannah fahn
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
Kindergarten General Studies
Education
- BS Education, University of Miami
- M.Ed, Vanderbilt University
What I Love About Akiva
christina folger
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
Kindergarten General Studies
Education
- LCSW, LSSW
What I Love About Akiva
Jordyn greenberg
School Counselor
(615) 356-1880
School Counselor
Education
- MSW, Loyola University
What I Love About Akiva
CELIA LERCH
Administrative Staff
(615) 356-1880
Director of Enrollment and Outreach
Education
- BA English and Religious Studies, Rhodes College
- MS Nonprofit Management, Johnson and Wales University
What I Love About Akiva
I love the unique mix of families that make up the Akiva community, and how we all come together to create a unique and loving learning environment!
Nili Liat
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
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.
Lilly Montgomery
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
Second 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.
jillian neal
Administration
(615) 356-1880
Director of Development, Akiva School and Kehila Upper School
What I Love About Akiva
CAROLYN NIEMAN
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
Middle School General Studies Faculty
Education
- BA, History, CSU Sacramento
- Masters in Education, CSU Sacramento
What I Love About Akiva
I love the kids and the staff. Everyone is so kind and fun. It makes for a great day of learning!
Rabba Daniella Pressner
Faculty / Administrative Staff
(615) 356-1880
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.
JENNIFER RUNDBERG
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
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.
Nitzan Saadon
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
Hebrew & Jewish Studies Faculty
- BA, Special Education
- MA, Educational Administration
- Teaching Certification
What I Love About Akiva
I love being able to help students connect deeply with Israeli culture and Jewish life at Akiva.
Refael Saadon
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
- BA, Education
- Teaching Certificate in Environmental Sciences
What I Love About Akiva
I love to bring the spirit of Israel to Akiva and feel grateful to be part of Nashville’s community!
ROBERT SANDERS
Learning Support Specialist
(615) 356-1880
General Studies
- BA, Politcal Science and Speech/Communication, Lipscomb
- M.Ed, Educational Leadership, Lipscomb
- Post-graduate work at Vanderbilt and MTSU
What I Love About Akiva
I love working with all different types of learners to help them reach their greatest potential!
CHRIS WILHELM
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
Fourth Grade General Studies Faculty
Education
- BS Physical Education, Southern Adventist University
-
MS Ed Instructional Leadership, Southern Adventist University
What I Love About Akiva
I love that Akiva puts so much effort into making sure that each student receives a well-rounded education. I’m grateful to be a part of a school that prioritizes the needs of the student above all else.
Amber Woodruff
Staff
(615) 356-1880
Building and Grounds Maintenance
Jessica Yousem
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
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
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.