Rabbi Laurie Rice:
It’s one of my favorite memories of driving with my daughter, now 18, but at the time, roughly 10 and a student at Akiva School.
“Mom, what are we?”
“What do you mean, what are we?”
“Are we Orthodox or Conservative or Reform… what are we?”
I laughed at the question because it was coming from MY daughter who has two parents who are Reform Rabbis, working at one of the two Reform congregations in Nashville. This question is exactly what our family has always loved about Akiva. Akiva is about educating Jewish children in accordance with Jewish values; not any one denominational expression of Judaism, just Judaism. We were enticed to come to Nashville and become the Rabbis at Congregation Micah in 2006 precisely because Akiva School would be the place where our kids, all three, would grow and thrive, a pluralistic community school where our kids could learn values like compassion, honesty, hard work, caring for your community, and kindness alongside Hebrew, math, science and English. A second family for our kids, and for us. It’s safe to say that if Akiva were not in Nashville, we wouldn’t be either.
Many know that Akiva was established as a K-6th school committed to fostering a love of learning, helping children to deepen their curiosity, morality, perseverance, communication, collaboration and creativity. You may not know that Akiva’s students are asked to take risks, supported when they fail, and encouraged to learn from these failures. It is no surprise that every Nashville Rabbi and Cantor with school-aged children has chosen to educate their kids at Akiva, regardless of denominational affiliation. Why? Because we all know that when we send our kids to Akiva, they develop confidence, competence and become lifelong learners, leaders, and thoughtful contributors to this world.
Rabbi Joshua Kullock:
One of the reasons we left Mexico twelve years ago was because we wanted to find a remarkable Jewish day school for our girls. We were welcomed with open arms by the whole community and Akiva was exactly what we were looking for: A school guided by an unwavering love for Torah and Jewish values, in a pluralistic environment that strongly believes in the power of cooperation.
Cantor Tracy Fishbein:
Glenn and I are continuously impressed by the depth and breadth of our children's education, academically, Jewishly, and social-emotionally. They are becoming young people who truly love to learn, while simultaneously building crucial life skills through the texts, customs, and music of our Jewish tradition. Most importantly, the Akiva School actively teaches menschlikeit, encouraging the next generation of our Jewish community to lead with wisdom, compassion, and kindness. As parents, we could not be more grateful or thrilled for the opportunities our children have to learn how to be the very best Jews and people they can be, and we can't wait to see the lasting impact the Akiva School will continue to have on our family and the Jewish world.
Rabbis Lindsay and Michael Danziger:
We love the way the school connects our family with friendships in every part of the Jewish community! We’re so thrilled that, beyond just a great education in general, our kids are building such deep and strong Jewish identities and strengthening their connection to Israel. The school keeps finding ways to improve and experiment without ever losing its loving, family-like feel.
We’ve had such great teachers who know our children deeply and encourage them, even as they hold them accountable for accomplishing goals! We’re so grateful for Rabba Daniella, a one-in-a-million leader and educator, who leads a community of purpose, learning, and kindness, that shines through in all the educators and staff. What a great model Akiva is of a pluralistic Jewish environment that challenges, welcomes, and supports every way of being Jewish.
Rabbi Saul Strosberg:
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What I love most about Akiva is that the success of each and every student is the collaborative effort of the entire Akiva faculty and staff. It is the very embodiment of Kol Yisrael Areivim Ze Lazeh (all of Israel is responsible for one another).
Rabbi Shana Mackler:
Akiva was a uniquely valuable, pluralistic, Jewish educational experience. The academics alone would have qualified Akiva as a top-notch school. More than that, Akiva offered our children a Jewish education that instilled values, connection to history and community, and pride in themselves and our people. Our children have become competent, curious, and critical thinkers due in no small part to Akiva and its faculty. There, they grew a deep love of learning, of Hebrew, of community, and of their own Jewish identities. They graduated well-prepared for their next educational steps. We cannot imagine a better foundation for our children.
The proof is in the kosher pudding. If you have not experienced the magic that is Akiva School, you should tour immediately. There are many strong choices in education in Nashville, but there is truly only one Akiva for the best in Jewish education.
