Rabbi Eric Grossman, a Toronto native with over 20 years’ experience in Jewish day school education, has been appointed as the head of school of Akiva School.
He assumes the position at the elementary school in Westmount, Que., on Aug. 1.
Rabbi Grossman has worked at several day schools in North America, including serving as head of school at Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield, Mich. During his tenure there, the school saw its highest enrolment ever.
Most recently, he was head of school of the Ramaz School, a co-educational modern Orthodox school in Manhattan that runs from kindergarten to Grade 12.
READ: AKIVA SCHOOL LAUNCHES FIRST HAGGADAH OF ITS KIND
Rabbi Grossman studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Brandeis University and York University, where he received a bachelor of arts with distinction. He was ordained in Jerusalem in 2006.
Rabbi Grossman has published many articles on Jewish education, Torah study and Judaism, and has been recognized with several educational awards, including the Claus Nobel Educator of Distinction Award.
Akiva president Patrick Essiminy described him as a “passionate and forward-thinking Jewish educator” who “shares the Akiva School vision of a student-centric approach to education, in which the underpinnings for all learning are based on Jewish values.”
Rabbi Grossman is also a strong advocate for professional development and exploring educational initiatives based on the latest pedagogy, Essiminy said.
“I was very drawn by Akiva School’s deep understanding and emphasis on a ‘whole child’ focus within the framework of a Jewish education. I believe that a school exists for the sake of the student. Therefore, an educational ideology must always begin with the student,” said Rabbi Grossman.
Essiminy said that Akiva conducted an international search for a new head of school over six months, working with a recruitment agency and interviewing several candidates, before hiring Rabbi Grossman.
Before officially becoming head of school, Rabbi Grossman will be working with interim head Cooki Levy to ensure a smooth transition. He will visit the school in May and June, to meet with teachers, staff and parents.
Rabbi Grossman comes to Montreal with his wife and their two sons.
Akiva School is marking its 50th anniversary. It was founded by the late Rabbi David Hartman and a group of parents with a vision of providing an “idealistic Jewish education.”
