Akiva Gersh is an American-born educator, speaker, writer, and musician who has been deeply involved in Jewish and Israel education for over 20 years. He moved to Israel from New York in 2004 and has since dedicated his career to helping people connect with their Jewish heritage and the history of Israel. Gersh founded @Israel in 2020, an initiative offering online classes, courses, and virtual tours of Israel to students, schools, and communities worldwide.
In addition to his educational endeavors, Akiva is the editor of "Becoming Israeli," a book that explores the unique experiences of making aliyah (immigration to Israel) and acclimating to Israeli life. He also runs a social media platform called "Vegan Rabbi," focusing on Jewish teachings related to health, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship.
Gersh holds a BA from Brown University in Religious Studies, an MA in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, and received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Sulam Yaakov in Jerusalem. He currently resides in Pardes Hanna, Israel, with his wife Tamar and their four children.
Up Next in Season 1
-
FOCUS ON ISRAEL – Shahar Azani
Shahar Azani is a prominent Israeli-American executive and media personality, recognized for his expertise in diplomacy and international relations. He has held significant roles in public diplomacy, including serving as a spokesperson for the Consulate General of Israel in New York and as the D...
-
FOCUS ON ISRAEL – Yuval David
Yuval David is an Emmy-Award winning actor, director, filmmaker, and an influential advocate for the Jewish and LGBTQ communities. He has garnered over 100 international film festival awards for his work in film, television, and digital media. Yuval has played roles in productions for major netwo...
-
FOCUS ON ISRAEL – Masha Merkulova
Masha Merkulova is the Founder and Executive Director of Club Z, an organization dedicated to educating American Jewish teens about Zionism, Jewish history, and their connection to Israel. Born in the former Soviet Union, Merkulova discovered her Jewish heritage later in life, which inspired her ...