Naama Arzi, Director of Jewish Life & Learning

Naama Arzi has spent over two decades sharing her love of Jewish education with students and families across North America. Originally from Haifa and raised in the beautiful Golan Heights of Israel, she brings warmth and authenticity to everything she does as an educator.

Naama earned her Master's degree in Educational Administration from Loyola University Chicago and her Master's in Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language from Middlebury College in Vermont. She's currently working on her doctorate in Applied Linguistics at Middlebury College, always looking for new ways to make learning engaging and meaningful.

For the past 24 years, Naama has had the joy of working with students of all ages in Jewish day schools, synagogues, and at Hebraica University in Mexico City. She loves connecting with diverse communities and helping people discover the richness of Jewish learning and Hebrew language. Having grown up in Israel, Naama brings special enthusiasm to Israel education, sharing her deep love for the land, culture, and modern Hebrew language with students who are eager to connect with their heritage.

What makes Naama special is her genuine passion for helping students grow and succeed. She believes in creating school environments where everyone feels valued and excited about learning. Her approach combines respect for Jewish traditions with fresh, innovative teaching methods that speak to today's students. Naama is particularly committed to weaving together Jewish Studies and General Studies in meaningful ways, helping students see how their Jewish learning connects to all aspects of their lives and ongoing educational journey.

Naama is dedicated to building school communities where academic growth goes hand-in-hand with celebrating Jewish identity and fostering meaningful connections to Israel. She believes that when Jewish values and learning are thoughtfully integrated with secular subjects, education becomes more relevant and impactful for students. She enjoys helping students develop into confident, caring individuals who are ready to make a positive difference in the world around them, while maintaining strong ties to their Jewish roots and the State of Israel.

In her free time, Naama loves to hike and travel with her dog, listen to Israeli and world music and to read historical fiction books.