Faculty

Rabbi Shimon Zehnwirth, Head of School

Torah Academy is fortunate to have Rabbi Shimon Zehnwirth, a veteran educator with over a dozen years of experience in administration, as its founding Head of School. Rabbi Zehnwirth was ordained by Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz, of blessed memory, and graduated from Queens College of the City University of New York with a degree in Computer Science. Soon after receiving ordination, he was asked to join the administration of the Jerusalem branch of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, where he was known for his warm personality and upbeat manner. While on faculty, Rabbi Zehnwirth was charged with delivering a graduate-level course in Talmud and administering student guidance. Several years later, Rabbi Zehnwirth became principal of the newly established Girls Division of Torah High Schools of San Diego, California, graduating its first class, and subsequently served as principal of Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov High School in Chicago for five years. Rabbi Zehnwirth is an accomplished writer and has co-authored the acclaimed Majesty of Man: Torah Insights Into Human Nature and its sequel Pinnacle of Creation, published by Artscroll/Mesorah Publications. Both volumes are adapted from the ethical talks of his mentor, Rabbi Leibowitz, and their theme is the majesty and grandeur of the human being. This is also the underlying concept of Rabbi Zehnwirth's educational approach - building up the confidence and self-esteem of each student and enabling all students to actualize their potential for greatness and success in life.

Rabbi Eliezer Grunberg, Head of School

We are pleased to welcome Rabbi Eliezer Grunberg as he joins Rabbi Zehnwirth in spearheading the dynamic growth and expansion of Torah Academy. Rabbi Grunberg was born and raised in Forest Hills, New York. After he completed high school his family made aliya to Israel and he continued his studies in Jerusalem . Upon returning to New York two years later, he began his intensive training for the rabbinate at the Rabbinical Seminary of America and earned his Rabbinic Ordination and degree in Talmudic Theory and Jurisprudence from RSA (Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim). He has attended the National Council of Young Israel Rabbinic Training Program as well as the Principal Training Institute at the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. Rabbi Grunberg has taught a weekly Torah class to teenagers and young adults for the past 12 years and spent one year mentoring and studying with youths at risk at Priority 1's high school in New York. For the past two years, Rabbi Grunberg served as the Director of Development for the Rabbinical Seminary of America and coordinated a very successful international Sefer Torah campaign in memory of its dean, Rabbi Henach Leibowitz.
Rabbi Grunberg is also a certified Mohel who has performed circumcisions in New York and in London.

Morah Elisa Zehnwirth, Early Childhood Director and Preschool Teacher

Morah Elisa Zehnwirth grew up in Queens, New York and after high school enjoyed a year of study in Israel at Machon Gold - Gold College in Jerusalem. She returned to the States to complete her bachelor’s in Judaic Studies from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women in Manhattan and subsequently earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.

Morah Elisa has over two decades of experience in education, having taught early childhood classes (3’s and 4’s), 6th grade Judaic studies, high school Judaic studies and Hebrew language. As an administrator, Morah Elisa established and supervised a preschool in Jerusalem, Israel. She has given multiple workshops for educators in the field of early childhood education, including here in the Chicagoland area where Morah Elisa was an instructor at Hebrew Theological College's Blitstein Institute and taught a course in Child Development. She is a warm and caring individual who connects with young children and their parents in a very special way. It is truly an honor to have such an experienced and personable educator on the staff of Torah Academy.

Mrs. Sarah Grunberg, Certified Master Teacher - Primary Grades

Mrs. Sara Grunberg was raised in Los Angeles, California and Far Rockaway, New York and after graduating high school spent one year overseas studying at a seminary in Israel. She received her Bachelors in Science from Mercy College and her Masters in Special Education from the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York. In 2001 she was granted New York Public School Teacher Permanent Certification from the State University of New York in all Special Education areas as well as in Regular Education for Pre Kindergarten through 6th grade.

A veteran master educator, she has been a teacher for over a decade, having taught all grade levels from kindergarten through 6th grade, mostly in the New York City Public Schools. During one summer, she was head counselor of Camp Dora Golding, a popular Jewish overnight camp on the East Coast.

Mrs. Grunberg's special qualities include being very artistic and creative, as well as having a calm and and caring personality. Her reassuring presence in the classroom gives children the trust and confidence to try new ideas and skills. These gifts play a major role in her students' success in their studies and personal character growth. When Mrs. Grunberg is not encouraging her students in the classroom, she is busy at home educating and nurturing her wonderful family - her husband and four children.
Torah Academy is privileged and excited to have Mrs. Grunberg as our primary grades general studies instructor!

Mrs. Ann Binkley, Certified Master Teacher and Reading Specialist - Primary Grades

Mrs Ann Binkley, of Vernon Hills, is an expert educator with over a decade of primary grades teaching experience, including many years in prestigious private academies on the North Shore. She comes to Torah Academy with a wealth of pedagogical knowledge, natural talent for teaching, a love for working with children, infectious enthusiasm and a warm smile.

She received her Bachelor's Degree in Education from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and has been awarded State of Illinois K-9 Certification as a teacher. Mrs. Binkley continued on to earn a Master's Degree in Education from National Louis University, (graduating with an impressive 4.0/4,0 average) and also holds State of Illinois Certification as a Reading Specialist.

We look forward to the addition of Mrs. Binkley to our All-Star teaching staff, ensuring that our students will continue to thrive, learn and grow in Torah Academy's tradition of excellence!

Morah Becky Deutch, Director of Young Learning and Preschool Teacher

Mrs Rebecca Deutch, known as Morah Becky to her young charges, has been working with children for many years. She attended both Purdue University and Illinois State University and received her Bachelor's Degree in Human and Educational services which combines the fields of Special Education with Social Work. Since graduating, she has devoted her life to helping others of a wide variety of ages and abilities. She has taught 5-12 year olds at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, and instructed adults with disabilities on the topics of life skills and strategies> Morah Becky has served as a case manager for 0-3 year olds with disabilities, and also taught infants and toddlers at a prestigious school in Glenview. She strongly believes that children learn best with consistency, love, and support. She strives to promote positive self-esteem by using behavioral redirection techniques to teach alternatives to undesired behaviors. She also believes that a busy child is a happy child. This means providing children constant opportunities for exploration, problem solving, movement, and creativity. Under Morah Becky's guidance, and with your help, your children will find that school can be a safe and fun place to learn and grow.

Mrs. Carrie Kaz, Early Childhood Educational Consultant

Mrs. Carrie Kaz is a veteran early childhood educator, having taught and served as an administrator in early childhood settings for a decade and a half. She holds a Masters Degree in Education from DePaul University, with her major in Early Childhood (PreK - 3rd) and her concentration in Pre-K Curriculum Development. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a major in Early Childhood Education.For the last three years she has served as Early Childhood Curriculum Specialist at the Next Generation Now Child Development and Family Support Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Prior to that Mrs. Kaz was Head Teacher/Curriculum Director at Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel (Jewish Community School) in Boise, Idaho; Head Teacher at Beth –El Zedeck Early Learning Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Gan Shalom Early Childhood Education Center in Chicago, and at the Florence Heller Jewish Community Center Pre-School in Chicago.
Her positive, upbeat and helpful personality have endeared her to our staff and students alike and we look forward to her expert advice and input as we carry our school to the next level of excellence!