Yeshivat Akiva is an N-12 Modern Orthodox Religious Zionist day school in Southfield, Michigan, serving Southeast Michigan. It opened in 1964 as an elementary school and added a middle school in 1967 and high school starting in 1971 with a 10th grade. The school has had a strong connection to Israel, and for the first two decades the school's 12th grade took place in Israel.Detroit Jewish News, 15 Jan 1971, p33
The school's original name was Akiva Hebrew Day School. In 1982, the school was renamed Yeshivat Akiva-Akiva Hebrew Day School-Stollman Education Center.Detroit Jewish News, 26 Feb 1982, p2 It is currently known as Farber Hebrew Day School-Yeshivat Akiva and uses the motto "A foundation in Torah, a lifetime of success." The latest name change came as part of a major endowment by the Audrey & William Farber Family.
Founders and endowments The school grew out of a March 1964 meeting, called by Rabbi James Gordon and Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin, with 13 parents at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Dombey."Dinner to Honor Rabbi James Gordon" Detroit Jewish News, 11 Oct 1974 p36 The original trustees of the school were David I. Berris, Mrs. David Dombey, Rabbi Hayim Donin, Dr. Jacob Goldman, Rabbi James I. Gordon, Rabbi Israel I. Halpern, Dr. Max Kapustin, Ithamar Koenigsberg, Dr. Charles Levi, Seymour Ribat, Elliot Steiman and Phillip Stollman."New Day School to Open Here in September", Detroit Jewish News 6 Mar 1964, p40
The first Annual Akiva Dinner was held on Jan 18, 1966, at the Bnai David Synagogue.Detroit Jewish News, 17 Dec 1965, p27 At the tenth annual dinner in 1974, Abba Eban was the guest of honor and presented the school with the 1974 Spiritual Bridges Award of the WZO's department for Torah Education and Culture.Detroit Jewish News, 11 Oct 1974 p23 At the same dinner, Rabbi James I. Gordon was honored for his work with the school. In 1984, Avital Sharansky spoke at the annual dinner.Detroit Jewish News, 28 Sep 1984, p42
In December 1974, Phillip, Max and Frieda Stollman dedicated a kindergarten building in the school. The kindergarten was a prefab building on the property of Young Israel of Southfield."Phillip Stollman: A Belief in Education" in Detroit Jewish News, 22 Nov 1974, p12
In November 1986, Mrs. Hannah Karbal dedicated the Elementary school, which then became known as the Karbal Elementary School."Akiva to Dedicate Elementary School" in Detroit Jewish News, 28 Nov 1986 p77
In January 1988, The Sara Tugman Learning Resource Center for students with special educational needs was dedicated.Detroit Jewish News, 11 Dec 1987, p105
In 2001, the Schostak Family set up the Millennium Fund to boost the high school program at Akiva.Detroit Jewish News, 13 Jul 2001 p10 The campus was subsequently known as the Schostak Family Campus.
In 2013, as the school approached its 50th anniversary, the school received two major donations. The William Davidson Foundation donated $2.25 million, for "augmentation and improvement of Akiva's academic offerings." This was followed by the William and Audrey Farber Philanthropic Endowment Fund, which came forward with a 3 million dollar donation, which instigated a funding campaign and the construction of Akiva's first ever new facility."Building a Future" in Detroit Jewish News, 27 Feb 2014, p12 The Farber donation was later increased to $8 million and a new building was planned. Groundbreaking was in November, 2015.Shelli Liebman Dorfman, "Ready, Set, Build!" in Detroit Jewish News, 20 Aug 2015 p16"Next Chapter" in Detroit Jewish News, 26 Nov 2015, p24
Principals
Name Years Rabbi Manfred Pick 1964-1970 Rabbi Gerald Werner 1970Detroit Jewish News 24 July 1970, p26-1972Detroit Jewish News, 12 May 1972 p31 Rabbi Joseph SchuchatowitzDetroit Jewish News, 21 Jul 1972, p25 1972-1976 Rabbi Zev Schostak"Akiva Day School Names Rabbi Schostak as Principal" in Detroit Jewish News, 25 Jun 1976, p41 1976-1979 Rabbi Henoch MillenDetroit Jewish News, 7 Sep 1979, p28 1979-1984 Rabbi Sheldon Lopin 1984-1988 Rabbi Zev Shimansky 1988-1995 Rabbi Karmi GrossDetroit Jewish News, 1 Sep 1995, p1 1995-2000 Rabbi Yigal Tsaidi 2000-2009 Chaye Kohl 2009-2011 Rabbi Tzvi Klugerman"Akiva Picks New Head of School" in Detroit Jewish News, 12 May 2011, p17 2011-2016 Rabbi Scot Berman 2016-2020 Dr. Joshua Levisohn 2020-2024 Dr. Seth Korelitz 2024-
Rabbi Manfred Pick was the first principal of the school, starting in 1964 and remaining at that post until 1970.
Teacher Rabbi Eliezer Cohen taught at Akiva from 1974"Young Israel of Oak-Woods To Honor Rabbi Cohen Dec. 11" in Detroit Jewish News, 25 Nov 1988, p36 until the time of his death in 2014. He influenced several generations of Akiva students, teaching them Mishna, Talmud, and Bible. He was known for teaching the 6th grade class as well as the highest track of high school students. His yahrzeit continues to be marked by former students with days of learning.
Student leadership Elisha Prero was the first Student Council president, elected in 1968.Detroit Jewish News, 5 Jan 1968, p29 He was succeeded by Mike Feigelman in 1969,Detroit Jewish News, 20 Dec 1968, p27 followed by Gary Torgow in 1970Detroit Jewish News 14 Nov 1969, p34 and Sheldon Klein for the 1970–71 school year.Detroit Jewish News, 13 Nov 1970, p39 Sharon Rose was elected president for 1971–1972, becoming the first woman to serve that role.Detroit Jewish News, 12 Nov 1971, p37 Jamie Pearlberg was student council president in the 1991–1992 academic year.
Extracurricular activities Spelling bees Akiva has often hosted a spelling bee. In 1969, Benjamin Micznik was the winner.Detroit Jewish News, 4 Apr 1969, p36 The 1980 school champion was Sara Broner.Detroit Jewish News, 15 Feb 1980, p38 Ephraim Simon won in 1986."Spelling Bee Winners Named" in Detroit Jewish News, 14 Feb 1986 p17
Science fairs In 1969, four Akiva students participated in a science fair at Cobo Hall. Student Michael Feigelman was one of the victors.Detroit Jewish News, 25 Apr 1969, p36 Judy Krakovits received an honorable mention. In subsequent year, winning science fair projects were displayed at the Cranbrook Institute. in 1974, Grant Mitchell won second prize in the Southwest Michigan Regional Science fair, and first prize in the Metropolitan Detroit Science Fair junior division.Detroit Jewish News, 21 Jun 1974, p32
Chidon HaTanach Akiva has participated in Bible Competitions, including the International Chidon HaTanach. In 1972, Benny Micznik and Joel Bigman advanced to the National competition in New York.Sarah Ryba, "Akiva Action Line" in Detroit Jewish News, 31 Mar 1972, p37 Ira Finkelstein represented the school in the National Bible Contest in 1980.Detroit Jewish News, 6 Jun 1980, p24 In 2008, Dovi Nadel came in 3rd internationally. In that same year, Elizabeth Goldmeier was also an international finalist.
Mishmar A mishmar program was initiated in 1972 for Thursday evenings.David Donin, "Akiva Action Line" in Detroit Jewish News, 1 Dec 1972 p.40 At first the program was voluntary, but in later years it became compulsory.
Drama The students of the school have frequently put on plays for the public. In March 1973, they produced The Diary of Anne Frank.Detroit Jewish News 23 Mar 1973 p22 In 1975 students performed "Tevye and His Daughters."Detroit Jewish News, 14 Mar 1975, p52 In 1980, Akiva students put on "The Importance of Being Earnest.""Akiva Presents Wilde Production" Detroit Jewish News, 23 May 1980, p35
National Merit Scholars In 1982, student Shani Schreiber became a National Merit Scholar.Detroit Jewish News, 21 May 1982 p55
Invent America! For many years, students in the school participated in the Invent America! competition. In 1987, kindergarten student Zevi Steinmetz won the national competition when he invented a Popsicle stick that caught drips."Better Drip Catcher Wins Trip to D.C." in Detroit Jewish News, 19 Jun 1987 p20
Math Olympiad Starting in 1988, Akiva participated in the International Math Olympiad. Amy Zwas was the School champion in the first year."Akiva Students Win Olympiad" in Detroit Jewish News, 24 Jun 1988, p76
Wax Museum In 2000, students in the elementary school began a yearly wax museum, in which students would dress up as famous historical figures. This was initiated by teacher Shirleen Pensler.Janis Campbell, "Real Kids Play Wax Figures" In Detroit Free Press, 17 May 2001, p7
Battle of the Books For many years Akiva has participated in the Southfield Public Library's Battle of the Books, winning on a number of occasions. The first overall victory took place in 1989, when Akiva swept 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. In 2012 a team from Akiva again won the competition.Shelli Liebman Dorfman, "Ready, Set Read" in Detroit Jewish News, 12 Apr 2012, p22 In 2013, an Akiva team won both divisions.Shelli Liebman Dorfman "A Page Turner" in Detroit Jewish News, 25 Apr 2013, p69 An Akiva team placed every year from 2014 to 2018, winning first in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018.
Israel Quiz Bowl Starting in 1989, Akiva participated in the Israel Quiz Bowl, competing in the Day School division."Quiz Bowl Lists Winners" in Detroit Jewish News, 12 May 1989 p48 The competition ran through 1993, with Akiva winning in the final year of competition.
YUNMUN In 1993, Akiva sent its first delegation to Yeshiva University's National Model United Nations (YUNMUN), and has been sending students to the conference ever since.Detroit Jewish News, 9 Jul 1993 p84 In 1997, several students were awarded Best Delegate awards.Detroit Jewish News, 28 Feb 1997, p108
Panim El Panim In 1997 students from Akiva began attending Panim El Panim, a four-day learning program in Washington DC.Detroit Jewish News, 9 Jan 1998 p.90
Athletics Akiva has had many sports teams over the years, though some were quite short-lived. The basketball team was known as the Pioneers, named after the school yearbook, HeChalutz.Detroit Jewish News, 16 Mar 1990 p61 With the name change that occurred in 2016, the sports team took on the moniker Farber Fire. The early floor hockey team was known as the Cougars.
Floor Hockey Akiva's first reported athletic competition was a 1972 floor hockey contest against Yeshiva Beth Yehuda, played at the Detroit Jewish Center. Akiva won 9-5 before a crowd of 150.Rena Donin, "Akiva Action Line" in Detroit Jewish News, 11 Feb 1972, p23 The floor hockey team also played against Hillel Day School and Windsor.
Baseball In 1973, sixth grade boys in both Akiva and Yeshivat Beth Yehuda formed a Shabbat observant baseball league and played against one another.Detroit Jewish News, 15 Jun 1973 p30
Basketball