Rabbi Eli Samber, an Arie Crown graduate (class of 80′), spent nine years teaching at Arie Crown as eighth grade rebbe. Rabbi Samber attended Skokie Yeshiva, Ner Yisroel of Baltimore, Toras Moshe and Mir Yeshiva in Israel and Yeshiva Gedola of Passaic. He learned in Kollel Lakewood East in Israel then spent more than two years in the Chicago Community Kollel. He has a B.A. in Talmudic Law and a M.A. in Education/Administration from Loyola University. He has smicha from Rabbi Doniel Lehrfield from Yeshivas Bais Yisroel.

Rabbi Menachem Kirshner, an Arie Crown graduate (class of ’93), joined Arie Crown as Assistant Principal of the Hebrew Department in 2010 and is proud to serve as an administrator of his alma mater. He attended Fasman Yeshiva, Har Etzion in Israel, and received his B.A. and smicha from Hebrew Theological College, and M.A. in Education and Supervision from the Loyola University/JELI program. Rabbi Kirshner was formerly Director of the St. Louis Kollel, Principal of the Sachs Skora Hebrew School, and was teacher/Assistant Mashgiach at Fasman Yeshiva.

Mrs. Morgenstern joined Arie Crown in 2013 as the Business Office Manager and now has returned in 2023 as Assistant Principal in the Limudei Kodesh Department for girls in grades 4th -8th. Mrs. Morgenstern has taught at the junior high and high school levels in several schools and cities for over 20 years, and has extensive experience in the areas of mentoring, curriculum coordination, and fostering academic growth and excellence in the classroom. Mrs. Morgenstern received her B.A. from the Anne Blitstein Teacher Institute, and her M.A. in Education and Supervision from the Loyola University/JELI Program.

Mrs. Shoshana Safirstein joined Arie Crown in 2015 after previously serving as the Assistant Early Childhood Director at the Mayer Kaplan JCC. Having received a B.A. in Early Childhood from Northeastern University, Mrs. Safirstein went on to teach and volunteer in the classroom, and take on key leadership roles in various organizations. Mrs. Safirstein’s knowledge base enables her to guide our Early Childhood program as one that focuses on the needs of each individual child, while instilling a love of learning that will help serve as the foundation for our students.

Mrs. Shani Rosenbaum joined Arie Crown in 2019 as a Hebrew Reading Specialist before transitioning to Assistant Principal of Limudei Kodesh for 1st – 3rd grade students in 2020. Mrs. Rosenbaum brings with her over 15 years of educational experience in numerous roles including Judaic Studies Teacher, Secular Studies Teacher, and Kriah Department Head at Yeshiva Gedola Elementary School in Montreal. Mrs. Rosenbaum received her professional accreditation under the direction of Dr. Karen Gazeith of the Federation CJA in Montreal.

Mrs. Abrams joined Arie Crown Hebrew Day School in 2014 as a teacher for our elementary school and brought her classroom skills to our middle school students as a 2nd and 5th grade teacher. During this time, she served various additional roles within the school including K – 4th Grade Language Arts Instructional Coach, 2nd Grade Team Leader, and Rotation Learning Instructional Coach. In 2020, Mrs. Abrams transitioned to her new role as our Assistant Principal of General Studies for our 1st – 3rd grade students. Mrs. Abrams received her B.A. degree from Brandeis University and a Masters degree from the University of Southern California.

Mr. Sam Medow joined the Arie Crown administrative team in 2013 bringing a wealth of experience from his previous senior roles in prominent Jewish organizations in Chicago including the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel of Chicago, Chai Lifeline Midwest and the JCCs of Chicago. Mr. Medow holds a B.A. from the University of Iowa and a M.B.A. from Roosevelt University and currently oversees the finances, development, public relations and building management of the school.

Mrs. Ellen Wigoda joined Arie Crown Hebrew Day School in 1993. She taught first and second grade boys for 12 years and then became the General Studies Coordinator in 2005. Mrs. Wigoda received her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and her M.A. in Teaching from Foster G. McGraw Graduate School (now National Louis University).

Mr. Nussbaum brings over 14 years of experience in education as a middle school teacher with the Chicago Public School. In his role he has worked closely with students, parents and colleagues to foster academic growth, character development, and a positive school culture. He holds an ESL endorsement, reflecting his commitment to meeting diverse learners where they are and supporting a wide range of student needs. Mr. Nussbaum has served as Director of Moshava Ba’ir Chicago, helping the camp grow while leading and mentoring teen and adult staff members. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Educational Administration and is passionate about helping students, staff, and families thrive at Arie Crown.