About Us

Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Zaks was born in Jerusalem and raised partially in the U.S. and in Israel. He currently  serves as the Headmaster of the Silver Spring Learning Center and Leo Bernstein Jewish Academy  (LBJA or JAFA). He received his rabbinic ordination from Beit Hora’ah of Modi’in Illit in 2018. He holds a B.S. in Judaic Studies from Michigan Institute. He received Smicha from Hebron Yeshiva. He has taught in numerous Yeshivas for over 15 years and led children’s programs for 20 years in Modiin, where he also led a summer camp and nightly program for boys.  In Israel, he created an After-School Judaics and Torah-study program for children, supervised a class of 50 teens  in Yeshiva, and taught at a Kollel. Rabbi Zaks is also currently the Director of an all boys Summer Program called Shteig. He also directs the Adult Jewish Education program at the Kollel that offers a program for homeschool children in the mornings at the synagogue. Currently, he teaches at our elementary school, LBJA. He serves as the Head of a Kollel--Chofetz Chaim (with whom he is directly related) and he now serves as one of the rabbis at the Silver Spring Jewish Center. He is the grandson of the beloved Rabbi Herzl Kranz (obm).

Natali  Gavrieli  is the director of the Silver Spring Learning Center and Leo Bernstein Jewish Academy (LBJA or JAFA). She has over 20 years of experience in education with a BA in psychology and a MA in bi-lingual education. She taught at LBJA prior to her promotion as Director. She hails from Colombia, S.A., and Haifa, Israel,  Her multilingual educational experience spans from pre-school to adults.  Natali says that  the Learning Center’s preschoolers are exposed to Hebrew language in a warm, inclusive, and stimulating environment where every child feels valued and supported.  All the children in both upper and lower grades are encouraged to learn at their own pace and follow their natural curiosities  Natali believes all the teachers are committed to fostering a nurturing and dynamic environment where every student can thrive. She brings warmth, respect, knowledge, passion, and compassion to the two schools SSLC and LBJA (JAFA).

Chaya Kranz received her Associate of Arts from the Community College of Baltimore. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Long Island University. She has been involved in children's education for 40 years. She directed an English Immersion preschool for 2-6 year-olds in Jerusalem, Israel. She was a lead teacher for 2  years at the Torah Kids class (4-5 years olds) at SSLC and directed Camp Ahava for 10 years. Chaya worked with the Jewish Academy of Fine Arts (LBJA)for 10 years and was responsible for coordinating the Hot Lunch program and Aftercare program. Since 1996, Chaya has been the manager of the Hebrew Sheltering Home for  the Washington area. Currently, she is the Executive Director at the Silver Spring Jewish Center. She is blessed with four children and currently has 7 grandchildren. She is the daughter of Rabbi Herzl Kranz (obm)  (founder of the Silver Spring Jewish Center) and is vital to his continuing legacy. She is the heart of the synagogue and school.