Jeremy Toren

Director of Jewish Life is a new role at Sinai Akiba Academy, strategically designed to guide the lev (heart) and neshama (soul) of our school. Jeremy works to cultivate the love and practice of Judaism in our students and families. This new position was intentionally designed to embody a rabbinic presence, providing spiritual leadership and guidance for Sinai Akiba Academy.

 

Jeremy’s SAA portfolio includes, but is not limited to, leading tefillah, spearheading tikkun olam projects across our community, teaching Torah trope, supporting the B’nai Mitzvah program, and serving as a mentor for our 8th graders as they craft their senior drashot and prepare for their capstone Israel trip. Led by our six core values, Jeremy works with all SAA students, from ECC-8th grade, guiding them on their unique spiritual journeys. 

Jeremy is the definition of a dedicated and inspiring Jewish educator. He has spent eighteen consecutive years committed to Jewish education. Jeremy has worked at San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) for the past eleven years. He began as a Judaic Studies faculty member, served as Upper School Director of Jewish Life for seven years, was the Upper School Judaic Studies Department Chair for six years, Upper School Dean of Judaics for three years, and is currently High School Associate Dean of Academics (and a Jewish studies teacher), a role that he has held since 2021. In addition to his leadership roles at SDJA, Jeremy spent six summers working as a lead Jewish educator at Jewish summer camps, and has taught at several religious schools across Los Angeles, including Temple Israel of Hollywood, Temple Isaiah, and Kol Tikvah Temple.

Jeremy holds a B.A. from Brandeis University and a M.A. in Education and Jewish Studies from American Jewish University. He was a member of cohort eight of the Mandel Teacher Educators Institute, a powerful two year journey of discovery for leaders in Jewish education, and is currently enrolled in the Day School Leadership Training Institute (expected graduation fall 2023). In addition to his educational pursuits, Jeremy has a true love of music. He majored in music at Brandeis, has played piano since age six, participated in amateur choirs for a decade, and loves to incorporate music and melody into tefillah. 

Jeremy has a deep passion for cultivating a love of Judaic Studies and a strong sense of Jewish identity and pride in his students.