Living Torah in a Living Classroom, Accepting Applications for September 2025
Pillars of Sol
WALL-LESS INTEGRATED SPIRAL LEARNING
All subjects are connected through a central theme emanating from our Sol Practice. Spiritual practice permeates all learning as we explore literacy, mathematics, science, language, history and more. We embrace Wall-lessness in our indoor and outdoor living classrooms.
SOL PRACTICE
Central to all pedagogy at SOLFL is the belief that it is our duty to promote growth and learning in the spirit above all else. It is for this reason that all of our learning is based on a core spiritual practice which can be modified based on community.
WEB OF LIFE ECOLOGY
Through our Web of Life Curriculum, students learn, through nature immersion, about the local ecosystem they live in and are empowered to become environmental solutionists. Our learning village aims to facilitate as much outdoor learning as possible in our living classrooms. We focus on living sustainably in flow with nature.
Performing and Visual Arts
With an emphasis on performing arts- musical theatre, rock bands, and dance as well as Visual Arts in our Reggio inspired Atelier, empowerment of the creative spirit is central to all life at SOLFL.
IMPACT ENTREPRENEURSHIP & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
We believe all children are gifted creators. We tailor mentorship programs to each child's superpowers and passions, partnering them with specialists in their respective fields. In our Jobs Program, children take part in the daily operations of the school from running our school coffee shop & retail store (shown here) to harvesting food, prepping lunch, and more. It takes a village!
PHYSICAL PRACTICE
In addition to morning yoga practice, children take part in cultivating a daily physical practice in areas like martial arts and dance. We believe the mind/body/spirit connection is best facilitated through daily practice in a physical art.
PROGRAMS
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ages 11 - 14 | Girls
An entrepreneurial, creative, integrated spiral learning journey with Torah at its core.
ELEMENTARY
Ages 5 - 11 | Co-ed
Montessori and Reggio-inspired, Torah-infused wall-less learning environment with mixed-ages of two year blends. Spiritual learning and physical practice separated for boys and girls.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Ages 3 - 5 | Co-ed
Montessori and Reggio-inspired, Torah-infused, wall-less learning environment for our youngest learners.
Founding Leaders of SOL
Rebekah Neumann
Founder
Rebekah was the founder and CEO of WeGrow, a revolutionary learning practice launched from WeWork. Currently, she serves as creative director at Flow, a business focused on building conscious living communities. She believes the heart of conscious living is conscious learning and is excited to take part in creating this through SOLFL.
Rav DovBer Pinson
Spiritual Director
Rav Pinson is a world-renowned Rabbi, scholar, author, teacher and spiritual mentor. He has been hailed as one of the most important teachers of the generation, and is widely recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on authentic Jewish wisdom. Through his books, lectures and seminars he has touched and inspired the lives of thousands the world over, and continues to serve as a mentor to many thousands of students across the globe. Rav Pinson has authored over 60 books, many of which have been translated into multiple languages, such as, Hebrew, German, Spanish, Russian and Portuguese. Rav Pinson is the Rosh Kolel of the IYYUN Yeshiva/Kolel, is the Marah D'asra of 84 Viola, Suffern, NY, and heads The Iyyun Center in Brownstone Brooklyn, NY.
Rabbi Chaim Friedman
Head of School and Judaics
Rabbi Friedman brings over two decades of experience in Torah education within the South Florida community. He has taught across a broad spectrum—from elementary school classrooms to adult education seminars—and has served as the Rabbi of Congregation Ohr Chaim in Miami Beach.
Known for his warm presence and deep love of learning, Rabbi Friedman is passionate about making timeless Torah wisdom accessible and relevant to learners of all ages. At SOLFL, he is excited to guide students in exploring ancient teachings within a dynamic, nature-immersive environment that honors both tradition and innovation.
Amy Attias
Head of Living Torah and EC
With over forty years dedicated to inspiring children to connect with their spirits, Amy joins the SOLFL team as a very bright light committed to the practice of living Torah. She has a very special gift of nurturing a love of HaShem and is excited to share this in an environment of living classrooms where learners can experience the interconnectedness of all things.
Ellen Schwartz
Administrative Director
Ellen Schwartz is a seasoned educational leader with over a decade of experience in school administration, student success, and non-profit management. With expertise in accreditation, grant writing, and operational strategy, she ensures SOLFL’s foundation is strong and its future is bright.
A dynamic problem solver and meticulous organizer, Ellen navigates the complexities of education with both precision and vision. Her passion for fostering meaningful learning environments drives her commitment to SOLFL’s mission.
Beyond her professional work, Ellen enjoys scuba diving, playing the saxophone, and creative pursuits that reflect her vibrant approach to life and leadership.
Viviana Castellisi
Head of Montessori
With over 17 years of experience in Montessori education, Viviana Castellisi brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and heartfelt dedication to her role as Head of Montessori. Her journey has spanned from serving as a Lead Guide in the classroom to Head of School, and later overseeing more than 18 Montessori schools as a Regional Manager. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to creating environments where children—from infancy through high school—feel inspired, nurtured, and eager to learn.
Viviana is not only a seasoned educator and mentor to countless teachers and families but also a proud mother of four. Her personal journey as a parent enriches her understanding of the meaningful partnership between home and school. She believes that education is a shared experience, and she works tirelessly to ensure every family, student and teacher feels supported, heard, and welcomed in the school community.
Outside of her professional life, Viviana enjoys traveling, staying active, reading, and finding creative ways to make lasting memories with her children. Her leadership is grounded in warmth, integrity, and a lifelong passion for the Montessori philosophy.
Cassandra Naidoo Ph.D
Head of Middle School Pedagogy, Science & Ecology
After earning a Ph.D. in Cellular Biology and completing a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Molecular Biology, Dr. Cassandra Naidoo cultivated a global career spanning scientific research, sustainability analysis, and educational leadership. With over 15 years of international experience, she has served as a benchtop scientist, journal reviewer, curriculum innovator, and instructional leader across Africa, Asia, and North America.
Dr. Naidoo has taught and led academic programs across IB, A-Level, IGCSE, SACE, AP, and Montessori frameworks, most recently serving as Assistant Head of School and Lead Science Educator at Guidepost Academy in Florida. She brings with her a unique ability to blend rigorous academic standards with holistic, inquiry-driven education. Her leadership has inspired countless young minds to pursue paths rooted in curiosity, integrity, and purpose.
Central to Dr. Naidoo’s approach to education is the nurturing of character, the fostering of critical thinking and ethical decision-making, and the development of usable knowledge and transferable skills. Her pedagogy is governed by a lifelong dedication to helping learners reach enlightened levels of consciousness - intellectually, spiritually, and socially. She believes that true education equips individuals not only to succeed in the world, but to meaningfully transform it.
Dr. Naidoo continues to champion interdisciplinary collaboration, individualized learning, and the design of values-centered academic systems that honor each student’s unique potential and humanity.
JC Gutierrez
Head of Mentorships, Jobs Program & Theatre
JC brings over ten years of experience as an arts leader, educator, director, and youth mentor, empowering children through art, creative entrepreneurship, and community. He is passionate about sharing his love of stage with aspiring performers through musical theatre. As an artistic director, he has developed productions that inspire and engage young learners and adult audiences alike.
In addition to his educational and artistic roles, JC serves on several nonprofit boards and is a playwright, oratory coach, and marketing director. His goal is to inspire future storytellers and entrepreneurs through exploration and creation.
Kelsey & Kuani
Musical Directors
Previously Musical Directors at WeGrow, Kelsey and Juan are partners in life and in music. Their passion is giving children the tools to access the music that dwells within in order to connect with others, raising the vibration of the world one song at a time.
A multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Kelsey has worked with children of all ages across the globe (Cuba, India, Kenya, and Brazil) and in Miami and NYC. She has taught music in classrooms, living rooms (and virtual rooms) for the past 10 years.
Juan attended jazz school in Bogotá, Colombia and refined his percussion skills in Havana, Cuba and Salvador, Brazil. He also served as the musical director for the School of Rock in Brooklyn, NY.
Yehuda Heller
Co-Director of Farm-to-Table, Wellbeing & Basketball
Yehuda Heller brings over a decade of experience weaving together education, mental health, and nature-based learning. He supports students through experiential farm education, mindfulness practices, and youth athletics, creating spaces that foster growth, resilience, and connection.
Ariella Heller
Co-Director of Farm-to-Table & Art
Ariella is an English and art teacher with a passion for creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning. With experience in both the classroom and the farm, Ariella brings a well-rounded approach to education. Whether guiding students through literature and writing, encouraging artistic expression, or working on the school farm, Ariella loves helping students connect with the world around them.
ZACH & SHLOMO, ZUSHA
Torah Curriculum & Music Production
Zusha is a dynamic band that fuses traditional Jewish music with elements of soul and electronic rhythms, creating a unique sound that resonates with a diverse audience. Known for their soulful melodies and spiritually uplifting lyrics, Zusha has carved out a distinct niche in the contemporary music scene. The band members (Shlomo Gaisin and Zachariah Goldschmiedt) are also students of Rav Dovber Pinson, a renowned author and Kabbalist, whose teachings deeply influence their music and message. Through their art, Zusha seeks to inspire and connect people to their spiritual roots.
Rochie Pinson
Women’s Learning & Challah
Rochie Pinson is a Rebbetzin, designer, challah master and author of two challah cookbooks. Her first cookbook RISING is an international bestseller, already in its 5th printing.
As a Rebbetzin, educator, and inspirational speaker, Rochie travels around the the globe inspiring Jewish women to embrace their uniquely feminine power, through the wisdom of Torah and its deepest mystical teachings. Rochie also teaches all the tips, tricks and techniques of making magnificent challah, sharing her decades of experience with women around the world, and encouraging them to bring this delicious mitzvah into their lives!
Karen Nagar
Director of Hebrew Studies
With over 10 years of experience teaching Hebrew, Karen brings a unique blend of expertise as both a speech pathologist and an educator. She was a lead Hebrew teacher at Ramaz with training in the *Tal Am* and *Chalav u'Dvash* programs. Karen is dedicated to creating an engaging language-learning environment. Whether focusing on phonetics, grammar, or everyday communication, her purpose is to tailor lessons to meet the needs of each student, fostering both linguistic confidence and cultural connection.
Ariella Prol
Atelierista
Ariella Prol has a passion for life that she loves sharing with children. A second-generation educator and homeschooler, Ariella grew up immersed in natural living in a family of holistic health practitioners and educators. From a very early age, Ariella demonstrated a keen eye for beauty and a mastery of the arts. A barefoot nature-lover from the start, Ariella grew up creating art with the same natural and organic supplies her students enjoy today.
As a young adult, Ariella traveled the world exploring more than 30 countries, photographing and journaling her experiences.
Ariella’s diverse and unique formal education includes graduation from the Florida School of Massage (1996) Ashtanga Yoga Instructor Training (2000), Children’s Yoga Teacher Training( 2003), and Certified Doula training. (2013).
As a homeschooling mom, Ariella began sharing yoga, philosophy, journaling, and arts and crafts classes with a small group of friends and in a pioneering blog with homeschoolers worldwide. For the past 15 years, Ariella has taught art, creative writing, and yoga in various professional settings engaging and nurturing students with her eclectic, holistic, and healing approach to childhood education.
Ariella, her husband Jeff (an acupuncturist), and children, Kai (19), Lotus (16), and Leilani (10) can be found most weekends at the beach surfing and hanging out with friends.
CONTACT US TO START YOUR JOURNEY
