RTA – Richmond Hebrew Day School Board of Trustees President, Dr. Sheri Prupis, is thrilled to announce the renewal of Rabbi Elisha Paul’s contract as Head of School.
This exciting development comes as Rabbi Paul enters the final year of his initial contract, showcasing the Board of Trustees’ steadfast confidence in his leadership and vision for the school’s future.
Since joining RTA three years ago, Rabbi Paul has demonstrated exceptional leadership, bringing about transformative changes that have elevated the school to new heights. Under his guidance, RTA has:
- Assembled an outstanding team of dedicated faculty and staff, hiring new talent and strengthening existing staff through intensive professional development opportunities
- Significantly enhanced the curriculum to meet and exceed modern educational standards and best practices
- Developed a comprehensive strategic plan for long-term growth
- Expanded student resources to support enrichment and individual learning needs
- Improved the school’s physical and technological infrastructure, creating a more conducive, technology-rich learning environment
In Ethics of Our Fathers, Mishna 1:6, Yehoshua ben Perachia teaches: Make for yourself a Rabbi.”
This underscores the importance of having a knowledgeable and inspiring leader. An excellent head of school serves as this “Rabbi” or teacher for the entire school community. They provide vision and guidance and set the educational and moral tone for the institution.
Rabbi Paul embodies this Mishna in his commitment to excellence in Judaic and General studies. He has reinforced RTA’s leadership position by providing a top-tier, well-rounded education for Richmond’s Jewish community.
The Board of Trustees is excited to codify this mutual commitment through a new 5-year contract extension. This decision reflects the Board’s trust in Rabbi Paul’s leadership and dedication to fostering a stable, thriving, and dynamic future for RTA.
“Rabbi Paul’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in RTA’s recent achievements,” said Board President Dr. Sheri Prupis.
“We are confident that under his continued guidance, RTA will continue to flourish, providing our students with an unparalleled educational experience that prepares them for success in high school, college, and beyond with a strong sense of Jewish identity.”
With Rabbi Paul’s vision and dedication, RTA continues to strengthen in each successive year as a beacon of Jewish education and community. In the words of Rabbi Paul, “the best is yet to come.”
See a group of photos of RTA students learning inside and outside the classroom.
10 Questions with RTA Head of School, Rabbi Elisha Paul
We had the opportunity to sit down with Rabbi Paul to reflect on his tenure and discuss his vision for the future of Richmond’s Jewish day school.
1. Under your guidance, what would you say are the school’s major achievements over the last three years?
RTA is stronger, inside and out. Over the past three years, we’ve made significant strides in multiple areas. We’ve stabilized and increased enrollment, enhanced the quality of academic support and programming, and garnered greater communal financial support for the school. At the same time, we’ve fostered a strong sense of community, navigated leadership transitions, and strengthened our focus on Israel, modern Jewish history, and Hebrew language.
- What’s an example of how your educational philosophy has shaped RTA?
My belief is that education is “one-size-fits-one,” and that every child learns best in their own way. This philosophy has guided our strategic plan by focusing on opportunities to challenge and stretch gifted students while also providing the necessary supports to help every learner thrive. Enrichment opportunities are available for students to explore advanced concepts, take on challenges beyond their grade level, and pursue areas of personal interest.
At the same time, we offer a range of resources to ensure all students succeed, including on-site occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, Orton-Gillingham tutoring in both Hebrew and English, and Title I academic support.
This ensures we can create a tailored learning experience for each student, maximizing their potential in the areas where they excel and supporting them in areas where they need reinforcement.
- We’re all very excited to see your contract extended. What ambitions are you looking forward to being able to achieve over the next number of years?
I’m eager to solidify RTA’s role as a destination location. We aim to expand RTA’s program, and enhance our physical facilities. In addition to strengthening our academic and extracurricular offerings, I’m looking forward to reaching further into the Richmond Jewish community. My goal is for RTA to become a true magnet for Jewish families in the region as a school that is not only academically excellent but also deeply connected to our shared values and traditions.
We want RTA to be seen as a central hub for Jewish education and community, creating stronger partnerships with local organizations and providing more opportunities for families to connect with one another and with their Judaism. By fostering this sense of connection and expanding our reach, we aim to ensure that RTA is not just a school but a cornerstone of Jewish life in Richmond.
- Since you arrived, and particularly after October 7th, how has RTA’s focus on Israel evolved?
At RTA, we’ve made it an ongoing priority to integrate Israel into our curriculum and daily experiences in meaningful and tangible ways.
Students have participated in hands-on initiatives, such as packing emergency security equipment and raising funds for causes in Israel, providing them with opportunities to directly support our brothers and sisters during these difficult times. In the classroom, we’ve expanded Israel-related content, focusing not only on its history and culture but also on current events and the resilience of its people. Additionally, we’ve emphasized greater fluency in modern Hebrew, giving students the tools to engage with Israel and its citizens.
This year, we’ve taken our investment in Israel even further with our middle school economics class’s SparkIL Free Loan Project. This initiative not only hones students’ understanding of economics but also strengthens their bond with Israel by providing interest-free microloans to Israeli businesses impacted by the ongoing war.
Thanks to the generous support of JCFR, students researched companies, analyzed needs and potential, and presented their findings to classmates, applying key economic principles like resource allocation and market impact. I’m inspired by the tangible involvement our students are beginning to form with Israel.
Through unique programming such as Café Ivrit, led by Tal Behar, JCFR’s Shlicha, students practice conversational Hebrew while learning about Israeli food, culture, history, and innovations.
This year, we’re thrilled to introduce a capstone Israel trip for an RTA middle school cohort, which will bookend the virtual Israel trip our kindergarteners take.
Having led Israel trips at other institutions, I’m excited to bring this transformative experience to RTA. The trip will give students an immersive, hands-on opportunity to connect with their heritage, deepening their pride in and connection with our homeland.
5. In what ways has the curriculum evolved to reflect the latest educational best practices?
At RTA, we’ve taken a deliberate, research-based approach to refining the curriculum to ensure students build a strong foundation for academic success.
In literacy, we’ve implemented a structured, systematic approach rooted in the science of how the brain learns to read. We led the way in adopting a top-notch science of reading curriculum developed by the University of Florida, which was later followed by other schools in the region, including Mary Munford Elementary and St. Christopher’s.
In math, we’ve shifted to a conceptual approach that emphasizes understanding the “why” behind mathematical processes. By encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving, this method ensures that students develop a thorough understanding of foundational concepts that they can build on to tackle more complex and sophisticated problems. Our math lab provides enrichment and additional support to students and offers a unique forum where they can grow their math skills under the mentorship of Mr. Paul Murphy, the chair of RTA’s math department.
We’ve also prioritized experiential learning, integrating real-world applications into the curriculum. Whether it’s immersive projects, outdoor education, or opportunities for students to take leadership roles, we focus on making learning dynamic and relevant.
This ensures that RTA students don’t just master academic content—they develop the skills and confidence to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.
These updates reflect our commitment to providing a comprehensive and forward-thinking education, equipping our students to excel both in and beyond the classroom.
- Give an example of how RTA has been able to leverage technology in the classroom.
Technology can greatly support a broad array of core skills. One great example is our implementation of Jotit, an Israeli technology that supports the development of students’ executive functioning skills.
As a private school, we have the flexibility to be early adopters when we see a cutting-edge tool with real impact and potential. I first learned about Jotit during a JNF leadership program in Israel and immediately recognized its value. I saw how it could benefit our students and was able to implement it as a pilot at RTA before Jotit rolled it out nationally.
Jotit provides a distraction-free digital platform that helps students manage assignments, take notes, and organize all their study materials. For our middle school students, it has been instrumental in building critical skills like time management, task prioritization, and self-regulation, ensuring they are prepared for success both inside and outside the classroom.
7. How is RTA addressing the importance of soft skills in student development?
Soft skills—sometimes referred to as the 5 Cs: critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and character—are essential for student success both in and beyond the classroom. At RTA, we intentionally integrate the development of these skills into our programming through a variety of meaningful opportunities.
Our student council provides a structured mechanism for leadership, enabling students to take ownership of projects and solve real-world challenges while honing their communication and collaboration skills. Small class sizes allow teachers to form personal connections with students and guide their growth over time, nurturing character and fostering individualized development.
Programs like lunch buddies bring students and teachers together in small group settings to discuss life, challenges, and opportunities while building character and relationships. Additionally, our middle school students frequently lead younger peers in intergrade activities, giving them opportunities to develop mentorship skills and strengthen collaboration across age groups.
This holistic approach ensures that RTA students graduate with the tools they need to thrive academically, socially, and personally, prepared to meet the demands of an ever-evolving world.
- How does RTA prioritize professional development to ensure faculty are equipped with the latest educational strategies?
We’ve embraced the concept that teachers must role model life-long learning. Professional development is a key component of our approach to maintaining educational excellence.
Recently, our entire staff participated in the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) conference at St. Christopher’s School, where they worked with thought leaders like Pooja K. Agarwal, author of Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning after all of our teachers read her groundbreaking work together over the summer.
A true testament to the caliber of our faculty is that our kindergarten and music educator, Michal Lipp, was selected to present at the VAIS conference, where she led her own professional development session. This reflects not only her expertise but also RTA’s commitment to fostering leadership and innovation within our staff.
Additionally, VAIS’s Director of Professional Learning, Dr. Darcie TeVault, has visited RTA on multiple occasions to lead workshops for our teachers, helping them integrate research-based strategies into their classrooms. Her most recent visit included praise for RTA being on the “cutting edge” of educational trends.
These professional development efforts ensure that our faculty continues to grow and that our students benefit from the latest research-backed practices.
- Can you share a particularly meaningful moment or experience during your time at RTA?
Jewish values in action really get me going. One moment that stands out to me was when a student unexpectedly became seriously ill. Our parent body and faculty immediately rallied together to support the family, providing help both physically, emotionally, and spiritually over several months. It was incredibly heartwarming to witness this grassroots support network in action. Equally touching was seeing peers patiently help the student reintegrate into school life while navigating some physical challenges.
This ethos of caring is a hallmark of RTA and exemplifies Jewish community and values.
10. More informally, what’s something you’ve appreciated about Richmond outside of your professional role?
I love the friendly, neighborly atmosphere here—people still wave and say hello while out walking, which gives Richmond such a warm and welcoming feel. It’s a unique mix of small-town charm, with easy commutes and plenty of convenient parking, and cosmopolitan appeal, with world-class attractions like healthcare, museums and amusement parks.
I’m also really looking forward to the completion of the only LEGO manufacturing center in North America—it’s such an exciting addition to the area!
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To learn more about RTA, contact Lauren at lauren@rudlin.com.
