(sohl-fuhl) Student of Life, for Life
Spiritual Earth Schools for the World
Our first location, SOLFL עץ חיים, now accepting applications!
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 & Visual Arts
Theatre, music, and dance serve as sacred vessels for self-expression, connecting students to their highest selves through heartfelt storytelling and authentic performance. The arts become a pathway to inner truth, creativity, and divine connection.
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
Elementary
Grades K-5 | Girls & Boys
Middle School
Grades 6-8 | Girls & Boys
High School
Grade 9 | Girls Cohort
Leaders of sol
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.
Rochie Pinson
Women’s Learning
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!
Rabbi Avrohom Hayman
Chinuch Director
Rabbi Avrohom Hayman was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised with a curiosity that carried him across the United States and around the world. His journey of learning and teaching has taken him from classrooms and communities in America to South Africa and Israel, shaping a global perspective grounded in tradition and lived experience.
He is deeply committed to sharing the depth and truth of Torah in a way that feels alive, relevant, and relational. At the heart of his work is a belief that authentic learning happens through genuine connection—building meaningful relationships, asking real questions, and inspiring others to engage with Torah not just as wisdom to study, but as a way to live.
Viviana Castellisi
Head of Learning
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 Elementary Learning. 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.
Amy Attias
Head of Living Torah
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.
Cassandra Naidoo Ph.D
Head of Curriculum
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. 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.
David Correa
Head of Operations
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, David brings a strong ability to organize people, systems, and ideas in ways that support healthy, growing communities. He is centered on helping environments run smoothly so the people within them can truly thrive.
At SOLFL, David focuses on the day-to-day flow of the school, helping create a steady, thoughtful rhythm that allows learning, creativity, and relationships to flourish. He cares deeply about turning vision into lived experience and is guided by a belief in an education that nurtures curiosity, responsibility, and human connection—preparing children for a future that is intelligent, conscious, and deeply human.
Kuani Sanchez
Head of Creative Arts
Head of Impact Entrepreneurship
Juan Manuel Sanchez (Kuani) is a Colombian-born artist, educator, and visionary. Rooted in music, the arts, and a lifelong devotion to learning, his work explores self-expression as a transformative force. After studying internationally, Kuani and his Partner founded in New York City an Experimental Music Program that empowered young artists and their families through creativity, confidence, and love.
At SOLFL, he now mentors students of life—for life—elevating the creative arts into a holistic practice that serves future generations and amplifies the unique super power that every single child has.
Yehuda Heller
Head of Farm-to-Market
Admissions Coordinator
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.
Kelsey Rodriguez
Head of Music
Kelsey is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and certified voice instructor with over 10 years of experience nurturing musicians of all ages. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Psychology from Wellesley College. Kelsey has worked as a classroom teacher, private instructor, and band coach, providing a safe and inspiring space for students to explore, create, and develop a lifelong love of music.
As a cofounder of Soul Flow House in NYC, she designed and led innovative music programs, produced student showcases, and ran a music-immersion summer camp for several years. At SOLFL, she strives to spark joy, build confidence, and foster curiosity through music-making.
JC Gutierrez
Head of 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.
Anna Miorelli
Atelierista
Anna Miorelli is an educator, artist, and lifelong learner. As an Atelierista at SOLFL, she is dedicated to nurturing each child’s authentic voice and innate creative spirit. Drawing inspiration from Reggio Emilia philosophies and over a decade of experience in the arts, architecture, and cultural fields, Anna seeks to cultivate the creative and human potential within every student—helping them grow in a loving, healing, and inspiring environment. She holds master’s degrees in Anthropology and Landscape Architecture and finds joy in guiding children to explore beauty, connection, and curiosity through art and nature.
Maria Yantorno
Yogi of SOL
Born in San Isidro, a river town in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Maria is the founder of Fly Yoga Miami—a family-centered yoga studio offering classes for children, prenatal students, and practitioners of all ages. An E-RYT 500 with over 20 years of teaching experience, she has dedicated her life to serving children through yoga.
Certified in kids yoga by Shakta Khalsa, Maria is deeply passionate about supporting children’s natural awareness and wisdom. She believes yoga is a powerful path to feeling centered, building confidence, and strengthening both body and mind. As a kids yoga teacher at SOLFL, she also mentors fellow educators on how yoga supports children during their formative years by fostering self-awareness, self-esteem, physical strength, and brain development.
Karen Nagar
Head 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.
ZACH & SHLOMO, ZUSHA
Artists in Residence
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.
MISSION & VALUES
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