Ari Friedman

Arielle (Ari) holds a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies from The Ohio State University. She began her teaching career at Rockwern Academy, a community day school in Cincinnati, serving as the Judaics teacher for Kindergarten. Upon moving to Columbus, she furthered her expertise as a Hebrew and Judaics instructor at the Columbus JCC preschool, where she led the Judaics program for the Nitzanim class. Ari, a native Hebrew and English speaker, grew up in a Hebrew-speaking household, fostering her deep connection to the language. She also directed the Chaverim B’Ivrit, a nationally recognized Hebrew immersion camp experience at the JCC. Ari has participated in numerous training seminars, honing her skills in Hebrew language instruction for both day school and immersive settings. Her approach to Jewish education emphasizes diversity and the value of learning from different perspectives, aligning with CJDS's pluralistic ethos. Outside of work, Ari enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, music, fitness, and honing her culinary skills.