Elise Prowse, Bathea James, Rabbi Tsipi Gabai
Bathea James
Head of School
Bathea James is the former Director of the Tucson Hebrew Academy in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to coming to the United States, Bathea worked at the King David School in Johannesburg, South Africa. Bathea has numerous degrees in the field of Educational Leadership, Clinical Social Work, Biblical Studies, African Languages and Business and Human Resources. Bathea is a graduate of the Harvard Principal's Center Summer Institute 2003. She is also a member of the Arizona Board of Health Examiners and is a licensed Master social worker. Bathea started as Tehiyah's Head of School in July 2007.
Rabbi Tsipi Gabai
Head of Judaic Studies
Rabbi Tsipi Gabai received her rabbinic ordination, as well as a Masters in Rabbinic Studies, from The Academy for Jewish Religion/CA. She also holds a Certificate of School Administration from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. During the years leading up to her transition from growing up in Israel to transplanting herself in Northern California, Tsipi received a BA in Bible and Jewish History, as well as a teaching credential, from Haifa University. Tsipi came to Tehiyah Day School in 1989 as a teacher; she has continued to teach as well as to serve as Head of Hebrew and Judaic Studies since 1994.
Elise Prowse
Head of General Studies
Elise Prowse has been a middle school teacher at Tehiyah since 1990 and Middle School Head since 1999. Elise received her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from UC Davis, and then headed off to Africa to study baboons. Upon her return, she pursued a Single Subject Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University, and moved on to teach math and science in high school. Before coming to Tehiyah, Elise held the position of Director of Education for the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley where she developed curriculum and taught in schools.
