Rabbi Akiva Gersh is an educator, author, and spiritual guide known as the "Vegan Rabbi." Originally from New York, he moved to Israel in 2004 and has dedicated over two decades to Jewish and Israel education. He holds a BA in Religious Studies from Brown University, an MA in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, and received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Sulam Yaakov in Jerusalem. Rabbi Gersh is the founder of Vegan Rabbi, sharing traditional Jewish teachings that promote compassion for animals, environmental stewardship and healthy living. He established "The Vegan Shul" in 2024, an online community and learning space for Jewish vegans and vegetarians, and created The Vegan Rabbi Singles Network for Jewish plant-based singles. Through his work, he emphasizes the connection between Judaism, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship, advocating for a compassionate, plant-based lifestyle rooted in Jewish teachings. He resides in Pardes Hanna, Israel, with his wife Tamar and their four children.