The Team

The Founding Director of Shalem, Rabbi Selilah is dedicated to building learning communities where the whole person is encouraged to develop and thrive.  As an educator for over 25 years, she has taught learners of all ages and stages, while running preschools, religious schools, high school programs, adult education and even founding a musical theater camp.  

 

Rabbi Selilah is passionate about creating an environment where the children, staff and families love coming to school.  Rabbi Selilah believes that nurturing and education are inherent in the Jewish culture and are foundational cornerstones to building an engaged community. 

 

Raised in Alaska and the granddaughter of a Protestant minister, Rabbi Selilah found herself drawn to the values of the Jewish community that focus on the ethical and consistent treatment of others as well as the world around us. Consequently, she converted to Judaism in college, and after receiving her bachelor’s degree in music from the California Institute of the Arts, she earned two master’s degrees in Jewish education and Rabbinic studies. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Hebrew letters. She received her ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles in 2003.

 

Rabbi Selilah is married to Rabbi Joshua Kalev the Rabbi of Congregation Tikvat Jacob Beth Torah (CTJ) and they have two delightful children; their daughter Noa, age 15 and their son Jacob, age 13.