Shalom! My name is David Baum and I am honored to serve as the Rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Kodesh. You can learn about me from the short biography below, but I urge you to please set up a meeting with me, whether at the congregation or somewhere else. You can email me at Rabbibaum@shaareikodesh.org or call the synagogue to set up an appointment (561-852-6555).

BIOGRAPHY

Rabbi David Baum has served as Rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Kodesh since the summer of 2009. Rabbi Baum graduated from the Rabbinical school at The Jewish Theological Seminary and received his Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from the Davidson School in May 2009.

Rabbi Baum was born and raised in South Florida attending Conservative Synagogues in both Miami and Plantation. During his childhood, Rabbi Baum was very involved in his synagogue, serving as president of his USY chapter. He attended the University of Florida where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in business administration. While at school, he engaged in leadership roles at the University of Florida Hillel and with Koach, the Conservative Movement’s college outreach movement. During his summers at school, Rabbi Baum worked at one of the Conservative Movement’s summer camps, Ramah Darom, the center for Southern Jewry. Rabbi Baum spent nine summers on staff at Camp Ramah Darom working closely with one of his mentors, founding director, Rabbi Loren Sykes.

Before entering rabbinical school, Rabbi Baum spent a year in Jerusalem learning at the Conservative Yeshiva. He has enjoyed many diverse opportunities as a student where he found his Rabbinic voice including working as a student Rabbi in Norwalk, Connecticut and in Fitzgerald, Georgia; working as a teacher in both Hebrew schools and adult education programs; developing his passion of social justice through his work at Jewish Funds for Justice and Interfaith Worker Justice; working as a program director for a teen interfaith program at Auburn Theological Seminary; and returning to the University of Florida where he served as a campus Rabbi. Along with his passion for Judaism, Rabbi Baum enjoys traveling, journaling, photography, and fervently following his favorite South Florida sports teams and the Florida Gators.

Rabbi Baum was married to his wife Alissa in August 2006, shortly before they spent a year in Jerusalem. Alissa was also born and raised in South Florida and has completed her doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University.  Dr. Baum is currently working at the Renfrew Center, an eating disorder treatment facility, in Coconut Creek, Florida.

They are the proud parents of two boys, Avraham (Avi) Jacob born on July 28th, 2009 (7th of Av), and Harrison Eytan, born on January 22nd, 2012 (29th of Shevat).

Rabbi Baum’s mission is to create a community based on meaningful relationship with God, each other, and our Torah.

LOCAL AND NATIONAL POSITIONS

Rabbi Baum is currently serving on the executive board of the Palm Beach Board of Rabbis as secretary.

Rabbi Baum was appointed to the Rabbinical Assembly’s (the international association of Conservative/Masorti rabbis) 2012 Public Resolutions Committee.

In May of 2012, Rabbi Baum was elected as Regional President of the Southeast Region of the Rabbinical Assembly, the international association of Conservative/Masorti Rabbis.

FURTHER READINGS

Rabbi Baum’s Installation Remarks 2009

RABBI BAUM IN THE NEWS

‘Florida Boy’ Named Local Rabbi

FOLLOW RABBI BAUM ON TWITTER!

http://twitter.com/RabbiDavidBaum