RABBI SHALOM BAUM has been the Rav at Keter Torah since September 2003. Before coming to Teaneck, he served as Rav of Congregation Ahavath Achim in Fairfield, Connecticut for nine years. Rabbi Baum received his smicha from RIETS, studying with Rabbi Yehudah Parnes at Yeshiva University, and learned at the Advanced Kollel at Yeshivat Shaalvim in Israel, where he served as its North American representative. He earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Benjamin Cardozo Law School and worked as a clerk for the Surrogate’s Court of New York City.

Active in many community organizations, Rabbi Baum has led numerous missions to Israel, prompting the Israel Ministry of Tourism and Tehilla to recognize Rabbi Baum for his commitment to promoting Aliyah and visits to Israel. While in Connecticut, Rabbi Baum founded the Fairfield Jewish Experience, an independent outreach organization that has inspired hundreds of unaffiliated Jews. He currently serves as the Vice President of Kashrus for the RCBC and is active with Project Ezrah.

Here in the Keter Torah community, Rabbi Baum has striven to increase learning opportunities for adults and children. Our shul has seen the addition of many new minyanim and a significant increase in membership. Rabbi Baum has established an outreach component to the shul and has worked with the membership to launch an initiative to help those who are unemployed or underemployed.

Rabbi Baum and his wife Debbie are the parents of 4 children – Yonatan, Dovid, Esti & Meira.