About Our Rabbi

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 under Rabbi Yehudah Parnes at Yeshiva University. He also learned at the Advanced Kollel at Yeshivat Shaalvim in Israel and served as its North American representative. Rabbi Baum 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. He is a Past President of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) and of the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County (RCBC). Rabbi Baum has mentored many fine Rabbinic interns, in association with Yeshiva University. His articles have appeared in a number of Jewish magazines and books, and his popular podcasts are easily accessible.

At Keter Torah, Rabbi Baum has striven to increase learning opportunities for adults and children, with many innovative and well attended shiurim and lectures. One of Rabbi Baum’s goals and achievements has been to foster an environment of engagement between the Rabbinic leadership and the membership of Keter Torah. Rabbi Baum is proud of his close relationships with many of the adults and children in the community, and he is actively involved with the thriving youth programs at the shul. Since Rabbi Baum came to Keter Torah, the shul has experienced tremendous growth, including the addition of many new minyanim and a significant increase in membership, with the shul now having well over 500 family units. 

Rabbi Baum and his wife, Debbie, are the parents of Yoni (& Breana), Dovid (& Reba), Esti (& Yoni) and Meira( & Mordechai).

1. The Day of Thanks
2. Is Half-Shabbos Really No Shabbos?
3. The Klal Perspectives Journal
4. Do We Need Another Modern Orthodox Organization?
5. Respecting the Sensitive, Nuanced Work of the OU and Their Poskim
6. On Rabbi Lookstein’s Judgment
7. Vayeshev: The importance of family unity
8. Hands on the Kotel​
9. ​How Close We Are to Each Other
10. No Shortcuts to Gratitude
11. A Tribute to Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld, z”l
12. The Art of Giving