David Kalender, Rabbi
Judaism teaches that no matter where we are, what we know or what we believe, there’s always room for growth, and Rabbi Kalender is honored to help community members enhance their Jewish souls through knowledge, practice and engagement. Olam Tikvah now has over 100 Torah readers and Sh’lichay Tzibor (service leaders), representing congregants from post-b'nei mitzvah to octogenarians. Enthusiasm for all kinds of learning and spiritual growth is burgeoning—weekly Mishnah and Talmud classes, mini-courses on theology and history, Bible and Israel courses in partnership with other DC area institutions, book discussions, Hebrew language classes and Scholars-in-Residence. He also loves to learn and is a Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute.
Biography
Rabbi Kalender grew up in an active Conservative congregation in Kansas City. Over the years, he developed a love of all things Jewish through family, synagogue life, and Camp Ramah. Eventually, he realized that he wanted his life to center on helping others find the joy and inspiration that comes from a traditional Jewish framework. He holds a BA in English from Columbia University and a BA and an MA in Jewish History from The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). Israel is central to his life, and he guides a group from Olam Tikvah to Israel almost every year.
The Kalenders feel blessed to be part of this wonderful shul community since 1998. David and his wife, Talya, the Director of Camper and Staff Care for Camp Ramah in New England, are blessed with four adult children, Aryeh/Danielle, Yaira and Nadav.
Community
Beyond Glenbrook Road, Rabbi Kalender is engaged in the larger community as well. For many years, he served as the Chairman of the Fairfax County Faith Communities in Action, various initiatives of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and has served as a board member of the Pozez JCC, Gesher Jewish Day School and the Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness in Fairfax County. Don’t hesitate to be in touch with your questions, concerns of the heart or mind, to study, or just to schmooze. Rabbi Kalender can be reached through the Olam Tikvah office (703) 425-1880 or at dkalender@olamtikvah.org.
Welcome Rabbi Ben Sigal, Assistant Rabbi
Olam Tikvah welcomes Rabbi Ben Sigal as our new Assistant Rabbi. Rabbi Sigal was ordained by the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2024. Born in Minnesota and raised in the Chicagoland area, Ben received his BA from Tulane University in Jewish Studies with a minor in Public Health. He also completed a Master's Concentration in Israel Education with the iCenter and his Certificate in Early Childhood Education at American Jewish University. Ben previously staffed USY Summer programs and worked in a variety of roles at the American Hebrew Academy. He served as a rabbinic intern at Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles, as a spiritual care intern at Beit T'Shuvah, a Jewish residential addiction treatment facility, and on the board of MERCAZ USA. In his free time, Ben enjoys cooking, baking, reading, studying daf yomi, and spending time with his wife, Elana, and son.
Rabbi Sigal can be reached through the Olam Tikvah office (703) 425-1880 or at bsigal@olamtikvah.org.
