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, have three adult children, Aryeh, 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.
Viktoria Bedo, Assistant Rabbi
Rabbi Viki Bedo received her rabbinic ordination in 2021 from the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. She was the rabbinical intern at Park Avenue Synagogue, where she was fortunate to do the work that led her to the rabbinate in the first place: teaching classes and participating in prayer services and life-cycle events, guiding people on their Jewish journeys every day. She has also worked as a Jewish education consultant for BBYO, and was a rabbinic fellow through Hillel's Office of Innovation, doing millennial outreach on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She completed her unit of chaplaincy training working with Holocaust survivors in New York. Rabbi Bedo graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University with a B.A. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, as well as International and Global Studies. Prior to attending college, she spent two years at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, where she first fell in love with rabbinic texts.
Though born in Gothenburg, Sweden, she grew up in Budapest, Hungary, where her family lives until today. She enjoys running, going to the theatre, and coming up with creative menus for the Shabbat meals that she hosts. Rabbi Bedo, her husband, Jonah, and their son, Lev, are thrilled to be part of the Olam Tikvah community.
Rabbi Bedo can be reached through the Olam Tikvah office (703) 425-1880 or at vbedo@olamtikvah.org.
