About Me

Rabbi Elana Zaiman is the first woman rabbi from a family spanning three generations of rabbis. She holds a BA in religion and psychology from George Washington University and a MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work. Elana also received MA degrees in Judaic Studies and Hebrew Literature, as well as rabbinic ordination from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

For five years Elana served as a rabbi at Manhattan’s Park Avenue Synagogue. She has also been the program director and acting director at Tufts University Hillel in Massachusetts, and program associate and associate scholar-in-residence at Brandeis-Bardin Institute in California.

Currently, Elana is the chaplain for the aged at The Caroline Kline Galland Home and The Summit at First Hill in Seattle, WA. She travels throughout the United States and Canada serving as a scholar-in-residence and visiting rabbi.

Publications in literary journals, anthologies, and Jewish newspapers include: "Writing Ethical Wills," in Rayonot, A Journal of Ideas; "Gabriel," in American Letters and Commentary; "Bedtime," in The Kid Turned Out Fine, (ed. Paula Ford-Martin); "The Lessons Of Exile," in The Jewish Week (New York); and "Remembering is a Blessing," in The Jewish Transcript (Seattle).

Elana lives in Seattle with her husband, Seth, and their son, Gabriel.


For more information and to bring Rabbi Elana Zaiman to your community, please contact her at 206.226.7859 (Pacific Time) • info@elanazaiman.com