Rabbi Michael Walden

Phone: 408-358-1751 x3
Email: rabbimichael@shirhadash.org

Education

Rabbi Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts from Cornell College where he graduated as the Outstanding Senior in Intercultural Life. He studied for his Master of Science in medical biochemistry in 2015 after serving as an MCAT tutor and strategist. His passion for experiential education inspired him to create the pilot program in science education at the Grin City Artist Residency, serve as a hiking guide in Denali, Alaska, and become an experiential Jewish educator at the pluralistic organization Livnot U’Lehibanot in Tzfat.

Rabbi Michael's experiences helping young Jewish adults discover themselves led him to the University of Arizona Hillel, where, as an Ezra Fellow, he pioneered interfaith programs, mentored students, and established the organization’s preeminent Jewish educational and student engagement program.

Background

An Eagle Scout, Michael has been a yeshiva student, is a Birthright Israel Fellow, and has a graduate certificate in Israel Education. During his time in Israel, he studied Krav Maga and Jiu-Jitsu on a MASA initiative and graduated from the Pardes Summer Program.

As a rabbi, Michael aspires to serve the North American Jewish future by promoting the search for meaning, innovative education, and Jewish social programs. In his free time, he reads obsessively, exercises passionately, and dances terribly.