About Rabbi Eliana

Rabbi Eliana Kayelle (they/them) is an educator, community organizer, writer, and theater maker living in the Bay Area.

Eliana is originally from Long Island, NY where they first fell in love with dance and creative expression as a way to communicate and move people to work for a more just world. With a background in theater, Eliana has directed and choreographed productions across the New York area at the academic and professional level. They infuse their love of theater and storytelling into Jewish education and Torah exploration. You can still find them teaching dance when the mood strikes them.

Eliana was raised in a Jewish social justice household. They knew from a young age their purpose was to be part of sacred liberation work and leaving the world better than how we found it. As an organizer Eliana was on the steering committee and ritual team of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Long Island where they worked on local campaigns and ritual actions. Now, they give time to several local and national organizations that work for a world where all people are free.

As an educator Eliana was on the Long Island roundtable of Jewish educators for The Jewish Education Project. They worked for Temple Beth El of Huntington as the youth group director and school t’fillah leader. Before that, they were the assistant director for Camp Ga’avah, a year-round program for LGBTQ+ youth. Since relocating to California, Eliana has joined the Camp Tawonga team as a lead educator for their B’nai Mitzvah and Family School programs.

Eliana received rabbinical ordination as part of the first cohort of Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary. In spring 2022, Eliana launched You Gotta Give ‘Em Torah, which offers adult education focused on identity, sexuality, and spirituality. They have been published in Hey Alma, Lilith, and The J — Jewish News of Northern California.

Eliana is a fat nonbinary queer Jew who believes in collective power and radical listening in order to work towards a future where there is liberation for all people.

“As a Rabbi and educator I seek not just to teach, but to accompany the people I work with on their travels through Torah and Jewish practice. I wish to build confidence and foster Jewish originality through ritual, innovative activities, and creative expression.”