Eliana grew up in New York, the daughter of a congregational rabbi and the librarian at her local Jewish day school. From a young age, Eliana’s parents instilled in her the values of menschlichkeit, love of learning, and pride in her Jewish identity. Eliana attended both the Solomon Schechter Day School and Solomon Schechter High School on Long Island, where she had teachers who nurtured and guided her, and challenged her to become a critical thinker who values her own voice and perspective. After high school, Eliana enrolled in the double degree program of Barnard College and The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) for her undergraduate education, where she earned two bachelor’s degrees – one in American Studies and one in Talmud. She furthered her education at JTS and earned two master’s degrees - one in Jewish education and one in Talmud.

 

Along with her educational background, Camp Ramah holds a central place in Eliana’s life.  She attended camp there as a child, worked there as a counselor and supervisor, and most importantly, met her husband, Rabbi Joel Seltzer there. He is currently the Executive Director of Camp Ramah in the Poconos, and Eliana feels blessed to spend her summers at Ramah with her family, finding it a place that deepens her connection to Judaism, nature, and her community.

 

Eliana and Joel have three daughters and proud KBA students, Ayelet, Tali and Noa, who bring joy and laughter into their lives, as well as a dog, Abe, who loves going to camp just as much as the campers do!

 

Eliana began her teaching career thirteen years ago at the Heschel High School in Manhattan, followed by a stint at the Jewish Community Day School in Rhode Island. Eight years ago, she found her second home here at Kellman Brown Academy, where she currently fulfills a number of different roles.  She is the 5^th grade Jewish Studies teacher, teaches Judaic Studies to our middle school students and does tefillot with the students from Gan through 8th grade. In addition, she plans all of the Jewish Holiday programs for the school, is the Student Council advisor, and is a member of the J-STEM Team.  In 2017, she was named the Judaic Studies Coordinator in recognition of her oversight responsibilities. 

 

Kellman Brown Academy is not only a second home to Eliana and her family, but it is the place where her hopes and dreams come together. Both personally and professionally, KBA has been a place for Eliana and her family to learn and grow, to make meaningful connections to others and to our traditions, and to live a life imbued with joyful Judaism, a commitment to Israel and the Hebrew language, and a focus on the values that shape us as a people. Every day at KBA gives Eliana another opportunity to serve God and try to make the world a better place: one lesson, one interaction, and one child at a time. Eliana feels incredibly blessed to call Kellman Brown Academy her family and her home.