About the Rabbi

Rabbi Charni Flame Selch joined Congregation Kol Ami in 2004. She had previously served for three years as spiritual leader of Temple Beth El of Lowell, MA

Rabbi Selch received her rabbinic ordination from Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York and a Master of Arts, also from JTSA. While a rabbinic student, Rabbi Selch served congregations in Watertown, New York and Omer, Israel. She was active in the rabbinical school student organization; helping to change the integration process for students with learning difficulties and founding a support group for ‘second career students’. Active in Student-Life events, she appeared in the Hebrew language student production of “Hair’ and directed the Hebrew rendition of “Guys and Dolls. Upon ordination he was awarded the Simon Greenberg Prize in Homiletics.

Rabbi Selch earned her Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Management from Near Eastern Languages and Literature from Columbia Union College in Maryland. She also received degrees in Television Production, Broadcast Arts and Theater Design from schools in Canada and Israel.

Rabbi Selch has lived in the United States, Canada and Israel and served with the Israel Defense Forces from 1984-1986. After finishing her army service, she worked as an actress and director before moving into the field of television production. Her documentary, ‘Structure of Memory’ about the building of the Holocaust memorial in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, won an honorable mention in the Tel Aviv Diaspora Museum’s International contest in 1991.

Rabbi Selch welcomes calls and e-mails of those who want further information about Congregation Kol Ami - its religious and educational approach, ongoing activities, and programs.

Rabbi Selch began teaching while still in high school and has developed and implemented curriculm at all levels; kindergarten through university. An elementary school curriculum she developed in partnership with synagogue educators won a Gold Solomon Schechter Awards in 2003 and a Judaic Arts program she created which was implemented by the Education Director, won a Silver Solomon Schechter Awards also in 2003. Rabbi Selch believes that Jewish education should be a partnership with the teachers, education directors, parents, and rabbis. There is no way to give our children what they need and crave without working together. Jewish Summer camp is a special enjoyment of hers and she has worked at Ramah camps and at Tel Noar, part of the Eli and Bessie Cohen foundation in New England and well as numerous day camps in New York and Pennsylvania.

Rabbi Selch is married to Steven Rudnick, currently a high school mathematics teacher in Anne Arundel County.

A member of the Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbi Selch is also a long-standing member of the Association for Jewish Studies and the Coalition for Advancement of Jewish Education.

Rabbi Selch’s Philosphy: Judasim shouldn’t be spectator sport. It is meant to be approachable and personal and do-able and never to be watched from the side-lines.

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