I am a seasoned facilitator working to reawaken vibrant Jewish culture. 

I weave frameworks for cultural renewal with heart-felt experiential engagement.

I provide evocative sermons and keynotes, grounded organizational consulting, and connective Rabbi-in-Residence engagement.

Rabbi-in-Service

Contact Rabbi Zelig

Discovery Call: Click here to schedule a free 30-minute Discovery Call to explore with me.

Areas of Expertise

  • I illuminate communities and events by speaking on topics such as:

    • Awakening Judaism’s Earth-Based Traditions

    • Reweaving Multi-Generation Community

    • Maturing Culture by Engaging in Adulthood Initiation

    • From Boys to Mensch: Initiating Men in a Post-Patriarchy World

    • Remembering our Human Essence in the Mirror of Nature

    • Cultivating Resilience in Trying Times

    • Addressing Climate Change from Jewish Soul

    • Embracing the Hebrew Calendar as Cultural Medicine for Our Time

    • Rekindling the Sacred Fire on Our Altars and in Our Hearts

    • Honoring Water and Rain as a Central Jewish Prayer

    • Rawakening Jewish Rain Dance to Heal Culture and Address Climate Change

    See Sample Sermons & Keynotes HERE

  • For over two decades I have been at the forefront of Jewish innovation. As the Founder of Wilderness Torah, I have learned through success and failure the multi-faceted path of organizational development and creating transformational community and education programs.

    I have consulted with national standard setting organizations and leaders to help envision our Jewish future, including with the Jewish Education Project, Jewish Federations of North America, Jewish Food Farming and Environmental Education (JOFEE) Network, Institute for Jewish Spirituality, B’nai Mitzvah Revolution, Jewish Futures Conference, Shinui: National Jewish Innovation Network, among others.

    I have consulted with many organizations to help launch aspects of their innovation work, including Ma’alot (Atlanta, GA), Living Tree Alliance (Vermont), ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, to name a few.

    I provide a wide pallet of Jewish and non-Jewish frameworks alongside visionary insight into cutting edge cultural creativity. My areas of expertise include:

    • Holistic Leadership Design and Training

    • Nature-Centered Program and Ritual Design

    • Mentorship-Based Education Pedagogy

    • Building Cultures of Initiation

    • Soul-Centered B’Mitzvah Innovation

    • Cultivating Generative Multi-Generational Community

    • Sparking Adult & Elder Initiation pathways

    • Integrating Earth Based Practices into Jewish organizations and culture

  • I customize rabbi-in-residence engagements with your community weaving many modalities, such as:

    • Vibrant Community Prayer

    • Inspiring Pulpit sermon

    • Fireside Song & Storytelling

    • Group Text study

    • Community Council (Heart Sharing)

    • Nature Connection Games and Challenges

    • Nature-Based Crafts and Hand Skills

    • Consulting with community leaders to catalyze holistic engagement

    I am a consummate community builder who thrives in immersive spaces. I bring a diverse set of tools to uplift your community and create holistic community engagement with themes, such as:

    • The Mirror of Nature - Returning to the Garden of Eden

    • Jewish Ways into Nature’s Elements

    • Tending the Sacred Fire on our Altar and in Our Hearts

    • Weaving Multi-Generational Community - Uplifting Our Elders, Inspiring Our Youth

    • Beyond B’Mitzvah: the Importance of Initiating Our Adults and Our Elders

    • Embracing the Hebrew Calendar as Our Cultural Operating System

    • Honoring Our Ancestors, Healing From Our Past

    • Men’s Adulthood Initiation: From adolescence to true service

Watch Zelig's Sermons & Keynotes
Read Zelig's Torah Commentary & Holiday Teachings
Read Zelig's Articles

Testimonials

  • I had the extraordinary privilege of bringing Rabbi Zelig as Dwell faculty to work with 18 Hillel professionals. I have never seen senior educators develop a sense of community so quickly. I would not hesitate to bring Zelig as faculty again.

    Andrea Hoffman, Hillel International
    Director of Dwell, Experience Design & Gatherings

  • Rabbi Zelig is a rare scholar who possesses deep knowledge and the ability to ignite curiosity and inspire personal growth. During an organization development retreat, Rabbi Golden masterfully guided 18 seasoned Jewish professional teachers. He fostered an inclusive environment, boldly put us through physical challenges that broke us out of old patterns, and asked incisive questions that sparked fresh thinking. Rabbi Golden is not just a scholar but a guide, a mentor, and a friend. His impact will be felt long after his tenure as Rabbi in Residence concludes.

    Nancy Parkes, Education Consultant

  • Zelig has a rare ability to hold sacred space for spiritual exploration while offering grounded, actionable tools for building something lasting and real. His teachings helped me transform dreams and intentions into structures and impact. When I founded Ma’alot, a spiritual community in Atlanta centered on music, nature, and Jewish wisdom, Zelig became my trusted coach. He met me at every threshold—through uncertainty, visioning, and courageous action—empowering me to navigate challenges with clarity and grace. He models what it means to step into power with humility and wisdom, inspiring others to do the same. I am forever grateful for his mentorship and the profound ways he helped shape my leadership and spiritual path.

    Rabbi Ariel Wolpe, Spiritual Leader Ma’alot

  • Rabbi Zelig is smart, grounded and empathetic. He has superb people skills. He’s both Jewishly serious and incredibly open. If you’re thinking about working with him I’d encourage you to be in touch without hesitation.

    Nigel Savage

  • Rabbi Zelig Golden served as master educator for our family Shabbat retreat three years in a row. With ease and skill, he engages participants of all ages in inspired Shabbat prayer, spiritually awakening nature-based activities, and profound Torah teaching. Everyone from child to elder felt seen and delighted. Rabbi Golden is an inspiring teacher and leader. We want him to return again and again!

    Rabbi Tamar Malino, Temple Beth Shalom (Conservative Synagogue)

  • Rabbi Zelig is teaching us how to make Judaism relevant and transformative once again. I brought him to Shinui, where he inspired leading Jewish educators from across the country. When I personally want to learn what the Jewish future holds, I turn to Rabbi Zelig.

    Dr. Bill Robinson, Former Dean JTS William Davidson Graduate School for Jewish Education
    Executive Director of Na'aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning

  • Rabbi Zelig is gifted educator and leader. Having known and worked with Zelig for over 10 years, there are few people who match his depth of knowledge of nature, spirituality, and human connection. He brings intention, creativity, and warmth to every moment -- whether teaching Torah under open skies or turning a campfire into a magical experience. He has a magnetic ability to help people of all ages and backgrounds to connect more deeply with themselves, Judaism, community, and the world around them. He is masterful in elevating individual and collective experiences beyond what you thought was possible.

    Carine Warsawski, Founder/CEO, Trybal Gatheringsre

  • Rabbi Zelig Golden brings an awe‑inspiring love of nature and people to everything he does. He teaches in innovative ways that incorporate a rare blend of craft, knowledge, and heart. His lightheartedness and kindness invites openness, creating an atmosphere where participants feel elevated and at ease. He embodies the perfect balance of intentionality, thoughtful planning, and easygoing presence, making every experience with him both grounded and expansive.

    Miriam Chilton, Chief Growth Officer, Trybal Gatherings