Youth Director
Abby Salem-Goldman
Youth Director
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Abby has been involved in Tampa Bay’s Jewish Community since her early childhood. Having attended Hillel Academy (then Hillel Jewish Day School) through 6th grade and through countless summers at the JCC, Abby developed a love and joy for her Jewish faith at a young age. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Miami, where she was an active participant and service leader at the on-campus Hillel, and where she met her loving husband, Alan Goldman, at a Friday night Shabbat. They have been married since 2015 and are proud pet parents of two cats and one dog. Abby has always been passionate about helping others and began to develop her leadership skills at while in college as a Peer-Educator, Student Volunteer, and Vice President of APO, a national, co-ed fraternity based on the founding principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service. She quickly realized that, despite her interest in the biological sciences, her true calling was in service to others. Shortly after moving back to Tampa, Abby began working at Kol Ami as a Youth Advisor and soon picked up additional part-time roles in the office and the religious school. This past year, she served as the Assistant Director of Education under the leadership of Jennifer Halls. Abby has been inspired members of our congregation to make Kol Ami a safe and joyous space to be Jewish at any age. Through her work in the school, she has come to know and love many of the Kol Ami kids and families and sees them as the future of our Jewish community. She hopes to pass on her love of Judaism, Israel, tikkun olam, and gmilut chasadim to the next generation through fun and meaningful Jewish activities and events.
