Chel Mandell (they/them) is a queer gender expansive Jew from the S.F. Bay Area. They are a 5th year rabbinical student at the AJRCA. A dedicated and soulful Jewish educator/director with 12 years of experience teaching, they are deeply committed to reimaging Jewish community landscapes through creative Jewish practice. Chel is also the founder and spiritual leader of the Tzimtzum Collective, a queer Jewish community that gathers in Santa Cruz CA. Chel works at the University of San Francisco and is supporting the launch of the first justice, equity, diversity and inclusion certificate program offered through the Universities Jewish studies and social justice program. Chel completed a year-long rabbinic internship with The Kitchen SF and is thrilled to integrate this knowledge into their expanding communities. Chel is an avid surfer and ocean lover, ceramicist and activist with visions of bringing all of these interests and intersections to enrich their rabbinate.