Rachael Reiley (She/Her/They/Them-Its complicated) is an almost native San Franciscan having moved to the city in the summer of love (1971). She grew up in Diamond Heights and the Castro, then “left home” to attend Mills College then returned and earned a JD at USF. In the late-1980’s she discovered the Jewish community of Sha’ar Zahav which is where she first met and studied with Rabbi Dev. In 2001 she married Emily Newfield, and their son Riley was born in 2006. When he was a few weeks old the family moved to Cambridge MA where Emily completed an ob-gyn residency.
Upon returning to the Bay Area they quickly found Kehilla where Riley attended the school and Bnei Mitzvah program. Riley loved his time at Kehilla school and Rachael loved sitting on the sofas with the Thursday afternoon Torah study whenever she could. Rachael has also enjoyed the opportunity to study with the Kehilla community at 700 Benches, the Kehilla retreats, and Svara, among other adult learning opportunities.
During the pandemic Rachael has been at her computer pursuing a Masters in Library Science through San Jose State University. She has a deep passion for middle grade and YA literature that she will talk about endlessly if you let her.
Rachael is excited to serve with such a vibrant leadership team at Kehilla this year.