MATTHEW BARAM, son of Paula and David Baram of Bloomfield, graduated from the American Jewish University (AJU) in Los Angeles California in May, earning his Masters in Arts in Education with a Concentration in Judaic Studies. At graduation, he was the Commencement Speaker for the Graduate Students.

He works at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles with Rabbis David Wolpe, Jason Fruithandler and Nicole Guzik, serving as the millennial director in charge of the Teen Center and Young Professionals (Atid Center).  He also teaches in the Religious School and is the adult leader for multiple synagogue youth trips to Israel each year.

Matthew is a graduate of the Solomon Schechter Day School in West Hartford, Kingswood-Oxford, and Boston University. His mother, Paula Baram, is a Jewish educator teaching at the Mandell JCC preschool and formerly at Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield. His father, David Baram, is an attorney in Bloomfield and state representative in the 15th Assembly District (Bloomfield/Windsor).

CAP: At AJU graduation ceremony: (l to r) Matthew Baram, professor and author Ron Wolfson, and Paula Baram.