David Baum is an Orthodox Jew who grew up in a secular, suburban home and encountered the world of Torah Judaism while spending a semester in Israel. He is an ordained rabbi and a businessman and has been an active entrepreneur in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds. His businesses have ranged from telecom and online sales to real estate and venture capital. He is active in various local, national and international Jewish charities, many that deal with Jewish education and outreach. He lives in Passaic, New Jersey, with his wife and seven children.