Hanina Ruttenberg, Executive Director
Hanina Ruttenberg grew up in Far Rockaway, NY, and is the product of a Jewish Day School and High School education. She earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University in 1978 and a Certificate in 1992 from the Institute of Not For Profit Management, a joint program of Columbia University and UJA Federation of NY.

Prior to joining the Beth El family in 1995, Hanina was involved in the human service field for 22 years. Hanina began her career as an Assistant Fund Raiser at UJA Federation of NY and then as the Program Director of Recreation Rooms and Settlement, a member agency of UJA Federation of NY. She then became the Assistant Director of the North American Aliyah Movement, an organization devoted to helping olim in their move to Israel. Thereafter Hanina served as the Executive Director of Bnai Brith Hillel/Jewish Association of College Youth, a member agency of UJA Federation of NY, working with Jewish college students on campuses throughout the greater NY Metropolitan area and went on to become the Executive Director of TRI Center Inc., a privately owned drug and alcohol clinic with offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. Prior to coming to the Beth El family, she worked as the Assistant Director of the JTS MidAtlantic Region, coordinating specific fundraising efforts.

Hanina moved to Cherry Hill from NY in 1995 when she married Louis Ruttenberg. Hanina and Louis have a son Jacob, who attends the Kellman Academy.

Yaffa Fuchs, Educational Director
Yaffa Fuchs has been the Educational Director of Congregation Beth El since 1989. Yaffa received a Bachelors degree in mathematics from Brooklyn College and a Masters in Jewish Education as well as a Principal Certification from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She also holds a New York State certification in mathematics.

As the daughter of a great Rabbinic lineage, Yaffa's Jewish education began early on. Born in Israel, Yaffa emigrated with her parents to the United States at the age of ten and lived in New York City, where she attended Jewish Day Schools through High School. Her professional experience which spans more than twenty-five years includes teaching mathematics and Hebrew in public schools, Judaic subjects in both Jewish Day Schools and Synagogue schools, and adult education.

Under Yaffas leadership, Beth El Religious School has grown both qualitatively and quantitatively, earning the prestigious United Synagogue Framework for Excellence Award in 2004. Among her successes is the founding of Project Lev, a special needs program for developmentally challenged children.

Yaffa Fuchs enjoys singing and playing her flute. She lives in Cherry Hill with her husband, Jack, has two children and one grandchild.

Roselee Redelheim, Early Childhood Center Director
Roselee Redelheim, who joined Beth El staff as the director of the Early Childhood Center in July 2002, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a major in Early Childhood from City College of New York. She earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Villanova University and is certified as a Principal through the Pennsylvania State University Principal’s Certification Program.

Roselee has over 30 years of educational experience, all of which are in a Jewish setting. This includes serving as the Director of the Preschool at Har Zion Temple for nine years as the Principal of Albert Einstein Academy, which is the only Hebrew Day School in Delaware and as Educational Director at the Politz Day School in Cherry Hill for another nine years. She was the founding Director of Adath Emanu-El’s Early Childhood Center in Mt. Laurel and spent three years in Northern New Jersey where she was an Assistant Principal at Yavneh Academy, a Day School of almost 1000 students.

In all of Roselee’s positions she has successfully grown enrollment and introduced creative programming. Since returning to Cherry Hill and Beth El, Roselee has added a number of Preschool and Full Day Care classes and a Mommy and Me program to the Early Childhood Center and has increased enrollment to over 200 students. Her newest innovative endeavor is the opening of a Hebrew Immersion class for 3 and 4 year olds five afternoons a week.

Roselee Redelheim is the mother of two brilliant sons, the proud grandmother of six grandchildren and is happily married to Phil, the former Executive Director of Congregation Beth El.

Ronit Boyd     Director of Community Life
Contact at  rboyd@bethelsnj.org  


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Amy Kaplan, Librarian
Amy Kaplan has been the librarian for Congregation Beth El since 1988. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she received her MS in Library and Information science from Drexel University, where she was elected to Beta Phi Mu, the national library science honorary society. Amy selects, catalogues, and organizes all books and media in the synagogue library. In addition, she leads the monthly “Short Story Discussion Group.” She shares her love of books with synagogue members of all ages – from Beth El preschoolers to seniors.

She also serves as the facilitator for local book clubs. Amy is active in Jewish organizations on the local and national scene. A Vice President of the Katz Jewish Community Center and a member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, she is also the Chair of Federation’s Department of Jewish Education. On the national level, Amy has served since 2000 as a member of the Board of JESNA, the Jewish Education Service of North America.

Chaim Respes,  USY Advisor
My name is Chaim Respes and in my day job I'm a Human Resources Professional. I've been involved in USY since I was in eighth grade tagging along with my older sister to events near and far. I have served as a teacher preparing kids for their Bar and Bat Mitzvot and classes on Israel. I was active in USY in my youth as a member of the Seashore chapter. I have lived and studied in Israel, and am an alumnus of the Pilgrimage and Nativ programs. I graduated from Temple University where as President of my fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, I was instrumental in organizing programming that highlighted the benefits of being a part of Jewish organizations on college campus to USY Seniors and incoming Freshman. I am excited for the year we're going to have in USY and teaching in the Hebrew School. If you haven't already heard there is Paintball, Basketball, and a Fright Night planned. I hope to see all of you over the course of the year and you can let us know how we're doing planning events that are fun, educational, and most important give you a chance to chill with your friends. My wife Tonia and I want to say Todah Rabah for welcoming us to the Beth El Mishpacha and we hope you will introduce yourselves to us.

                            Contact at USYalum@yahoo.com   

Shira Taylor Gura, Chaverim Advisor
Shira Taylor Gura was born and raised at Congregation Beth El.  She was involved with Kadima and an active member and president of the Beth El USY while in high school.  After graduation from Rutgers College, she lived in Israel for two years, working as a youth counselor for Ramah Programs in Jerusalem.  Returning to the US, Shira studied occupational therapy at Boston University and completed her training in San Francisco.  Now living in Voorhees with her husband Boaz, daughter Ayalah, and a newborn son, she teaches Yoga and continues to be involved at Beth El as a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor, Kadima advisor, and a Junior Congregation Coordinator.  As if these activities are not enough, Shira is also an active member of Sisterhood and Young Associates at Beth El.

Tracey Rebock, Machar Advisor
Tracey Rebock is in her tenth year as the advisor for our youngest youth group Shalosh Arbah (2nd, 3rd and 4th grade). The youth group gets stronger every year and finding interesting programs for the kids is her passion. Tracey holds a Master's degree in Education. She has worked as a classroom teacher in both pre-schools and hebrew schools.

Tracey is currently working as a 4 year old pre-school teacher. She is very active in the community and finds great joy in social action projects. Tracey acknowledges that her happiest moments are those spent wit her best friend/husband Jeffrey and her fabulous children 10 year old Dillon and 8 year old Alexis.

                               Contact: trebock@comcast.net