Senior Management

Chaim Mikael Guttermann, Director

Born and raised in Copenhagen, Rabbi Guttermann is a seventh generation Dane. His father, Mr. Avrohom Guttermann, was a prominent businessman and leader of the Jewish community in Copenhagen where he also ran a Yeshiva High School for Russian boys. After learning in Yeshiva Chayei Olam in London, Rabbi Guttermann enrolled in The Jerusalem College of Technology (Machon Lev), graduating with a degree in electrical engineering. Following a three and a half year Shlichut (Israeli educational mission) in Denmark he made Aliya and was hired as the director of Shuvu, from its’ day one.

He lives in Telze Stone with his family.

Joseph Hoch, Chairman

Dr. Hoch joined Mr. Biderman as Chairman of Shuvu in the year 2010, when the growth of the network and the workload necessitated appointing a Co-Chairman. Dr. Hoch was the natural choice for the position, following his very close relationship with Rabbi Pam zt”l, and longtime devotion to Shuvu.

A professor of physics, he currently serves as CEO of Park Drive Equities in Queens, New York, where he lives with his wife Aviva.

 

Abraham Biderman, Chairman

Mr.  Abraham (Abe) Biderman was hand-picked by Rabbi Pam to serve as Chairman, from Shuvu’s day one.

Born in Berlin to survivors, he grew up with an awareness of his responsibilities to Klal Yisrael, and to the eternity of the nation.

Over the past 40 years Mr. Biderman has served in many senior financial positions, and also in many public positions of New York City, including special advisor to Mayors Koch and Guliani, Housing Commissioner of New York City, Commissioner of Finance for New York City, and Chairman of New York City’s Employee Retirement System. He remains very close to former Mayor Guliani, as well as to many government officials including US Senators, Congressmen and Mayors.

Today he serves as Chairman of Eagle Advisers, LLC (since 2003), and also as Managing Director of Palladium Capital Advisors, LLC., as well as being on the boards of several public companies listed on the United States stock exchanges.

Mr. Biderman is also a Vice President of Agudath Israel of America, member of the Presidium of Beth Medrash Gevoha, Vice President of the Claims Conference, where he is the representative of Agudath Israel World Organization, besides being on the boards of many other non-profit and philanthropic organizations.

Mr. Biderman is a Certified Public Accountant, and graduated with a B.A. Degree in Investment Banking and Accounting from Brooklyn College in 1970.

He lives with his wife Sarah in Brooklyn, New York.

Chaim Mikael Guttermann, Director

Born and raised in Copenhagen, Rabbi Guttermann is a seventh generation Dane. His father, Mr. Avrohom Guttermann, was a prominent businessman and leader of the Jewish community in Copenhagen where he also ran a Yeshiva High School for Russian boys. After learning in Yeshiva Chayei Olam in London, Rav. Guttermann enrolled in The Jerusalem College of Technology, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Following a three and a half year Shlichut (Israeli educational mission) in Denmark he made Aliya and was hired as the director of Shuvu.

Nissan Kaplan, Educational Supervisor

Nissan Kaplan has brought vast educational experience with him to Shuvu. While teaching Talmud in the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva “Netiv Meir” for close to 40 years, he also directed the entire Judaic studies department and supervised the matriculation examinations (Bagrut) in the school. In 1990 Rabbi Kaplan got involved with the Russian population serving as director of “Tikvateinu” – a Ministry of Education Ulpan for Russian Olim in Jerusalem. During the 15 years that he directed the Ulpan, the thousands of Russian Olim that attended learned Hebrew and benefitted from the Jewish Heritage content which he added to the syllabus.
Many couples in the Ulpan had Rabbi Kaplan remarry them in a Jewish ceremony instead of their previous civil one. Rabbi Kaplan has also been a Ministry of Education tester in Talmud for the Matriculation Exams throughout Israel for the past 30 years. With his experience in both the Israeli school system and with Russian Olim, it was only natural for Rabbi Kaplan to eventually join the Shuvu network. He now serves as Shuvu’s High School supervisor and also oversees the elementary schools in the North and South of Israel. He visits each school at least once a month and tests the children to ensure that Shuvu’s high educational standards are being maintained.

Brocha Weinberger, Educational Supervisor

American-born, Brocha Weinberger spent several years in Russia with her husband assisting and educating Russian Jewry before joining Shuvu in Israel. Having mastered the Russian language and accumulated extensive experience in Jewish education, she is highly qualified to supervise Shuvu’s elementary schools. Although the schools are located throughout the country, she makes a point of visiting each school at least once a month.