Cara Schneider Bongiorno (she/her) spent her career at Philadelphia nonprofits, holding development positions at WHYY and JEVS Human Services before joining the communications team at VISIT PHILADELPHIA®. There, she represented the city to travel media for 20+ years. Mid-pandemic, Cara chose to devote her time to volunteer teaching with Mighty Writers and hosting Philly History Pop Ups, fun gatherings where she presents intriguing but little-known stories about the city’s past.

Jonathan Broder (he/him), a native New Yorker, stayed in Philadelphia after attending Temple Law School. Counsel for Conrail for 30 years, he was instrumental in creating New York City’s High Line. In Philadelphia’s Jewish community, he has served as president of a synagogue and of Jewish Learning Venture, trustee of the Jewish Federation of of Greater Philadelphia, and other leadership roles. Jon has studied piano for over 50 years, including at the Oberlin School of Music. Jon is currently RS President.

Melissa Broder (she/her) has been performing as an actress and singer in community, regional, and off-Broadway shows since she was nine years old and has been featured in countless musicals, plays and cabarets. During and after college, she also performed a solo act as a folk/rock singer-songwriter/guitarist throughout the tri-state area in clubs, cafes, and college campuses. She is a proud Lifetime Member of the St. Bart’s Players, NYC’s longest-running community theater and has served on its Board for more than 25 years. She lives in Hoboken, NJ with her husband, Michael, and their cat, Mabel.

Elaine (she/her) and Steve Crane (he/him) met at the Rodeph Shalom seder eight years ago.  Clearly beshert!  They are both graduates of the University of Pennsylvania.  Elaine holds degrees in and has taught English literature, intercultural communication, and human development.  She was the first female English teacher at Central High School.  Steve got his BS in engineering, which led to a long career in construction and real estate. He has pursued an interest in publishing, authoring, and editing books, including some of Jewish interest.  Stimulated by RS Torah study, he recently completed a book on Biblical historicity.  Elaine and Steve share a deep commitment to Judaism and Israel and are active members of the RS Israel ConnectRS.

Eric Dickstein (he/him): After spending 20 years working in the technology and software industries, RS member Eric Dickstein now runs a business called Philly Tech Sidekick where he personally helps private clients become more confident and comfortable using technology. He teaches people the skills they need to navigate our tech-first world with more independence and less frustration. Eric is especially passionate about improving our community awareness about scams, and arming people with the knowledge necessary to avoid falling victim.

Amy Eisen (she/her) – Amy serves as the Director of Open Waters Mikveh, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.  She and her staff strive to provide a welcoming and meaningful experience for each individual who visits.

Ruth Fine (she/her) – Ruth Fine, a member of RS,  now based in Philadelphia, was a curator for the National Gallery of Art, Washington from 1972-2012.2, lastly as Curator of Special Projects in Modern Art.  Ruth’s focus on African American artists dates to 1976,  and includes publications on Norman Lewis, Martin Puryear, Brandywine Workshop and Archives, and Frank Stewart (Harvard University Cooper Gallery). She chairs the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation and is a consultant for the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation.

Howard Green (he/him) – Howard Green and his wife, Julia Williams, moved from central New Jersey to Center City nearly eight years ago.  They have been members of Rodeph Shalom since 2019.  An American historian by training, he has written books and articles on U.S. history, New Jersey history, oral and public history.  Howard is a former teacher in the Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple (New Brunswick, New Jersey) religious school and a member of the Days of Learning
Planning Group.

Kenny Holdsman (he/him) – Kenny is the CEO and one of five co-founders of Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB).  He
has been a member of RS for 50 years and is a long-time non-profit leader in Philadelphia.  His career has been
dedicated to working as a trusted ally and bridge builder in the pursuit of social justice and Tikkun Olam. Kenny
lives with his wife, Amy Holdsman, in Mt. Airy.  They were married in 1993 at RS where their sons Greg and Danny became B’nai Mitzvah.

Talia Jaskol (she/her), granddaughter of Elaine and Steve Crane, is a 9th grade student at Harriton High School in Lower Merion.  A recent Bat Mitzvah, Tali has helped at Breaking Bread Bread on Broad using her Mandarin speaking skills to welcome guests.

Rabbi Ari Poster Moffic (she/her) – Rabbi Ari has worked as a Rabbi-Educator for over 20 years and is currently the Director of Youth and Teen Experiences at Mishkan Chicago. She has a BA in Religious Studies from Indiana University, a Master’s Degree from Baltimore Hebrew University in Jewish Education and Communal Studies and was ordained at the Hebrew Union College.  She is a parent advocate for full protections and rights for LGBTQIA+ children and teens in school and communal activities.  She and her husband Rabbi Evan Moffic have teenage daughters and many pets.

Patricia Moss-Vreeland (she/her) is an artist, author, poet and thought leader on the relationship between art, memory, learning and creativity. Her work spans five decades and has been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Her art resides in many permanent collections, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Art Institute of Chicago, the Norton Museum and Holocaust Museum Houston. Moss-Vreeland believes in designing different forms of knowledge through art about our place in the world that includes collaborations, public events and workshops.

Susan Roth (she/her) – Susan has been an educator and tour guide at Christ Church Burial Ground (where Ben Franklin is buried!) since 2019.  She is also a historical romance author who studies the long eighteenth century in the U.S. and U.K., including Jewish and queer history.  She is excited to share a favorite topic and a favorite place with her RS community.

Jeffrey Saunders (he/him) came to Center City Philadelphia from Jackson Heights, New York, fifteen years ago. A graduate of NYU’s business school, he became a financial agent and later opened a highly reviewed restaurant with his wife Kendell In New York City, He frequently represented organizations at NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission hearings, and created one of the largest NY State and National Register historic districts. Jeffrey and Kendell belong to many local cultural organizations and enjoy long cross-country drives and the learning opportunities of overseas cruises.

Fred Strober (he/him) is a long-term member of Rodeph Shalom who served as president from 2008-2011 and is now a member of the Israel ConnectRS Engagement Group. Fred has numerous cousins in Israel and his daughter, Rebecca Strober, made aliyah in 2008 and currently resides in Tel Aviv.

Susannah Trubman (she/her) is a Rodeph Shalom member in exile (New York). She holds a B.A. in English Literature from University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.A. in History from Temple University. Susannah has been studying Yiddish language and culture with YIVO since 2019, is a three-time veteran of the Uriel Weinreich Summer Program, and previously served as an archival intern for YIVO’s Landsmanshaftn. Her current role at the YIVO Institute is Educator for the YIVO Learning and Media Center.