Empowering Kids, Enriching Futures
Our leadership team is devoted to improving the lives of children, especially those facing the devastating effects of bullying.
Our LEadership
Rabbi Baldinger is the co-founder and co-director of Reyus and is a much cherished Rebbe/Judaics teacher at the Torah School of Greater Washington. Rabbi Baldinger began his teaching career in Memphis before moving to the Washington Dc area. With his over 10 years experience as an expert mechanich/teacher, Rabbi Baldinger has developed an effective educational approach where the educator takes into account a child’s psychological mindset and home environment to better understand and respond to a student’s behavior. Rabbi Baldinger received rabbinic ordination from the Yeshiva Gedolah of Silver Spring and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from The George Washington University. Rabbi Baldinger is passionate about creating an environment of achdus/unity, where every individual feels they are an important part of the team.
Rabbi Beren is the co-founder and co-director of Reyus . Rabbi Beren began his career as a beloved rebbe at the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School. In addition to developing Reyus into a world class organization with Rabbi Baldinger, he also was Vice President of Strategic Growth at the Mount Washington Group where he sourced and led initial negotiations for the largest acquisition in the company’s history at that time, worth over $40 million dollars. At this time, Rabbi Beren is devoting himself full time to advancing Reyus . He received rabbinic ordination from the Yeshiva Gedolah of Silver Spring. He also holds both a Master’s degree in education and a joint degree in law and business from The George Washington University. Rabbi Beren is passionate about bringing out the value in all people including ourselves.
Mrs. Sorah Goodman is the assistant director of Reyus. Mrs. Goodman has been in education for over 30 years. She received a Master’s Degree in education from Loyola University. She also holds an AMI certification from The Montessori Washington Institute. In addition, she is the director of The Mesorah Women’s Learning Institute. Mrs. Goodman devoted her teaching career to the understanding that each child is a world. She is passionate about making sure every child feels great about themselves.
Jen Goodhart is the head of operations and development of Reyus. She has worked in the financial services industry for 25 years, in various digital experience and marketing roles, most recently as a Marketing Director at a large investment firm, with a focus on strategic planning for advertising. She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario and a certificate in Project Management for New Media from Centennial College. After years of involvement in the community, Jen has recently been focused on applying her skills more formally to larger causes, including pioneering a Jewish Heritage Group at her previous company. Jen is passionate about children and the importance of a warm and caring environment to build them up to develop resilience and inner strength to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A native of Munich, Germany, Tamar lives in Boston, MA, with her husband, four children, a dog, and a cat. She is a professional Fine Gardener and runs her own small business. In addition, she helps coordinate afterschool programs at her kids’ school. When her kids were younger, Tamar was actively involved in running the local Shomer Shabbos Cub Scout program.
She also holds a Masters in Israeli Politics and Society from Hebrew University. As a mother of more than one neurodiverse child, she recognizes the destructive dynamics of bullying and is passionate about supporting frum schools in their efforts to stop bullying.
Then, in 2022, he took his skills to B&H Photo, where he quickly took on a leadership role in B&H’s Logistics Department. Shaya handles many daily tasks that directly impact the receiving process of over 500 pallets of thousands of products into various warehouses. Shaya firmly believes that every child should have the opportunity to go to camp where they can grow, make friends, and be their best. Shaya lives in Far Rockaway, NY, with his wife and children.
Shimon Kanter grew up in Baltimore and continues to reside there with his wife and their four children. He is the founder of SMKStorage, a full-service consulting and development firm in the self-storage industry. Over the past nine years, he has built a reputation for excellence, developing more than 3.5 million square feet of storage facilities nationwide and advising clients on all aspects of self-storage operations, financing, and growth. Shimon brings a strategic, entrepreneurial mindset to both his professional and volunteer work.
He is deeply committed to community service, having served on the board of JTAP and currently serving on the board of Shomrei Emunah. Shimon is passionate about ensuring that every child—regardless of background—feels loved, safe, and supported in every environment.
Rabbi Rose grew up in Baltimore. He studied and received his semichah from Yeshivas Ner Yisroel and spent time in the Mirrer Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. He also received an MBA from Touro University and completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Rabbi Rose is the author of Building Eternity: A New Perspective on the Meaning of Marriage, as well as בּית היין, a small work on the holiday of Purim.
Rabbi Rose has also served as the director of Jewish Hospice Services for Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care. He also was staff writer for Artscroll and contributed to the Mishnah Elucidated project.
Rabbi Rose is currently the Rabbi of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion in Baltimore, before which he served as the Assistant Rabbi under Rabbi Moshe Hauer. In this position, Rabbi Rose gained key insight and experience into the opportunities and challenges facing our community and our children.
Our Executive Committee
Originally from New Jersey, Rabbi Bander studied at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem and Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, where he later settled with his wife and five children. He has served the Baltimore community as a rebbe at Bnos Yisroel’s High School and as a rabbinic intern at Suburban Orthodox Congregation. He also consistently gives shiurim throughout the community at shuls like Rabbi Weiss’s and Machzikei Torah.
Rabbi Bander holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University and is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC). Six years ago, he founded a psychotherapy and speech language practice called Let’s Chat Therapy Services through which he continues to support local schools and families, as well as providing mental health coordination and professional development to local schools.
His work with children and adolescents has given him first hand insight into the emotional toll of bullying and the urgent need for preventative and responsive solutions. Passionate about being part of that solution, he brings a unique blend of spiritual guidance and clinical expertise to his role on the executive committee.
A longtime Baltimore resident, Shua is the managing attorney and founder of Platinum Law Group, LLC, which he established over a decade ago. With a strong legal background, Shua also brings diverse experience in education, emergency management, and community service.
Shua is passionate about creating safe, supportive environments—both in and out of the courtroom. He and his wife live in Baltimore with their children and are deeply committed to the well-being of the local community.
Shua’s multidisciplinary background adds a valuable perspective to the executive committee, where he is proud to support Reyus’ mission and contribute to its vital work on behalf of children and families.
Gershon Seidel is a managing partner at East Insurance Group, a boutique commercial insurance firm operating in 15 states. With over 17 years of experience as a licensed insurance broker, he brings deep business expertise and a client-centered approach to the organization. A proud Baltimore native, Gershon received his early education at Talmudical Academy and continued on to Ner Israel, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Talmudic Law (BTL).
Gershon is an active member of his local shul and serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. He is married and the father of five children. Gershon is passionate about supporting initiatives that strengthen the community, promote achdus, and create meaningful impact.
