Meet the Rudermans

Rabbi David Ruderman
Rabbi David Ruderman was born and raised in the Boston area and attended Ithaca College undergraduate study. After a junior year abroad program in Israel at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he returned to Ithaca with the knowledge that he would like to go back to Israel. He completed an optional basic training in the IDF and then took time to study Torah, first in the Bat Ayin Yeshiva and then under Rabbi Chaim Brovender and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin at Yeshiva HaMivtar receiving rabbinical ordination in 2006.

During his compulsory service in the IDF, Rabbi David Ruderman received training in handling atomic biological and chemical weapons hazards (skills he hopes to not need at UMass Amherst). He also has training in Narrative Therapy and is a long time rock n' roll drummer.

Rabbi Ruderman and his wife Ariella have three children, Yosef Oz, age 6, Devorah, age 4 and Eliyahu, 1 year.


Ariella Ruderman
Ariella Ruderman was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She studied English Literature at Smith College. After graduation she traveled to Israel and spent time learning in Jerusalem and the northern city of Tzefat. After almost two years of Torah study, Ariella moved to New York where she worked for the Jewish Book Council. Upon her return to Israel she decided to spend her time learning about the country, first Hebrew in a five month intensive ulpan program and then in a two year tour guide training program. She also studied Torah part time in the town of Ofra and in Berot Bat Ayin. While in tour guide school she met her husband, David.

Ariella has been teaching Torah on and off for the past five years, and most recently has been trained to teach women preparing for marriage.

"I am very excited to be coming into a community of young men and women who are looking to grow and build and a Jewish community that will support and nurture them as they go through university. Our goals are to be a resource for students in any way we can, to teach what we have learned, and to celebrate Jewish life with students."