Our Team
Your Hosts
We have been hosting "PESACH TIME WITH THE MANDELS" (formerly Pesach Time Tours) for eighteen fabulous years. This year we are so excited to be going back to the beautiful Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ. We are planning so many new things from entertainment to wonderful lecturers. As always, the food will be non-stop and many new scrumptious dishes and fabulous decor will be incorporated. Every aspect of your Pesach vacation is planned to ensure a complete, pleasurable and fun experience for the whole family. We are committed to making sure from the moment you arrive at THE BERKELEY OCEANFRONT HOTEL, until you leave, nothing will get in the way of your enjoyment.
Program Director
Rabbi Chaim Block joins us again this year as our Program Director.
Rabbi Block lives in Monsey, NY with his wife Toby and children.
He is a Musmach from the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn, receiving semicha from Rav Shmuel Berenbaum, זצ"ל.
He is a long time Rebbi at RYNJ (Teaneck community) and the General Studies Principal at Yeshiva Toras Emes, elementary division, in Brooklyn.
He is a member of the Jewish Music group Shalsheles and is a Chazzan at the AABJ&D shul in West Orange, NJ.
Rabbi Block has previously been a head counselor (Camp Manavu) and program director (Camp Romimu). He is currently the Director of Vacation Village day camp. He is looking forward to telling all of our guests where to go!
Executive Dairy Chef
Chef David Ben-Hamu was born and raised in Netivot Israel. He received some of his first training from his grandmother who was a skilled cook and had to provide meals for A very large household.
Although he is formally trained, his experience is what He built his career on.
Chef David is well versed in American classic fare, Israeli style foods (the whole gamut), a wide range of Chinese, some Indian dishes, and Mexican/Spanish style. Chef David will be preparing many varieties of fish, pasta (pesach of course!), vegetables, and a huge array of salads for our oversized salad bar.
Although he runs a very tight ship, he does like to introduce some humor into the work environment. It raises the moral of the staff and helps to bring the best out of everyone.
Executive Fleishig Chef
Chef Tzvi Rudin has been cooking for over two decades. Chef Rudin was formerly trained as a chef in Israel by the Jerusalem kosher culinary academy. He has been cooking for Pesach for a number of years already both as a private chef and for large upscale Pesach programs. He currently lives in Philadelphia with his wife and 5 boys. In Tzvi's spare time he also volunteers for Hatzolah and Chaveirim.
Day Camp Director
Rabbi Shlomo Hyman has worked in the field of education for 32 years and has been with the Pesach Time Tours family for the past 14 years. In addition to Smicha, He has a masters degree in Jewish Education. Rabbi Hyman has 23 years experience working in summer camps in both supervisory and administrative positions.
Rabbi Hyman lives in Englewood, New Jersey, where he lives with his wife Freidi and their five children.
Rabbi Hyman runs a fun filled and exciting program. Day campers will have their days filled with numerous activities, make friends and gather memories that will last a lifetime. Among just a few of the highlights are Rabbi Hyman’s spellbinding story time, special guest entertainers, and the “acharon shel pesach” camper performances.
With all of the exciting and varied activities your child will never be bored!
Maitre D'
Tyler Ben-Jacob joins us this year as our Maitre D'. Tyler brings extensive experience from the hospitality and food industry to our Pesach program. Previously working in other programs and catering, he has developed a passion for creating memorable experiences. Tyler is dedicated to making this year’s Pesach truly special and enjoyable for all of our guests. He will personally see to it that you receive the service and Dining experience that is expected.
Guest Relations Coordinator
Working tirelessly behind the scenes for months before Pesach, Shloimy Zukierman will help all of our guests with their reservations. Shloimy has the experience & pleasant phone skills needed to make sure all of our guests are taken care of with a smile.
He will assist with answering all of your questions, making sure your rooms are exactly what you expect, and any amenities or special requests you may have are ready and waiting for you when you arrive.
Shloimy will be available throughout Pesach to help in any way he can. Including securing your reservation for the next year!
Daycare Director
Deena Fogel has worked for more than 20 years for Ohel, creating and running the volunteer program since inception. She grew the volunteer program to include Shabbatons and benefit concerts, expanding the volunteer base across NYC and Long Island. The volunteer program saw tremendous growth in supporting other departments at Ohel which included big brother/big sister program, Chanukah toy drives, transportation for child/parent visitations and court appearances. Deena has since focused her passion of bringing smiles and happiness in the food industry. Deena's leadership and warmth has enabled her in the success of running our day care and babysitting program.
Boys Teen Director
Coming Soon
Gabbai
Rabbi Yissochar Ginsberg has been the menahel of Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalyim on the Lower East Side for over 18 yrs. He learned 10 yrs in Chofetz Chaim before coming to MTJ in 1982. He is one of the last people zoche to receive shmicha from R Moshe Tz"l. He was in Chinuch as a melamed for decades before accepting the mantel of leadership at MTJ. He also spent 15 yrs as a Reserve Chaplain (Rov) in the US Army. He has 4 Master degrees on many different fields of study. He is a former EMT & former Community Board Member for over a decade. And is currently the Clergy Liaison to the NYPD as well as the Chaplain at 2 different hospitals in NYC as well as an active member of the Queens Vaad – Chevra Kadisha for over 36 yrs.
Girls Teen Director
Coming Soon
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Lecturers
Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer
Rav Yitzchok Fingerer is the Rav of a flourishing Kehillah and Beis Medrash in Flatbush and is Morah D'Asra of the BJX (Brooklyn Jewish Xperience) Kiruv organization, which runs Kiruv programs for public high school students, secular college students and young professionals, as well as for young adults from Frum homes who need Chizuk. He is is a renowned, dynamic speaker and a sought out expert on chinuch, parenting, and the interface between Halacha and Hashkafah. The Rav is the author of several best selling books, including: Strengthen Your Emunah: Cultivating a Meaningful Relationship with Hashem (Feldheim) and Search Judaism: Judaism's Answers to a Changing World (Targum). He received his smicha from Rav Avrohom Pam Zt"l, at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. Thousands of people watch his videos on Torah Anytime, Meaningful Minute, Daily Dose and Vayimaen.
Rabbi Avi Schnall
Rabbi Avi Schnall serves as director of the New Jersey office of Agudath Israel of America. In the eight years that Rabbi Schnall has held the position, He has served as Chairman of the New Jersey Nonpublic School Committee and sat on Governor Phil Murphy's Restart and Recovery Advisory Council as a member of the Social Services and Faith Committee. Rabbi Schnall is a dynamic and very sought after speaker.
Rabbi Tzvi Sytner
Rabbi Tzvi Sytner grew up in Los Angeles, and is the Rav of The Village Shul and Aish Hatorah learning center in Toronto. He is a motivational speaker and therapist. He received Smicha from Rav Yitzchak Berkovits, and has delivered inspiring lectures worldwide, including South Africa, Australia, Chile, U.S., and Canada. Rabbi Sytner has a popular video series on Aish.com, and podcast called Inspiring Hope viewed by over 8,500 per month. He has a B.A. in Liberal Studies, a Masters Degree in Education, and a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
You can listen to more of his shiurim on Torahanytime, Aish.com, Meaningful Minute and more…
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Mrs. Toba Shifrin
Mrs. Toba Shifrin, a veteran mechaneches leading such institutions as Bnot Chaya Academy (Rabbi Wallerstien’s High School for Girls) and Camps Anna Heller and Oorah’s Zone Girls Division has been teaching and lecturing to women and girls worldwide for close to three decades. She delights in teaching from a vast array of sources and texts couched in humor and wit. Be prepared to learn, laugh and be inspired. Mrs. Shifrin lives in Passaic New Jersey where she teaches a weekly Tefila shiur and splashes in rain puddles with her kids.--
Rabbi Meyer "Mo" Shifrin
Rabbi Meyer Shifrin LPC is a therapist, a member of the Tikunim Counseling Practice. A former mesivta Rebbe and Beis Medrash Sho’el U’Maishiv, Rabbi Shifrin has lectured on a variety of topics to a wide range of audiences.
We look forward to Rabbi Mo's exciting variety of topics that he will be speaking on.
Rabbi
Coming soon
Rabbi Moshe Fingerer
Rav Moshe Fingerer is the associate Rav and director of BJX (Brooklyn Jewish Xperience). He has served as a senior lecturer and scholar in residence for hotel programs throughout the United States and was on the faculty of Aish HaTorah, Jerusalem and NCSY. He is a beloved, dynamic lecturer who passionately connects with his audience. He has counseled countless individuals and families helping them with children in crisis. Rabbi Moshe was featured in Mishpacha Magazine, Hamodia and other publications and is a founder of the Brooklyn Shabbos Project and the Brooklyn Unites for Israel rally. His International Tisha B'Av Porgrams are viewed by tens of thousands of Jews globally. In addition to his degree in biology, he also developed a unique curriculum for Jewish History.
2025 COMING SOON
PESACH TIME TOURS
Hashgacha
Rabbi Avraham Juravel
Mora D’Asra, Rav Hamachshir
Considered an acclaimed expert in both ingredient analysis and food manufacturing and technology, Rabbi Juravel currently serves as the Orthodox Union’s Rabbinic Coordinator for Technical Services. His expertise and professional advice is sought by many Kashrut professionals throughout the United States and the world. OU rabbinic field representatives as well as rabbinic coordinators frequently seek his guidance and approach to many complex Kashrut issues. He has visited hundreds of food manufacturing facilities throughout the world including Europe, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, South America, Mexico, and the USA. Rabbi Juravel is married and the father of two children and has twelve grandchildren. He resides with his wife in Rockland County, NY.
Rabbi Moshe Kaufman
Head Mashgiach
Rabbi Moshe Kaufman is the Executive Director & Kashrus Administrator for KVH Kosher ~ Rabbinical Council of New England. He oversees the Kashrus of close to 50,000 products, over 1,200 companies, in more than 20 countries around the world. His Kashrus expertise spans many arenas including wine/ grape juice, meat, beverages, baking and many others. He had the privilege of learning the intricacies of kashrus from many renowned kashrus experts including his father, Rabbi Shraga Kaufman, Rabbi Avraham Juravel, and others. Rabbi Kaufman studied in the US at Yeshiva Bais Binyomin- Stamford, CT and in Eretz Yisrael at Yeshivas Ner Moshe. Upon returning to the US, he joined the Kollel at Yeshiva Bais Yosef - Novardok, focusing his studies on Kashrus related sections of Yoreh Deah and Orach Chayim and received semichah from Yeshiva Bais Yosef- Novardok in 2014. While continuing his learning he began freelancing in the field of kashrus working for OU, CRC, & others, under some of the world's renowned kashrus experts. In 2016, he joined the team at KVH kosher as the Rabbinical Food Service Coordinator, developing a robust and professional food service kashrus program. In 2017 Rabbi Kaufman became the Executive director & Kashrus Administrator of KVH Kosher and continues to expand and develop even greater brand recognition for the organization.​​​​
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