Senior Management

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.

Shuvu’s founder Hagaon Harav Avrohom Pam zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah V’Da’as in New York, realized that he could help revolutionize Israel spiritually by first reaching the children. He thus founded Shuvu in 1990, when a mass Aliya was taking place from the former Soviet Union. In order to attract these secular Jews, Shuvu offered them an excellent educational experience in a safe and secure environment.  However, these new Olim also wanted their children to be taught Jewish studies on a high level. Shuvu has now become synonymous with high standards.  The network offers much more than other schools in Israel, such as long school days, hot lunches, transportation, extra-curricular activities and much more.

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 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.

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.