Clergy/Musicians 

Rabbi Lois Ruderman has been a part of the Chai Center community since its founding and is thrilled to now be a member of its clergy. 

She is the senior rabbi of Perrineville Jewish Center, a century-old synagogue in Millstone Township, NJ.  

Rabbi Ruderman received rabbinic ordination from The Academy for Jewish Religion in New York, along with a Masters degree in Jewish Studies from the Academy. Her Masters thesis reflects her commitment to congregational responses to teen and young adult mental health issues. She describes this commitment with the Hebrew words pikuach nefesh - taking every step we can to save a life.

Rabbi Ruderman offers Judaic art workshops and Torah study through Art to the broader community at JCC's, day camps and at many condo communities.  She is a member of the Association of Rabbis and Cantors. 

She calls herself a "singing rabbi" and is proud to serve K'lal Yisrael, the Jewish community, as 'Kol Bo' rabbi, cantor, and Torah reader. 

Rabbi Ruderman is the proud mother of three grown daughters. 

Rabbi Debra Smith (Reb Deb) is the founding rabbi and spiritual leader of Or Ha Lev Jewish Renewal Congregation in Succasunna. She is also a clinical social worker and multicultural family therapist. She has served as director of a private clinical practice, “Human Solutions,” for many years.  

Reb Deb received her rabbinic ordination through the ALEPH Jewish Renewal Rabbinical Seminary. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Studies from Gratz College in Philadelphia and a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University.

Her work serving the Jewish community is extensive:  she teaches at several JCC's and synagogues in the area and is on the faculty of ALEPH Tikshoret Connections where she teaches courses in Mussar studies. 

A major focus of Reb Deb’s work is deep ecumenism and multi-faith dialogue. She serves as Rabbi in Residence at the Drew Theological School in Madison; She currently serves as co-chair of the NJ Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee and is a co-chair of the Morris County NJ chapter of the Sisterhood of Salaam-Shalom. She is a frequent facilitator of interfaith dialogue work and is a lecturer and teacher at many local mosques and churches.

Reb Deb is a recipient of the prestigious Leo Brody Award, given to an outstanding professional in the field of Jewish Communal Service.  She is a member of OHALAH, Organization of Trans-denominational Rabbis, where she serves on the ethics committee; She is married to Dr. Neil Smith, and is the mother of two grown daughters. 

Steven Dropkin serves as our High Holy Day Cantor.  With his talent and personality, he injects his very special spirituality and sense of comfort into our prayer services.

Steve has been actively involved in Jewish music for over 4 decades and is highly regarded as a major composer of contemporary Jewish music and liturgy.  Steve has recorded 6 albums of original music and many of his songs are considered standards in synagogues, religious schools, and Jewish summer camps.