Our Staff

Whitney Blom, our Executive Director, began her tenure with Beth Sholom in the summer of 2018, as our Director of Family and Youth Programs and has since become the Executive Director.   She has vast experience in a variety of Jewish non-profits, ranging from family foundations to institutions of higher learning.  She offers our community depth, creativity and a particular understanding and perspective of the Jewish community. 

Whitney earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School and received her B.A. from the University of Massachusetts. She was a participant in the Rockwood Leadership Program and the Muehlstein Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership through UJA Federation of NY.

Whitney and her husband, James, reside in Teaneck with their two sons, Benny and Izzy, and have been members of Beth Sholom for more than 15 years.

To reach Whitney, email her at whitney@cbsteaneck.org.

Born and raised in Brooklyn,  Abby Rosen Finkel, our Director of Synagogue Administration joined the Beth Sholom team as Synagogue Administrator in 2016. She was raised in a family entrenched in their Judaism, in synagogue life and in the larger Jewish community. After years of volunteering in many aspects of the Jewish community in Nashua, NH, Abby pursued a Masters’ Degree from the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University. Before coming to Congregation Beth Sholom, Abby worked at Golda Och Academy, Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies, and the Mayyim Hayyim Community Mikveh, an Education Center.

Abby and her husband, Mark, currently reside in Pine Brook and they kvell over their three now grown children, Liora, Eliana and Doron. In what little spare time Abby has, she enjoys reading, music, theater and needlepoint.

To reach Abby, email her at abby@cbsteaneck.org.

Rafael Gantard joined Congregation Beth Sholom as Program & Engagement Manager in 2024. Drawing on his background in Jewish communal service, Rafael is dedicated to fostering vibrant Jewish life, meaningful engagement, and educational enrichment within the CBS community. Rafael lived in Israel for eight years, serving as the Foreign Activities Coordinator for the IDF Ground Forces.

Before joining CBS, Rafael volunteered extensively with the Lone Soldier Center, supporting soldiers from around the world, strengthening connections within global Jewish communities, and advocating for his fellow Lone Soldiers. His passion for Jewish learning, coupled with his experience in event planning, enables him to create diverse, engaging, and meaningful experiences for congregants of all ages.

Rafael lives in New York City with his wife and remains actively involved in advocacy, education, and communal initiatives that promote Jewish values and continuity.

To reach Rafael, email him at rafael@cbsteaneck.org.

Dennis White worked for Ted Georgallas Produce in Hunts Point Market, Bronx, NY as a foreman for 17 years. With 13 years under his belt at Beth Sholom as Head Custodian, he has two thirds of Eat, Pray, Love in his resume. He was born in New York City, lives in Teaneck and is married to Rhonda. They have two grown sons.

For those of you into motorcycles, Dennis is president of a tristate motorcycle club called Grid Iron Brothers