Steve joined Temple Beth Sholom in Haddon Heights, just before the synagogue’s move to Cherry Hill. Within a few years, his love for TBS grew as his relationships blossomed with both Rabbis Lewis and Lindemann. He was inspired to become more spiritual and wholesome as a Jew, so he began taking classes and attending services more regularly. Shortly after, Steve became engaged in all facets of synagogue life.

 

Steve took on numerous positions throughout his membership at TBS. He was a member of the Endowment Committee, the chair of the Torah Endowment Fund Campaign, and Vice President of the Board. He served as President of TBS from 2005-2007. Steve also spearheaded the search committees which ultimately hired Rabbi Peltz, Cantor Cohen, and Eric Jacobs as Executive Director. Besides all of the impressive positions he held, the impact Steve made on TBS was most noteworthy. In 2007, he helped bring Tzeirei Bialik, students from Israel, to TBS for a wonderful visit. Anonymously, he helped congregants through his own generosity and the Ravitz Family Acts of Kindness Fund to pay their dues, help students travel to Israel, and support initiatives with Masorti, the Conservative Movement in Israel. His travels with his TBS family included many trips to Israel and one to Cuba, led by his close friend and confidant, Rabbi Steve Lindemann. While overseas, Steve never visited a social service agency without leaving a meaningful donation.

 

Steve was a true community champion. Within the surrounding South Jersey Jewish community, as well as the South Jersey communities at large, he was a leader who mentored many and was highly respected. As the President of Crescent Memorial Park, Steve saved the organization by restructuring its management. In addition, he served on the Jewish Federation Board and on the board of the Cooper Hospital Foundation. He established the Ravitz Family Foundation in 1997, whose mission continues today to aid children and families in need in the community.

 

While dedicating so much of his time to helping others, Steve also worked tirelessly in the grocery business. Growing up in Northeast Philly, Steve learned from the strong work ethic of his father Stanley. He worked nights and weekends at his family’s corner grocery store as he attended St. Joseph’s University. Steve eventually transformed the small corner grocery store in Philadelphia into a successful fourth generation family-run business of six supermarkets in South Jersey. One of his proudest achievements was building the Kosher Experience, first at the Garden State Pavilions Shoprite, followed by another at the Evesham Road Shoprite.          

 

What made Steve most proud though was his family. Family vacations, holidays, and dining together in his favorite restaurants were what fueled his happiness. His legacy lives on today through his children Jason, Shawn, Debbie, Brett, Lauren, Remy, Brett, and David and his grandchildren Amanda, Sophie, Luke, Andrew, Jessie, Hailey, Jordana, Dylan, and Skyler.