Russell is the former President of the JRC and current Chair of the JRC Education Advisory Group as well as a volunteer for J4S, who provide speakers on Judaism for schools and academies.

He is also a member of Bury SACRE, as well as the inaugural Chair of the Africa Israel Partnership.

Russell represents Holy Law Synagogue as a Deputy to the Board of Deputies of British Jews and having done so for almost 40 years, is the longest serving current member of the Synagogue Council.

He is Campaign Director for Colel Chabad, the largest NGO providing food aid and other assistance in Israel and has fundraised for Israeli and local charities for over 50 years.

Russell is married with three children and three grandchildren.