Maris Krauss recently joined the CBE team as our Membership Coordinator. As part of our Engagement Team, Maris is responsible for connecting prospective and current members to the vast offerings of our congregation. A New Jersey native, she moved to Brooklyn to work in the Jewish nonprofit world, formerly working at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and PJ Library. Since moving here, she has enjoyed learning about all the various Jewish communities NYC has to offer. As a graduate of the Avodah Justice Fellowship and a current JDC Entwine community representative, Maris is passionate about social justice and anti-oppression work, specifically with a Jewish perspective.
Rabbi Timoner recently co-authored an op-ed in the Forward with Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in Manhattan and Matt Nosanchuk of the New York Jewish Agenda about what repealing New York cash bail reform could mean for Jews.
in General
The month of Kislev heralds shorter days and colder weather, and the Jewish people respond by gathering in the warmth of community and kindling lights. In the midst of Kabbalat Shabbat, Psalm 97 draws an explicit comparison between increasing light and increasing happiness, and Psalm 98 exhorts the entire world to shout and sing with abandon at the wonders in our midst. Our medley of these two psalms incorporates melodies which match the unbridled joy of these ancient words of praise.
Tom Pnini is our Early Childhood Center’s Admissions Coordinator and Art Studio Teacher. Tom runs our “Cardboard Studio,” a classroom that has been completely transformed into an interactive art studio for kids to explore their creative side without limits. Our preschool students work with Tom in the Cardboard Studio as part of their curriculum.
Rebecca Kleinhandler-Dahan is a longtime CBE member and our wonderful lay leader for Shir L’Shabbat, a weekly Shabbat service geared towards young families with infants and young children up to age 4. Shir L’Shabbat is a special way for families and their little ones to welcome Shabbat together, filled with singing and dancing with our extraordinary songleader Debbie Brukman. Be sure to stop by and say hi!
For the past several years, CBE has been experimenting with how Friday nights feel, look, taste, and sound. We have assembled a core community of dedicated regulars, a world-class jazz quartet in partnership with the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and a unique collection of melodies that together transport us out of the workweek and into Shabbat: a sacred time of rest, refreshment, reflection, and utter joy.
Julie Markes has been a member of CBE for over 20 years. A professional photographer, Julie has also graciously photographed many CBE happenings, including B’nei Mitzvahs, Rabbi Green and Rabbi Epstein’s Installations, camp, and Chazakah.
We are thrilled to welcome Paul Taylor to CBE as our new Aquatics Director.
Tehilah Eisenstadt recently joined the CBE team as Director of Yachad & Family Engagement. Tehilah has an extensive career in Jewish education, having received Master degrees in Jewish Education and in Midrash/Biblical Exegesis from the Jewish Theological Seminar and certification in Early Childhood Administration. She is a graduate of HUC-JTS’s Leadership Institute, and a proud alumna of Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. She also has a deep commitment to social justice. Notably, she was instrumental in forming the New York coalition of Bring Back Our Girls, which strives to raise awareness about the 276 school girls from Chibok, Nigeria who were kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram in 2014.
Rob Raich has been a Trustee at CBE since 2010 and currently serves as our President, beginning his term in 2018. Rob works closely with our Board of Trustees, clergy team, and staff to ensure that CBE continues to be a welcoming and vibrant hub for Jewish life.
Alan Herman recently joined CBE as our Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer. Alan previously served as the Executive Director of Sutton Place Synagogue, and was an active lay leader at Central Synagogue and member of their Board of Trustees.
Bobbie Finkelstein is our Director of Youth Services. Bobbie oversees our five-day-a-week after school program during the school year, as well as all of our summer camp programs!
Jonathan Fried has been an active member of the CBE community in many different capacities since his childhood. Notably, Jonathan served as CBE president from 2014 to 2017.
Marrion W. is a member of our incredible maintenance staff. He can often be seen helping set up at events, fixing anything that needs to be fixed, and working to ensure that CBE is safe and clean for everyone. Be sure to say hi the next time you see him!
Hannah Grossman is the Assistant Director of Yachad, our signature K-12 Jewish and Hebrew Education program. Hannah is a passionate Jewish educator, and brings a wealth of experience to Yachad.
A CBE member for 30 years, Carol Shuchman organizes our annual Respite Bed Shelter, which she helped to launch eight years ago. The five-week shelter – operated in conjunction with CAMBA – is hosted in the Rotunda; it provides 12 homeless men with a warm, safe place to sleep, and a hot, protein-based meal prepared and served by CBE families and volunteers.
Brian Shuman has been a member of CBE since 2010 and has been an invaluable volunteer leader for our previous and upcoming CBE Fun(d) Run on May 19.
Meet Stephen McBurnie! Stephen is one of our security guards who is often the first person to greet you when you visit CBE.
Meet Tom O’Connor! Tom is our Facilities Manager, overseeing and managing our maintenance staff.