CBI depends on the volunteer work of our members!
Our current committees and groups include:
Adult Education (Book Group, Library and Summer Film Series),
chaired by Chaim Bronstein
Chesed Committee (caring) Led by Jane Shiyah
Education, chaired by Rose Ellis, Education Director - Rabbi Jarah Greenfield
Financial and Abatement, chaired by Susan Hogan
Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ CBI Board Member, Jane Miller
Membership and Public Relations, co-chaired by Alice Cande and Robin Brickman
Newsletter, Oliver Jones - Editor, Elizabeth Miller - contact
Religious Practices, chaired by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat
Speakers, chaired by Suzanne Graver
Spiritual Life, chaired by Steven Green
Tikkun Olam, Chaired by Wendy Penner
The Shamashim (Shabbat service hosts)
Take and Eat (Meals on wheels program), led by Ed Oshinsky and Amy Filson
If you have suggestions, comments, or questions, or if you want to join one of these committees you can reach out to the committee chairs via phone or email (if you have a CBI roster) or you can contact our office at cbinadams@gmail.com .
President: Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly has been involved in the synagogue in various capacities for nearly 20 years, most recently re-joining the board in 2013. She is currently a member of the executive, religious practices and Chevra Kadisha committees, and has previously served as a director, the newsletter editor, a member of the education committee, and the Family Education director. She works at MCLA in the Institutional Advancement department. Chris lives in North Adams with her wife, Maude Rich, and three of their four children (one is in college). The Kelly-Whitney-Rich family has participated in the Take and Eat program as drivers/deliverers since its inception. In her spare time, she likes to read (especially mystery/thriller fiction), create artsy crafty stuff, and sit in the yard with her friendly little flock of chickens.
First Vice President: Steven Green
Steven Green first joined the board in 2014. He has served as Chair of the Spiritual Life Committee and has organized our Shomer team. Along with Rose, Steven organizes and runs occasional meditation classes. Steven is also CBI’s Delegate to Berkshire Interfaith Organizing. When in town he drives, along with Rose, for Take and Eat. When he is not volunteering for CBI, he has a law practice in Pittsfield, and serves on the Images Board of Directors. Steven spends most of his time trying to keep up with his wife who, although retired, seems to be busier than ever!
Treasurer: Sue Hogan
Susan Savitt Hogan has been in the Berkshires for about 32 years. Sue was a member and treasurer of CBI many years ago when we were at our Church St location. She rejoined CBI after the move and became Treasurer years ago. Sue lives in Williamstown and with her husband John has three children. She is the Controller at Williams. Personal interests include knitting, bird watching, travel, book club and her dogs. Sue was named a Jewish Star at our 125th Gala.
Director: Joe Apkin
Joe Apkin is a lifelong resident of North Berkshires; except for college years at Syracuse University, he has lived here his whole life. He grew up in North Adams where his parents kept a kosher home and his mom was very committed to Congregation Beth Israel. His mother served on boards at CBI. She was also president of Hadassah. Joe has very happy memories growing up here. Since college, he has worked in the family scrap business for 36 yrs. He served on the board for Pine Cobble School, Former Sinai Academy, and presently the board for Institute of Scrap Recycling New England Chapter. He also serves on the cemetery committee at CBI.
Director: Rose Ellis
Rose Ellis, along with her husband, Steven Green, joined CBI in 2013. As the former Superintendent of Schools in Williamstown, Lanesborough, and at Mt. Greylock Regional High School for 15 years, Rose was invited in 2015 to participate on the Education Committee to assess its programming. She now is a member of the Board and serves as the Education Liaison working collaboratively with Rabbi Jarah Greenfield, the Education Director, in support of the educational and religious direction of the Hebrew School. Rose enjoys working with the school staff, participating in Shabbat services, and leading meditation groups with Steven. When she and Steven aren’t traveling, Rose volunteers for CBI’s monthly Take and Eat and has enjoyed participating in Rabbi’s “Journey into Judaism” classes over the last two years. This year, she co-chaired the 125th Anniversary GALA and Silent Auction Committee culminating in the October 20, 2018 successful celebration.
Director, Past Co-President: Amy Filson
Amy Filson has lived in Williamstown for 23 years and has worked in the Williams College Development Office for the past 15 years. Her family's connections with CBI began in 1997 when members of the synagogue welcomed Amy and her husband Adam's first-born son. Since 2000, she has served CBI in various capacities, including many years as a member of the CBI board. She has been a board member of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and continues her work as a member of the JFB Allocations Committee.
Director: Ron Turbin
Ron Turbin has served on the Board for the past three years. He delivers meals for “Take and Eat” and has served on several subcommittees, including the Insurance Committee. Ron is an attorney and handles cases for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Probate and Juvenile Courts. He and his wife moved to Williamstown after he retired from the New York State Attorney’s General Office, where he served as an Assistant Attorney General for twenty-five years.
Director: Paulette Wein
Paulette was born and raised in North Adams and has been a member of Congregation Beth Israel her whole life. She graduated from Champlain College in Burlington, VT, in 1977 and then lived in Boston (where I was the assistant to the director of Boston University Medical Center) until moving home to North Adams in 1991. Since 1991 she has been working as assistant to the director of MASS MoCA, a job she loves. When she lived across the street from our Church Street synagogue in the '90s, Paulette was talked into being a weekly "minyanaire" with a fun group of other CBI members, many of whom have died, sadly. Her parents (and her grandparents before them) were very active in our synagogue. Her mother, who grew up in Springfield, Mass., was involved in Sisterhood and took every class that was ever offered at CBI. At age 77, she proudly made her Bat Mitzvah in this very sanctuary, together with Chris Kelly ... it was an unforgettable occasion, led by Rabbi Pam Wax. Paulette’s father served as president of CBI for many years when Paulette was a kid, attending services every Saturday (when it didn't interfere with Drury High School basketball games). He took seriously his role as an annual speaker during Yizkur services, reciting the names of deceased CBI members, including the 4 young men who were killed in battle. As for Paulette, she made her Bat Mitzvah at CBI in 1970 and has been a board member and member of our cemetery committee for many years. She was co-chair of our recent gala celebrating our 125th anniversary, and has been active in other social and fundraising events, such as organizing our tag sale fundraisers.
Director, Past President: Darlene Melville Radin
Darlene Radin was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated from UMass, Amherst, twice, receiving a BA in English and Education, and later, a Ph.D in Communication. Darlene received a Master’s degree in linguistics from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and was an exchange student twice at Trinity College, Oxford, England.
Darlene taught writing, speech, and communication ethics for many years in the English/Communication Department at MCLA. She is a published poet and was editor of The Berkshire Review.
She has been on the CBI Board for many years, was president and is chair of the Hevrah Kaddish, (the burial committee.) She feels that is one of the most profoundly meaningful experiences she has had at CBI.
Darlene and Len were married at CBI forty-five years ago. They have three daughters, a granddaughter, and a grandson.
