CBE Executive Director: Reflections from My First Weeks

This article first appeared in our Jan/Feb '26 edition of The Bulletin

Although this bulletin will arrive in your mailbox at the beginning of 2026, as I write this, I haven’t yet completed three weeks at Congregation Beth Emeth.

And yet, in this short time, I’ve already experienced such a wide range of moments that speak deeply to the heart of this community.

In this short time, I’ve seen again and again what makes this community so special: generosity, purpose, and warmth. These qualities shine through in the way we worship, learn, celebrate, volunteer, and care for one another. They show up in quiet conversations after services, in the laughter of students arriving for religious school, and in the countless small acts of kindness that happen here every single day.

On Wednesday afternoons, the building hums with the sound of children heading to religious school. Their energy fills the halls, and it’s impossible not to smile. It’s a real point of pride to be part of a congregation that invests so deeply in nurturing the next generation.

At a time when food insecurity in the Capital Region is so visible and urgent, I’ve been amazed by the scope and impact of our Soup Kitchen - and by the dedication of the volunteers who have kept it going for forty years. Together we exceeded the fundraising goal for the second annual Wisely Dupiche Turkey Give-Away in just days! By the time you read this, 75 turkeys will have been delivered to local families, along with pans and spices to make a proper feast (courtesy of the Sisterhood). The generosity of this community is inspiring.

One of my first experiences here was participating in the funeral service for a beloved member of the congregation. Even in the sadness of that moment, I found it deeply moving to observe how our members surrounded the family with love and care - how people showed up not only with words, but simply by being present. It reminded me that community is built not just in moments of joy, but also in times of loss and vulnerability. Standing together in grief is one of the most essential expressions of who we are as humans.

And then, last night, I found myself humming along to camp songs at the Hootenanny Watch Party, surrounded by laughter and stories from summers at Crane Lake Camp and Camp Eisner. It didn’t matter who knew all the words or how long it had been since they’d last sung them - the spirit of fun and togetherness in that room transcended generations.

I’m so grateful to everyone who’s taken the time to welcome me - to share your Beth Emeth stories, your hopes, and your love for this congregation and the people in it. Every conversation helps me understand a little more about what makes this place so special and how I can best serve and support our shared journey.

As we move forward into a new year, I look forward to many more moments together - of reflection and celebration, of learning and laughter, of building an ever-stronger, ever-more-inclusive community focused on Beth Emeth’s bright future.

Jill Rafferty-Weinisch, Executive Director