Our Staff

Before coming to CBE, Jill Rafferty-Weinisch served as Vice President of Mission, Strategy & Delivery at Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, Jill shaped programs across a 15-county region, strengthens volunteer engagement, and led initiatives in youth mental wellness and belonging. Previously, as Strategic Director at Wildwood Programs, she guided person-centered supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, increased productivity and value across multiple service lines, led successful statewide Medicaid advocacy, and oversaw multimillion-dollar budgets. Her earlier leadership at Equinox and the Arts Center of the Capital Region expanded services for vulnerable youth and made arts programming more accessible to all.

Jill began her career in the performing arts, serving as Director of Education at Capital Repertory Theatre for more than a decade, where she built an education department that reached more than 25,000 students annually. She has co-written original theatre works for young audiences and curated both literary and performing arts series.

Deeply committed to civic life, Jill has served on nonprofit boards, including Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, NYS APSE (the Association of People Supporting Employment First), and the Non-profit Business Council of the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce. She currently sits on the Community Advisory Board for the Troy and East Greenbush branches of the Capital District YMCA, and has been recognized with the ARC of Rensselaer County’s Community Partner Award, GE’s Elfun Society Service Award, and The Capital District Business Review’s 40 Under 40.

Jill holds a BFA in Performing Arts (Adelphi University) and an MA in Liberal Studies (Skidmore College). Beyond her professional work, Jill is a steadfast lap swimmer, an enthusiastic patron of the arts, book club member, and storyteller. She lives in Troy, New York with her husband, George, and their cat, Maximillian Moonbeam.

He can be reached by phone at 518.436.9761 x225 or by email at Jill@CBEAlbany.org.

Sara and her family are long time members of Congregation Beth Emeth, and Sara has taught our 6th graders in Religious School for 9 years. Sara brings a demonstrated passion for Jewish education, as well as considerable experience to this new role. In addition to her teaching with us, she has taught in Jewish supplemental schools in Syracuse and Troy, and is the past principal of the Troy Jewish Community Religious School. Sara has furthered her growth through participation in CAJE (Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education) and the Jewish Women’s Archive’s Institute for Jewish Educators.

When not enriching our CBE children, Sara is a licensed clinical social worker, supporting children and families in both community-based mental health organizations and in schools. She is currently employed by the North Colonie Central School District. Sara is mom to Chava and Micah, and is married to Aaron.

You can reach Sara at 518.436.9761 ext. 231 or Principal@CBEAlbany.org

Andrea comes to us from Los Angeles, where she was the Director of Jewish Learning Community at Temple Beth Am. Andrea has a Master of Arts in Jewish Nonprofit Management and Master of Arts in Jewish Education, both from HUC. She is responsible for developing, implementing, facilitating programming and other initiatives for current and prospective CBE members.  

Andrea collaborates with the Director of Lifelong Learning, Clergy and CBEYG advisors to implement and execute fun and educational programming to engage students in grades 7 - 12. Andrea is also the staff liaison to selected committees.

She can be reached by phone at 518.436.9761 x236

Lita is the Director of Administration. She may be a familiar face to our religious school families as she served as an Educational Administrative Assistant at the Einhorn Center for Jewish Education in 2019-2020 before working in Online Learning Services at The College of Saint Rose. Lita and her husband, Theo, are members of REYUT and help deliver bereavement bags for loved ones. When not involved in activities at CBE, Lita participates in local theater productions and is a company member of Will Kempe's Players, a local Shakespeare cooperative that tours the Capital Region.

Lita can be reached by phone or call 518.436.9761 x224. 

Jillian is proud to be joining the Einhorn Center for Jewish Education as the Educational Administrative Assistant. Over the past 13 years she has been a teacher, Executive Assistant, and the Artistic Director for Drama Kids of the Capital Region, an extra-curricular theatre program for students ages kindergarten through 12th grade. Jillian, her husband Jeff, and daughter Jordyn are looking forward to joining this truly welcoming congregation.

Jillian can be reached by phone at 518.436.9761 ext. 227 and by email at Jillian@CBEAlbany.org.

Steve is our longest serving employee, and we are grateful for the decades of service he has provided to our members. Steve has known some of our members since their birth, and now delights in welcoming their children to our Beth Emeth community. 

Steve can be reached at Steve@CBEAlbany.org. In an emergency, Steve can be reached at 518.229.1284.

Danielle is excited to be joining the Beth Emeth staff as the Cemetery Administrator. She is happy to be of assistance with anything cemetery related that our members may need! When not at work, Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband Frank and her dogs Violet and Peaches.