About us
CBS-CS Values
With Torah at the heart of the congregation’s life, we strive to be blessings for one another - Kehilah Kedosha – קהילה קדושה
We meet people where they are and respect multiple paths in Jewish life - Ba’asher hu sham – באשר הוא שם and Kol Netivoteha Shalom – כל נתיבותיה שלום
We embrace Jewish learning and teaching opportunities, for people of all ages, as avenues to celebrate, deepen, and transmit our Jewish heritage – Talmud Torah K’neged Kulam – תלמוד תורה כנגד כולם
We enhance Jewish life by blending innovation and tradition - Masoret/Hidush – מסורת/חידוש
We collaborate actively within the congregation and community –Shutafut – שותפות
We promote Tikkun Olam and Tzedek, including healing and justice for all –
תקון עולם & צדק
Mission Statement
Congregation Beth Sholom – Chevra Shas is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue. We are a participatory community inspiring Jewish values: spiritual, educational, and social. CBS-CS is dedicated to creating positive and memorable Jewish experiences for its members.
Vision Statement
We envision five steps for sustaining a multi-generational community that embraces one another as we study, play, and celebrate Jewish life together.
We value the diversity of our membership and connect all through programs, services, activities, and life-long learning.
We develop funding to support programming and leadership while meeting the cost of current and future operations.
We promote CBS-CS and expand our membership through outreach, invitation, and appreciation of one another.
We provide diverse opportunities for adults and youth to experience the legacies, joys, and rhythms of Jewish life.
We welcome all to join us in community collaborations, celebrating authentic Jewish experiences in Central New York and beyond.
Brought to You By...
Clergy & Staff
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Rabbi Dr. oren steinitz
Rabbi Dr. Oren Z. Steinitz is the new spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Sholom Chevra-Shas. He was ordained in 2014 at the Mesifta Adas Wolkowisk Rabbinical Academy, and is a member of OHALAH Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal.
In 2020, after years of rigorous studying of the laws of conversion to Judaism and Jewish divorce, Rabbi Oren became the sixth Jewish Renewal rabbi to receive advanced rabbinic ordination as Dayan -- Mediator and Adjudicator of Jewish Law -- from Rabbi Daniel Siegel and ALEPH Canada's Integral Halacha Institute. He is one of a handful of non-Orthodox rabbis trained as a mesader gittin, an administrator of Jewish divorce.
Rabbi Steinitz holds a doctorate from University of Calgary‘s Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (Religious Studies, Communications and Israel Studies), researching the attitude towards the “Other” in Jewish and Islamic legal websites. In addition, he holds BA and MA degrees from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Israel). He taught at the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University and The ALEPH Ordinations Program as well as in different synagogues and Jewish Community Centers. His fields of expertise include the history of Jewish-Muslim relations; modern Jewish fundamentalism; Jewish and Islamic Law; and the religious online world.He recently relocated to Central New York with his wife, Adar Steinitz and their children, Eytan and Eliana.
Daniel jezer
Rabbi Daniel Jezer spent the majority of his career as a rabbi in Syracuse. “I had a strong concern that each individual congregant, no matter where they were on the religious spectrum, be made to feel included and that I was there to help them find their own growth.
Rabbi Jezer is one of the founding members of the local Labor-Religion Coalition whose major issues are a living wage, worker rights and healthcare. He was president of Interfaith Works, is an emeritus member of the Roundtable of Faith Leaders and past president of Onondaga Pastoral Counseling.
Rabbi Emeritus
For 27 years he has been on the faculty of LeMoyne College.
Rabbi Jezer received the Bebe Merenti Award from LeMoyne College and was adjunct union president for eight years.His spouse, Dr. Rhea Jezer is a noted environmental educator, policy advisor, and consultant. They both very adventurous travelers and chroniclers of the world around us, their most recent trip being to Uganda.
melissa harkavy
Executive Director
Melissa Harkavy joined Congregation Beth Sholom -
Chevra Shas as the Program Director in 2017 and was promoted to Executive Director in 2019.
During her time at CBS-CS, Melissa won the 2018 Tzafon USY Eleanor Bloom Memorial Award for Youth Director of the Year. In 2019, she was selected to be a NewCAJE LEEP Fellow (Leadership for Emerging Education Professionals) and was awarded a USCJ Rising Leaders Summit Scholarship.
Melissa also serves on the Federation of CNY's Board of Trustees, the faculty of the Epstein School for Jewish Studies, and is a proud member the Gender Equity Advocates and Training Network.
Before starting her career in Jewish education, Melissa took a winding road through the field of geography, where she discovered her passion for education and social justice. One of her prized accomplishments was serving as the Research Coordinator for the non-profit Black Women’s Blueprint. Their work resulted in the inclusion of gender-based violence against Black women in the US Department of State’s report to UNCERD (United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination). She studied Geography and Africana Studies at Penn State and earned a Master of Arts degree in Geography from the University of Colorado.When she's not working, Melissa loves going on adventures with her partner Zach and Minka, her adorable Maltipoo.
Kelly Bernhardt Klapper
Director of Youth and Education
Kelly moved to this area in 2018 and has been a CBS-CS member ever since. She graduated from Wake Forest University with honors in English and Religion.
She brings many years of experience as a teacher of students from the pre-k level all the way to 12th grade. She has a passion for building relationships and learning about each unique student. Kelly also has experience in leadership and supervisory positions in which she was in charge of staff, budgets, and event planning.
Kelly has taught in our Shul School and served on the Board of Trustees. Her creativity and passion for learning and faith will greatly enhance the CBS-CS students. Kelly loves being a part of this congregation and is looking forward to being able to give back to CBS-CS as she feels it has given so much to her and her family, Louis and Calder.
Donna is our rockstar bookkeeper who's been keeping our finances in check since 2009. Before joining CBS-CS, she owned and operated an in-home daycare and kept the books for her family's restaurant. When she's not crunching numbers, you can find her hanging with her adorable grandson Leo, mastering Mah Jongg, rooting for the Bills and Red Sox, or soaking up sun in Bradenton, FL. Donna loves the CBSCS vibe as much as we love having her.
Donna constance
Bookkeeper
Chef Nate is our Kitchen Manager at CBS-CS. He's the captain of our kitchen crew. From overseeing staff, to managing the logistics of a kitchen, to hand-picking the freshest ingredients to whipping up mouthwatering menus, Nate brings his creativity to every aspect of his role. But here's the really fun part: when he's not busy creating delicious dishes, you can catch Nate indulging his inner sci-fi geek (ask him about Star Trek or Tolkien) or painting his latest masterpiece. He loves spending time with his amazing wife, Kim, and their two adorable munchkins, Gavin and Olivia.
nate schloss
Kitchen Manager
alethea shirilan-howlett
Administrative Assistant
Alethea is a multidisciplinary creative and arts professional with a flair for organization, storytelling, and meaningful community engagement. She holds a BS in Creative Writing and Drama from Syracuse University and has worked across arts administration, event production, education, and digital media. With a strong background in archival research and content creation, Alethea has developed dynamic programming, managed social platforms with thousands of followers, and supported teams in fast-paced creative environments. Her work is driven by curiosity, care, and a deep love of narrative—especially where history, media, and human connection intersect. She’s always on the lookout for the next great project—or the next great puppet.
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Yolanda is our Communications Specialist at CBS-CS. Though she’s new to this role, Yolanda’s been part of the CBS-CS family since 2010. Her mission extends beyond our walls—crafting messages, promotions, and branding to showcase the awesomeness of CBS-CS to the world. As a Binghamton University alum, Yolanda brings a creative touch to her work. When she's not spreading the CBS-CS magic, catch her hitting the slopes on her beloved snowboard, dabbling in interior design, globetrotting, or cooking new dishes, she loves going on adventures or just hanging out with her husband, Arel, and their two sons, Asher and Davin.
yolanda febles
Communications Specialist
Lay Leadership
OFFICERS
President - Bob Tornberg
Executive Vice President - Mark Savad
VICE PRESIDENTS
Adult Education - Marc Beckman and Marty Schaeffer
Finance - Joe Roth
House - Bob Glatter and Herb Goldman
Ritual - Penelope Pooler Eisenbies and Stephanie Shirilan
Youth & Education - Rachel Sperber
Membership - Kate Werner
Social Action/Tikkun Olam - Ora Jezer
Corresponding Secretary - Lois Weiner
Recording Secretary - Gwen Kay
TRUSTEES
Joan Bordett, Rachel Friedman-Selsley, Herb Goldman,
Daniel Kornfeld, Bonnie Levy, Rachael Porter, Michelle Rosenberg,
David Pellow, David Sonnenfeld
AUXILIARY REPRESENTATIVES
Karen Morton - Sisterhood
Mickey Lebowitz - Men's Club
Join US!
The value of membership in CBS-CS is the value of belonging to a Jewish community that provides its members with the level of engagement and support that each individual wants and needs. For many members, it is about friendship and activities with friends. For others, it is about access to religious services and a rabbi. Still, others value the Religious School programs and a place for their children to have enriched Jewish experiences with children their own age. Whatever your need, we strive to find a place for you.