Staff Changes: Ilene Sameth Leaving CBST
We are writing to share the news that Ilene Sameth has announced that she has taken a position as executive director at Romemu, a young congregation in the Jewish Renewal movement on the Upper West Side, beginning in June. As CBST's Executive Director for the last nine years, Ilene has shepherded us through a period of unprecedented growth and transition and has much to be proud of as a result. Ilene was a full partner in our search for a new home and in the capital project. We have much to be grateful to her for. Let us celebrate this kind and dedicated person in the weeks ahead, including a special Shabbat kiddush following services on May 11th.
We have formed a committee to help us search for a new executive director, a person who will help lead us in the transition to our new home and who will help us strategize for the years ahead. We are also formulating plans for any interim period that may occur, and will provide details of the transition in the coming weeks. While change is always stressful, your Board and rabbis and staff are excited about the challenges ahead. Together we will build a stronger and better CBST.
Ilene will always be a part of the CBST extended family and we send her uptown with love and blessings.
B'virkat shalom,
Bill Hibsher
President
Rabbi Kleinbaum
Senior Rabbi
A Message from Ilene Sameth:
Being a part of the CBST leadership for the last nine years has truly been an incredible experience for me. Leaving, at this time, is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in my professional life. CBST is at an important moment, about to hit its 40th anniversary, well on the way to raising the money needed to move into our new home, seeing the benefits of a 30% growth in membership over the last few years and continuing to be a force in the Jewish and Gay worlds.
I would have preferred that this opportunity to lead a young organization come to me in two years as we were celebrating opening our doors on 30th Street. But you often don't get to choose when a new journey begins in your life.
I am very thankful to the leadership of CBST for the opportunities we have had together. I have learned so much from so many of the volunteers I have worked with over these years especially the many Board members who have given so much of themselves. I especially want to thank the four Presidents I have been fortunate to work with, Lisa Kartzman, Eric Rosenbaum, Steve Frank and Bill Hibsher. Finally, I want to thank the CBST staff members who have been my partners throughout this time in my life including Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum and Rabbi Rachel Weiss. I am profoundly grateful to Rabbi Kleinbaum with whom I have worked very closely on many of the hallmark accomplishments of the last nine years and who has been a partner and an inspiration. I also want to thank Chet Rojice and Gabriel Blau who have been especially important in any successes I have had at CBST. I will certainly look forward to remaining a part of this community as we both go through the next few years. May we all go from strength to strength.
Gratefully,
Ilene Sameth
Executive Director
