Staff

Joy is proud to lead the staff team at  Central Synagogue- Beth Emeth.  She  joined the CSBE team in August of 2014 as Program and Social Media Coordinator.  She thrives on the work with all staff, clergy and congregants and strives to maintain and enhance Jewish life at CSBE.Joy has a BA in English from Stony Brook University and has worked in Jewish communal life since graduation.  She is committed to assisting and enriching the Jewish journeys of others in our community.  Joy lives locally with her husband and their daughter. Joy can be reached at jgluzman@csbeli.org.

Jodi Proefriedt was appointed to the position of Early Childhood Director of Jacob’s Ladder in September 2022. In this role, Jodi ensures that all children and their families are treated with kindness, respect and love so they can fully develop into confident, independent, self-assured learners. She also oversees all teaching staff and maintains a positive relationship with families.

Jodi has over thirty years’ experience working as an Early Childcare Provider. Prior to becoming the Early Childhood Director at Jacob’s Ladder, Jodi’s journey began as a Three-year-old Assistant teacher September 2001. Soon after, Jodi became a lead Three-year-old teacher. When a position became available, Jodi became a Lead Pre-K teacher until 2022. During her time as a Pre-K teacher, Jodi also worked in our Early Morning program as well as our Extended Day program. When the community needs changed and parents asked for later hours, Jodi developed our Late Afternoon program. The Early Morning program and the Late afternoon Program included children aged two through five.

Jodi has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Karen Feit has been a Jewish educator for over forty years. She has taught students in day school, day care, synagogues, assisted living facilities, and various adult learning centers. She is thrilled to be working with the wonderful students and teachers here at the CSBE Jewish Experience!

She has studied and taught at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. As a member of the Hadassah National Assembly, Karen serves on the Zionist and Jewish Education teams. She is a delegate to the World Zionist Congress and a member of the Va-ad HaPoel of the World Zionist Organization.

Learning and teaching are great sources of pleasure and satisfaction for Karen. She holds a B.A. in political science from SUNY Stony Brook and a Master of Arts degree from the Graduate Faculty of Political and Social Science of the New School for Social Research. She is a graduate of Cohort II of the Leadership Institute for Congregational School Educators, and has been trained in Israel engagement with both Makom and the David Project. As a trained facilitator she has taught the Hartman Institute  course  The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict from a Jewish Values Perspective.

Karen has visited Israel 13 times and can’t wait to go back! She is passionate about Hebrew and Jewish music, and loves to cook Israeli food. She and her guitar love to sing with people of all ages.

Karen is the proud mother of Matt, Yoni, and Leor, and the adoring grandmother of Emily and Levon.