Leadership

2025-2026 Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors serves as the governing body of our congregation, working in partnership with our clergy and staff to strengthen the legacy of Beth El.

Executive Committee

President
Carly Rubenstein

Executive Vice President
Jill Spivey

Vice President
Jesse Reisman

Vice President
Stacy Weiner

Secretary
Todd Bolick

Treasurer
Jamie Taber

Immediate Past President
Dorrit Lowsen

Board Members

Representing WRJ
Jeanette Astrow
Joanne Rhodes

Representing Permanent Endowment
Michael Bluestein

Representing Brotherhood
Matt Mutterperl

1st Term
Evan Bolick
Jeanne Holden
Lydia Lutt
Helen Manich
Stacey Rudolph

2nd Term
Dan Bernstein
Ariel Cetrone
Lauren Kipfer
Jennifer Landy
Deborah Lerner
Clair Sassin

We welcome suggestions and concerns from all members. You may directly contact any Board member to discuss your matter or to request your matter be discussed at a Board meeting. Members are also welcome to attend the first 15 minutes of any Board meeting, which is designated as open time for member input.

All members are invited to serve on Beth El’s committees, which support the activities and programs of the congregation. Learn more about Beth El’s committees.

Communications
Jill Spivey, Stacy Weiner

Development:
Dan Bernstein

Fundraising Events Subcommittee:
Ariel Cetrone

Finance
Jamie Taber

Infrastructure
Deborah Lerner

Membership & Connections
Lauren Kipfer

Programs
Linda Waller

Religious School & Youth
Jennifer Landy

Tikkun Olam
Helen Manich

Meet the Executive Committee

Carly Rubenstein is an accomplished executive and producer in the arts and entertainment industry with over 20 years of experience. She serves as President of Beth El Hebrew Congregation, following two Board terms including Treasurer.

Carly and her husband, Eric, moved to Northern Virginia in 2018 with their children, Madeline and Miles. Since joining Beth El, she has been deeply engaged, enrolling both children in religious school and celebrating their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. She is active in The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and previously served on boards of the Jewish community in Indianapolis.

Jill Spivey and her family have been members of Beth El Hebrew Congregation since 2018. She has served in many volunteer leadership roles at the synagogue including the Civic Engagement Committee, Board Nominations Committee, and as Secretary on the Board of Directors.

Professionally, Jill is Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), where she helped expand offerings from one credential to over ten. She has 24+ years of experience in marketing, communications, and business development. Jill lives in Alexandria with her husband Chris, daughter Zora, and oversized muppet, Ziggy (aka the family’s dog).

Jesse has been a member of Beth El since 2019 and serves on multiple committees, to include as Vice President of Membership on the Executive Committee, Chair of the COVID Reopening Task Force, previous Chair of the Religious School and Youth Committee.

Jesse works in the field of cybersecurity, helping private and public sector organizations better secure their critical cyber infrastructures. He worked for 15 years in the federal government, developing and implementing national defense policies and programs. Since 2022 he has led cybersecurity operations for a Midwestern electric company.

Stacy Weiner is a national practice & regional growth manager for Thompson Hine LLP. She has worked in the legal industry for over 20 years doing communication, business development and marketing. Stacy and her husband, Mark, have been members of Beth El since 2006 when they moved to Northern Virginia. They have two daughters – Samantha, who was confirmed in May 2025, and Alexa, who will become a b’nai mitzvah in March 2026. Stacy has previously served on the Board of Directors as well as the Executive Committee. She was the Bagel Bar coordinator for many years and has participated in various other committees. This past year, she co-chaired the Interim Rabbi search committee.

Todd Bolick has been a Beth El member since birth.  He was consecrated, Bar Mitzvahed, and confirmed here. Since graduating from Christopher Newport University in 2010, he has served in numerous roles including Brotherhood Secretary, Chapel-In-the-Woods Chair, Board member (2014-2018, 2021-2025), Governance Task Force Co-Chair, and Permanent Endowment Fund Trustee. He currently teaches our Confirmation class.

Professionally, Todd is a Field Director for Scouting America National Capital Area Council, managing teams supporting 11,000 youth and overseeing the $2.5 million popcorn campaign. In 2024, he was recognized among the region’s top 40 leaders under 40. Todd enjoys hiking, running, and spending time with family and friends, many of whom are Beth El members.

Jamie Taber is excited to be serving on the Beth El Board for the first time! Previously she served on the Beth El Finance Committee. Jamie has a PhD in Economics. Her professional economic experience includes working on a wide range of topics across the field of economics and the federal government. Most recently, she led a team of economists in helping produce the President’s Budget among other initiatives. Jamie and her family appreciate the community and inclusive spirit at Beth El, and she is eager to help Beth El thrive well into the future.

Dorrit Lowsen is Jewish by birth, but more importantly, Jewish by choice. Raised in a secular household, she found her belonging at Kehillat Beijing and then Beth El Hebrew Congregation. Currently Co-CEO of Change Finance, an investment company she co-founded in 2016 to create ethical investment products shifting corporations toward better practices for people and planet.

Dorrit joined Beth El in 2012, returning in 2016 after serving at the US Embassy in Beijing. She has served on the Education Director and Executive Director Search Committees, Mission/Vision/Values Task Force, WRJ Board, Permanent Endowment Fund, and as Secretary and Executive Vice President. She lives in Alexandria with husband Ben (5th Grade Judaics teacher) and son.

Past Presidents

We are grateful for the many years of service our leaders have provided our congregation.

  • Evan Allen
  • Gary Avakian
  • Julienne Bramesco
  • Alan Cohn
  • Ellen Feldstein
  • Joyce Gordon
  • Marsha Hertzberg
  • John Jankowski
  • Dorrit Lowsen
  • Jay Lucas
  • Linda Waller