Executive Committee

Barbara is a second-generation member of our congregation and CBI is the center of her family’s spiritual life. Currently, Barbara is completing a 6-year term on the Board of Trustees, and serves on the Membership, Beautification, Cultural Programming, and 100th Anniversary Steering Committees. Over the years, Barbara has also served on the Congregation’s Executive Board as Treasurer, Secretary, 2nd Vice President, and on the Religious and Education Committees.  She has chaired or co-chaired fundraising galas, Sukkot and holiday dinners, Nominating committees, Rabbi Rosoff’s 25th Anniversary celebration, and religious school events.  Barbara’s 3 children graduated from our Rabbi Jack M. Rosoff Hebrew High School, and she is the proud Mom and ‘Grammy’ to 3rd and 4th generation members.

​​​​​​Professionally, Barbara earned her MA, and ASHA CCCs in Speech Pathology, and spent most of her career as a Speech and Language Specialist in the Holmdel Public School District, Pre-K to 12.

Barbara resides in Lincroft with her husband, Edward.  In the community, she coached Middletown Township Challenged Youth Sports teams from their inaugural season through their first 10 years.  Barbara is a member of CHHANGE, Hadassah, and a life member of National Council of Jewish Women.

“I am honored and privileged to have been nominated by our Board Development Committee to serve as President of our Congregation. In this role, I will dedicate my efforts:  to Link - our past to our future, our legacy to growth and progress; to Listen - to the needs of our diverse membership, and emphasize that every voice be heard; and, in partnership with Rabbi Sagal, our administrative and educational staff, and our teams of lay leaders, to Lean in -  to inspire our next generation, as we approach our 2nd Century and begin a new chapter in the history of Congregation B’nai Israel.”

Dr. Eric Menell
Vice President, Operations
It is an incredible honor to be nominated once again to represent the synagogue as Operations Vice President.  I have been part of the CBI family since 2004 and am looking forward to the opportunity to serve for another term as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees.

Over recent years I have overseen projects at CBI including the Komar Entryway addition, new office, new multi-purpose/Adult Education room, restroom renovations, Chapel repairs and renovations, hallway renovations, classroom upgrades and numerous security improvements. I have also spearheaded efforts to improve the efficiency of the synagogue's operations.

Professionally, I am a high school history teacher and hold my doctorate in Educational Leadership. My previous professional and volunteer experience includes extensive work with Jewish non-profit agencies, including senior leadership roles in youth programming, operations, facilities, marketing, special events planning and recreation.

Danielle Liss
Vice President, Education
Danielle Liss and her family have been members of Congregation B’nai Israel for nearly 6 years. Her younger son, Ryan (age 11), currently attends SHMA and her older son, Austin (age 14), became a Bar Mitzvah at CBI in August 2020. Ryan also attended Gan Yeladim when they first moved to the area. Danielle has served as the Vice President for Education for 2 years and is also a member of the CBI Board of Education (4 years). She has been involved in planning various CBI events over the past several years. Danielle has worked for nearly 22 years at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services out of the regional office located in NYC. She resides with her family in Fair Haven.

Richard Sussman
Vice President, Finance
Rich Sussman and his family have been members of CBI since 1990.  His three children, Nina, Jeff and Jodi all attended the Gan, Hebrew School and Hebrew High School at CBI.  Rich has a BSE from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Rich worked on Wall Street for 26 years prior to retiring.  Since retiring from Wall Street, Rich has gotten involved with local non-profit Board participation as well as working as an expert witness in financial arbitration cases.  Rich has been VP Finance for the last four years and is looking forward to continuing to serve as VP Finance.

Martin Grodman
Treasurer
Martin Grodman and his family have been members of Congregation B’nai Israel for 6 years. His wife Mikki is the shul’s librarian (return your books!). Their 2 children Sofie (age 12) and Olivia (age 8) are both graduates of Gan Yeladim and currently attend SHMA. Martin is the nephew of Eddie z”l and Helene Grodman (long time members of the shul) and cousin of Lauren Grodman, first grade teacher at SHMA. He is the National Sales Manager of American Brass and Crystal headquartered in Union, NJ. He volunteers in youth soccer and softball, and is the Vice President of the Oceanport Soccer Association. The family resides in Sea Bright. Martin is running for the position of Treasurer on the Executive Committee.  

Stacey Klinge
Secretary

Stacey Rassas Klinge is a third generation member of Congregation B’nai Israel. Her parents, Marge and Aaron Rassas, have been members for over 50 years. Stacey had her bat mitzvah at CBI and continued her Jewish education as a torah reader and graduate of the Hebrew high school. 

Stacey and her husband, Jeff, and their two children, Logan and Davis, have been members since 2011.  Logan and Davis are both graduates of the Gan Yeladim preschool and currently attend the SHMA.

Over the last 10 years Stacey has served in different capacities at CBI, including Sisterhood President, Co-Chair of the Rabbi Search Committee, and as member of various committees (Membership, Beautification, Board Development).  She also runs the Sisterhood Gift Shop and has assisted with fundraising for building renovation projects.
  
Stacey is honored to have been nominated as a member of the Executive Committee and is excited for the future of CBI and our Jewish community.