Board of Trustees

Sheri Kipperman, President

Sheri Steiglitz Kipperman, grew up in Wallingford CT.  At that time her family was the only Jewish family in town.  They were active congregants at Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, where Sheri became Bat Mitzvah and a Confirmand, and where Sheri and her husband Eric married.  Sheri played soccer in college, and graduated with a BSN from Adelphi University. She attained her Masters Degree in Nursing from Western CT State University. She became an APRN in 2002.  Sheri and Eric moved to Southbury knowing that a Reform congregation was constructing a building here. Upon arriving they embraced B'nai Israel and the Jewish community. Their young daughter Elyssa started pre-school with the Jewish Federation. A second daughter, Samantha, followed and the family became involved in synagogue life.  Sheri helped initiate and lead what is now the annual Purim Carnival, taught in our B'nai Israel Religious School, and also fought tirelessly and successfully for Region 15 to close for the High Holy Days. Always feeling most comfortable in the synagogue, she has long served on the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee, including as Secretary, 2nd Vice President and 1st Vice President.  Elyssa made Aliyah and now lives in Israel playing profession soccer. Samantha is a rising senior at Brandeis University, and is likewise a soccer player.  Sheri writes:
        "I am so honored to be the President at B'nal Israel and can not wait to create and continue growing our community."

Iurie Schwartz, 2nd VP

Lisa Segal, Secretary

Lisa is reprising her role as B'nai Israel Board of Trustees
Secretary after serving as president for an unprecedented 3 year term (2018-2021).   
    "It is an honor to continue serving our amazing congregation while also acting as a lay cantorial soloist in our Makhela and Ritual Committee Chair."   In her free time Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, Scott, Em and Matthew, traveling, reading, walking and going to the dog park with Ruby and Pippa.

Melissa Fleischer, Trustee
Melissa is the Founder and President of HR Learning Center, 
LLC, a full-service Human Resources Consulting Firm specializing in the area of employment law. HR Learning Center LLC provides training seminars, on-line webinars, advice and counsel and consulting on a wide range of workplace and human resource issues including preventing sexual harassment in the workplace and COVID-19 safety in the workplace. Ms. Fleischer is a management-side employment attorney with over twenty (23) years experience and is nationally recognized as an expert in her field. 
She resides in Southbury with her family and has been a member of
B'nai Israel for many years.

Ben Kugielsky, Trustee

Sylvia Peña, Trustee

Haskell "Hacky" Schiff, Trustee
Hacky is a retired dentist born in Brooklyn.  He lived there until joining the Air Force where he served as a captain. Upon leaving the Air Force, he moved to Long Island and lived there until retirement.  Hacky has  two children and four grandchildren and moved
to Southbury to be near his daughter and her family. 
He then joined the Temple about 7 1/2 years ago.   
   "When my wife died, the Rabbi was both comforting and supportive to my family and myself."  Hacky  currently serves on the Memorial Committee and is very proud to become a new trustee.