Barbara Devore of Delmar Elected B’nai Sholom President; New Officers and Board Chosen

B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation today announced the election of new officers and members to the board of trustees.

At the 46^th annual meeting, the congregation elected Barbara Devore of Delmar, president; Joan Savitt of Albany, vice president; Joshua Brody of Albany, secretary; and Eleanor Davis of Albany, treasurer.  The meeting was held recently at the synagogue on Whitehall Road in Albany.

Devore succeeds Elizabeth “Libby” Liebschutz of Delmar as president.  Savitt, Brody and Davis are continuing as officers.

The congregation also elected Stephen Abelman of Pattersonville, Ann Lowenfels of Delmar and Gail Volk of Delmar to new positions as trustees.  Continuing on the board are Elizabeth Alowitz of Troy, Roy Fruiterman of Colonie, Jeff Klamka of Slingerlands, Libby Liebschutz, Mark Silverbush of Selkirk and Hana Sullenger of Troy.

Rabbi Donald P. Cashman has been the congregation’s spiritual leader since 1985 and serves on the board ex officio.

“Our family has belonged to B’nai Sholom for more than 25 years, and I’m so happy to have this opportunity to give back to the synagogue that has been my spiritual home for so long,” said Devore.  “I want to thank Libby Liebschutz for her leadership these past two years, and I and the board look forward to working with all members of our dynamic congregation to ensure that B’nai Sholom continues to provide the same spiritual support for generations to come.”

Devore has held a variety of leadership and committee roles at B’nai Sholom, including vice president, chair of the membership and communications committees and co-chair of the hospitality committee.  Most recently, Devore served for two years as president-elect.

Devore has worked at the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley in Troy, where she is director of development, since 2011 and as a grant writer for the New York State Association on Independent Living since 2012.  Before that, she held a variety of top positions in the New York State Department of Health, including deputy director of the Center for Community Health and deputy director of the AIDS Institute, and in the New York State Education Department’s Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities.  Devore has served as chair of the Spina Bifida Association of Northeastern New York, co-chair of the New York State Department of Health Workgroup on Health & Wellness for Persons with Disabilities and is on the advisory committees of the Center for Women and Government and Civil Society and the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.

A native of Massapequa Park, Nassau County, Devore holds a master’s degree from Russell Sage College in Albany and a bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany.  She and her husband Jack have one grown son, Eric.

Founded in 1971, B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany is a home for contemporary Reform Judaism in the Capital Region, creating a vibrant Jewish present that links ancient traditions with the promise of the future.  Nearly 130 diverse households from eight counties seek religious, educational and social fulfillment at B’nai Sholom.  For information about B’nai Sholom and the benefits of belonging, visit www.bnaisholomalbany.org  or contact the B’nai Sholom office: 518-482-5283 or office@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us.

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