Staff Bios
- Pronouns: He/Him/His
Rabbi Jonathan Kraus was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in 1989 and has been the Rabbi of Beth El Temple Center since 1994. A child of the Reform Movement who grew up in its synagogues and programs, Rabbi Kraus was deeply influenced by the Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) summer camps, its youth movement (NFTY) and its Religious Action Center in Washington, D.C. All are programs he continues to support enthusiastically as a rabbi. A longtime song leader, composer and musician, Rabbi Kraus also has been nourished by his great love for and involvement with Jewish music. All those experiences, combined with several, transformative opportunities to visit and live in Israel, have been among the most defining influences on his Jewish identity and rabbinate.
- Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Rabbi Sandi Intraub is beginning her 13th year at BETC and is our Associate Rabbi who, this year, serves as our Acting Director of Education. Rabbi Sandi believes that all students, young and older, should have opportunities to study all aspects of Judaism with each other, using creative, accessible and interactive methods that inspire further growth and learning. Sandi feels a Jewish obligation to respond to those in need and affect change in the world with education, hands-on work, fundraising, and advocacy and enjoys engaging in Tikkun Olam at BETC! Sandi treasures the wisdom in Jewish traditions, worship, holidays, life-cycle events, and rituals and enjoys leading others in learning, celebration, and prayer.
- Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Cantor Jeri Robins was ordained at Hebrew College in Newton in 2013 and became the Cantor of the Beth El Temple Center community in July of 2018. Cantor Robins grew up in the Reform movement in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as in congregations in Florida and Massachusetts. A resident of Newton, she raised her family at Temple Emanuel. She has held pulpit positions in both the Reform and Conservative movements, giving her a broad understanding of Jewish practice and traditions, worship styles and musical genres.
- Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Lara Riehle began working as BETC’s Religious School Administrator in May, 2016. Lara received her BA from the University of Vermont, in History and Russian Studies, and also earned TESOL/TEFL certification. Prior to working for BETC, Lara worked for the Department of Human Services as the Program Administrator for after-school programs through the City of Cambridge.
- Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Meg started at BETC as the Staff and School Assistant in April of 2023. She earned her BA in Elementary Education from Salem State University in 2016. Meg has worked with students from ages kindergarten to 12th grade in multiple school districts before coming to BETC. She is currently working towards her masters degree from Cambridge College in Special Education.
- Pronouns: He/Him/His
Peter Krasinski has been with BETC as our treasured accompanist for over 20 years. He grew up inspired by music and, through a few chance encounters, developed his love for Jewish music in particular. He enjoys thinking about the ways music influences people. 