History
Breast Cancer and the Young Jewish Woman
Mission
Founder's Note
Staff
   Executive Director - Eillene Leistner
   Director of Operations - Elana Silber
   Clinical Supervisor - Shera Dubitsky
   Program Coordinator - Ellen Kleinhaus
   Technology Coordinator - Mike Lowy
   Administrator - Rebecca Schwartz
Advisory Boards
In Their Words

About Eillene

Eillene Leistner, Sharsheret’s Executive Director, met Rochelle Shoretz in 2001 and volunteered during its incipient stages. Ms. Leistner earned a bachelor of arts in English Literature from Lehman College (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude) and a master’s degree in English Literature from Northwestern University. She has completed the Executive Management Institute program for not-for-profit executives of the Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University. Co-Chair of the Teaneck Holocaust Commemoration Committee, she lives in Teaneck with her husband and two children.

She joined the staff in March 2007 and with the Board of Directors is responsible for its overall operations, ensuring its fiscal standing, implementing its mission and advancing its growth and development. Ms. Leistner is a recent breast cancer survivor and brings to this position 26 years of not-for-profit management and development experience.

About Elana

Elana Silber, Sharsheret’s Director of Operations, joined the organization as a volunteer in 2002 before becoming a staff member in 2003. A graduate of the Mount Sinai Hospital/CUNY Masters in Business Administration Programs, Ms. Silber coordinated conferences and outreach efforts for several hospitals in the New York area.

As the organization's Director of Operations, Ms. Silber supervises Sharsheret’s Outreach and Education Program, as well as its Quality of Life Programs. She coordinates major medical symposia on subjects including breast cancer genetics and survivorship. Ms. Silber also directs outreach events, parlor meetings, and speaking engagements nationwide, bringing Sharsheret to Jewish communities and health care professionals across the country.

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About Shera

Shera Dubitsky, M.Ed., M.A., Sharsheret’s Clinical Supervisor, joined the organization as a volunteer in 2003 before becoming a staff member in 2005. An M.Ed./M.A. graduate of Columbia University and an M.A. graduate and doctoral candidate of Adelphi University Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Ms. Dubitsky served as a Psychology Resident and Fellow at the Bronx Psychiatric Center of the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, and an Associate Psychologist for the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. She has also worked as a Researcher at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

As Sharsheret’s Clinical Supervisor, Ms. Dubitsky assists women newly diagnosed and at high risk of developing breast cancer and provides supportive counseling to women living with metastatic breast cancer. She also assists in the advancement and development of programs and lectures on topics addressing the needs of the women of Sharsheret.

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About Ellen

Ellen Kleinhaus, Ed.M., M.A., Sharsheret’s Program Coordinator, joined the organization in 2005. A graduate of Columbia University’s Teachers College with a degree in Counseling Psychology and Organizational Psychology, Ms. Kleinhaus served as a Counseling Intern at Montclair State University in the Counseling and Psychological Services Department.

As the organization's Program Coordinator, Ms. Kleinhaus assists women newly diagnosed and at high risk of developing breast cancer as part of Sharsheret’s Link Program. She also assists in the coordination of national outreach events and Sharsheret’s Quality of Life Programs.

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About Mike

Mike Lowy, Sharsheret’s Technology Coordinator, joined the organization in 2008. Mr. Lowy has served as an IT Analyst and Manager to various corporations.

As the organization's Technology Coordinator, Mr. Lowy maintains databases and network programming to increase the efficiency and administration of Sharsheret’s national programs and events. He also spearheads the development of Sharsheret’s website and web-based services.

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About Rebecca

Rebecca Schwartz, Sharsheret’s Administrator, joined the organization in 2004. A graduate of Stern College, Ms. Schwartz has served as a Sales and Human Resources Assistant and a newspaper intern.

As the organization's Administrator, Ms. Schwartz coordinates the administrative aspects of Sharsheret’s programs and events. She also assists in public relations efforts and the development of new programs.

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