May 14, 2025
Over 300 members of our community filled the sanctuary on Friday, May 9 in a heartfelt show of appreciation for our beloved retiring staff members, Bekki Kaplan, Marci Dickman, and Kathy Kaberon, who joined Rabbi London and Cantor Young on the bima during Kabbalat Shabbat services. Our honorees shared teachings and remarks, and were blessed under the community tallit (prayer shawl) held by past and current Board members.
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As Rabbi London wrote in EmetMail, “For Bekki, Kathy, and Marci, working at Beth Emet was never just a job, but a calling to create a community where everyone matters and is encouraged to grow and live their values.”
“We did our very best to exemplify this image from the siddur: there is no way to get from here to there except by joining hands, marching together,” said Kathy.
“The gifts of Beth Emet often multiply as the connections deepen,” said Marci. “The strength of Beth Emet has been and will continue to be its dedicated, kind, and diverse humans.”
“It has been the honor of my career and the joy of my life to serve this community,” said Bekki.
Presented with an original song by Barb Wertico and gifts of customized artwork from the congregation by Beth Emet President Nisan Chavkin, our honorees were later showered in sweetness from the Beth Emet bakers while attendees wrote notes of gratitude on a special banner for each.
A truly collaborative effort led by Debbie Siegel-Acevedo, we thank all who helped organize, bake, and clean up, with extra gratitude to the Planning Committee (Abby Backer, Sharon Ephraim, Nancy Fink, Suki Fisher, Toby Manewith, Emily Nidenberg, Lee Weintraub).
Thankfully, we did not say goodbye, as Bekki, Kathy, and Marci will remain an essential part of our community. As Bekki said, “I will not be going far, and I look forward to staying engaged and seeing you as a civilian!”
Remarks by Marci Dickman
Remarks by Kathy Kaberon
Remarks by Bekki Harris Kaplan
