August 7, 2025
Dear Beth Emet Family,
For those of you who know me, you’ll know it’s been an intense few months as I’ve transitioned to my now-official new role as Director of Operations and Technology.
I started at Beth Emet a little over a year ago as the Director of Communications and Outreach. Over time, my role shifted to be more focused on maintaining the building and dealing with technology issues (some of which have been resolved!). If you don’t know me, you’ll probably meet me when it’s time to schedule a Kabbalat Mitzvah or your Wedding here at BE, or if you’re having technical issues getting on to the Zoom link for a program.
In this week’s Parsha, Devarim, Moshe is 37 days from dying, reciting the ten commandments for a final time. I thought immediately of what the previous staff members’ “commandments” of BE were. Though there are many intricacies at Beth Emet, I was so fortunate to have longtime leaders like Bekki Kaplan, Marci Dickman, and Kathy Kaberon, who served for many years in different roles in the synagogue, as well as newer staff, including Jody Litwack and Gabriella Cooper, who helped me learn the ins and outs of synagogue life.
Here are a few commandments I picked up during their tenure that I still hold close to my heart:
There will always be more work to do, so only do what you can (Marci)
Watching congregants form relationships with each other brings another level of joy (Kathy)
Conversation is best had over coffee, or at a bookstore (Gabriella)
You have an impact on others in everything you do (Bekki)
Writing is a reflection of who you are. Your words matter, spell them correctly (Jody)
Thank you to the incredible staff I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by and the amazing congregation I get to call mine!
-Pierce Boydbagby
Director of Operations and Technology
