Giving Tuesday: 75 Years of Beth El

October 29, 2026 in Scroll

By Fran Katz Watson

Dear Friends of Beth El,

For nearly 10 years, I have had the privilege of serving on Beth El’s Development Committee, including the last year and a half as chair. It has been such a meaningful experience, and it feels especially exciting to be part of this work as we celebrate Beth El’s 75th anniversary.

Beth El is so much more than a synagogue to me. It is woven into the fabric of my life. I was married at Beth El, celebrated my children’s b’not mitzvah there, and have been part of the most wonderful havurah for more than 25 years. When I think about Beth El, I think about the people, the memories, the milestones, and the countless ways this community has been there for me and my family over the years.

I know that so many of you have your own stories like mine. For 75 years, Beth El has been the place where we celebrate our simchas, come together in times of loss, learn and grow as Jews, and support one another through all of life’s moments. These connections are what make Beth El so special, and they are what make this community feel like home.

On Tuesday, December 1, people everywhere will take a moment to give back to the places they love. This Giving Tuesday, as we celebrate Beth El’s 75th anniversary, I hope you will join me in giving back to the community that has given so much to so many of us.

Our Annual Campaign goal this year is $750,000—the highest in Beth El’s history—and we are already halfway there. Reaching this ambitious goal will take all of us. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference and helps ensure that Beth El will continue to be a place of connection, comfort, celebration, and belonging for generations to come.

I hope you will make a gift this Giving Tuesday and help us reach our goal as we look ahead to celebrating this incredible milestone together at Beth El’s 75th Anniversary Gala on March 14, 2027. What better way to honor 75 years of community than by investing in the next 75?

You can make your gift online at bethelmc.org/give or mail a check to Congregation Beth El, 8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, with “Annual Campaign” in the memo line.

If Beth El has touched your life the way it has touched mine, I hope you will consider giving this Giving Tuesday and sharing this letter with someone else who loves Beth El.

If you have already made your gift this year, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your generosity helps sustain the community that means so much to all of us.