Staff and Board

Heather Garrett, Executive Director, joined Beth El in September of 2022.

Most recently, Heather served as Chief Administrative Officer for Jewish Community Services in Baltimore, Md. I this capacity, she oversaw finance, HR, IT, and administrative operations for the agency which offers diverse programs and services supporting individuals across ages and stages of life. Previously, Heather worked as the chief financial officer and human resources director for a dual-diagnosis behavioral and mental health facility in Los Angeles. Born and raised in California, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Antioch University and a Master’s in Business Administration from California State University, Monterey Bay.

Heather’s “why” is to create space and authentic connections with others so that we can all mutually grow and live our missions. Her favorite role is being the mother of Jasmine, 22, and Miles, three. In her free time, she can usually be found adventuring with her kids and learning as many new things as possible.

Heather can be reached at ext. 106 or hgarrett@bethelmc.org.

Rebecca Weisman, Director of Engagement and Outreach, has spent more than three decades helping people and communities find meaning, fulfillment and purpose through Jewish life, learning and connection. As Beth El’s Director of Engagement and Outreach, she brings deep experience in relational community building, membership strategy and program leadership from a wide variety of Jewish settings, including congregations, day schools, foundations and national nonprofits. 

Most recently, Rebecca held a leadership role at ADL, scaling a nationwide congregational engagement program and strengthening Jewish communal resilience. She previously served as Senior Director of Engagement Initiatives at USCJ, was both a Principal and Admissions Director at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, and co-developed a local initiative reimagining lifelong learning in congregational communities. Earlier in her career, Rebecca served on the professional team at several DC-area congregations, helping members of all ages find their way into Jewish life and community. 

A Camp Ramah New England and USY alumna and parent of alumni, she lives in Gaithersburg with her spouse, Steve. She enjoys spending time with her family—especially her adult children, Hannah (and her wife, Jessica) and Abby—collecting unique honey, watching sports and live performances, exploring independent coffee shops, and connecting with people (and their pets).

Rebecca can be reached at rweisman@bethelmc.org.

Elisha Rothschild Frumkin, Education Director, joined the Beth El staff in 2007. Before becoming the Education Director, she served as Beth El’s Associate Education Director, Assistant Education Director and Family Education Director, and served as Interim Education Director from 2012-2013.

Previously, Elisha held positions as Assistant Principal at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA, and Youth Director at Beth Israel Congregation in Baltimore, where, in 2006, she received the Outstanding Informal Jewish Educator award from the Maryland Teen Initiative. In 2010, she was a 20/20 honoree, recognized by the Jewish Educators Assembly as one of twenty emerging Jewish educators in their 20s from the Washington, DC area. Elisha was awarded the title of Conservative Jewish Educator (CJE) in 2012, a designation recognizing her attaining a standard of achievement in the field of Conservative Jewish education.

A former Teach for America Corps Member, Elisha received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The George Washington University and holds two Masters Degrees in Jewish Studies and Jewish Education from Baltimore Hebrew University. Elisha and her husband, Josh, live in Germantown, Maryland, with their two daughters, Michal and Sivan.

Elisha can be contacted at ext. 119 or efrumkin@bethelmc.org.

Lauren Hirt, Preschool Director, joined the Beth El staff in 2015. Prior to assuming the role of Director of Beth El Preschool (BEPS) in June 2022, Lauren was a Lead Teacher at BEPS from 2015-2021 and served as BEPS Interim Co-Director for the 2021-2022 school year.

Lauren initially joined the Beth El community as a congregant and preschool parent in 2007 and immediately fell in love with BEPS. She was active on a variety of committees and served as Parent Board Chair in 2013-2014. In addition to her work at BEPS, Lauren has spent a portion of many summers working at Camps Airy & Louise. Her most recent roles included Rookie Camp Division Head and Junior Camp Division Head at Camp Airy, where she worked with the camp’s youngest campers from 2018-2021.

Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland and a Master’s Equivalency in Elementary Education from John Hopkins University. Additionally, she has completed the 90-hour course in Early Childhood Education.

Lauren and her husband, Matt, live in Bethesda and are the proud parents of three BEPS alum. Their sons, Gibson and Sullivan, and their daughter, Eliza, celebrated their b-mitzvahs at Beth El in 2017, 2019, and 2021.

Lauren can be contacted at ext. 111 or lhirt@bethelmc.org.

Allison Brown, Youth Programming and Engagement Director, joined Beth El in 2021. While originally from Canada, Montgomery County played a significant role in Allison’s childhood Jewish journey, as she traveled each year to celebrate Passover with family in Bethesda. Her passion for Jewish education snuck up on this self-described “Sunday school dropout,” and it has since become a central part of her life.

Allison creates engaging programs for children and teens from kindergarten through high school. She oversees Beth El Youth’s age-specific youth groups (Bonim, Machar, Rosh Hodesh, BETweens and BETeens), Adventure Guild, Beth El’s tabletop role-playing and gaming community, and Tzelem for LGBTQ+, trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive jewish teens. She also coordinates MCPS Day Off Camp, Challah Bakes, and field trips to destinations like trampoline parks and Dave & Buster’s.

Working closely with Elisha Frumkin, Allison supports the BERS lower school, BERS Madrichim, the Netivot teen program and a wide range of teen leadership opportunities, including Teen Board, Madrichim in Training programs, and special events throughout the year.

Whether she’s planning a movie night, running a leadership training, organizing a teen event, or playing a game of Dungeons & Dragons or Gaga, Allison is passionate about helping every child and teen find a place to belong at Beth El.

Alison can be reached at abrown@bethelmc.org.

Tiarra Joslyn, Communications Manager, has been a member of the Beth El staff since September 2013. Tiarra oversees all aspects of communication, maintains the shul’s website, acts as database administrator, helps manage Beth El’s social media presence, writes for and designs the Scroll, and creates flyers and other items to help promote synagogue programming.

A native of Las Vegas, Tiarra moved back from Arlington, Va. to Las Vegas in the summer of 2019 with their husband and has worked remotely for Beth El ever since. Tiarra enjoys reading, playing board games, and baking, and volunteers with a local nonprofit to foster dogs.

Tiarra can be reached at ext. 127 or tjoslyn@bethelmc.org. 

Robin Finkelstein, Executive Assistant to the Clergy, joined Beth El in December 2021. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Services, she held a variety of positions in Jewish camping and event planning and management, most recently as the show manager for Sugarloaf Craft Festivals. In addition to providing administrative support to the clergy, Robin works closely with Beth El’s rabbis, hazzan, and member families to coordinate the b-mitzvah process.

Robin can be reached at ext. 131 or rfinkelstein@bethelmc.org.

Lauren Partlow, Office Administrator, joined Beth El in early 2026. Having worked in hospitality since high school, she has years of customer service experience that she brings with her to this role. She graduated from Salisbury University with a bachelor’s degree in communication, and in her free time you can find her reading, crocheting, and spending time with friends and family.

Lauren can be reached at lpartlow@bethelmc.org.

Tania Cedillo, Event Coordinator, joined Beth El in June 2025 . Tania spent three years working in hospitality before Beth El, including one year as a secretary. She graduated from Montgomery College with an associate’s degree in business. It is Tania’s responsibility to oversee the planning and execution of events, making sure they are carried out effectively and achieve the goals of the congregation.

Tania Can be reached at ext. 122 or Tcedillo@bethelmc.org. 

Jacob Rogow,  New Member Experience and Outreach Coordinator, grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where he spent kindergarten through 8th grade as a day school kid with these years shaping his connection to Jewish community and Jewish life that persists to this day.

That connection came back into focus at the University of Georgia, where Jacob reconnected with his Judaism through Israel advocacy. It became a genuine passion, one that eventually led him to found TheKippahKid, a platform on social media where he shared educational content about Israel and combating antisemitism.

After college, Jacob spent a year at the American Jewish Committee in Atlanta, working primarily in Black/Jewish relations. It’s some of the work he’s proudest of – building real relationships across communities and making friendships that have lasted well beyond the job itself.

Jacob then made his way to Washington, DC, where he currently resides along with his partner, Gaby. Before joining Beth El, he worked at the Embassy of Israel, helping run their social media through some genuinely difficult and consequential moments for nation.

Outside of work, Jacob is an avid sports fan and self-proclaimed trivia buff, always up for a game or a good debate about who’s the greatest of all time.

Jacob can be reached at jrogow@bethelmc.org or ext. 116.

Katie Friedman, Program Coordinator, has considered Beth El her home for as long as she can remember. A lifelong member, Katie attended both the Preschool and Religious School, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation here, and has reconnected to the community as an adult. Katie has a degree in business administration and marketing from Hofstra University. She joined the Beth El staff in summer 2024, describing her return as “coming home.” Now, through her role as program coordinator, Katie shares her love for Beth El by engaging with our seniors.

Katie can be reached at ext. 130 or kfriedman@bethelmc.org.

Ian Rothman, Controller, joined Beth El in May 2015. The grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, he thinks his zeyde would be very proud of the work he does with Beth El.

Ian can be reached at ext. 104 or irothman@bethelmc.org.

Joseph Wetzel, Accounting Clerk, joined Beth El at the beginning of 2025. Joe works directly with Ian to help oversee financial operations.

Joe can be reached at jwetzel@bethelmc.org.

Lynn Pikovsky, Preschool Office Administrator, joined the Beth El Staff in July, 2014. She lives in Gaithersburg with her husband and 3 children.

Lynn can be reached at ext. 107 or lpikovsky@bethelmc.org.

Curtis Kearns, Building Supervisor, joined the Beth El staff in early 2018. Prior to Beth El, Curtis worked at the JCC for more than 10 years as the facility supervisor. Curtis has a Journeyman License in Plumbing along with Gas Fitter Certification. Curtis oversees our facility staff, coordinates inspectors, vendors, and contractors, and provides maintenance, repairs, and event preparation.

Curtis can be reached at ext. 142 or ckearns@bethelmc.org.

Yoel Gleizer is Beth El’s Shaliach. Shlichim are emissaries who come from Israel to engage with us about Israel, teach Jewish heritage, and speak about issues of national and religious identity. Our shaliach is a living connection to Israel. Yoel enjoys singing, playing many instruments, producing music, working out, and exploring nature.

Yoel can be reached at ygleizer@bethelmc.org.