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BALTIMORE, MD. (August 9th, 2019) �" Beth El Congregation of Baltimore announced today the hiring of Bekah Waltemeyer to serve as Development Associate. She joined the development team on July 29th, 2019. 

“I chose to work at Beth El because of the synagogue's outstanding reputation for being an engaging, vibrant, and inclusive synagogue community which Baltimore's modern Jewish families are proud to call home,” Ms. Waltemeyer said. “From what I've witnessed, read, and heard about Beth El, I truly feel this synagogue community is unlike any other.” 

Ms. Waltemeyer will develop relationships with Beth El Congregation's staff and members to identify new fundraising opportunities for the synagogue. Ms. Waltemeyer will support Amanda Beitman, Beth El's Director of Development, in the planning of the 2021 edition of LIVE! From Beth El, the synagogue's marquee fundraising event, and expanding the Annual Appeal, which grew to a record $580,000 during the 2019 Fiscal Year.

“After a very successful 2018-2019 Annual Appeal and LIVE! From Beth El event, our members have experienced the benefits of sustained investment in our synagogue community. As our new Development Associate, Bekah will help our ongoing effort to strengthen our congregation through fundraising,“ Mrs. Beitman said. “Bekah has a strong connection to her Judaism, understands the importance of maintaining a dynamic synagogue community, and intuitively connects the two when fundraising.” 

In addition to assisting in designing and implementing development strategies for Beth El with the goal of increased immediate-term revenue, Ms. Waltemeyer will also support the synagogue's development marketing strategy. As Development Associate, she will help tell Beth El's story by communicating the human impact of the synagogue's fundraising efforts through social media, email, newsletters, brochures, and other informational materials.

“Beth El has an impressive network of members who work tirelessly to not only advance the synagogue but also improve the lives of everyone in the Baltimore Jewish community,” Ms. Waltemeyer said. “I look forward to listening to and learning from everyone who makes this place so special.”

“I know that Bekah will build meaningful relationships with our members and help them feel not only a closer connection to their giving but to our remarkable community here at Beth El,” Mrs. Beitman said.

“Bekah brings an eclectic background from working and volunteering in the Jewish community,” said Joshua Bender, Executive Director. “We are delighted to expand our development team as we continue supporting our vibrant Beth El community and expanding our reach and impact.”

Before accepting the position of Development Associate at Beth El, Ms. Waltemeyer served as the Synagogue Management Intern for Congregation Beit Tikvah, a Reconstructionist synagogue in Baltimore, Maryland. She is working towards a Masters of Jewish Education and Communal Services from Towson University. In her free time, Ms. Waltemeyer enjoys hiking and swimming with her dogs and testing out new recipes.

ABOUT BETH EL (https://www.bethelbalto.com)

Beth El is a progressive, egalitarian, and inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement. We embrace the interplay between innovation and tradition. We strive to create a community in which Judaism feels central, indispensable, and relevant to 21st-century life. We believe that Torah (exploring the accumulated wisdom of our tradition), Chesed (extending kindness, hospitality, and generosity to others) and Kedusha (bringing God and holiness into life's every day and sacred moments) can provide us with direction, meaning, and connection in an evolving world.