We, the Board of Directors of Temple Beth Tikvah, want to take a moment to thank you, the members of the TBT congregation, for being part of this vibrant and growing community.
This board brings together both seasoned leaders and fresh perspectives. We’re united by a shared commitment to support our congregation, sustain meaningful Jewish experiences, and strengthen the future of TBT.
We’re actively working on several key initiatives, including infrastructure planning, rabbinic search efforts, spiritual programming, and financial stewardship. We take these responsibilities seriously and are motivated by our love for this community and its potential.
Please know that we are here for you. If you have a question, an idea, or a concern, we invite you to reach out. Your insights help guide our efforts and inspire us to serve more effectively.
We’re grateful to be on this journey with you and look forward to what we can accomplish together in the year ahead.
Bios for your board of directors:
Ginger Weeden
President, Temple Beth Tikvah
Ginger serves as the newly-elected president of Temple Beth Tikvah, bringing a wealth of corporate and nonprofit
leadership experience to her role. Inspired by the soulful, values-driven members of the congregation, Ginger is dedicated to supporting TBT’s mission through strategic growth, meaningful programming, and deepening connections across Central Oregon’s Jewish community.
She is supporting efforts to hire a permanent rabbi and strengthen TBT’s operational infrastructure. Ginger is guided by the midrash of “The Village of Ten Lamps,” which illustrates how communal learning and shared values bring light to even the darkest moments. Outside of her leadership role, Ginger is an avid outdoor enthusiast—often found hiking, kayaking, or skiing—and finds joy in lifelong learning, Jewish tradition, and building community.
Laura Fritz
Vice President, Temple Beth Tikvah
Laura Fritz brings a wealth of nonprofit leadership and consulting experience to her role as Vice President of Temple Beth Tikvah.
After several years away from organized Jewish life, she was inspired to reconnect and found TBT’s size, spirit,
and community engagement a perfect match. Laura has spent most of her career guiding nonprofits through executive transitions, strategic planning, and capacity building. She now hopes to support TBT in finding a permanent rabbi and strengthening the board’s leadership as the congregation grows. Outside of her board work, Laura enjoys outdoor adventures, playing mahjong, trying golf, and spending time with family and friends—including her dog. She believes deeply in the power of volunteerism and encourages every TBT member to find meaningful ways to contribute
Eileen Katz
Treasurer, Temple Beth Tikvah, serving a two-year term
Eileen Katz brings extensive financial and nonprofit leadership experience to her role as Treasurer of Temple Beth Tikvah. Following her retirement in 2013, she served as treasurer for several nonprofit organizations, including her homeowners association,
and was eager to apply her skills to TBT. During her career, Eileen was the finance manager for two San Francisco technology companies, where she developed financial systems, established procedures, and strengthened organizational oversight.
Eileen values TBT’s inclusive spirit and broad embrace of Jewish beliefs and practices, and has been deeply touched by the support she and her family have received from congregants during challenging times. In retirement, Eileen enjoys daily walks with her dog, reading, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and compiling a family recipe book for her granddaughter.
Michelle Gutmann
Secretary, Temple Beth Tikvah
Michelle Gutmann brings nearly two decades of nonprofit expertise to her role as Secretary of Temple Beth Tikvah.
Professionally, she serves as a Compliance Manager for a nonprofit insurance carrier, with deep experience in risk assessment, operations, and regulatory compliance. 
Michelle is committed to helping TBT grow responsibly while staying true to its mission. She was inspired to serve after personally experiencing TBT’s warmth and support with her daughter and now gives back to help ensure the community thrives. For Michelle, Kehillah means fostering inclusive Jewish connection—one
that adapts to each member’s path. Outside of board work, she finds joy in paddle boarding, skate skiing, mahjong, reading, and laughing with her adult children. Staying active and balanced remains a personal priority rooted in health and family.
Jeff Adler
Member at Large, Temple Beth Tikvah
Jeff Adler brings long-standing financial expertise and dedication to his role as Member at Large at Temple Beth Tikvah. A former treasurer for both Shalom Bayit and TBT, Jeff has served on TBT’s finance committee since its inception. 
His deep accounting and budgeting experience continue to support the congregation’s financial health. Jeff rejoined the board to help strengthen income through fundraising and membership contributions, enabling TBT to sustainably hire a permanent rabbi and expand its offerings. He is especially committed to growing and retaining membership while ensuring TBT remains a place of support for those in need.
His financial stewardship is matched by a steadfast belief in TBT’s mission to serve its members with compassion, continuity, and care.
Paul Spencer
Member at Large, Temple Beth Tikvah
Greg Warren
Member at Large, Temple Beth Tikvah
Greg Warren brings decades of small business leadership to his role as Member at Large at Temple Beth Tikvah.Guided by Jewish values and a deep belief in the strength of community, Greg is committed to helping TBT grow its membership, expand its influence in Central Oregon, and better serve congregants. He is passionate about long-term planning and measuring progress through clear goals and shared purpose. For Greg, “community” means showing mutual care—from emotional support to essential needs.
With a love for family, Greg values time with his wife Diane of 60 years, three married children, and seven grandchildren. He believes that offering one’s best is a sacred gift—and he brings that energy to the TBT board with humility, collaboration, and hope for the future.
Member at Large, Temple Beth Tikvah
Sharon Meier-Kennelly joined Temple Beth Tikvah in 2020 after moving to Bend with her family and finding connection within Central Oregon’s Jewish community during the pandemic. She was honored to serve on the Rabbi Search Committee and is excited to support Rabbi Sarah Livschitz and the congregation as TBT enters this promising new chapter.
Sharon brings more than twenty years of nonprofit leadership experience, with expertise in fundraising, arts and culture programming, communications, and organizational best practices. She currently serves as Conference Manager for Arts Schools Network and as a Communications Consultant for Long Island High School for the Arts. Sharon enjoys spending time with family, hiking, attending performing arts events, practicing yoga, sharing meals with friends, and traveling.
Member at Large, Temple Beth Tikvah
Lyndsay Gang joins the Temple Beth Tikvah Board with more than a decade of experience in special events and community engagement, having organized music festivals, athletic competitions, and children’s events. Raised in a family deeply involved in Jewish communal life, she developed an enduring appreciation for service, connection, and giving back.
Inspired by TBT’s warmth and welcoming spirit, Lyndsay is excited to serve during this new chapter as the congregation welcomes a permanent rabbi. She hopes to help foster a strong sense of belonging for both current and future members while supporting TBT’s growth as a vibrant presence in Central Oregon. Outside of board service, Lyndsay enjoys snowboarding, paddleboarding, hiking, live music, game nights, and spending time with her dog.
Dear TBT Members,
As we prepare to begin a new fiscal year, we want to pause and express our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated members of the 2025–2026 Board of Directors. Their loyalty, resilience, and countless hours of volunteer service have helped shape a remarkable year in the life of Temple Beth Tikvah.
Together, this board guided TBT through a successful rabbinic search and the hiring of our first permanent full-time resident rabbi, Rabbi Sarah Livschitz. They also strengthened our financial foundation, enhanced our operational practices, and fostered deeper engagement within the Jewish community of Central Oregon.
We enter this next chapter with great excitement and optimism. Under Rabbi Sarah’s leadership, we look forward to discovering new ways to celebrate our faith, deepen relationships, and create meaningful experiences for members of all ages. We are eager to welcome fresh ideas, broaden participation, and reinvigorate congregational life while remaining grounded in the values and traditions that have sustained TBT for so many years.
Thank you for being part of this vibrant and growing community. We are honored to build this future together and look forward with anticipation to all that lies ahead.
With gratitude,
Your TBT Board of Directors