Office Staff

 

 

Elyse Hyman, Temple Director. Elyse serves as the operations manager of the Temple working in partnership with staff and lay leaders to achieve the Temple’s goal of creating an enriching Reform Jewish experience. Other responsibilities include increasing membership, fundraising and overseeing any building renovations. Elyse comes to TBA after working for a number of years at CJP as the Director of Community Outreach and Director of JEMS (Boston’s Jewish Emergency Management System). She earned her Master’s in Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University and is an accredited Business Continuity Professional. Elyse lives in Framingham, loves to play golf and has two grown sons, Jeremy and Alex. Elyse can be reached at ehyman@bethavodah.org or by calling the Temple office at 617.527.0045 x133.


 

Marie Calder, Business Manager. Marie is the Temple’s primary contact in regard to dues and abatements. She also supports the development of the annual operating and capital budgets, vendor contracts as well as managing the day-to-day financial operations. Marie joins us after spending most of her financial and human resource career in the architectural and engineering fields. She is a graduate of Bentley University and grew up in Dedham. Marie splits her time between Dedham and Sandwich where she owns a home. Marie can be reached at mcalder@bethavodah.org or by calling the Temple office at 617.527.0045 x180.

 

 

Eileen Brooks, Communication & Marketing Manager. Eileen is the webmaster, graphic designer for all Temple publications & print materials, and editor of TBA Tuesday. She enhances and manages all marketing, communication and technology efforts at TBA. Previously she held postions as a Senior Program Manager at Brandeis University and Training Specialist at NStar Gas & Electric. She is a wife, mother of three, an avid volunteer and die-hard Red Sox fan. Eileen can be reached at 617.527.0045 x 130 or at ebrooks@bethavodah.org.

 

 

Claudia Folkman, Executive Assistant. Claudia has been the receptionist and also the Executive Assistant to Rabbi Stern since 2007. Prior to working at Beth Avodah, she was the Director of Pupil Services for 23 years at a community Jewish day school in a suburb of Cleveland. Claudia sits at the reception desk and hers is the voice that greets you when you call the Temple. She is responsible for the Tuesday email, fund donations, the Friday service bulletin, yahrzeit listings and can schedule appointments for you with Rabbi Stern. Claudia lives with her husband George in Newton. She has three children and six grandchildren. Claudia will be happy to help you when you call or visit the Temple. Claudia can be reached at 617.527.0045 or cfolkman@bethavodah.org.

 

Doug Ball, Facilities Director. Doug has been a member of the Temple Beth Avodah staff since August 2004. His knowledge of facilities comes from a combined ten years of employment at both Tufts Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital. He also held the position of field service technician for eight years with Air Systems Technologies. Doug works closely with temple families when planning their celebratory life-cycle functions. He and his staff are responsible for keeping our temple looking beautiful. Doug lives in Revere and has two sons, Jonathan and Zachary. You can email Doug at 617.527.0045 x123 or at dball@bethavodah.org.

 

 

Elsa Rojas, Bookkeeper. Elsa Rojas has been the Bookkeeper at Temple Beth Avodah for more than 10 years. Elsa is responsible for all accounting, billing, bookkeeping, and financial reporting functions at the temple. Prior to her employment at TBA Elsa worked at Teradyne Corporation and Lefkowitz Furniture in similar capacities. A native of Bogota, Colombia, Elsa has lived in Allston, MA for more than 30 years with her husband Dario. Her grown children Adrianna and Alejandro also reside in the area. Elsa enjoys cheering her husband and daughter along as they have run the Boston Marathon the last 5 years. If you have questions for Elsa please call 617.527.0045 x124 or egrojas@bethavodah.org.