Staff

B’nai Tzedek's talented professional staff bring warmth to our congregational family.  We look forward to getting to know you, please feel free to contact us.

Alan Blank, Executive Director

[email protected] Ext. 307

Alan Blank has been B'nai Tzedek's Executive Director since August 2011.  Alan served as an Executive Vice President of Newmont Mining Corporation and before that served as a corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions partner in the law firm Stoel Rives LLP.  While living in Portland, Oregon, Alan served in various lay leadership posts including president of Congregation Neveh Shalom, a 1000-family congregation affiliated with the Conservative movement.  Alan also served as co-chair of the synagogue's capital campaign and as co-chair of the Jewish Federation of Portland annual campaign.  Alan and his wife Ellyn relocated to Washington, DC to be close to their two adult children, Michael and Stephi.

Amanda Katz, Assistant Executive Director

[email protected]  Ext. 303

Amanda came to CBT in January of 2013 with extensive Jewish communal service, both as a professional and as a lay leader.  She has worked in various non-profits throughout the DC area, including the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington, DCJCC, AJC Washington Chapter, and MADD.  Amanda is a “Nutmegger” (originally from Connecticut) and graduated from The George Washington University with a BA in Art History.  She lives in North Potomac with her two girls, Rebecca and Elena.  Amanda is involved in our programming, membership engagement, marketing and communications. Call, email or stop by anytime so she can get to know you!

Carrie Hirshfield, Controller

[email protected] Ext. 308

Carrie Hirshfield has been with B’nai Tzedek since June 2011 as the Controller/Business Manager.  She has almost 25 years of experience in the accounting field since graduating from the University of Rhode Island.  Previously she was the Director of Financial Reporting at the Public Broadcasting Service from 1999-2011.  Carrie currently resides in Rockville with her two boys, Mason and Kaden.    

Missy Schwartz, Office Manager

[email protected] Ext. 304

Missy Schwartz has worked at B'nai Tzedek since 1997.  Missy is a native Marylander who was raised in Damascus and Gaithersburg.  She currently lives in Frederick with her husband, Bryon and her rescued greyhound, Samson.

Liran Laor, Director, Greenzaid ECC

[email protected] Ext. 329

Liran Laor has worked with children and families for the past 18 years and this is her fourth year as the GECC Director. Liran holds an undergraduate degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Beside her role as our director, Liran is an approved trainer by the Maryland State Department of Education. She mentors teachers and early childhood directors, as well as conducts workshops for families with young children. Liran serves on the Montgomery County Coordinating Council and previously served on the AEYC Board of Directors. Liran strives to promote high quality early childhood education that aims to provide a child-centered practice that emphasizes respect for the child and is inclusive to all children. Liran lives in Rockville with her husband and two sons.

Marisa Marcus, Greenzaid ECC Office Manager

[email protected] Ext. 325

Marisa Marcus joined B'nai Tzedek in July 2015.  She grew up in Maryland, graduating from Churchill High School.  After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis, she returned to the area.  She currently lives in Rockville with her husband, Seth, and two children, Ryan and Ilana, who attend Ritchie Park Elementary School. 

Ronni Ticker, Director of Family & Youth Learning

[email protected] Ext. 321Ronni Ticker is a creative strategic thinker who is reimagining Jewish learning for the 21^st century that is highly engaging for learners, forges connections with role models and peers, cultivates curiosity, and fosters sacred community. She has engaged tots, youth and adults in Jewish learning and spirituality for more than 25 years. Ronni teaches nationally on a variety of topics including Strategic Planning for Jewish Schools, Teaching Torah to Middle Schoolers Hevruta Style, Project Based Jewish Learning and Family Engagement. She is a Certified Life Coach and holds a MAJS with Certificates in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service from Gratz College, MBA in strategic planning and finance from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, and a BS in accounting from Lehigh. Ronni lives in Friendship Heights, MD and has three grown children, Alexandra, Marielle and Jordan. Stop by, call or send an email to Ronni. She would love to meet you and learn more about your hopes & dreams for your family’s Jewish life and learning!

Beth Soref, Religious School Administrative Assistant

[email protected] Ext. 328

Beth Soref, RS Administrative Assistant since 2007, is a native Marylander, a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, and was a Steinhardt's Jewish Campus Service Corp Fellow with Hillel at Virginia Tech in the 2005-2006 year.

Liane Aaron, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Academic Coordinator

[email protected] Ext. 324

As B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator since 1999, Liane sees to it that each and every child in the B’nai Mitzvah program works to their full potential to prepare and participate in our services on the day they become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah hopefully instilling a sense of community and belonging. Liane grew up locally in Potomac, and attended Churchill High School and the University of Maryland where she graduated with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations. She has been a B’nai Mitzvah Educator for more than 30 years.

Natacha Myers, Religious School Administrative Coordinator

[email protected] Ext. 320

Natacha Myers, RS Administrative Coordinator and Sunday School Art Specialist, has been a member of B'nai Tzedek with her family for over 17 years and has worked in the religious school for the past eleven years. Natacha is an Army Brat who was born in Hawaii and spent her entire childhood living in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park. Natacha and her husband Larry, have two children, Kameron and Chloe. 

Gail Friedman, B'nai Mitzvah Liaison & Scheduling Coordinator

[email protected] Ext. 302

Gail Friedman has been a staff member since 2002. She works extensively with the b'nai mitzvah families, assists Cantor Kapell, and does publicity for the synagogue. She especially enjoys getting to know the congregants and their children. Gail comes from a long-line of D.C. natives.  She graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in History and Secondary Education. Her background is in marketing, sales and teaching.  

Laurie Greene, Rabbi Weinblatt's Executive Assistant

[email protected] Ext. 301

Laurie Greene joined B’nai Tzedek in 2017. She is a native Marylander having grown up in Rockville and now resides in Frederick, MD.  She has a daughter, Jordan, who resides in Oregon with her husband and a son, Conner, who is a student at Frederick Community College.  She is an avid sports enthusiast who follows the Washington Nationals baseball and the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey teams.

Roger Gomez, Building Engineer

[email protected] Ext. 317

Roger Gomez joined B'nai Tzedek in 1997.  He knows everything about our building!  Roger just became a proud grandpa!  Roger and his staff keep our building and grounds looking beautiful, do the setups for all of our events, services and classes, and always have a pleasant demeanor with congregants and guests.