Elizabeth Bayer - Executive Director
Liz Bayer serves as Executive Director of Beth El Hebrew Congregation, bringing extensive experience in non-profit management, synagogue leadership, and design operations. She is known for her strengths in strategic planning, community engagement, and building secure, welcoming spaces.
Liz began her career in retail, holding leadership roles at Crate & Barrel stores in Minnesota, Chicago, and Virginia, including seven years as Store Manager. She later served as Executive Director of Congregation Adat Reyim for seven years, where she also oversaw the religious school and led initiatives such as the Create A Jewish Legacy Endowment Fund and a full communications system overhaul.
A former lay leader, Liz held multiple board roles at Adat Reyim, including President and Preschool Chair. As Preschool Chair, she developed and implemented a business plan that transformed the preschool into a successful revenue source.
Liz has secured over $1 million in Homeland Security grants and $200,000 in state funding to improve synagogue safety and infrastructure. She also co-founded 202 Consulting, a DC-based firm specializing in nonprofit growth and leveraging third party relationships for business advocacy. Her work included serving as lead consultant to the Congressional Commission on the American Museum of Women’s History, authoring a major fundraising study that supported the museum’s approval by Congress.
In 2024, Liz graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy, deepening her understanding of public safety and community resilience.
She lives in Woodbridge, Virginia, with her husband, Jeremy. They are proud parents of Karley and Ethan, and share their home with two Portuguese Water Dogs and a Sun Conure.
Education
Design, Housing & Apparel, University of Minnesota
FBI Citizens Academy Graduate
NewCaje Conference Director Certificate
Grinspoon Foundation - Create A Jewish Legacy Endowment Education
Professional & Community Involvement
National Association of Temple Administrators Member (NATA)
Secure Community Network (SCN)
FBI Citizen Academy Alumni Association
Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia Fairfax County
Alexandria City Police, and Sherif’s Department
Northern Virginia Synagogue Executive Directors
Northern Virginia Security Administrators
Mid-Atlantic Temple and Synagogue Administrators Association (MATSAA)
Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI)