Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh.

All of Israel is responsible

for one another.

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Our Staff

TBE is incredibly fortunate to have a talented and committed team of staff who love working with lay leaders and with one another to manage TBE's operations and help bring ideas to life. Learn more about these wonderful folks below!

A group shot of TBE's eight staff members out at lunch - Sherri (a white woman with shoulder length dark hair and glasses); Zoe (a white person with short dark hair); Bob (a white man with a grey beard and sunglasses); Abby (a white woman with long brown hair and glasses); Rabbi Braun (a white woman with dark hair pulled back and glasses); Dave (a white man with short brown hair); Deb (a white woman with long red hair and glasses); and Kate (a white woman with blonde shoulder length hair and sunglasses)
A group shot of TBE's eight staff members out at lunch - Sherri (a white woman with shoulder length dark hair and glasses); Leo (a white person with short dark hair); Bob (a white man with a gray beard and sunglasses); Abby (a white woman with long brown hair and glasses); Rabbi Braun (a white woman with dark hair pulled back and glasses); Dave (a white man with short brown hair); and Kate (a white woman with blonde shoulder length hair and sunglasses)

TBE is incredibly fortunate to have a talented and committed team of staff who love working with lay leaders and with one another to manage TBE's operations and help bring ideas to life. Learn more about these wonderful folks below!

A group shot of TBE's eight staff members out at lunch - Sherri (a white woman with shoulder length dark hair and glasses); Zoe (a white person with short dark hair); Bob (a white man with a grey beard and sunglasses); Abby (a white woman with long brown hair and glasses); Rabbi Braun (a white woman with dark hair pulled back and glasses); Dave (a white man with short brown hair); Deb (a white woman with long red hair and glasses); and Kate (a white woman with blonde shoulder length hair and sunglasses)
A headshot of Rabbi Braun, a white woman with shoulder length dark hair and bangs wearing a teal collared shirt and round glasses

Rabbi Carolyn Braun (she/her)

The spiritual leader of Temple Beth El for over 25 years, Rabbi Braun is best known for her warm and enthusiastic welcome to anyone who walks through TBE's doors. Rabbi Braun’s unique, upbeat, and egalitarian style of leadership invites community members to be leaders in the congregation; encourages deep, spiritual conversation (occasionally over cocktails); and includes those from all walks of life to be a part of the Temple Beth El community.

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A headshot of Abby Halpern, a white woman with long brown hair and purple glasses. She is wearing a brown top with a white sweater.

Abigail Halpern (she/her)

Kadima Beth El Religious School Director

Abby has been passionate about Jewish education ever since she became a madricha (teacher's assistant) in 8th grade. She loves sharing that passion with students in the classroom and, in her role as director, with their families as well. She also enjoys guiding students through the momentous b’nai mitzvah process: it’s a privilege and honor to witness their gradual transition into adulthood.


A native of Cincinnati, Abby did her BA with the Joint Program at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University and then her MA with the Siegal College of Judaic Studies in Cleveland, Ohio. She taught at day schools and Hebrew schools in Cleveland for many years. She also lived in Haifa where she saw Israel through the eyes of a preschool parent. Her husband, Jeff, is a professor of Chemical Engineering at UNH-Durham. They have three rambunctious boys.

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A headshot of Dave Carney, a white man with short brown hair. He is wearing a blue checkered button-up

Dave Carney (he/him)

Building Manager

Dave is originally from North Adams, Massachusetts in the Berkshires. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Air Force for 4 years and then attended Lewis University in Illinois to study engineering. Dave spent several years in the Midwest working in the field of commercial construction, but eventually returned to New England and furthered his career as a Project Manager. Over the years Dave has worked on several building projects for the GSA, Aetna Ins., Bank of America, and in his own construction business in Massachusetts. For many years, Dave brought his family on vacation to the beaches of Maine, so it was not surprising that he moved to Old Orchard Beach after retiring. However, he found that he needed to continue working and took a position as Project Manager for USM in Portland for the next 3 years. After retiring again, Dave found himself at Temple Beth El a year later as Building Manager, providing an in-depth evaluation of our building. He continues to successfully manage much needed renovations and equipment replacements.

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A headshot of Leo Levine Sporer, a white person with short dark hair. Leo is wearing a navy blue button up with white and red vertical stripes.

Sadie Stewart (she/her)

Operations and Events Manager

Sadie was born and raised in Western Maine and moved to Portland in 2013. She has been an integral part of the TBE community for over a decade, catering countless events both at the synagogue and in the homes of members. Whether working with members during times of great joy or great sadness, she is known for creating delicious food, beautiful displays, and for compassionately making the process of planning these important events seamless and easy, every time. After several years working as a full time paralegal, Sadie has chosen to pursue her passions for cooking, event planning, operations management, and community full time in the role of Operations and Events Manager for TBE. In this new position, she is excited to continue working with staff and the congregation to ensure that TBE's physical spaces are well-maintained, vibrant, and serve the community to the greatest extent possible.

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A headshot of Dave Carney, a white man with short brown hair. He is wearing a blue suit jacket and light colored button up.

Grace Kellar-Long (she/her)

Office and Communications Manager

Grace Kellar-Long is originally from St. Paul, Minnesota and moved to Maine to attend Bowdoin College. She graduated with a B.A. in Theater and completed a performance honors project adapting and directing a science fiction play. She has assistant stage managed productions at Portland Stage and in Minneapolis and was the Production Office Assistant for the 2022 NHL Winter Classic. She has also worked as a math and reading tutor for elementary school students. Grace is passionate about forming intentional communities and is excited to work at TBE! In her free time, she likes to read science fiction, knit, listen to podcasts, sing with the Oratorio Chorale, and go for runs. Grace lives in Portland with her partner Rebecca and her favorite food is pesto.

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A headshot of Bob Bradbury, a white man with a grey beard and wire rimmed glasses. He is wearing a camo beanie and holding up a fake black mustache.

Bob Bradbury (he/him)

Maintenance

After 40 years of serving Temple Beth El (as well as many other organizations in Portland's Jewish community), Bob Bradbury is a TBE institution unto himself. He has attempted to retire multiple times, but his work ethic and dedication to our community has led to an absurdly long (and very much appreciated) farewell tour. Bob continues to provide essential services such as cleaning, event setups, and special project assistance -- and he loves a chat and a laugh, so make sure to say hi when you see him!

A headshot of Bob Bradbury, a white man with a grey beard and wire rimmed glasses. He is wearing a camo beanie and holding up a fake black mustache.

Garrett Stewart (he/him)

Security Staff

Garrett Stewart is a 3rd generation Mainer. His grandparents came to Portland during World War II where his grandfather worked for the shipyard. Carrying on the family tradition, Garrett was also a shipfitter at Bath Iron Works, retiring in 2020 due to a work-related injury. Garrett is a member of the Maine Education Association, the president of the Maine chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, and also serves on the Permanent Commission for the status on Racial, Indigenous and Tribal Populations. Garrett has a background in law enforcement and security. You will find him at TBE every weekend greeting all who come to the door with a big smile and the latest sports stats.

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