Joanne Backman, President

Joanne's professional career has focused on management of non-profit organizations, including finance, development, and executive management. More recently Joanne is consulting in the area of trust and estate administration with a private professional fiduciary in Oakland.

Having served as a board volunteer and in professional positions in Jewish and other non-profit organizations on both sides of the Bay, she brings a useful perspective to Beth El at a time of significant change for our congregation. In her leadership role on the Board, she is looking forward to working with our vibrant and highly talented community of members toward insuring a sustainable future for Beth El for the generations to come.

Joanne and her husband, Harry Pollack, members of Beth El for 22 years, have two daughters, Rebecca and Hannah, who have participated in the Nursery School, Religious School, Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation, Midrasha, and KEE TOV. Rebecca is currently teaching 5th grade in the Religious School. Joanne was a member of Beth El’s first Adult B’nai Mitzvah class of 2003, and she traveled to Israel with Beth El’s first congregational trip in 2009.

[email]