BETH SHOLOM HONOREES - May 2024/Iyar 5784
PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY:
BRIAN FOONT
Brian Foont and his family – then just his wife, Jennie, and eldest daughter, Gitel – moved to
Potomac and joined Beth Sholom in 2007. For the first few years, most people seemed to know
him only as “Gitel’s Daddy.” Jennie and Brian’s other daughters, Jackie and Hilary, were named
at Beth Sholom.
When they moved to Potomac, based on prior experience, Jennie made Brian promise not to get
involved in shul business for at least five years. A little while later, however, she granted him a
heter to take care of the Torahs, later to be a gabbai for the Fox Wing Minyan, help with high
holidays, chair the Religious Committee, and a few other odds and ends. Brian also serves on
the Chevra Kadisha of Greater Washington and recently instigated and coordinated the
integration of Beth Sholom’s Men’s Chever Kaddisha with the Chevra Kadisha of Greater
Washington.
In his professional life, Brian is an attorney in private practice specializing in aviation and an
adjunct associate professor at the American University Washington College of Law. Brian is also
an avid genealogist.
While very honored and grateful, Brian is reasonably certain that Rabbi Antine misdialed when
he called him about this honor.
DEBBIE FISCH-SASSON
Debbie Fisch Sasson moved to the Beth Sholom community approximately thirty years ago. With two small children and a third soon to follow, the Fisches became members, and this shul became their family and second home.
From the beginning, Debbie was happy to help out, as the tasks typically involved working with friends, and the projects were always fun and gratifying. At first, she volunteered for anything related to the synagogue’s decor, since art and design are her background. She served on a committee that worked with a group of professional designers to choose colors, carpet and seating for the main sanctuary when it was first built. Additionally, Debbie served on the committee that worked with the artist who created the tapestry honoring Rabbi Tessler which hangs in the atrium, and she made the pole that it hangs on. Any sit-down luncheons and dinners needed centerpieces, and she designed creative and cost-effective decor for many events, for instance painting glass vases from our own gemach with silver leaf for one event, then repurposing them by repainting them with gold leaf for another event, and then turning them into something else entirely for yet another. More recently, she worked with Lester Severe and a committee to choose outdoor paint colors for the building.
Our honoree has also co-chaired several events, including a Patron’s Dinner, a Shlock Rock concert fundraiser and an art auction. Most meaningful to her, however, was co-chairing the annual Shoah Shabbaton for twelve years. As a child of survivors, it has been very important to her to be able to bring dynamic speakers and to help design enriching Shoah related programs for our community year after year.
Debbie has served as a board member for six years, and as secretary of the board for four of those years. Since she is currently a trustee, she attends both executive and general board meetings. She also dedicates countless hours as Co-Chair of the Chesed volunteer group, which impacts many members who are celebrating new births or observing shiva.
On the home front, Debbie shares a wonderful and busy life with her husband Giddy. Between his children and hers, they have a beautiful family, growing with adorable grandchildren. They love to travel (who doesn't), whether it’s via flight or on a road trip in their RV. They also enjoy exploring nature while hiking and biking, and love to cook and entertain together.
Debbie’s ongoing commitment to Beth Sholom has truly been inspired by her love of our warm community and our various extraordinary Rabbis over the years. She is deeply grateful for all she and her family have received from our synagogue since she first became a member so many years ago.