Board Member Profile: Becky Fritz

A fun-loving super extrovert!

Becky Fritz with Eric Bressler

Thank you for serving on Bet Shalom’s Board of Directors, Becky! Let's help the congregation get to know you better with this interview. Please tell us about your family, your history in Minnesota, and when you joined Bet Shalom.

My partner, Heidi Aldes and I live in St. Michael, MN with our two teenage boys. Our kids, Kaleb (14) and Jaxon (13) attend STMA High School. Our family lives and enjoys every moment to its fullest, so we are often NOT found at home. We love to travel, experience all that life has to offer and spend our summers at our lake place in Villard, MN. I was born and raised here in MN but also got to live in Florida for several formative years. I graduated from St. Cloud State University with my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science and completed my MBA many years later while working in the optical industry. I joined the Bet Shalom community in 2013 and immediately felt deeply connected with the community and clergy. Bet Shalom is truly my spiritual home, and both of our children enjoy the rich community they experience through the Religious School.

And your professional life?

I have been in the optical industry for 27 years leading optical companies in a variety of facets. Today I serve VSP Ventures as Vice President of Operations overseeing 85 practices across the United States. VSP Ventures is in the merger and acquisition space. We purchase small optical shops that have doctors seeking retirement or desiring a change of pace. When they cannot find another doctor that wishes to buy their practice, they turn to us to ensure the practice thrives for years to come. My career has allowed me to move several times throughout the country and I am fortunate to have landed back in MN which is home.

Tell us about your previous involvement at Bet Shalom. You co-founded the Wine Club with me during COVID, for example.

I enjoy being deeply involved in the community at Bet Shalom and have engaged in the following activities in addition to being a parent of 2 boys in Religious School.

·      Co-founded the Wine Club with Eric Bressler during COVID.

·      Serve on Bet Shalom Board as Vice President now but have been on the Board for several years as a Trustee and Secretary.

·      Taught 7th grade at Bet Shalom’s Religious School and also for the cooking Chug.

·      Chair the Youth Engagement Committee.

And now you’re on the Board of Trustees. What do you hope to accomplish there?

As a member of the Board, one of my biggest priorities is driving community engagement and trying to understand what our members are looking for from the synagogue to drive membership value. While I believe in-person engagement is critical, I still believe that virtual engagement has to be prioritized. I am proud of the work Bet Shalom has done to enhance virtual opportunities in the past few years.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am a VERY social creature. I love spending time with family and friends, traveling and experiencing all the world has to offer, and not letting a moment pass as I know first hand that life can be so very short. I also love to bird watch, set puzzles, read books, clean and organize all things. Given our busy social calendar, I enjoy those few quiet moments of solitude when they come my way. 

Favorite Jewish Holiday and foods?

My favorite Jewish holidays are Passover and Hanukkah. Passover because I love the cooking, story telling, and family gatherings. Hanukkah is at a beautiful time of year, and I enjoy the multiple days of leaning into Jewish identity and how fun it is for our kids.

My favorite Jewish foods are matzah ball soup, sweet and sour meatballs and eggs and onion.