Tim Goad (he/him) has been BCC’s Facilities Manager through two BCC buildings, and one giant move! [That one of those buildings is no longer standing is through no fault of Tim!]

Tim was born in Baltimore, MD, and made his circuitous way to LA in 1983, with 32 states worth of adventures along the way.

He has worked with the City of Los Angeles in various youth programs, and he still works as a handyman and jack of all trades for numerous people and organizations.

In 2020, BCC celebrated with Tim a quarter-century of Tim’s good caretaking of our building, and of our members, staff, and clergy. Please note: Tim is not only the tallest, but he’s also the longest-serving employee BCC has ever had. And still counting!

Joan Spitler is a celebrity cake designer and artist who uses her creativity and visibility to effect change in the world. She has supported many non-profits through her donations and expertise to include The Laurel Foundation, Highways Performance Space, Freedom to Marry and Under the Bridges And On The Streets. She believes that sharing love and making safe, joyful spaces together is essential to healing and connection. She is proud to be a member of BCC because of the legacy of service and kindness the community exemplifies through action.

Leigh Grode is a Master Healer and Certified Life Coach. She has over 40 years in recovery and is an expert on addiction issues. As a pioneering member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Leigh has been a longtime advocate for civil liberties. From marches to lobbying senators and congress folks to being the celebration chair of the 1985 & 87 San Francisco pride events. Leigh has always felt a deep connection to her ancestors and Judaism. At Beth Chayim Chadashim she has found a place to experience the awe of god and the freedom to explore her Jewish soul without judgement.

Terry Baum is a slightly world-renowned lesbian playwright. She has been creating theater since 1974 on issues ranging from gay rights and medical/ethical dilemmas to the eternal pursuit of love. Critics have compared Baum to Lily Tomlin, Norman Mailer, Godzilla, Bea Arthur and Woody Allen—but never in the same review. Her plays have been published in three anthologies, and subsequently produced in many countries and languages. As a solo performer of her own work, she has toured the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Israel, South Africa, Cuba and Morocco.

Baum was born in 1946 in Los Angeles to a middle-class Jewish family. She received a B.A. in Theater from Antioch College. After graduating, she moved to New York City to study directing at Columbia University and directed at Circle Repertory Theater.

In 1972, while getting a Masters in Directing at U.C. Santa Barbara, Baum founded Isla Vista Community Theater. There, she met Carolyn Myers, her lifelong collaborator. The IVCT produced much original work and many fabulous parties, where Baum realized she could dance. It was a magical time, but Isla Vista was just too small a town. So, in 1974, she moved to Santa Cruz to help her Antioch theater friends found Bear Republic Theater. But she couldn’t stand being the only woman in the group. She had a vision on LSD of starting a women’s theater. So, she moved to Berkeley and founded Lilith Women’s Collective with Charlotte Colavin and Shelley Fields.

Baum is a committed political activist and a passionate believer in democracy, working on many campaigns and running for office twice. The first time was in 2004, for U.S. Congress, because her own Representative Nancy Pelosi supported the invasion of Iraq. She turned the experience of campaigning into a play, Baum for Peace, which was produced in San Francisco and as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. When Baum ran for Mayor of San Francisco in 2011, her primary goal was pushing Green Power SF, a project to put small wind and solar installations on government buildings throughout the city. Green Power SF moved forward after the election, and eventually came into being. Green Power SF has inspired similar programs all over the world. Baum feels that she had some part in making this happen.