CBI Blogs

I never imagined that my path as a Facilities Director would lead me to a Jewish synagogue, but God’s plans are often broader and more beautiful than anything we can predict.

I was raised in a loving Methodist household, where faith, family, and hard work were the pillars of daily life. My father, an educator and later a superintendent who retired from the Texas Education Agency, was a man of wisdom, patience, and practical knowledge. He taught me how to be a handyman—not just with tools, but in life. He showed me how to fix what’s broken, how to maintain what matters, and how to never back away from a challenge.

My mother, a school nurse who later opened her own registered home daycare, was the heart of our home. She reminded me every day to treat others the way I wanted to be treated—a lesson that stays with me to this day. She and my dad were married for 56 years. They passed away just hours apart on September 16, 2003, my mother at 12:30 AM, my father at 4:30 AM. They left this world together, just as they had walked through it: side by side, full of love, faith, and grace.

It’s their example that guides me as I raise my own family—and now, as I serve the community at Congregation Beth Israel.

Working at a Jewish synagogue has been more than just a job; it has been a blessing. As Facilities Director, my role is to make sure everything runs smoothly and that the building remains a safe, welcoming place to worship. But in doing so, I’ve been given the gift of learning about the Jewish faith—its traditions, its holidays, and its deep reverence for God.

I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of Shabbat, the reflection of Yom Kippur, the joy of Purim, and the light of Hanukkah. These holy days remind me of the rhythms of my own Christian faith—and how much we truly share across traditions: reverence, community, remembrance, and love.

Being part of Congregation Beth Israel has not challenged my faith; it has deepened it. It has reminded me that God works through people, through places, and through unexpected opportunities. I’m honored to be part of this community, to serve in a place where faith is alive and well, even if expressed differently than what I grew up with.

Every day, I try to do my best—not just as a worker, but as a man of faith. I strive to keep the facilities running smoothly, to provide a safe place to gather, pray, and celebrate, and to treat everyone with the same kindness and respect my parents instilled in me.

In this role, I don’t just maintain a building. I honor a legacy—my parents’ legacy, my faith, and the calling God placed on my life to serve others, wherever He may lead.

Edward Cruz-Aedo
ecruzaedo@bethisrael.org