About Us
Staff
Senior Rabbi
Dr. Dennis C. Sasso has been the Rabbi of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Indianapolis, Indiana since 1977. He is a native of the Republic of Panama, and a descendant of Sephardic (Spanish-Portuguese Jewish) families who settled in the Caribbean during the 17th century.
Assistant Rabbi
Rabbi Jenni was ordained by the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in May 2019. She began serving as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in July 2019. A California native, Rabbi Jenni and her husband, Brad, moved to Indianapolis in 2019.
Cantor
Cantor Melissa Cohen grew up in Lakewood, New Jersey and earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Master of Music from DePaul University.
Senior Rabbi Emerita
Rabbi Sandy served as Rabbi from 1977-2013 and is now the Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck.
Hazzan Emeritus
Cantor Bob was our beloved cantor at Beth-El Zedeck from 1961 to 1989 and is now our Hazzan Emeritus.
Executive Director
Shari grew up at Beth-El Zedeck. She worked as our Program Director for seventeen years before becoming our Executive Director in 2014.
Education Director
George has been our Education Director since 2002. He currently serves as the Chair of the Reconstructionist Educators of North America (RENA).
Early Childhood Director
Joanie started our Early Childhood Center in 1980 and has grown it into an amazing program for children 12 months through pre-kindergarten.
Rabbis' Assistant
Sharon has been the Rabbis' Administrative Assistant since 2002. She's also the contact for the Mi Shebeirach list and unveilings as well as handling many details of baby namings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and weddings.
Membership Services Coordinator
Pam keeps our membership data up-to-date, enters financial data, maintains yahrzeit reminders and plaques, sends donation cards, and more!
Human Resources and Foundation Coordinator
Bonnie handles human resources, administration for the Beth-El Zedeck Foundation, payroll, various IT and communications projects, and is the editor for the print newsletter, the Besamim.
Staff Accountant
Kelly Butler manages day-to-day financial activity, overall budget and individual staff budgets, and accounts payable. She's been at Beth-El Zedeck since 2016.
Membership Services Coordinator
Jennifer keeps our membership data up-to-date, maintains yahrzeit reminders and plaques, sends donation cards, helps organize events, and much more!
Education Administrative Assistant
Deb is the Administrative Assistant for Religious School, Early Childhood, and the Cantor. She's been on staff since 2014 and is typically here Wednesday-Friday and Sundays when Religious School is in session.
Mashgiach and Early Childhood Chef
Becky has been our Early Childhood Chef since 2004 and took on our Mashgiach role in 2006. She's devoted to providing nutritious meals for our children and keeping our facility kashrut.
Building Supervisor
Willie has been on our staff since 1990, first as a member of our maintenance team and then as our Building Supervisor. He and his maintenance staff keep the building and grounds clean, beautiful, and in good repair.
Organist
Charles Manning earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He's affiliated with a number of musical groups in central Indiana and has been Beth-El Zedeck's organist for many years.
