About Us
Staff
Senior Rabbi
Dr. Dennis C. Sasso is the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Indianapolis, Indiana, and has been our Rabbi 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.
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.
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.
Marketing and Communication Coordinator
Jacqueline “Jacqui” Goldstein has a background in wellness program directing and healthcare marketing. Jacqui has been a member of Beth-El Zedeck for 15 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree in social behavioral science from Indiana University, and has worked in the mental health and wellness field. She enjoys trying new exercise programs and loves to bake. She is married to Jacob and they are the parents of two children, Madeline and Adin.
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!
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 can be heard on his YouTube channel, Piano Pizzazz! Charles has been Beth-El Zedeck's organist for many years.
