Membership
Our congregation uses a Fair Share dues structure based on an individual family's income. After you submit an application, you will be contacted by a member of the Dues & Assessments Committee to set your dues at an appropriate amount for your family. Junior membership is available for those under the age of 28. Contact Executive Director Shari Lipp-Levine for more information.
Your membership enables your children to enroll in our Early Childhood Center at a significant discount, allows you to purchase tickets for the High Holy Days at member rates, allows your children to attend Religious School, and, most importantly, makes you part of the vibrant Beth-El Zedeck family.
Beth-El Zedeck is a traditional, yet innovative synagogue where we experience Judaism as "the evolving religious civilization of the Jewish people." Our biblical motto, Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof, "Justice, justice you shall pursue" (Deuteronomy 16:20), commits us to be agents of tikkun olam, the perfection of society and world. Thank you for being part of this effort.
Member Lifecycle Events
The birth of a baby is a source of great joy for the parents, siblings, grandparents, other family and friends, and the entire congregation.
Baby Namings typically take place at Friday evening Shabbat services. Brit Milah takes place on the eighth day after the baby’s birth. Contact the synagogue office at (317) 253-3441 to schedule these simchas.
The First Steps Introduction to Judaism program at Beth-El Zedeck is designed for those considering, continuing, or beginning conversion to Judaism and for partners in interfaith couples seeking a better understanding and experience of Jewish life.
The Conversion program will include adult education classes, conversation and counseling with the Rabbis, and attendance at services and participation in synagogue life. Of course, participation in these programs does not constitute a commitment on your or the Rabbis’ part to your conversion, but serves as preparation leading to the option of conversion.
Contact the synagogue office at (317) 253-3441 to get more information about this program.
The Jewish wedding ceremony is a holy ritual that publicly attests to the covenant of love and law established by a couple. It is the focal moment of a celebration which is deeply joyous and also profoundly solemn and sacred.
If your wedding ceremony and reception will be taking place at Beth-El Zedeck, please contact Shari Lipp-Levine, our Executive Director at (317) 253-3441 to make arrangements and work out the practical details. The Shabbat prior to a wedding, the couple is encouraged to come to the synagogue for a special aliyah and blessing (Aufruf). Couples who are marrying out of town may choose to have an Aufruf at Beth-El Zedeck so those unable to attend the ceremony may celebrate with the couple.
As soon as your wedding date is cleared with the Rabbi(s), a schedule of premarital meetings will be set. These sessions are important opportunities for you to discuss your plans and concerns, to learn about marriage traditions in Judaism and at Beth-El Zedeck, and to discuss issues of personal concern. Moreover, they are a prized opportunity for the Rabbi(s) to get to know you in order to bring to your Simcha the personal dimension that it deserves.
Beth-El Zedeck has two cemetery locations. Memorial Park is located on the north side of Indianapolis, and Kelly Street is located just south of downtown.
Plots for both cemeteries may be purchased through Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary. Contact them at (317) 873-4776.
MEMORIAL PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS
MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY (NORTH)
Address: 9938 Eller Road, Fishers, IN 46038. Cemetery is on the south side of Eller Road, just west of Oaklawn Cemetery.
KELLY STREET CEMETERY (SOUTH)
Go south on Meridian Street to Kelly Street (south of Monument Circle at approximately 1900 South). Kelly Street is south of Raymond Street. Turn west onto Kelly Street. The cemeteries are on the right side of the street. Gate 4 includes Beth-El Zedeck plots.
FUNERALS AND UNVEILINGS
Our congregation wants to support you in your time of mourning. To schedule a funeral, contact the synagogue office at (317) 253-3441.
Standing at the graveside of our departed is a sensitive and personal occasion, a moment for reflection and recollection. Contact the Rabbis’ office for memorial meditations and prayers that may be used for regular cemetery visitation and the unveiling ritual.
The clergy attends unveilings each spring and fall. Families are also welcome to do private unveilings. Unveilings typically take place 6 months to a year after the death of a loved one.
May the memory of your loved one be for a blessing.
YAHRZEIT CARDS
The office is happy to keep track of the yarhzeits of your loved ones for you. A postcard will be mailed to you the month before your yahrzeit, based on the Hebrew date of death. This service is included in your Beth-El Zedeck membership.
YAHRZEIT PLAQUES
Yahrzeit plaques are available in the beautiful Arline & Fred Simon Atrium of Remembrance. The cost is $650/plaque, and they may be reserved in advance or ordered at the time of need. Colored stones are affixed to the ceramic plaques to mark the yahrzeit and each yizkor throughout the year. Contact the office at (317) 253-3441 for more information.