Our Professional Staff

Bob is Executive Director of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, serving as chief staff officer responsible for operational excellence, human resource management and engagement, strategic leadership, and development. He works to transform the aspirations for a stronger community of the members, leadership, clergy, and staff into effective, efficient, and innovative operations and programs.

Prior to joining the CSZ family in June 2019, Bob was the Executive Director of the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States, leading efforts to professionalize membership relations, develop philanthropic funding, and raise organizational visibility, among other strategic initiatives. He was the Director of Strategy Development at the American Chemical Society (ACS), pioneering online strategy engagement with members, board strategic issues discussions, and scenario and contingency planning. He has previously worked in professional development, science policy, research grants, member services, and volunteer support at ACS and at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

He has also served as a longstanding and passionate volunteer champion of building Jewish community, including experience chairing the Jewish Renaissance Conference at Berkeley Hillel (Berkeley, CA), service as a trustee of the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay (Oakland, CA), and two years elected as President of Temple Emanuel (Kensington, MD).

Bob is actively connected with the North American Association of Synagogue Executives and the Detroit area network of synagogues. He holds a Bachelors’ degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Masters from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, all in chemistry, and is a Certified Association Executive.

Bob’s direct number is 248.357.5546.

Alaine Ashkenazi has been with CSZ for 2 years now as the Director of Engagement. She has a social work and fundraising background and spent many years working in the Federation world in Michigan and NYC and in the national headquarters of Friends of the IDF. She is excited to plan, implement and promote compelling programs while engaging current and prospective members in the CSZ community. She lives in West Bloomfield with her husband and son.

Lindsey Lienert is originally from Denver, Colorado and holds a BA in theater performance and a MA in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Hailing from a family of musicians and educators, Lindsey has been an educator in both private and public schools for the past twenty years. She has been a classroom teacher and supported other educators through mentoring, professional development and curriculum development. Additionally, she has created and provided several enrichment programs for young children through movement, music, and yoga. She has worked in a variety of Jewish educational settings and programs including the JCC in Manhattan, PJ Library and JFamily Detroit, and Lamplighters Preschool. Lindsey is a mother to two school age children and loves gardening, singing show tunes, hanging out with her cats, and baking.

Bob is a member of the Shaarey Zedek Facilities and Maintenance Team, who handles day-to-day needs across the synagogue.

Bob has worked for CSZ for more than 20 years, 10 of which he spent at CSZ’s Laker Center before moving to the main property in Southfield. Prior to that, Bob had experience working on the maintenance team at another synagogue, and on the grounds crew at Marygrove College and a tree-trimming company.

Born in Detroit, Bob moved with his family to Redford and attended Redford schools. He is the father of Logan and Sydnee.

Elise serves as Manager of Ritual and Membership Services, and also as Assistant to Rabbi Aaron Starr and Rabbi Yonatan Dahlen. She has 20 years of experience in Customer Service, Human Resources and Project Management as an executive in the restaurant industry.

She handles member relations, supervises our team of Administrative Assistants, is staff liaison to CSZ’s Membership Committee, and uses her restaurant experience to assist with catering in-house programs and with event planning.

Elise’s direct line is 248.357.5545.

Devorah serves as the Administator for the Youth and Family Learning Department. Devorah graduated from Western Michigan University with a Master’s degree in speech and language pathology. Devorah is passionate about engaging young people on their journey of lifelong Jewish learning and teaching the next generation what it means to live their Jewish values.

In her free time, Devorah works at her family’s kosher meat market, exploring the world of kosher butchery.

Devorah’s direct line is 248.864.5419.

Marci’s direct line is 248.372.9924.

A native Detroiter, Cillia Kleiman has been a part of the Congregation Shaarey Zedek community for decades – initially as a Youth Leader during her teen years and then again as a Religious School educator after returning from New York years later. Cillia has a B.S. in Education and a Masters degree in Jewish Education. Under the tutelage of Judith Levin Cantor, Cillia has furthered her connection to Congregation Shaarey Zedek and found her passion as an Associate in the Lillian & Professor Samuel Levin Archives Archives over the past five years. She finds great satisfaction in researching, curating, and sharing our synagogue’s proud history.

Cillia and her husband Leslie are proud parents and grandparents.

Cillia’s direct line is 248.864.5095.

Barbara serves CSZ as Bookkeeper in the Finance Department, handling administrative and financial functions.

Barbara’s direct line is 248.469.0994.

Sheryl has managed the office and events for CSZ Sisterhood since 2023

Sheryl’s direct line is 248.483.0703.