Selectman Penny Kessler

Selectmen Penny Kessler has been involved in the town since 1979 and moved here in 1985. She raised 3 children in town, all of which went to Bethel public schools.

Penny was a cantor and later clergy leader at the United Jewish Center in Danbury for 28 years, and retired in 2023. Prior to her election to the Board of Selectmen in November of 2025, she served 6 years on the Planning & Zoning Commission and on the 2024-2025 Charter Review Commission. She has also served as a Member and Vice-Chair of the Bethel Democratic Town Committee.

Penny holds a bachelor's degree in music and music education from Brooklyn College and she received her Cantorial Ordination and a master’s degree in sacred music from Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion. Penny was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 2018 upon the 25th anniversary of her ordination from Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion.