Vision

I visited Marjorie in her nursing home monthly. She was 87 years old and bedridden, but her mind was as sharp as a tack. Her daughter lived several hours away. We chatted regularly about what was new with her daughter and granddaughter and her Temple memories. She had a remarkable memory and knew every birthday, anniversary, and yahrzeit of her large extended family. In 2011, Marjorie moved to a nursing home that was closer to her daughter. While I was not able to visit, I continued to call to check in with her. When she was not able to talk on the phone any longer, her daughter would call me and hold the phone to Marjorie’s ear so I could say hello.

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Marjorie died in 2013, and I officiated at her funeral. Every year since her death, Marjorie’s daughter has sent a donation to my discretionary fund with a heartfelt note saying something like, “Even though it has been almost nine years since Mom’s passing, I still remember how uplifted Mom would be after a call or a visit from Cantor Berlin while she resided in nursing homes in San Antonio and Schulenburg.”

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When I began my tenure as cantor of my current congregation in 2008, I took the lead on our clergy team of making regular visits to elderly congregants who were either living in senior living facilities or homebound. As I got to know them, it became clear to me that many of these seniors were once very active in Temple life – sisterhood leaders, youth group chaperones, greeters at services, board presidents, and more. My visits were a way for us to maintain a connection between the Temple and our aging, home-bound congregants. Over time, I built relationships with so many. I learned about their lives and their families. Many did not have any family in town, and I was frequently their only visitor. I often didn’t realize until later how my visits impacted people’s lives and how much they meant to me as well.

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While it was my love for Jewish music that originally led me on my path to the cantorate, as I evolved in my role, I realized what motivates me the most is building and sustaining communal relationships. These connections happen in a multitude of ways, including through music. I want to engage congregants whether through singing along or active listening. I strive to elevate their worship experiences beyond the intellectual and into a realm that only music can achieve. Creating meaningful connections shapes virtually everything I do musically – from choosing melodies for a worship service to selecting musicians to worship choreography. These connections infuse my cantorate beyond music as well. Through leading Religious School worship and teaching children Hebrew, I’m able to get to know the students. I try not to take myself too seriously, and I want students to get to know their Cantor as a real person. Working with b’nai mitzvah students one on one, I ask teens about their school projects or their swim meet: I want them to know that the Temple, and I, take an interest in their lives beyond their bar/bat mitzvah. In adult choir and band rehearsals I’m able to share my knowledge of the liturgy, a particular composer, or singing techniques that help the volunteer singers have a deeper knowledge of our liturgy and how to be effective worship leaders.

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Collaboration and partnership with my clergy team and other coworkers is critical to me. I strive to work together with my partners in building a sacred community. I am not at my best when I work in a silo. Rather, I thrive being part of a team rooted in mutual respect, kindness, and trust which challenges each partner to strive for excellence while collaborating to further the congregation’s mission. Each team member plays their own unique role, but all of a congregational staff’s work is interconnected. I enjoy the conversation and creative challenge as we bounce ideas off of each other in planning programing or worship. It’s very rewarding to experiment and innovate collaboratively in ways that help us all to grow. My colleagues know that they can rely on me to have their back and to jump in and help when needed. Seeing my coworkers succeed and helping bring out their best brings me joy.

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I love being a cantor. Singing Jewish music lifts my soul and hopefully touches other people in profound ways as well. And beyond the bimah, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to regularly connect with people daily in meaningful ways which enhance my life as much as theirs.

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