The small synagogue I grew up in Oswego, NY, would have many leaders, Rabbis and Cantors over the time I was growing up, each one bringing with him his own special “flavor” from where he was from. It dawned on me years later that all the events that happen in our life, all the people we meet, all the jobs we do and all the mitzvot we complete help make us into the person we have become today.
Over the years, part of my spiritual journey included, Jewish summer camps, assisting in holiday services including High Holidays, Bar/Bat Mitzvah training, leading a small congregation in Gardena, CA as their Spiritual Leader, and being a layperson in Orange County’s largest Conservative Synagogue.
In 2008, I began a new journey to become an official Cantor and in May of 2017 received my Master’s Degree in Jewish Sacred Music, my S’micha from the Academy for Jewish Religion California. Throughout my time in school I had the opportunity to share my learning with Congregation Beth Shalom in Corona. CBS and I can say we went to school together for 9 years. Today we continue to learn and grow together as a community.
I am blessed with a wonderful family. My wife Marcy of over 35 years supported my dream to become a Cantor and has always encouraged me to achieve my goals.
Our son Matt is the co-owner of a Karate Studio in Mission Viejo and our daughter in-law Amanda is an executive who helps find jobs for people in the IT world. When they are not at their jobs they spend their time with their two amazing children, my grandchildren!
Our daughter Molly is a consultant and is currently working with various Jewish organizations around the country. Our family has always found it important to find ways to give back to our community and help others find ways to enjoy their Jewish lives.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Spiritual Leader and Cantor for Congregation Beth Shalom since 2009. In Parsha Vayikra, Moses is humbled when he comes near the newly completed (portable) Tabernacle and is not allowed to enter it. God reassured him that although the Tent was holy and had to be treated with reverence, it existed to benefit Israel.
I know that during this coming year, we will continue on this path of knowledge and enlightenment through our monthly Torah study, Adult education, davening together as a community, and other exciting programming provided by our congregation, “The Little Shul that Can!”
As our congregation celebrates over 50 years of continuous service to Riverside County and the surrounding communities, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, those who represent and serve us today, and we look toward the future with Tikvah (Hope).
I look forward to seeing you soon and having you join us on this wonderful journey of life!