Greetings!
I am writing to update everyone on the status of the search for Beth Emet’s next Cantor.
Shortly after we learned that Cantor Friedman would be leaving Beth Emet, we filed an application with the American Conference of Cantors advising them of the upcoming opening. In response, we received expressions of interest from various Cantors with a broad range of backgrounds and experience. To assess those applications, I asked Past President David Graham and congregant Lisa Levin to co-chair the Cantorial Search Committee. The Committee reflects the diversity, interests, and strengths of the Beth Emet community and consists of nineteen members.
Over the last several weeks, the Committee has been working diligently to fairly and fully evaluate each of the candidates on their musicality, personal statements, qualifications and other pertinent factors. Based on that review, joint initial interviews with David, Lisa and Rabbi London and reference checks were conducted with a subset of applicants, two of whom have now been invited to interview and audition in person with the Committee, Board of Trustees, and other lay leaders of the congregation. Those interviews will take place over the next couple of weeks, and a recommendation will then be made to the Board of Trustees for its consideration. My goal is to be able to advise the congregation of the outcome of the Committee’s efforts and Board’s conclusions in late April, or early May.
As noted above, the Cantorial Search Committee co-chairs are Lisa Levin and David Graham. They have worked closely with Rabbi London throughout the evaluation and interview process and have her full support. Other Committee members include: Allison Aaron, Mark Antman, Nehama Dresner, Susan Forte, Rosalie Greenberger, Jonathan Hartman-Seeskin, Doug Hoffman, Seth Krantz, Jack Levie, Michael Mitzen, Emily Nidenberg, Adam Prawer-Stock, Rebecca Raus, Deborah Render, Phyllis Richmond, Myra Shneider, and Hannah White. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, at rbricker@jenner.com, the Committee co-chairs, David Graham (dgraham@sidley.com) or Lisa (lisalevin@outlook.com), or to Rabbi London (alondon@bethemet.org).
We remain grateful to Cantor Friedman for her warmth and service to the Beth Emet community. Save the date for Friday, May 4 as we honor Cantor Friedman during the annual Kol Emet Shabbat service. Please note that we will be starting services at 7:30 p.m. that evening.
L’Shalom,
Ross Bricker, President
