CBJ Elul Music Program
In an effort to bring more music to CBJ, the Elul Fund was established to support Cantorship at CBJ. The fund supports an internship for students at the Hebrew College in Newton, MA. Our first recipient was Elise Barber. At Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 5771, we will be welcoming Student Cantor Richard Daniel Lawrence.
Richard is pursuing a dual Masters Degree in Jewish Music and Jewish Studies at Hebrew College in Newton, MA.
About Elise Barber
Elise completed a dual Masters Degree in Jewish Music and Jewish Studies at Hebrew College in Newton, MA.
She is dedicated to learning, finds peace and joy in music, and strives to
effect changes in human rights and environmental issues.
Professional music experience and education:
She has been a professional actor and singer as a child and well into her twenties.
- B.A. in Theatre from American University
- She was in the first national Broadway tour of the musical Titanic
- She sang in West Side Story Suite with New York City Ballet
- Elise is a member of the Zamir Chorale of Boston
Jewish education and experience:
- Three years ago, Elise lived in Israel and studied at the progressive modern Orthodox yeshiva, Pardes as well as in Ulpan.
- She has studied Hebrew and Jewish texts at the Florence Melton School, Pardes, Hebrew University, Hebrew Union College
Jerusalem, Town and Village Conservative Synagogue, and East End Reform Temple.
- Elise advocated (with some success) to make her Orthodox school in Jerusalem more inclusive and egalitarian.
- Elise tutored Hebrew and liturgy in Jerusalem, and currently, she is a b’nei mitzvah tutor in the Boston area.
- She has led services in New York, Philadelphia, Israel, Newton, Peabody, West Roxbury, and Needham.
She is dedicated to a pluarlistic approach to Judaism:
- Elise has been active in Jewish Environmental programs such as Hazon and Atid Yarok as well as human rights groups such
as Rabbis for Human Rights and Encounter.
- She has been part of many pluralistic and inter-faith programs.
