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We are a congregation, more than 170 years old, working together to define our independent path. We strive daily to be faithful to the teachings of the Torah, dedicated to the acquisition of Jewish knowledge, and committed to the well-being of the Jewish people in America, Israel, and around the world. 

April 25, 2025   My Fellow Members of the TBA Community: Today, I am both thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that Cantor Emily Simkin will join Temple B’nai Abraham as our new cantor starting on July 1. Emily’s journey to us began as a nine-year-old camper at URJ Camp Harlam where she first became enchanted with modern Jewish music and realized how music and song could unite a community. Even at that early age, Emily first knew she wanted to become a cantor.   A native of Audubon, Pennsylvania, Emily graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor’s of Music (Vocal Performance), and received her Cantorial Ordination with a Masters of Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College. Since her ordination, Emily has served as an adjunct cantor at Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, cantor at Temple Emanu-El in Edison, and joins us directly from Temple Beth Tikvah in Wayne. Prior to her ordination, Emily had numerous experiences as a student cantor where she gained experience designing curriculum for all age groups, training b’nai mitzvah students, working with choirs, as well as leading and participating in life cycle events.   Over the course of our cantorial search process, we in lay leadership were impressed by Emily’s vision for the cantorate of building community through music and song, as well as her interactions with our Teen Makom students, our young JStart students, our clergy and staff, and our Search Committee and Officers who had an opportunity to see her perform in our Ross Sanctuary. We were not only impressed with Emily’s beautiful voice, but also her beautiful heart, in the warmth and empathy she showed toward everyone, and the richness of her life’s experience that has led her to this moment. She will be a true asset for our Temple in the years to come.   I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of our community who worked incredibly hard to bring us to this moment. First, to our entire Cantorial Search Committee led by our Vice President and Search Committee Chair Tara Heyderman. The committee worked both tirelessly and thoughtfully in screening and interviewing our candidates and lead our congregational survey and focus groups. Second, to the Board of Trustees, Rabbi Vaisberg, Rabbi Edwards, and the Temple Staff leadership for their support during this process. Finally, to you, our entire congregation, for your engagement and participation in our survey, focus groups, and simply sharing your thoughts with me. Please know that you were seen and heard. I have absolute confidence that in Cantor Simkin we have found the perfect partner and leader to make music and song accessible to everyone at Temple B’nai Abraham.   In the coming days, we are all going to be hearing from Cantor Simkin as she will directly introduce herself to our temple community. In addition, in the coming weeks and months we will share multiple opportunities for you to help welcome Cantor Simkin to Temple B’nai Abraham and get to know her as those of us leading the search have come to know her.   In the meantime, I hope to see as many of you as possible at our upcoming Temple events and eagerly anticipate the inspiring contributions that Emily will bring to our Temple community in the years to come. Best wishes to you all,

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