BELLA FELDMAN

Ashland Temple hires cantor

By Jewish Review

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A search for a new cantorial professional that began in January 2006 has come to a successful conclusion for Temple Emek Shalom with the hiring of Cantor Bella Feldman.

Feldman joined the Temple staff on Aug. 1, and will play a key role, along with Rabbi Marc Sirinsky, in the upcoming High Holy Day services at the Ashland synagogue.

Feldman was the cantorial soloist at Congregation Ner Tamid in Las Vegas, Nev., for 15 years and a volunteer cantor and religious school director at Congregation Kol Ha’emek in Ukiah, Calif., for four years prior to coming to Temple Emek Shalom.

"From the first moment I entered this synagogue," Feldman exclaimed, "I felt it was beshert (destined) that I would serve this congregation. I was embraced and uplifted by the congregation and I envision that these feelings will continue to deepen and expand over time. Everyone has made me and my family feel so very welcome."

In welcoming the new cantorial soloist, Sirinsky said, "We are a congregation that loves music and finds God in song. Cantor Bella’s own love of music and her heavenly voice will help us continue to grow our musical connection to that which is sacred."

Music plays an important part in the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, and the synagogue’s leadership was intent on finding a cantorial soloist in time for the first of these services in September.

"Bella has burst onto the Temple scene radiating her sense of joy through liturgical music," said Avara Yaron, the Temple president.

Feldman, her husband Michael, a third-generation Jewish baker, and her two children, Cara, 7, and Avi, 11, moved to Ashland in late July from Ukiah, Calif.

In addition to leading the liturgical music at Temple Emek Shalom, Feldman will also teach at the religious school, lead Sunday morning family services, teach Torah chanting to children and adults, and hold adult education classes that explore Judaism through music.

Temple Emek Shalom, serving southern Oregon and northern California, serves a wide spectrum of Jews and their families seeking a caring, participatory community integrating contemporary Jewish life with traditional Jewish values.

This congregation is affiliated with the Reform Movement and welcomes people from all backgrounds. The synagogue was established in 1973 and has more than 200 member families.

All of the High Holy Days services are open to the public at no cost at Temple Emek Shalom, which is located at 1800 E. Main Street in Ashland, between Walker Avenue and Tolman Creek Road. For information on services, see the High Holiday Service listings on pages B12 and B13 in this issue.