Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI) will welcome a new cantor, Cantor Rebecca Moses, on July 3rd.  The South Orange temple recently moved Cantor Theodore Aronson to Cantor Emeritus after 45 years with the congregation.

According to a press release from the temple, Moses will lead services with Rabbi Daniel Cohen and Rabbi Ellie Miller and will actively participate in religious school curriculum, joining fellow Cantor Joan Finn.

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Moses was invested in 2009 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and has been serving Temple Anshe Sholom in Hamilton, Ontario as a Cantor-educator since 2009. She holds a master’s degree in sacred music from the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music, and a bachelor of music degree in vocal performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music in Kansas City, Mo.

Cantor Moses, who will be relocating to the South Orange area with her husband, Aaron, is excited about starting a new chapter of her spiritual growth at TSTI and becoming part of the synagogue’s family.

“What really sold me on this congregation is the amount of energy everyone has – you can just feel it,” she said. “Everyone always seems to be working on something exciting and looking forward to the next big project. That desire to make things better and improve on what we are doing is key to where Reform Judaism is going.”

“Cantor Moses is an extremely gifted musician; you actually can feel warmth through her voice when she sings,” added Rabbi Cohen. “I am confident she will bring a great energy, caring and enthusiasm to our community.’’