Monroe Temple of Liberal Judaism welcomes new Cantor

MONROE-Cantor Leon Sher, of Livingston, NJ, has accepted the position as Cantor of the Monroe Temple of Liberal Judaism. "It is with great pleasure, and the expectation of a long and mutually fulfilling relationship, that we welcome Cantor Sher," stated Alan Friedfel, President of the Temple. Sher left the business world, where he was a Security Software Specialist, to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a Cantor, and was invested in 2003 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion's School of Sacred Music in New York City.  "I am very much looking forward to meeting the members of my new synagogue family," commented Cantor Sher. "Everyone I've already met has been friendly and warm." Sher has been an active and well-known figure in the world of Jewish music and the Reform movement for more than three decades, having worked with children and adults at synagogues, camps, retreats, and conferences around the country. He has served for twenty years, assisted by his wife Beth, as a spiritual and musical leader at Brandeis University High Holy Day Reform Community services. Charlene Hirschberg, Co-Chairperson of the Search Committee, noted that Sher is "personable and very enthusiastic." It is a comment shared by others in the congregation, including the Temple Rabbi, Garry Loeb, who added, "Cantor Sher is a true mentsch, a warm and caring person." In addition to teaching, Cantor Sher has composed Jewish music which has been published, performed, and recorded in numerous forums. Along with his wife Beth, he performs with Beged Kefet, a musical group that sings mostly original Jewish music to raise money and awareness for Myriam's Dream. While performing, the group, which began in Jerusalem in 1982, met Myriam Mendilow, founder of Lifeline for the Old in Israel. They brought her dream back to the United States, to become musical ambassadors for her cause of preserving human dignity and promoting understanding, tolerance and respect for the elderly and disabled. The group has produced and sold thousands of copies of its recordings, and all of its proceeds are used to continue its mission to make Myriam's dream a reality at home and abroad. "I am not surprised that Cantor Sher has remained faithful to Myriam's dream and Beged Kefet for 22 years," mentioned Bonna Horovitz, First Vice-President of the Temple. "He is a gifted singer, a real mentsch, with a very strong social conscience, and lots of drive." Looking forward to working with Sher, Rabbi Loeb commented that "the Cantor's love of Judaism and music shines from his face. He has the personality and the musical gift to make anyone want to sing with him!" Cantor Sher is "eager to share in worship and learning, song and celebration in my new home." On that note of enthusiasm and excitement, Monroe Temple Beth-El welcomes Cantor Leon Sher and his family, wife Beth and daughters Jessica and Julie.