Hazzanit

We are thrilled to welcome Tara Abrams as our Cantorial Soloist. Tara will be with us throughout the transition period at all of our High Holidays and Shabbat morning services – through Rabbi Goldstein’s final year, the Interim Rabbi’s year, and the successor Rabbi’s starting year. Our thanks to the Cantorial Soloist Search Committee – Stephen Reich (Chair), Rabbi Goldstein, Jeff Cipin, Karen Lewis and Shelley Albert. They ran a swift, fair and competitive process with multiple external applicants, and chose Tara unanimously. Tara’s love for City Shul, for Judaism and for Jewish music shines through on the bimah, and she will be a stable and spiritual presence with us. 

Tara says, “I have become quite fond of the City Shul family over the past 2 years, and am thrilled to have been chosen to assist with the transitions that will take place over the next 3.  I look forward to continuing to raise our voices together at upcoming High Holy Day and Shabbat services.”

Before retiring from her full time position as Hazzanit at URJ Temple Har Zion in Thornhill for 20 years, one of Tara’s many accomplishments was making worship services spiritual, inclusive, musically-infused and participatory through the singing of songs that covered the spectrum from traditional to contemporary.  She frequently introduced new music to bring depth of meaning to the liturgy of Shabbat, Festival and High Holy Day services, believing strongly in the power that music has to elevate the soul and enrich the prayer experience.

Rabbi Goldstein says, “There’s no question that music is at the heart of  City Shul’s spiritual vitality. And now with Hazzanit Tara Abrams joining our bima team on a consistent basis for Shabbatot and holidays, working first with me and then working with our transition and new Rabbinic leadership, we will not only keep that vitality strong, but more—we will joyfully, steadily, dependably, and professionally grow it. I have known Tara as a colleague for many years and feel blessed that she will be part of the City Shul family now and into our exciting future."  

You can reach Tara at hazzanit@cityshul.com