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Cantor Emily Simkin

Cantorial Ordination

Masters of Sacred Music

 

Hebrew Union College 

Professional Experience

Modern JewISH Couples
New York, New York
Cohort Facilitator
Wedding Education Leader
SEPTEMBER 2024 - PRESENT

  • Implement Modern JewIsh Couples curriculum

  • Facilitate group conversations for interfaith couples exploring Jewish life and family planning

  • Foster community and build relationships within cohort

Temple Beth-El
Hillsborough, New Jersey
Student Cantor
JULY 2019 - JUNE 2020

  • Solo cantorial presence for all Shabbatot and High Holy Day services

  • Orchestrated weekly Shabbat services in partnership with senior rabbi

  • Developed and led t'filah programming for Pre-K and kindergarten

  • Created/implemented shirah curriculum for Pre-K - 6th grade students

  • Taught and offered spiritual direction to b'nai mitzvah students

  • Directed and spiritually oriented youth choir

  • Collaborated with volunteer choir and band

  • Applied knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest

Bolton Street Synagogue
Baltimore, Maryland
Student Cantor
AUGUST 2017 - JUNE 2019

  • Solo cantorial presence for all Shabbatot and High Holy Day services

  • Directed congregational band, Shir Chadash, and mindfulness services

  • Led Rosh Chodesh group

  • Co-officiated lifecycle ceremonies

Central Synagogue
New York, New York
B'nai Mitzvah Tutor and Jewish Studies Educator
SEPTEMBER 2016 - JUNE 2019

  • Prepared 7th grade students for their b'nai mitzvot through spiritual mentorship and teaching of prayers, Torah, and haftarah

Temple Emanu-El
Honolulu, Hawaii
Student Cantor
JUNE 2018 - AUGUST 2018

  • Created services bridging Hawaiian mindfulness with Jewish liturgy

  • Led t'filah at Pearl Harbor military chapel

  • Created and taught adult education series, Women in the Cantorate, and mindfulness series: Our Breath and Our Sou.

Temple B’nai Jeshurun
Short Hills, New Jersey
Student Cantor
AUGUST 2017 - JUNE 2018

  • Led weekly Shabbat services

  • Co-created and led t'filah religious school curriculum for grades K–6

  • Orchestrated shirah for grades K–2

  • Tutored b'nai mitzvah students

  • Designed curriculum for Chavurah family educational program

The Jewish Community of Kinnelon
Kinnelon, New Jersey
Student Cantor
AUGUST 2016 - JUNE 2017

  • Solo cantorial presence for Shabbatot, High Holy Days, and school t'filah

  • Co-officiated lifecycle ceremonies

  • Educated Hebrew and Jewish Studies for grades 6–7

  • Wrote and implemented Israel curriculum for grades 4–7

URJ Eisner Camp
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
T’fillah Coordinator
JUNE 2016 - AUGUST 2016

  • Designed, organized, and led prayer services for camp community of more than 900 campers and staff

Temple Shalom
West Newton, Massachusetts
Professional Educator
SEPTEMBER 2011 - JUNE 2015

  • Madrichim Coordinator: Supervised and trained more than 30 high school-aged teacher assistants in innovative Jewish leadership program

  • Hebrew and Judaica Educator: Created and lead engaging,experiential lesson plans for grades 3-10

  • Chugim Curriculum Designer: Originated/implemented interactive learning, discussion, and middot in culinary arts, meditation, and music

  • NFTY Northeast Youth Group Advisor: Supervised NFTY conventions

  • High Holiday Service Leader: Prepared and led interactive, age appropriate, and meaningful services for grades K-2

Temple Emanu-El
Edison, New Jersey
Cantor
JULY 2020 - PRESENT

Spiritual Directing/ Visioning Initiatives

  • Facilitate upholding core Jewish values in all congregational matters, leadership, and community outreach.

  • Lead staff and lay leadership in cultivating and implementing congregational mission and vision.

  • Support lay leadership in recruiting and building future lay leadership Support internal and external fundraising efforts.

  • Co-lead Senior Staff meetings.


Ritual Responsibilities

  • Plan and lead High Holy Day services, Shabbat, and holiday celebrations.

  • Aid lay leadership in setting policy for religious matters.


Pastoral Care

  • Serve as spiritual guide through regular pastoral meetings and officiating for all lifecycle events for community members.

 

Educator Role

  • Support development of Religious School curriculum and Religious School music curriculum.

  • Oversee b'nai mitzvah program and teach Confirmation.

  • Teach weekly Lunch and Learn, two original adult education courses per year (ie Jews and Booze, Musical Midrash, Music, Mussar, and Meditation) and partner with yearly Scholar in Residence in developing program.


Music Direction

  • Oversee music budget.

  • Supervise accompanist and guest musicians.

  • Invite and partner with yearly Artist in Residence.

  • Oversee Shir Emanu-El Choir, introduce new music to congregation as well as plan and implement Temple's annual concert.


Community Engagement

  • Oversee Youth Engagement for K-12.

  • Work in partnership with temple committees to create intentional congregational programming and events.

  • Establish vision and implementation of new interest groups (ie Menschkins (Tot Shabbat), TEE Pride, TAAM (Taste of Judaism) and Millennial Meetups).

Temple Emanu-El
Westfield, New Jersey
Shabbat Playgroup Leader
JUNE 2024 - PRESENT

  • Lead engaging Shabbat programs for infants, toddlers, and their adults

Temple Beth Tikvah
Wayne, New Jersey
Cantor, Part-Time
JULY 2024 - PRESENT

  • Plan and lead High Holy Day services, Shabbat, and holiday celebrations in partnership with Rabbi

  • Coordinate and oversee temple musicians 

  • Oversee b'nai mitzvah program, including training students and redesigning/implementing new b'nai mitzvah manual

  • Create and implement religious school t'filah and music program

  • Lead engaging Tot Shabbat experiences for infants- kindergarteners and their families

  • Officiate and offer counsel for all lifecycle events

URJ Harlam Day Camp
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Unit Head
JUNE 2014 - AUGUST 2014

  • Assisted in formation of first URJ day camp

  • Supervised and trained counselors

  • Created and implemented programming for 20+ campers ages 4-6

URJ Camp Harlam
Kunkletown, Pennsylvania
Jewish Life Specialist & Songleader
JUNE 2012 - AUGUST 2013

  • Developed and taught original curriculum with mission of discovering middot in all aspects of camp life

  • Leader of shirah and t'filah

Temple B'nai Jeshurun
Short Hills, New Jersey
Adjunct Cantor
SEPTEMBER 2024 - PRESENT

  • Lead and implement t'filah curriculum for the Religious Education Center (REC) with students K-5

  • Facilitate bimah and dress rehearsals for b'nai mitzvah students

  • Officiate at b'nai mitzvah and lifecycle when called upon

Education

Hebrew Union College
Jewish Institute of Religion
Jerusalem, Israel/
New York, New York
Cantorial Ordination: Masters of Sacred Music
MAY 2020

  • Thesis: Music at the Intersection of Joy and Sorrow

  • Tisch-Star Cantorial Fellowship and Scholarship Recipient

  • Margaret R. Rice Scholarship Recipient

  • The Dr. Hirsch Herman Scholarship Recipient

  • Awarded The Compassionate Cantor Prize by Reform Cantors of Chicago Awarded Edith Roberts Prize for a Deserving and Meritorious Student

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York
Clinical Pastoral Education: Grief, Death And Dying in Cancer Patients
JUNE 2017

  • Developed and taught original curriculum with mission of discovering middot in all aspects of camp life

  • Leader of shirah and t'filah

Berklee College of Music
Boston, Massachusetts
Bachelors of Music:
Vocal Performance
Minor: Psychology
MAY 2015

  • Magna Cum Laude graduate

  • Dean's List 2011-2015

American Jewish University
Online
Experiential Jewish Education
JUNE 2013

  • Magna Cum Laude graduate

  • Dean's List 2011-2015

Professional Development &
Community Involvement

  • Text Study Contributor for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

  • Contributing Author at Kveller.com

  • Clergy Liaison to the Metuchen Human Rights Commission (presently)

  • Secretary/Treasurer of the Metuchen Edison Area Interfaith Clergy Association (presently)

  • New Jersey Cantors Concert Ensemble Member (presently)

  • Member of Jewish Clergy in the Heart of NJ (presently)

  • 18Doors Referral Clergy

  • Talking Jewishly about Death: A Training for Professionals Working with Older Adults (2024)

  • Trybal Gatherings Staff (2023, 2024)

  • Eilu v'Eilu Fellowship (2021-2022)

  • Cornerstone Fellowship for Jewish Leadership (2013)

  • Amir Farming Fellowship (2013)

Skills & Interests

  • Acoustic Guitar

  • Pastoral Care

  • Mindfulness, Meditation,Yoga

  • Prepare/Enrich Certified Facilitator

  • Youth & Community Engagement

  • Creative Liturgical Writing

  • Curriculum Writing

  • Learning Differences, Experiential Education

  • Classical, Contemporary, Jazz, Folk, and Musical Theater Vocal Training

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