VERO BEACH — Rabbi Michael Birnholz of Temple Beth Shalom (TBS) has announced that Jennifer Werby will be joining the TBS staff as the first Cantor in the history of the 30-year-old synagogue.
According to Rabbi Birnholz, “We are excited to have Cantor Werby joining the Temple Beth Shalom family. She will bring her musical spirit and knowledge to enhance our celebrations of the Sabbath and Holidays. She will also coordinate and lead an exciting array of Jewish learning opportunities, cultural programs and interfaith/outreach experiences.”
Jennifer Werby was born and grew up in upstate New York. She joined her synagogue choir at age 8, performed in community theatre as a teenager, and later studied at the famed Indiana University School of Music under soprano Camilla Williams, the first African American ever to be granted a contract with an American opera company. After college she chose to go back to her roots in Jewish music. She went directly to Hebrew Union College and was invested as a Cantor in 1995. Prior to coming to Vero Beach, she was the Educational Music Director for a congregation in Boca Raton, Florida, Music and Judaic Studies Coordinator for Tauber Academy in Aventura, Florida, and prior to that, the Cantor for a congregation in Delray Beach, Florida.
On Sunday, November 1, Cantor Werby will be welcomed at a “Meet and Greet” during the TBS Religious School’s morning programs. On Friday evening, November 6, Cantor Werby will conduct her cantorial responsibilities during the Sabbath Service beginning at 7:30 p.m. The synagogue’s Board of Trustees and Sisterhood will honor her over refreshments following the service. The public is welcome to attend services on November 6.
Temple Beth Shalom is located at 365 43rd Avenue in Vero Beach (on the southwest corner of 43rd Avenue and 4th Street), in Vero Beach.
Information: Call (772) 569-4700.
