Welcome to my page on the newly revised Beth Am Shalom website. Please email me at jon@cantorjonsobel.com if anything in my statement below sparks your interest in further discussion.

I pray, teach and lead as a modern liberal Reform Jew who believes deeply in the power and beauty of ritual and prayer – and specifically Jewish rituals and prayers – to uplift, sustain, beautify and sanctify our lives. I believe in the power of prayer and ritual to uplift and transform our everyday lives, add meaning to our lifecycle celebrations, and comfort us in times of pain, suffering and loss.

At its best, Jewish worship and study urges each of us toward becoming our best selves and helping others along the same journey guided by teachings which have helped Jews on similar paths for thousands of years.

I am invested as a certified cantor by Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and a member of the American Conference of Cantors. I am a graduate of Yale University where I sang with the Yale Glee Club, the Yale Whiffenpoofs, and the Yale Baker’s Dozen. I previously served as the Cantor at Temple B’nai Chaim in Georgetown, CT for 27 years.

In pursuit of creating transformative and engaging worship and rituals, I have led everything from rap to worship rock bands, to a string orchestra, to professional, intergenerational, teen, youth and adult choirs. I play and have played guitar, keyboard, saxophone, accordion, ukulele, cajon and even kettle drum as prompted by the occasion.

Traditional Jewish prayers, Torah readings and rituals can be daunting and alienating to many. I seek opportunities to model and teach about Torah, prayer, ritual and music in any appropriate setting and with any age group as a means to connect people to Jewish prayer and tradition as living, powerful and deeply relevant.

It is my hope through my cantorial leadership and presence to empower individual worshipers and the congregation together to channel the power of music to elevate the soul, bless God, and bind us together in community.

Email me at jon@cantorjonsobel.com if you want to discuss anything further. I look forward to worshiping and celebrating together.