Author: Cantor Margot Goldberg

As a member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) TBA has received many benefits.  Rabbi Holtz and I are both graduates of Hebrew Union College which is the movement’s seminary.  Many of our kids are involved in the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) and attend URJ summer camps.  As part of their reorganization they have reached out to our very own Allison Fine to help them become more relevant and effective.  As a member of TBA you receive their publication Reform Judaism(RJ) magazine and I hope that you have already read about the “God” Survey.  If not here is what you need to know so that you can participate:

The “God” Survey

As you may know, Reform Judaism magazine is conducting The God Survey-a survey of the personal God beliefs of Reform Jews-which we plan to report on in a future issue. Thus far, nearly 750 people have taken the survey, which was adapted from Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro’s survey of his congregants at Sinai Temple, Springfield, Massachusetts. Click to read his article.

If you haven’t yet filled out the survey and would like to be part of the official results, the RJ magazine staff asks that you please take a couple of minutes to complete it. They can speak from experience that it makes you think.  It’s also anonymous. And it will provide important information about where Reform Jews are theologically today. Please forward this survey link to congregants, friends, and colleagues.

Do you read your copy of RJ magazine?  What has been your favorite topic or article?

It is with great sadness that the TBA family says goodbye to Cantor Jerome Holland.  It was my pleasure to sing with him during our 100^th anniversary celebration.  I wanted to share his bio with you from that event:

Cantor Jerome Holland

Prior to my Cantorial training, I enjoyed an extensive career initiated as a teenager on Radio and after an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, I studied voice for two years at Columbia University Teachers College in New York City with the renowned Irish Tenor Harry Wilson.  The next four years – under scholarship from the Metropolitan Opera Guild – were spent studying with Leo Braun (Ass’t Conductor – New York Metropolitan Opera Co. Orchestra).  This was followed by five years of study under the musical tutelage of Oscar Julius (Renowned Composer, Conductor and Music Director).  Concert performances throughout the United States to Tsing-Tau, China – interpreting the Songs of all nations – from Folk to Opera – for the Lecture Bureaus, as well as Stage, Clubs, Recording, Television and the USO for our Troops around the world.

I received my Orthodox background by studying for five years with the very same renowned Choral/Choir – Music Director Oscar Julius.  This is the famous Oscar Julius who worked with Kapov Kagan, Moshe Koussevitsky, David Koussevitsky, Robert Merrill, Richard Tucker, Zim Brothers, et al.  I was graduated from and earned my B.A. in Cantorial Studies, a Cantorial Certification and a Principal’s Certificate in Hebrew Studies from the School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion.  I continued with Temple Beth Abraham (Temple of Twin Chapels), Tarrytown, New York wherein I spent 16 years in residence and left as Cantor Emeritus.  Prior to this, I officiated throughout New York State, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

May his memory be for a blessing!