Congregation Beth Israel Announces Free Concert

Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) in Scotch Plains will host a cantorial concert on Sunday, May 5, at 4 PM. The concert, which is free and open to the community, will honor Cantor Jacob Greenberg, who will be installed as the synagogue’s new cantor. A dessert reception will follow.

The concert will include a wide variety of liturgical, Israeli, Yiddish and Broadway songs. In addition to showcasing Cantor Jacob Greenberg, the concert will feature performances by Cantor Nancy Abramson, Cantor Matt Axelrod and Cantor Summer Sunshine. Matt Axelrod is Cantor Emeritus of CBI, where he served as cantor for 33 years. He is now the Executive Director of the Cantors Assembly, the professional organization of cantors in the Conservative Jewish movement.

Cantor Jacob Greenberg started his position at Congregation Beth Israel in June 2023. He came to the Scotch Plains synagogue from Congregation B'nai Israel in Toms River, NJ, where he served as Cantor and Youth Director for three years. In Toms River, Cantor Greenberg produced many large concerts and performed at several gatherings in the community. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County.

Originally from the Baltimore area, Cantor Greenberg received his Masters of Sacred Music and Cantorial Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Pre-Cantorial Studies from the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut.

“As soon as Cantor Greenberg joined CBI, he fit right into our close-knit synagogue family,” said Ryan Teicher, president of Congregation Beth Israel. “Cantor Greenberg has already made a positive impact on our community and on synagogue life, so we want to celebrate his arrival and officially welcome him. And it’s fitting that we hold a cantor concert as part of his installation.”

Register for the concert at https://www.cbinj.org/event/cantorgreenberginstallation#.

Congregation Beth Israel is located at 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains, New Jersey (corner of Martine Avenue). For more information, call (908) 889-1830.