|
Cantor Mark Elson, R.J.E. Cantor’s Notes
 E-mail Cantor Elson
Cantor Mark Elson has been with Shir Ami since 1985. Originally from Connecticut, Cantor Elson served congregations in Nashville, Tennessee and Olympia Fields, Illinois before coming to Bucks County.
Cantor Elson was Invested as a Cantor in 1977 from the School of Sacred Music of the New York campus of the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Following his Investiture, Cantor Elson continued study at HUC-JIR in the School of Education toward a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. He received his National Principal’s Certification in 1979 and the R.J.E. (Reform Jewish Educator) title in 1980
|
|
|
Video - Cantor Mark Elson 8.5MB
|
|
.
Cantor Elson directs the Adult Choir and Makheilah (youth choir), as well as the SHIR KLEZ! klezmer band and the First Friday Guitar Ensemble at Shir Ami. He was the Director of Religious Education at Shir Ami for 17 years. In 2002 he became the Director of Shir Ami’s B’nei Mitzvah program. In addition to his work at Shir Ami, Cantor Elson has served in a variety of positions in local and national Jewish education and cantorial organizations. He was the Coordinator of the Preschool Task Force of Project Manginot, a national Jewish music curriculum published by the Union for Reform Judaism. He was active on a number of committees and on the Board of the National Association of Temple Educators, was Treasurer of NATE, and for many years served as a Delegate of the American Conference of Cantors on the URJ Commission on Life Long Jewish Learning. He is a past President of the Delaware Valley Cantors Council.
Cantor Elson is married to Barbara, and they live in Holland, Pennsylvania. Barbara was the Shir Ami Religious School Administrative Assistant for thirteen years and is now active in Hadassah. They have two children, Michael, a Health and Physical Education teacher in the Philadelphia Public Schools, and Liza, currently living and working in northern New Jersey, and mom to Kayla, the most beautiful and brilliant child in the world (just ask her grandparents).
Shir Ami presents a number of opportunities for our members who enjoy making music to become involved. New participants to our musical groups are always welcome and Cantor Elson will help each new member to become comfortable with the repertoire. Whether you are a singer or play an instrument, if you are interested in sharing your talents there is a place for you. If you would like to join any of these groups contact Cantor Elson. (melson@shiramipa.org)
|
