Cantor Rachel Goldman
Newly selected to serve our synagogue’s 1850+ families as Congregation Beth Yeshurun’s new cantor, Rachel Goldman is a vibrant, gifted singer known for her spiritually uplifting vocals. As an artist with a vision of music as a vehicle for healing and transformation, Cantor Goldman is a sought-after concert soloist and guest Cantor.
Most recently, Cantor Goldman served as Hazzan at Congregation Ner Tamid (CNT) of South Bay of Los Angeles for six years where she infused community members of all ages with song. In addition to guiding the music of their worship services, Cantor Goldman ran CNT’s B’nai Mitzvah program, produces show-stopping community concerts, and taught Hebrew and Jewish music to adults and children alike. An enthusiast of traditional nusach, but not afraid of attempting to set liturgy to the music of Journey or The Beatles, Cantor Goldman kept worship services varied and exciting with the CNT Rhythm n’ Jews Band at special Erev Shabbat musical services throughout the year.
Prior to joining Congregation Ner Tamid, Cantor Goldman served for over seven years at Congregation Beit T’Shuvah, a synagogue and full inpatient addiction rehabilitation center that incorporates Jewish teachings along with 12-step modules and clinical psychotherapy. There, she had the opportunity to orchestrate services ranging from classical to high-spirited rock and jazz with full band, as well as working with recovering alcoholics, addicts, and ex-convicts as a spiritual counselor and even preparing some for adult B’nai Mitzvah.
A native of Los Angeles, she began her vocal training in the highly-acclaimed Los Angeles Children's Chorus. Before reaching college, she had already sung at the Hollywood Bowl, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and with the LA Opera, LA Master Chorale, and LA Philharmonic.
Cantor Goldman is a sought-after concert soloist and guest Cantor. She has performed with the Houston Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, the Houston Opera Chorus, and many other ensembles. She is also the co-founder of two successful cantorial collaborative groups: Shul Sisters, and all-female cantor trio consisting of Cantors from New York and Chicago, and Guys & Meidels, a Los-Angeles based quartet which infuses classic Jewish and cantorial music with millennial energy.
Cantor Goldman graduated Summa Cum Laude from the American Jewish University with a BA in Jewish Studies in 2010. Ordained as a Cantor from the Academy for Jewish Religion, California in May of 2014, she holds a Masters of Jewish Sacred Music from the same institution. Cantor Goldman is a proud member in good standing in both the American Conference of Cantors and the Cantors Assembly. She has served on various regional and national committees, and spearheaded multiple Cantorial collaborative projects on both national and international levels. When not teaching or studying new music, she likes to binge on Netflix shows with her husband, Chris, enjoy the beachside life, and eat insane amounts of chocolate.
