Congregation Beth Israel Plans Farewell Weekend for Cantor Axelrod

Members of Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) and friends within the community are invited to two weekend events to say farewell and thank you to Matt Axelrod, who is departing as cantor of the Scotch Plains synagogue after 33 years of service.

The first celebration, which is free, will take place on Friday evening, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. during CBI’s Shabbat services; an Oneg dessert reception will follow. The second celebration, a Farewell Dinner Party, will take place at the synagogue on Sunday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m. To register for either event, go to www.cbinj.org/form/cantorfarewell.

Cantor Matt Axelrod’s long tenure at CBI started in 1990 when he arrived as a student cantor while studying at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). A graduate of Brandeis University, Cantor Axelrod received his Masters of Sacred Music and Ordination from JTS in 1993. Upon graduating from the Seminary, Cantor Axelrod remained at CBI and became the synagogue’s first full-time cantor.

Active in both the Jewish and interfaith communities, Cantor Axelrod is a past president of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Ministerium, comprising clergy of various faith communities as well as leaders of local civic organizations. Additionally, Cantor Axelrod has served on the United Synagogue Commission on Jewish Education.

Cantor Axelrod is the author of three books: Surviving Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah: The Ultimate Insider’s Guide; Your Guide to the Jewish Holidays: From Shofar to Seder; and Raising the Bar Mitzvah: Reimagining What Our Kids Learn. His numerous articles have appeared in MyJewishLearning.com, Tablet Magazine, and the online Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guide. He has been a frequent presenter at synagogues, Jewish community centers and conferences, speaking to groups of parents and teens about the process of preparing for their b’nei mitzvah.

“We are extremely grateful that Cantor Matt, as we fondly call him, has been such a steady and integral member of our CBI family for more than 30 years,” said Ryan Teicher, President of Congregation Beth Israel. “Throughout his long career at CBI, Cantor Matt impacted the lives of so many congregants, whether through his chanting at Shabbat and holiday services, at lifecycle events like b’nei mitzvah, weddings or funerals, or even at his casual ‘Coffee With The Cantor’ sessions.”

Cantor Axelrod will be leaving his position at CBI in June to become the Executive Director of the Cantors Assembly, the professional organization of cantors in the Conservative Jewish movement. Cantor Axelrod has been involved with the Cantors Assembly in a volunteer capacity over many years, and currently serves as vice president of the organization. He continues to sing with the New Jersey Cantors Concert Ensemble, which performs throughout the state and helps to raise scholarship funds for cantorial students.

“We’ve structured the weekend to provide several opportunities for congregants, past and current, as well as community members, to officially thank Cantor Matt and to wish him well in his new role at the Cantors Assembly,” said Barbara Wyckoff, Event Chair and past president of CBI. “As a close family friend of the Axelrods, I know how much Matt loved being CBI’s cantor and how torn he felt when he was offered the position at the Cantors Assembly, an organization that he feels passionate about too.”

Congregation Beth Israel is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue, serving the religious, cultural, educational and social needs of congregants from Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Westfield and surrounding towns. It has an active Sisterhood, Men’s Club and youth group, plus a wide array of programs, ranging from adult education courses to social action opportunities.

For more information, contact the synagogue office at office@cbisp.org or (908) 889-1830. Congregation Beth Israel is located at 18 Shalom Way (corner of Martine Ave.), Scotch Plains, New Jersey.