This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Meet Cantor Fran Burgess

Temple Beth Hillel Richmond, the only synagogue in West Contra Costa County, welcomes Fran Burgess as its new Cantor.  A classically trained singer and accomplished musician, Fran received her ordination and Masters in Music from the Academy for Jewish Religion California in 2012.  She succeeds Cantor Howard Cohen who passed away in June 2013.  Cantor Fran joins Rabbi Dean Kertesz leading religious services and co-leading the family Tefillah service on Sunday mornings during the academic year.  Her new duties will include teaching an adult education class on chanting Torah and the religious school students the musical component to prayer.  She looks forward to creating a youth chorus also.  Cantor Fran believes that, "Music and prayer have a special bond in Jewish worship.  Music opens a gateway to the soul.  I have the privilege and pleasure of sharing our chain of musical tradition at Temple Beth Hillel."

Fran Burgess assumed her role at Temple Beth Hillel's Cantor at the Shabbat service on Friday, July 4, 2014.  You can meet her at services the 1st and 3rd Friday evenings of every month, Tefilah services on Sunday mornings when Beit Midrash Hillel is open or by appointment. 

Temple Beth Hillel is located at 801 Park Central, Richmond, www.tbhrichmond.org or 510-223-2560.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?