Cantor Rachel Goldman
Cantor Rachel Goldman proudly serves as Cantor at Congregation Ner Tamid of South Bay, where she infuses community members of all ages with song. In addition to guiding the music of our worship services, Cantor Goldman runs CNT’s B’nai Mitzvah program, produces show-stopping community concerts, and teaches 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 Queen or Lady Gaga, Cantor Goldman keeps our 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. After spending several years at University of California Santa Barbara studying both Vocal Performance and Italian Studies, Cantor Goldman shifted her academic direction and 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 and eat insane amounts of chocolate.