Rabbi Ilana Schwartzman
Rabbi Ilana is thrilled to have joined the BHSS community. She spent the last 8 years serving Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City, Utah. Prior to that, she was the Assistant Rabbi of Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo, New York. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Virginia and went on to study Hebrew at Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva, Israel. She was ordained in 2007 from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rabbi Ilana is a third generation rabbi. Her grandfather Rabbi Sylvan Schwartzman (z”l) was at the forefront of Reform Jewish education and her father Rabbi Joel Schwartzman has served as an Air Force chaplain and a congregational rabbi.
Rabbi Ilana has lived in places far and wide, including Germany, Greece, Israel and many states within the U.S. She, her husband Art, and daughter are happy to be setting down roots in the BHSS community.
Rabbi Ilana views the contemporary synagogue as a home for prayer, spirituality, social action, study, leadership and engagement and is devoted to these pursuits in her rabbinate. In addition to a love for Judaism and Jewish texts, she has a great love for people and their stories. Her joy lies in the interplay between intellectual Judaism and personal relationships. She also believes that music is a powerful vehicle through which we can connect to each other and God.
Email Rabbi Schwartzman: [email protected]
Cantor David Perper
My name is Cantor David Lessner Perper, and I have been serving this warm and welcoming community since 2006, as Cantor and Music Director. My work here, with the support of Rabbi Schwartzman, an amazing staff and faculty, is focused on teaching all ages, and preparing and leading spirited and moving worship with melodies which are near and dear to us all, and some of the newest Jewish tunes.Together with the Music Committee and its chairperson Nora Berger, and your ideas and input, we strive to bring you musical programming which will inspire and enrich you and your family. BHSS has hosted some of Jewish Music’s biggest names, artists like Rick Recht, Debbie Friedman z”l, and Peter and Ellen Allard. It is due in no small part to your constant giving and donations to my discretionary fund that allow us to bring you these special events.
This congregation’s service and devotion to its musical legacy are clear. I am constantly reminded how lucky I am to work with such wonderful and committed musical Jews. I want to thank Rabbi Schwartzman, Nora Berger, the Music Committee, and our entire staff, for their love, their time, and their tireless efforts in helping me lead and inspire.
B’shalom,
Cantor Perper
Email Cantor Perper: [email protected]