Cantor Shani Cohen
Cantor Shani Cohen has been a part of the Temple Sholom clergy team since July 2021
Alumni Spotlight: A Conversation with Cantor Shani Cohen ’21 on Music, Community, and Connection (April 1, 2025)
Q: What moments or mentors at Hebrew Union College shaped your journey into cantorial music?
Cantor Shani Cohen: I was deeply inspired by Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller, Professor of Cantorial Arts and Merry Arian, Professor of Practice in Liturgical Arts and Music Education, as well as Rabbi Kim Geringer, M.S.W., Clinical Instructor in Clergy Professional Development. Their guidance helped shape my understanding of the cantorate, particularly in the pastoral realm. I majored in both psychology and music during my undergraduate years, so I was naturally drawn to discussions about the relationship between cantors and congregants. My thesis focused on the dynamic between rabbis and cantors, a topic I explored extensively in Rabbi Geringer’s class and in conversations with my mentors. Additionally, Joyce Rosenzweig’s M.S., Professor of Practice in Jewish Music and Performance, class on Jewish art songs has been invaluable in my work today.
Our second annual Shabbat Shira concert with Cantor Shani Cohen and Wendy Bross Stuart, was held on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
It featured works by Jewish composers including Irving Berlin, Jason Robert Brown, and Goldrich and Heisler, as well as Yiddish and musical theatre favorites.
The recording is available AVAILABLE HERE.
.svg)