Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro has served our congregation since 2003, stepping into the role of spiritual leader in 2005. She was awarded a Masters of Sacred Music and Cantorial Investiture from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in May, 2003. Originally from West Hartford, Connecticut, she graduated with a BA in English from Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota, then pursued further study at the Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies and Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut. During her academic career she was awarded various scholarships and prizes. Cantor Shapiro is a member of the executive board of the American Conference of Cantors.
Cantor Shapiro has appeared in concert at the Eldridge Street Synagogue, where she was the first woman ever to sing; at Town Hall, New York City; and Beit Daniel, Tel Aviv Israel. Cantor Shapiro enjoys working with students of all ages: she has led Torah study in our congregation as well as at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York; taught music and Hebrew and b’nei mitzvah preparation in religious school settings, and led songwriting workshops for young children.
In addition to her work with the American Conference of Cantors, Cantor Shapiro currently acts as the ACC representative to the Union for Reform Judaism New Jersey – West Hudson Regional Council; is the co-chair of the Hebrew Union College – School of Sacred Music Alumni Programming Working Group; is involved in interfaith dialogue through Sacred Heart University’s Center for Christian Jewish Understanding, represents our congregation in the Leonia Clergy Council; creates and participates in yearly concerts within our congregation and at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades. Cantor Shapiro has been an invited guest lecturer at the Hebrew Union College, NYU’s Ireland House and Trinity College, Dublin.
PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM CANTOR SHAPIRO:
As our community’s spiritual leader, I aim to guide the congregation through prayer, song, tzedakah (righteous giving), and tikkun olam (repairing the world). I hope to help in maintaining this welcome, open and loving congregation, where all can feel welcome. I feel particularly blessed to be a part of this very special community.
Jennifer Katz-Goldstein joined Congregation Adas Emuno in 2006 following seven years as the Religious School Director at Temple Israel of the City of New York in Manhattan. Prior to that, Jennifer was the Director of Israel Teen Programs at the JCC Association in New York City. In addition, Jennifer has over 16 years of experience in informal Jewish education which includes teaching in religious schools, working at Eisner Camp (one of the Reform movement summer camps) and serving as a youth director.
Since at Adas Emuno Jennifer has re-structured the curriculum and begun a confirmation program for students in grades 8-10. She has the pleasure of teaching/supervising confirmation which includes bi-monthly classes along with community service in the form of assisting in teaching or helping in the religious school.
Jennifer believes strongly that the religious school should “be a place where our children have positive Jewish experiences, we are not about memorizing names, dates and Hebrew lines. We want our students to enjoy being here and leave happy, inspired and feeling good about being Jewish!”
Jennifer is a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz where she earned her B.A. in History and of Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work where she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work.
American Conference of Cantors 
