SIMSBURY – Marian Gorewitz Kleinman has been appointed cantor soloist/principal at Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom (FVJC) in Simsbury, it was announced recently by the synagogue’s leadership. Kleinman will step into her new role on July 1.

“The search committee was impressed with Marian’s beautiful voice and her commitment to Jewish education,” said the committee’s chair, Tracy Smith. “Marian has visited our Temple on two occasions in the past two months and has shared her voice and experiences with our students and members. Her educational background and experience as a soloist and principal will further our vision of engaging our young families, inspiring our services and enriching our school curriculum in music and ritual understanding.”

In her new position at FVJC, Kleinman combines her two passions: Jewish education and cantorial music.

Prior to joining FVJC, Kleinman served as religious school principal at Beth Am Temple in Pearl River, N.Y. and as cantor soloist at Congregation Agudas Achim in Livingston Manor, N.Y. She also previously served as cantor soloist educator at Congregation Shaarai Shomayim in Lancaster, Penn., and as music director at Temple of Israel in Wilmington, N.C.

A native of New York, Kleinman received her B.A. in Literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey and her M.A. in English and Creative Writing at City College of New York. She also holds a Masters degree in Jewish Studies from Gratz College in Philadelphia.  Kleinman is a cantorial student at the Academy of Jewish Religion.

She has performed as cantor soloist for High Holiday services and other holiday events, along with regular Friday night services. She has prepared and tutored B’nai Mitzvah students in prayers, Torah and Haftorah. She has created and supported both a children’s choir and a teen choir and served as the leader of the “Shul Band”. She also created an adult Chavura choir which included guitar, flute and organ accompaniment. She organized teen retreats and special activities for students of all ages. She has written and coordinated curriculum revision for religious school and has created and encouraged curriculum and professional development activities with her staff. She brings her love of music to the bima, her ability to use guitar to inspire spirituality with adults and children and brings her love of Israel and Judaism to her classrooms.

Kleinman is living in Simsbury with her husband, Mark and 13-year-old daughter, Rosa.