Rachel Brott has a Performing Arts Degree from Tel Aviv University and has performed in Israel, St. Petersburg, Russia, New York, Colorado, Maine, Oregon and throughout the Bay Area singing Opera, Oratorio and in recital. She has also been a teacher of singing for many years. Rachel began singing Cantorial music in 1989 in preparation for studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary, and has sung in Synagogues in Jerusalem, New York and California. She was the Cantor at Temple Beth Torah in Fremont for eight years and is presently the Cantor for Congregation Bnei Israel of Rossmoor. She is associated since 1998 with Congregation Shir Ami in Castro Valley as a Hebrew and Torah Chanting Teacher and more recently as their High Holiday Cantor.
For my whole life, I have felt the need to plumb the depths, and in fact to dwell below much of the time. I would sense and observe until I completely lost myself. This for me has been my biggest challenge and blessing! Through the grace of aging and experience, and through the miracle of unconditional love, I have unpeeled layer after layer in order to see that my true calling is to love others.
I feel called to bring as many blessings as I can into this world. There is enough devastation and difficulty here on earth. Please G-d, continue to allow me to do this work as I am called to do: bringing joy and spiritual enrichment to others through singing, through performing life cycle events and through deep listening to others while working as a Chaplain, and in simply being present for all those whom I encounter. Please may it be your will that I may do this in the Jewish Community and most importantly in our world community.
As Rabbi Tarfon says, “You are not required to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to abstain from it.”
Articles
- October 2010
- August 2010
