On Friday night, January 26th, I was in New York City, at Central Synagogue for Cantor Daniel Mutlu’s installation service. Cantor Mutlu invited me to speak at his installation and join his clergy team on the bimah. Central Synagogue is a beautiful, historic, and exceptional congregation. It was an honor to be part of Rabbi Angela Buchdahl’s congregation for the evening and to watch Cantor Mutlu in his new spiritual home.

I observed many things that I hope to remember for a long time to come. First, I felt at home, because I observed the same joy in worship that we’ve come to know at Congregation Beth Israel. Whether we’re north or south of the Mason-Dixon Line, joy in Reform worship is an appealing draw for hundreds every Shabbat. Second, I saw Beth Israel members and Houston friends who were in New York, and came to the installation service. Their joy, like mine, was being part of Cantor Mutlu’s special worship service.

Last Shabbat, the Torah portion was Beshalach, which contains “Shirat HaYam,” or the Song of the Sea. It was a perfect Torah portion for Cantor Mutlu’s installation. Cantor Dan and his family are happy where they are and he’s thriving in his role. The affection for him from his congregational family is obvious and that was a comfort to me, too. Sometimes I’m asked how it makes me feel that Cantor Mutlu is there and not here. I can tell you that I miss my friend and colleague, but I would never begrudge a colleague his or her opportunity to be where he or she needs to be. God blesses us in unique ways. It’s ours to discover how and where to reveal God’s gifts to us.

Cantor Mutlu sends his warmest regards to all of us here and looks forward to future visits in New York City and Houston. How blessed we were for seven years at Congregation Beth Israel, and how fortunate we are that Cantor Star Trompeter continues the musical vision we now cherish and call our own.

Cantor Star Trompeter is hitting all the right notes at Congregation Beth Israel. Children and bar/bat mitzvah students love her and join her eagerly to sing at Sunday morning MBJLC services. Cantor Trompeter is engaging us with joyful music and quartet every Friday evening, and she welcomes Rabbi Adrienne Scott, who has a beautiful voice, to sing with her, too. If you haven’t met Cantor Trompeter yet, please do; she’s a warm, personable member of our clergy team.

Installation for Cantor Trompeter will be celebrated on February 23, 2018, at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Her mentor, Cantor Roslyn Barak, will be with us for special words and song. Mark your calendar for this special Shabbat as we welcome Cantor Trompeter to Congregation Beth Israel and from strength to strength.