BRATTLEBORO — Brattleboro Area Jewish Community (BAJC) in West Brattleboro announces the ordination of Cantor Kate Judd. She was ordained through the Cantor Educator Program (CEP) at Hebrew College in Newton, Mass.
The program at Hebrew College draws on renowned faculty from three Hebrew College schools ― the School of Jewish Music, Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education and Rabbinical School ― as well as resources from Andover Newton Theological School and other member institutions of the Boston Theological Institute.
Cantors in the CEP earn a Masters of Jewish Education (MJEd‚ degree, enabling them to serve congregations as mentors and facilitators and as spiritual leaders who can empower their congregants in study as well as in worship.
Cantor Judd, originally from Marlboro, graduated from Marlboro College in 1982, and received an Artist Diploma in classical voice from the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Mass., where she studied with Sanford Sylvan. She continued her studies in Boston for several years with Donna Roll. As a recitalist, oratorio soloist, and operatic soloist she has appeared throughout the New England area.
While she now limits her singing largely to cantorial repertoire in a synagogue setting, recent concert performances include the role of Katarzyna Mateja in the premiere of Lynn Torgove's “Frauenstimmen: Women's Voices at Ravensbruck”, and participation in a concert of art songs by Lazar Weiner at YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York.
After many years as a teacher of voice and the Alexander Technique, Judd began her studies at Hebrew College in 2007, and entered the Cantor Educator Program in 2008.While there, she workedwith some of the leading teachers of Jewish liturgy and music.
She studied Hebrew language both ancient and modern, Jewish education, Jewish history, Talmud and Torah, as well as life cycle officiating and pastoral counseling. She completed her studies, and received her MJEd and her Ordination on May 31.
Cantor Judd has served as Spiritual Leader of BAJC since 2012, and hopes to continue to serve this community for many years to come.