A letter from our Cantor Siskin:

Jerry and I have been members of this community for almost four years. We chose to live here at random and we proudly joined this temple after a long period of ‘synagogue shopping’ in the area. Rabbi Michael Torop and Stephanie Margolis welcomed us in the warmest possible way and we have always realized how fortuitous it has been to have made such a wonderful choice of community.

I have gotten to know many of you through my work as ‘Director of Pastoral Care’, with SAGE (Seniors for Arts Growth and Education) and my facilitation of ‘EARTH ANGELS’ who, when asked, offer their random acts of kindness to our members who need support at a difficult time in their lives. I have been privileged to share the bima at Shabbat and Festival services and was honored to take a small part in this past year’s High Holy Day services.

While we pray for our rabbi’s speedy and complete recovery, it is imperative that we move forward and continue to grow our community with programs; with education; with celebrations and with strength through difficult times.

It is written;

אֵלּוּ דְבָרִים שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם שִׁעוּר  (Eilu devaarim she-ein la heim shiur)

These are the things that have no fixed measure and upon which we have built our communities with Torah, with Prayer and with Acts of Loving Kindness.

In this sacred partnership with our Lay-leaders, our professional Educators, our Youth Leaders and our incredible Administrative Team I feel honored and fortunate to be asked to be part of this vibrant and creative ‘kahal’(community)

I look forward to growing relationships with many of you,

Sincerely

CANTOR PAMELA SISKIN

Siskin was born in London and studied music at Trinity College in London, and opera at The London Opera Studio, attached to The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in England. After singing with The Royal Opera for several years, she became Principal Mezzo-Soprano with the Israel National Opera. In 1985, she decided to continue her musical and religious studies in the Unites States of America. Siskin became a student at the Hebrew Union College in New York City, earning a Master’s degree in Sacred Music and became an ordained cantor in 1989. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Hebrew Union College in 2014. During her studies she served student pulpits in East Falmouth, Massachusetts, as well as at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, New Jersey. She remained at Temple Ner Tamid for twelve years, serving as /Educator for seven of those years, before joining Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, Connecticut, where she served as a Cantor/Pastoral Leader and ‘Life Long Learning’ Director for eighteen years . Siskin and her husband, Jerry, relocated to St. Petersburg in 2016.

Click here to contact Cantor Pamela Siskin