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The Cantor's Voice
May 2005

I was an eager 16-year-old in 1980 and felt honored that my Hazzan, Joe Gole, asked me if I'd be interested in working with B'nai Mitzvah students in preparation for their big day. Wow, what a thrill. I worked over the summer, dedicating myself to the task of learning Torah and Haftorah trope. Over the years, I've easily prepared over 1,000 students for their simcha.

Each student is special, unique. Some have been more challenging than others, some more musically skilled than others. Some read Hebrew well; others have educational challenges that have made their preparation painstaking. I've laughed with my students, many times.

I remember the student, Scott, who sang his Haftorah uninterrupted, in spite of the 5.2 earthquake that hit in the middle of the prophetic reading. I consider myself very fortunate to have helped share in this beautiful life-cycle event with so many families, from several different congregations, over these past 25 years.

Now, it is with great love and pride, that Laura and I have the opportunity to share with our beloved community, Kehillat Ma'arav, the Bat Mitzvah of our daughter, Adina, who will be celebrating her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 28.

We extend an invitation to our entire synagogue's membership to share in our simcha, which will be followed by a Seudat Mitzvah, Kiddush luncheon, co-sponsored by our synagogue's Board of Directors and Adina's grandparents, Diane and Ovvie Miller.

Laura and I look forward to seeing you on Shabbat morning, May 28.

Keith Miller
Hazzan
Director of Education