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About Cantor Singer
Toby is an accomplished performer and composer who has spent much of his formative years
in and around Jewish music. Growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, after discovering that
he wasn’t destined for greatness in soccer or basketball, Toby found himself at home
surrounded by music.
He was a founding member of Temple Beth Emeth’s teen choir and instrumental ensemble,
Shir Chadash. He spent summers at Interlochen Music Camp, studying trumpet and
jazz piano, and songleading at Jewish summer camps including Camp Tamarack in
Detroit, Michigan and Camp Shwayder, located west of Denver, Colorado.
While attending the University of Michigan School of Music, Toby was the co-chair of
the UM Hillel Reform community for three years, and was the director of the
Jewish a cappella group, Kol Hakavod.
After graduation, Toby traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, where he spent two years
as the music director and youth advisor of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim synagogue.
His Friday night musical service, Shabbat Scattershot, containing an eclectic mix of
musical genres, was premiered in Ann Arbor, MI in March 2006 and was presented as part
of the 2007 Piccolo Spoleto Arts Festival in Charleston, SC. His musical, South Hall,
has had three well-received productions in Ann Arbor and Charleston.
In late 2007, Toby released an album of his contemporary Jewish melodies, for use in
synagogue and camp. Recently, his rock band, The Guilt Trips, released an EP, entitled
Campaign Songs. He’s very excited to be a part of the Beth Am Temple community!
Cantor Emerita
Geri Zeller
Cantor Geri Zeller came to Beth Am Temple in 1987. She had a number of
hazzanim in her family during her Orthodox upbringing and it was a delightful change of events when women were finally allowed on the bima. Cantor Zeller attended Emerson College and
received her Masters in Spiritual Counseling from the University of New York.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Pascack Valley Counseling Service, is the
Financial Trustee of the Women Cantor's Network, former Secretary of the Interfaith Clergy Council of Pearl River and a board
and life member of the Pascack Valley Chapter of Jewish Women
International and life member of Hadassah and the National Council of
Jewish Women.
Cantor Zeller has officiated at services and performed in Costa Rica, the Former Soviet Union as well as several cities in the US.
She and her husband, Hans, reside in northern New Jersey and are the proud parents of Michael, Marc and
daughters-in-law Ashley and Traci, and proud Bubbe and Opa of Jack and
Jillian.
Cantor Zeller retired on July 1, 2005 after serving
our congregation for 18 years. She has been given the title Cantor
Emerita by the Board of Trustees.
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