Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation Hires Inaugural Cantor

Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation's Cantor Alexandra Fox Marcus will be among the performers at "We Sing for Israel." (Provided photo)

Cantor Alexandra S. Fox will become the first chazzan at Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation since the merging of the historic Reform temples in September of 2019.

HSOSC’s board of trustees announced the hiring of Cantor Fox, who is currently based in the Chicago area, in a Mar. 4 letter to the Pikesville congregation.

She will join Rabbi Dr. Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, who starts at HSOSC on July 1. The congregation will celebrate the arrivals of Rabbi Sabath and Cantor Fox on July 2 with a special Kabbalat Shabbat service.

“The [search] committee received an unprecedented number of applications [from cantors] and over the last several weeks conducted interviews, spoke with clergy and congregants from candidates’ prior congregations, as well as their seminaries, and reviewed countless audio, video and writing samples,” read the letter from HSOSC presidents Mina Wender and Ken Bell. “Our goal was to find a cantor who could reinvigorate our b’nai mitzvah program, provide pastoral counseling, and increase engagement. This candidate must not simply provide the music, but also expand our musical program.

“After our exhaustive search and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, we joyfully and proudly announce the selection of Cantor Alexandra S. Foxas Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation’s inaugural cantor!”

A native of Huntington Woods, Michigan, Cantor Fox is a keyboardist, guitarist and composer. In 2013, she earned a bachelor of science degree in music history from Hofstra University in New York. She served as a chaplain intern at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago in 2016, earning the Compassionate Cantor Prize from the Reform Cantors of Chicago.

Cantor Fox received her ordination in May of 2018 from the Debbie Friedman School of Music at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She also earned a master of sacred music degree from that institution.

After graduating at the top of her class, she served for two years as the cantor at Peninsula Temple Sholom in Burlingame, California, where she created a pop-up adult choir and a children’s choir.

Cantor Fox said she is excited about joining HSOSC.

“Among the myriad of things that have excited me about the prospect of being HSOSC’s cantor from the very beginning of the interview process is the synagogue’s rich musical culture and the congregant musicians who are so deeply dedicated to keeping this music thriving,” she said. “Using different instruments to bring liturgy to life lends to the music being multi-textured, creating a variety of points of connection and entryways into the soul. I am so excited to get started on this holy work with the many musically talented HSOSC congregants!

“I dream of a b’nai mitzvah program where students enter the journey feeling invigorated, curious, and motivated, and depart from the journey feeling confident and excited to take the next step in their Jewish journey. This, of course, looks different for everyone; I believe we can achieve this by building a program that is individualized and full of compassion, playing to the strengths and interests of each student.”

In a statement in the HSOSC announcement, Rabbi Rachel Sabath said, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to have a clergy partner with the talent and experience of Cantor Fox. Because of her musical and many other professional skills, I believe that that Cantor Fox will be a wonderful partner. Together with Cantor Fox, and the support and commitment of the HSOSC community, I look forward to leading us toward a bright and inspiring new era.”

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