Congregation B'nai Israel

Cantorial Soloist Susan Levine

Susan has been affiliated with Congregation B'nai Israel since 1982 as a Soloist, Choir Director, Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor, Hebrew teacher, Service Leader, and currently is the congregation's Administrator.

Most Friday Erev Shabbat Services are conducted by Mrs. Levine. Whether it is to bring in the Bride of Shabbat with Lecha Dodi with her vocals, give the weekly Dvar Torah 

with her insights of the current weeks Torah portion or lead usin prayer, it is an opportunity as Jews to remember Shabbat and observe it.

Further, Susan continues the work on our religious school as she prepares our Bar and Bat Mitzvah students with teaching them their Torah portions and getting them ready to conduct Shabbat services as they transition to Jewish Adulthood. The preparation and study for this life cycle event usually is more than a year in the making with each student.

Susan was born and raised in Akron, Ohio and was part of the Conservative movement of Judaism. Her music interests began at a young age, and by the age of 12 she was an active vocalist in the adult choir at Beth El Congregation, a large conservative congregation. Following years of work with Hazzan Gabriel Berkovitz and Hazzan Jerome Kopmar, she became a soloist with the Beth El Choir.

While attending college in Akron at the University of Akron, she was trained by Rev. Phillip Saltzman in cantillation of Torah and Haftarah, and began assisting with tutoring Bar/Bat Mitzvah students.

Her musical studies continue at various workshops, conventions, seminars, and classes offered throughout the country, most recently under the Reform umbrella of the URJ and HUC.

She is married to Ray, and they have two grown children; Scott, who is married to Kerry, and Tara who is married to Eugene. They have 3 beautiful grandchildren Nicholas, Kate, and Sabrina, who hold the key to their hearts, and is the spirit of their souls.