TEMPLE BETH SHALOM

A Reform congregation affiliated with

The Union for Reform Judaism

489 Lowell Street Peabody, MA 01960

(978) 535-2100 Fax: (978) 536-3115

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A fifth-generation St. Louisan and a recent transplant from Rhode Island, Rabbi Emily Mathis has served Temple Beth Shalom since 2009, upon her ordination from Hebrew College. In addition to her studies in Boston, Rabbi Mathis completed her preliminary rabbinic studies at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia and spent a semester studying at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Prior to joining TBS, Rabbi Mathis served as the Education Director at Tifereth Israel in New Bedford from 1998-2007 and taught both at The Friday School in Providence and Temple Habonim in Barrington, RI, where she also led a two-year adult bat mitzvah course. Rabbi Mathis graduated from Brown University with a degree in Educational Studies, and worked in urban environmental education for several years. She lives and gardens in West Roxbury with her wife, Hali Diecidue, their daughter Nina, and her step-daughter Joita; and though she has done a fair amount of kayaking in Rhode Island, she now kayaks in Wellfleet when she has the opportunity.

B’shalom,

Rabbi Emily Mathis

CLERGY

Colman Reaboi began his singing career at age thirteen in Southfield, Michigan. His major debut came as the role of a Bar Mitzvah boy! He attended Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, a Jewish private school and later went on to attend the Interlochen Arts Academy, where he trained in music for the first time.

Mr. Reaboi later attended the Boston Conservatory of Music where he majored in Vocal Performance and Opera. He has sung with several opera companies such as Opera Boston, and has performed concerts of classical, Broadway, Jewish repertoire. Colman Reaboi has served in three synagogues in Tampa Bay, FL and a Temple Torat Yisrael in Cranston, RI before coming to Temple Beth Shalom in 1996. In Boston, Colman is an alumnus of the distinguished Zamir Chorale of Boston. He founded the North Shore Cantorial Association and he is also a guest Cantor for the Prague Jewish community, where he conducts services, performs concerts, and lectures at the Jewish Museum of Prague.

As a first-generation American (His parents immigrated from Romania), he credits his Eastern European background for inspiring him to sing chazzanut with an Old World style. He also loves the music of the Spanish tradition (Ladino), Chassidic niggunim, and the contemporary Jewish composers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

"My goal is to inspire the congregation to pray from their hearts," says Colman. "I believe that music is the gateway to the soul. Whether they have a deep understanding of the prayer book text, or if they are just beginners without familiarity of the liturgy, congregants can always find meaning in the melodies and the way in which the prayers are expressed."

"I strive to have a mixture of musical styles at services. Whatever the reason, if you come for active, upbeat musical participation, or if you come to listen, relax, and meditate in silent prayer, you will hear the music that speaks to your heart. The prayers are the same- it is the music that gives it the flavor!"

Among his other duties, Colman is Beth Shalom's primary B'nei Mitzvah tutor, teaches T'fillah in the Religious school, officiates some life cycle events, and conducts Shir Shalom, the Temple's youth choir. Colman Reaboi also serves as chaplain and spiritual leader of the Jewish Community at the Brooksby Village Retirement Community in Peabody.

Colman is married to another singer, Julia Jaffe-Reaboi. Blessed with an exceptional voice, Julia occasionally participates at services, and also sings in the High Holy Day choir. Colman and Julia perform together in various concerts. They can both be heard on their latest CD, Remembering Larissa: A Tribute to Jewish Heritage in Song. Their son Leo, enjoys coming to services... for the wonderful onegs!

Rabbi Emily Mathis

Cantorial Intern

Colman Reaboi