Cantor Anna Zhar is thrilled to be the Cantor of Temple Beth Sholom. Cantor Zhar served as a student Cantor for three years until 2007 when she was invested as a Cantor from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Before coming to Temple Beth Sholom, she was the Cantor at Temple Beth Jacob in Newburgh, NY.She grew up in the former USSR and began music school at age five and her first choral experience when she was about ten. She went on to earn a degree in Choral Conducting and Music Education from the Tchaikovsky Music Academy in Moscow.
In 1991, Cantor Zhar immigrated with her family to Israel, where she graduated with honors from the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. She worked with many choirs in Israel, including the Tel Aviv Philharmonic Choir, Jerusalem Chamber Choir, and Jerusalem “Cantus” and “Oratorio” choirs.While in Israel, she learned about the Reform Jewish Movement and decided that becoming a
CANTOR ANNA ZHAR
cantor would enable her to combine her love of music with her passion for Judaism. She and her husband Gary moved to the United States and now have four children Daniel, Avital, Roni, and Ariel. Cantor Anna also has a master’s degree from San Francisco State University.
Cantor Zhar is an engaging Cantor with a unique ability to listen to voices as well as singing herself. She is deeply dedicated to the empowerment of the community through music, worship and beyond.