Michelle Bider Stone graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Brandeis University with a BA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and received her MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Prior to entering AJRCA, Michelle worked as an investment banker and financial consultant at Credit Suisse, Leiiman Brothers, and the Salter Group. While studying for cantorial ordination, she worked as a finance and accounting recruiter for The Woodward Group.
Michelle spent the past five years as cantorial intern at Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles. In addition to leading services and lifecycle events, she has enjoyed teaching Torah, and working with B’nai Mitzvah families. In addition, Michelle was a part of the creative team that developed Hama’alot, a Saturday morning service designed to provide a new landscape for prayer, musical, and spiritual exploration. Michelle currently runs the Los Angeles operations for the Shalom Hartman Institute, a pluralistic center of research and education which deepens and elevates the quality of Jewish life Both in Israel and around the world.
To my family- my husband, Dan, my children, Abby and Jacob, my parents, Lynn and Les Bider, and my mother-in-law, Susan Stone –I cannot thank you enough for supporting me on this journey. I would not have reached this lifelong dream without you all. I am grateful to AJRCA for being my home for the past 8 years – I have learned so much and made amazing friends. I especially want to thank my teachers and mentors, Cantor Perryne Anker, Cantor Nathan Lam, Cantor Jonathan Friedmann, Cantor Joseph Gole, Rabbi Daniel Bouskila, Rabbi Rochelle Robins, Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, Rabbi Elijah Schochet and Rabbi Mordecai Finley.
Upon ordination, Cantor Stone will continue her work both with the Shalom Hartman Institute and Temple Beth Am.
Email: mbiderstone@gmail.com