Rabbi Cantor Jennie Chabon graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Anthropology and received her Master of Sacred Music and Investiture from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She joined the clergy team at Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Walnut Creek in 2004, where she has been proudly serving ever since she found her path to the cantorate when living in Israel after college graduation. While in cantorial school, she discovered a deep love of liturgy and the desire to make prayer accessible to all. She loves davening, exploring the beauty and complexity of Torah, and helping people to wrestle with their relationship with God. She has recorded three albums of Shabbat music with her band, Shir Joy, and given birth to three beautiful boys: Ezra, Levi and Judah.
Several years ago, Rabbi Cantor Chabon felt the call to the rabbinate. This call, and her desire to broaden her learning and expand her ability to guide her congregation, led her to AJRCA. At the Academy, she found inspiring teachers, committed to the pluralistic values of this beautiful institution.
My eternal gratitude goes to my husband Steve Chabon, for being the funny, grounded, dedicated center of our family while was in school and to our three boys for stepping up in amazing and unexpected ways while their mom was busy studying. To my parents, siblings, cousins and lifelong friends – thank you for keeping my vision clear and unwavering. To my cherished community at CBT who supported me through this journey and maintained our shared faith that the future of our congregation is bright indeed, my deepest appreciation.
Upon ordination, Rabbi Cantor Chabon will step fully into the role of spiritual leader at her beloved synagogue, Congregation B’nai Tikvah She looks to guide her community towards a future that cherishes the spirit that makes CBT so sweet and unique, while also helping then to embrace the creative, changing landscape of Bay Area Judaism.