ISRAEL
Cantor Jenn Duretz Peled
Florida raised, Philadelphia native, Cantor Jenn has been described as creative, passionate and uplifting and as an emotionally moving bringer of ruach (spirit). She has been blessed to work as a synagogue cantor and educational director for over a decade but has been leading spiritual experiences and creating memorable, Jewish moments for much longer than that. She has extensive experience working with summer camps, preschools, youth groups and adult educational programs. Cantor Jenn says, “The work I do is incredibly rewarding because people allow me into their lives in such personal and meaningful ways. I find so much holiness in these moments and hope that those with whom I connect do as well.” She is a big believer that “Judaism should be joyful and full of creative energy.”
Cantor Jenn received her BA from the University of West Florida’s School of Music with a degree in vocal performance. Her post-graduate studies brought her to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she was the recipient of the Emma Lou Young Vocal Award for Opera Performance. She also studied at the University of Haifa in Israel where she focused on Hebrew language and Bible as Literature. She received her MA in Jewish Music and Cantorial Studies from Gratz College and Cantorial Investiture from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Cantor Jenn is a member of the American Conference of Cantors. She has extensive experience in both formal and informal education and seamlessly blends the two modalities when working with children and adults.
She and her husband Rabbi Matan Peled met through Taglit-Birthright Israel and URJ Camp Coleman. They recently made aliya to Israel with their energetic twins, Shai and Noam and their rescue Labradoodle (yes, there is such a thing) Finn. Cantor Jenn is super excited to be the FIRST Rhythm ‘N’ Ruach facilitator in Israel and plans on bringing this unique program to as many places around the country as possible. Yalla (let’s do this)!