Please give a warm welcome to Cantor Iris Karlin, who will be joining Shir Ha-Ma’alot (SHM) as their cantor on July 1. Cantor Karlin, a native Israeli, is an internationally acclaimed soprano, song leader, worship leader, director, conductor, composer, and educator. And most of all, she is a mentsch—a warm, caring and kind soul. She is a Reform ordained cantor from the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) with a Master’s in Sacred Music, as well as a Master’s in Education and Graduate Music and Composition Studies from University of Haifa, Israel.
As Cantor Karlin joins the clergy at SHM, she will lead their robust music program, which is the soul of this congregation, and be a full clergy member of the synagogue. Cantor Karlin started her musical path as a pianist and flutist, and as she started singing, she moved between rock and musical theatre and operas. She loves leading early childhood educational music experiences and teaching both children and adults alike. She can sing in many musical genres that each time she sings, she will make you smile.
Cantor Karlin was always passionate about conducting choirs and has a way that engages community members in making instrumental music together, and leads bands of all ages, inspiring non-professional musicians to participate in worship and programs.
Please join SHM this summer to meet Cantor Karlin, introduce yourself and spend some time with her. SHM’s Cantor Emeritus, Cantor Shikler, said, “She is such a pleasure, and she will bring a depth of spirituality to our synagogue through her music, her warmth, and her love of Judaism.”
We welcome Cantor Karlin and her husband, Tal, and their two children, Avi and Leah, to Orange County in July!