Cantor Summer Sunshine, Spiritual Leader, Kolbo

Cantor Summer is currently entering her 8th year as clergy at Temple Beth Shalom. She has served as our Cantor for 7 years and will begin her first year as our Solo Clergy Spiritual Leader as of July 1, 2024.

She graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary in May of 2017; there, she pursued a Master of Sacred Music, while concurrently earning a Master's degree in Jewish education through its Davidson School. The summer before graduation, Summer completed a 12-week chaplaincy internship and found this to be one of the most rewarding parts of her training. Summer earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from California State University, Northridge and graduated cum laude in 2010. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, National Society of Leadership and Success, and Golden Key Society.

As our spiritual leader, she strives to inspire, encourage, educate and uplift. Through music, she works to inspire in both children and adults a close relationship to Judaism and one another and provide a joyous and meaningful connection to our faith. Through creative engagement in the classroom and outside of it, she encourages life-long learning on many planes and a deep commitment to Jewish values and practices. By modeling kindness and compassion, a love of learning and a personal connection to our rich tradition, she instills in others the awe, joy and passion she feels in her own soul.

Cantor Summer and her husband Aaron were married on July 10, 2022 and reside in Freehold, NJ.