Originally from Rochester, NY, Cantor Berke attended Cornell University and received a BA in History with Distinction in all Subjects. During that time she spent her Junior year at University College London, and attended as much theater at as her budget allowed. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Cantor Berke enrolled in the Cantors Institute (now H.L Miller Cantorial School) at the Jewish Theological Seminary, which included a year in Israel at the precursor to the Conservative Yeshiva, Midreshet Yerushalayim. In 1994 Cantor Berke completed her Masters in Sacred Music, received her Diploma of Hazzan, and graduated from JTS’ Graduate School (now William Davidson school of Education) with a Masters in Jewish Education. Her thesis was an examination of conversion programs across the United States, with an emphasis on the inclusion of music and culture.
Since graduation, Cantor Berke has worked in a variety of educational settings and across the age span of Jewish education in cities including New York, NY, Houston, TX, Cherry Hill, NJ and Springfield, MA. She has worked in classrooms, educational administration, tutored b’nai mitzvah, sung in concerts and led High Holiday services for congregations of all sizes. She is a contributing author for an assortment of publications, including a Rabbinical Assembly document on Rabbinic Installation, and for many years she has served on the Education Committee of the Cantors Assembly. She also enjoys serving the interfaith families of Anshe Emet and being a member of the Inclusion Committee.
She and her husband, Hazzan Steven Berke, are the proud parents of Eden and Aviva.
Contact Cantor Elizabeth Berke at eberke@ansheemet.org • 773-868-5117.
