Cantor Lisa Kipen-Hershenson announced as new Director of Education at Beth Shalom – Blue Hills

Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills is pleased to announce the appointment of Cantor Lisa Kipen-Hershenson as its new Director of Education. The announcement was made by Vice President of Education Lisa Sadler and Religious School Committee Chair Beth Matlin-Heiger.
Lisa was ordained as a Cantor at Hebrew College in 1992, where she also earned a degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s in Judaic Studies. She has worked and taught at Cong. Kehillath Israel in Brookline and Beth El Temple Center in Belmont, as well as Camp Ramah in Palmer, Mass. She has served many congregations as a cantor and B’nei Mitzvah tutor for more almost 30 years.

As part of her Clinical Pastoral Education requirement, Cantor Lisa wrote her capstone project on Hospice choirs, interned at Hebrew Senior Life Hospice, and founded and directed Shirat HaLev (Song of the Heart) bedside singers. She resides in Dorchester with her husband and two daughters.

At Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills, Cantor Lisa will direct and teach in the Rabbi Jerome Weistrop Religious School, helping to coordinate intergenerational family education, lively holiday programs and other events. She is thrilled to be joining CBSBH as Education Director, and welcomes learners of every age.

Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills is currently accepting registrations to its Rabbi Weistrop Religious School, which usually meets on Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons. All educational activities will be adjusted and adapted for safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The school has an innovative, experiential-learning based curriculum and small classes, which serves our mission of fostering a positive Jewish identity in each child. It includes (when permitted): unique holiday celebrations, monthly pre-school-age Story Hour, field trips, B’nei Mitzvah classes, Holiday Family Activity Days, and student-led Shabbat services.

For teens there is a new program based on Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) that is connected with the Jewish Teen Initiative of CJP. The school is also a partner in the Passport to Israel Program, which helps fund teen trips to Israel.

For Religious School information, call the synagogue office at 617-698-3394. For online registration forms or information on the Teen program, please send an email request to [email protected]. Cantor Lisa looks forward to a year of vibrant learning with her students.
Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills is an independent synagogue that welcomes all members of the Jewish faith including LGBTQ+, interfaith couples, and all singles and families interested in affiliating with a Jewish community. For information about membership or programs, call the synagogue office at 617-698-3394, email [email protected] or visit www.BethShalomBlueHills.org.