5785 AWARD RECIPIENT
“ Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”( Psalm 100)
That verse exemplifies Rena, whose music and joy, enthusiasm and optimism infuse everything she does. Her very name Rena means joyful song. Whether she is teaching her students, at AJR or at her congregation, developing new interpretations to enhance our ancient tradition, encouraging alumni on our weekly ARC meet up calls, or writing notes to alumni on behalf of ARC, her can do attitude and her joy permeate everything she does.
Rena’ s tagline,“ We go where life takes us,” may be best understood when she is the spiritual leader on a cruise where she brings that joy to people waiting to discover her passion for music and Judaism.
CANTOR RENA SHAPIRO ARC Alumna of the Year
“ Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us come before God with thanksgiving and extol God with music and song.”( Psalm 95: 1-2)
Born into a musical family in Newburgh, NY, I was innately infused with a song in my heart and a passion for music in my soul. The delight of music has informed both my personal and professional journeys, for which I am grateful beyond measure, and has led me to this joyous day and this full circle moment at AJR. Preparation for my career path included studying violin and piano, singing in high school choirs, teaching myself folk guitar at Jewish summer camps, and in my undergraduate years at Tufts University, directing the female a capella group.
In the early 1990’ s, a trained professional, but not officially ordained, I assumed cantorial duties at Temple Beth-El in Poughkeepsie, NY, where I developed Jewish community-wide and interfaith choirs.
In 2001, I received cantorial ordination from AJR, and subsequently joined the faculty. While at AJR, I was awarded the prestigious Creative Liturgy Award for my composition,“ A Psalm for Healing.”
In 2014, I retired from Beth-El and relocated to Pittsburgh to be near my family, including my beloved four grandchildren. Spring of 2015
This is not to say that everything in Rena’ s life has been joyous. The death of Rena’ s beloved husband Philip caused her to move to Pittsburgh to be near her family. And yet, Rena turned that into joy as well. Rena became the Kol Bo at Beth Samuel Jewish Center where she brings that unique sense of joy.
One of the things that stands out is her ability to learn from everyone and to embrace pluralism, a core principle of AJR. Rena’ s ability to truly listen and hear those around her is manifest in every aspect of what she does, and comes through with great clarity with all she does for our alumni community.
This past summer she once again taught at AJR. A cantorial class in nusach where she had to take her older class material and make it work in the newer online environment. Rena excelled.
The Association of Rabbis and Cantors is proud to name Rena Shapiro as our Distinguished Alumna, 5785.
saw me accept the position of Spiritual Leader at nearby Beth Samuel Jewish Center, where I continue to serve. In addition to my professional life and my family, what continues to infuse me with joy is singing at the NAJCF, finger-knitting winter scarves for the homeless, and playing the violin in the Washington( PA) Symphony.
Teaching at AJR is one of the crowning glories of my professional achievements. My cup runneth over with the deepest gratitude to AJR for our sacred community of teachers, colleagues, and friends, and for inspiring me to lead and teach jubilantly with meaning and purpose in diverse creative iterations of Judaism. Thank you for blessing me with the enormous honor of becoming the 2025 AJR Alumna of the Year.