KELLY ANN ONICKEL
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Do not urge me to leave you, to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. ~ Ruth 1:16
I begin with one of the most pivotal moments in my life, my conversion in October of 1987 and my subsequent education with Cantor Norman Rose k " z. This process, which led me to standing on the bima leading the congregation, was when I knew this was my calling.
Another pivotal moment was the decision to pursue my calling. I went to college in 2006, graduating in 2012 with my BA in Music with a Minor in Judaic Studies from Oakland University and became the interim Cantorial Soloist at Temple Emanu-El of Oak Park MI, for 11 years. I earned an MA in Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan and the Simeon Brinberg Outstanding Student award, as well as a Certificate in Hebrew Studies from Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2016. I joined the Academy for Jewish Religion as a Kol Bo student in 2018, serving as Cantorial Liasson, VP, and President of the Student Association and today April 27, 2026, I am Ordained as Cantor Rabbi! If you are doing the math, yes it has been 20 years!
I have served as Board Member and Communication Publicity VP for the Guild of Temple Musicians( GTM) and continue as a member, and as a Board Member and Secretary. on The Michigan Board of Cantors( MBC).
I have worked with and studied under opera professionals Candice DeLattre and Nadine Washington, jazz professionals Danny Jordan k " z, Tad Weed k " z, Sean Dobbins, Dr. Miles Brown, Carl Cafagnia, and Scott Gwinell, Conductors Michael Mitchell and Bradley Bloom, Cantors Norman Rose k " z, and Darcie Sharlien, as well as the amazing Cantorial and Rabbinic Staff at AJR.
I am eternally grateful to the AJR students, faculty, staff, and board! None of this could have been possible without the love and support of my incredible family and friends. To those closest to me, Kein, Shelly, Olive, Sierra, and Alex, you are a blessing to me every day. Harry, what can I say, without you my life would have little meaning!
Today I serve Temple Beth Shalom( TBS) of Vero Beach FL as their Cantor. I am committed to bringing and teaching Jewish music to my community and to interfaith initiatives in Indian River County. I am also committed to contributing to " Spreading Sunshine Not Hate," part of the Vero Beach Kind group messaging campaign, which was a response to antisemitic flyers left all over people ' s property in Vero Beach.
AJR 2026 15