Staff
Elizabeth Kerstein, Cantorial Soloist
A multifaceted musician and Jewish spiritual leader. Throughout her career, she has sought to make high-quality music as a means to genuine connection and communication.
Cantorial Soloist Elizabeth Kerstein joined Temple Ahavat Shalom in 2021. She uses both music and teaching to create the spiritual tone of the TAS community alongside Rabbi Becky. She leads weekly services, conducts the High Holiday and children’s choirs, works with the B’nai Mitzvah students, and strives to enrich temple life for current and prospective members. Since coming to TAS, she has organized concerts, including a chamber music celebration of Shabbat Shira, and has taught numerous Adult B’nai Mitzvah and adult education classes.
Prior to beginning her cantorial career, Elizabeth was a classical musician and music teacher. She sang in the Baltimore, San Diego, and Santa Barbara Opera Choruses and performed principal roles with Pacific Opera Project and at the Southern Illinois Music Festival. Over the course of a decade, she was the alto soloist at Sinai Temple, Temple Judea, and Chizuk Amuno in Baltimore.
From 2018-2021, Elizabeth was on the voice faculty at California School for the Arts – San Gabriel Valley and taught classes through a partnership with Citrus College. She also ran a mentorship program on the CSArts campus, coaching high school students to teach music to local elementary schoolers.
Elizabeth is currently a cantorial student at the Academy for Jewish Religion California (AJRCA). She has been honored to represent her school by singing at the 2022 CA convention, as well as events at LMU and within the greater LA area.
Elizabeth returned to her native Los Angeles after studying voice at the Peabody Conservatory (MM) and St. Olaf College (BM Magna cum laude). She lives in Sherman Oaks with her son, Judah, and their cat, Paprika.
Community at Temple Ahavat Shalom
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Education at Temple Ahavat Shalom
Our Religious School combines a progressive and interactive program while providing a solid foundation in Reform Judaism.
Prayer at Temple Ahavat Shalom
As a Beit Tefillah – a House of Prayer – Temple Ahavat Shalom provides a place of spiritual nourishment and renewal for all in an often chaotic world.
