New Music Director Joins Temple Beth Israel in Skokie
Skokie, IL (August 2, 2011)—Marla Aviva Bentley has joined Temple Beth Israel as Music Director it was announced today by Lorence Merritt, President of the Reform congregation in Skokie.
In this new position Marla will be conducting Koleynu (TBI’s adult volunteer choir) and will lead music for all services: Shabbat; the High Holy Days; and holidays and festivals throughout the year. Marla will also teach at TBI’s religious school, which is accredited through the National Association of Temple Educators (NATE).
All of us at Temple Beth Israel are thrilled to welcome Marla Bentley to our professional staff team,” said Rabbi Michael A. Weinberg. “I look forward to sharing many sacred moments together and integrating Marla and her family into the fabric of our diverse TBI family. I know that she will help us lift our voices to ‘sing a new song to God.’”
“It's a pleasure listening to Marla – her technical prowess is only exceeded by her intention that the listener feel the feelings associated with the music,” said Merritt. “Marla's voice can change the mood of the listener within moments. She is a blessing to Temple Beth Israel.”
“It is such an honor to be here at Temple Beth Israel where there is a great unity of music and prayer,” said Marla. “My Reform side welcomes the music at Shabbat services, my Conservative side loves the traditional chants, and TBI’s music-filled Kabbalat Shabbat special service reminds me of the warmth and togetherness of the camp experience. And I so look forward to working with the adult volunteer choir – Koleynu, who are a wonderful group of dedicated singers, and students from TBI’s highly acclaimed Religious and Hebrew Schools.”
An avid educator and deeply committed to fostering a sense of Jewish identity through music, Marla was born and raised in Detroit. She studied Choral Music Education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and graduated with honors in 2003. In 2010, Marla completed her Master of Music degree in Vocal Pedagogy at Oakland University in Rochester. Her Master’s project, a lecture-recital entitled, Shirat Kodesh: Sacred Cantorial Repertoire, has earned her significant academic acclaim. In addition to her musical studies, Marla is passionate about her continuing cantorial education. Though not formally ordained, Marla is a member of the Guild of Temple Musicians and studies each summer at Mifgash Musicale at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. Marla also attends Hava Nashira, a summer music and songleading workshop at the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute.
Marla has served as Music Educator and Cantorial Soloist for Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy, Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, as well as High Holy Day Soloist for Congregation Havurim in Temecula, California. In her hometown of West Bloomfield, Marla taught private voice lessons for a studio of over 30 students, and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Marla made her conducting debut at the Michigan Opera Theatre, directing the Summer Operetta Workshop in 2006. As a performer, Marla has recorded over 24 operettas with the Comic Opera Guild for the National Library of Congress Archives Collection.
Marla is married to Newell F. Bentley III and they live in Morton Grove with their two children Hannah Jane and Jaret Evan.
Temple Beth Israel, a Reform congregation, is located at 3601 W. Dempster St., Skokie. For more information call 847-675-0951 or visit www.tbiskokie.org.
####
