Rachel Black

Rachel Black hails from Lawrence, Kansas, where she lives with her husband Eric and young daughter Cora. She has served synagogues in the region as a cantorial soloist, composer, religious school director, and more. 

Rachel is in the process of making one of her greatest dreams come true: she is a student at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School at JTS (Jewish Theological Seminary).

Like many of us in the Guild of Temple Musicians, Rachel’s love of music came early in life. As a young child, Rachel’s family lived in Jerusalem, and later moved to Rockville, Maryland, where she studied for her bat mitzvah at Congregation B’nai Tzedek. She began formal voice lessons that year. Rachel went on to earn her Bachelor of Music in Performance from Berklee College of Music. 

She has traveled the world, singing at commemorations and special events, most notably at the House of Representatives, the Knesset, the National Press Club, and Temple Israel of the City of New York. 

Rachel is a prolific songwriter. In addition to the secular music she’s written, she’s composed original music for Yom HaShoah, baby naming ceremonies, Yizkor, and Selichot themes. One of the reasons Rachel loves being a part of the GTM is the opportunity to meet other Jewish composers!

She says, “My Jewish life, family history, and deep connection to prayer through song carry me through my daily life, defining me, and shaping my role in my family.” Rachel senses a clarified call now, “to learn more and to focus my energy towards one clear purpose: To serve the community by leading through prayer and song.”