Cantor Kim Harris

Cantor Kim Harris joined the clergy of Temple Beth-El in 2002 after receiving her Master’s of Sacred Music and cantorial investiture from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Cantor Harris began her career as an educator following the completion of her studies in English at the University of South Carolina and earning a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the College of Charleston. Over the years Cantor Harris became more heavily involved in Jewish music through teaching religious school and participating in the synagogue choir.  Eventually she found herself leading many of the services in her home congregation and traveling all over the Southeast to perform and conduct worship services, often serving in a cantorial role for regional Women of Reform Judaism conventions.  These experiences inspired her to combine her passion for teaching with her love of Jewish music by seeking the cantorate.

While a student at HUC – JIR, Cantor Harris was awarded a number of scholarships and prizes, including the Ellen Stettner Prize for a student who shows the most promise in the Reform cantorate, the Women of Reform Judaism Prize for a student who shows the most academic progress, and the Cleveland Cantors Prize for excellence in cantorial studies.  Her Master's thesis, Southern Voices: The History and Music of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, Charleston, South Carolina, was awarded academic honors, one of only two to be given this distinction.  Cantor Harris often serves as a consultant for those studying the music of early Jewish America.  When not teaching or fulfilling other cantorial duties, Cantor Harris enjoys singing with Kol Zimrah – the Jewish Community Singers of Chicago, and spending time with her husband Brian and children Nathan and Dana.