Hazzan Naomi Hirsch

Since 2004, Hazzan Naomi Hirsch has served the Philadelphia Jewish community by teaching students of all ages, including 10 years for the Morris Goodblatt Academy; working as a JFCS chaplain, as well as conducting community choirs. She travels (virtually, these days) to congregations around the world, as a guest cantor, scholar, and performer. She edits articles and books on Jewish topics.

At BTBJ, Hazzan Hirsch has been teaching Mussar since 2019. She is delighted to have the opportunity to teach Beginning Hebrew and Daf Yomi for BTBJ in Spring 2022.

Hazzan Hirsch received cantorial ordination; a Master of Sacred Music; and 25 years later, an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College-School of Sacred Music in New York City. A trailblazer for progressive Jewish women clergy, she was one of the first 14 women inducted into the Conservative movement’s Cantors Assembly in 1991, and subsequently, the first cantor to be employed full-time by Hillel International, as Assistant Director at Yale University. Hirsch has held full-time pulpits in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. She is very proud of her German Jewish heritage and her performances in Germany and Austria. At the same time, she has a passion for Yiddish language, music and culture. L’chayim!