Cantor Susan L. Levine has served the Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation – Emek Shalom since 1979. Cantor Levine began her vocal study at the Juilliard School of Music, Preparatory Division.  She is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music with degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education.

She received her Cantorial Certification and Investiture from the Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion, School of Sacred Music. In addition, Cantor Levine has earned a Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling at St. Joseph College. She is licensed by the state of Connecticut as a Professional Counselor and maintains a private practice with Bethany Pastoral Counseling Services. Cantor Levine will also be co-facilitating a group this year at Jewish Family Services in West Hartford for Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others.

In her work at the synagogue, Cantor Levine presents a Jewish Music Series each year that is comprised of three Shabbat Services that focuses on a variety of aspects of Jewish music. These Sermons-in-Song are dedicated to teaching the congregation about the rich variety of Jewish Music in our liturgy, history and culture. She also presents a Klezmer Shabbat series during the year that features a Klezmer Band accompanying the music of the service.

Cantor Levine teaches music in the FVJC – Emek Shalom Religious School and co-teaches the synagogue 8th through 10th grade Midrashei Chayim (Lifelong Learning) program which leads our students to Confirmation. She teaches all of our B’nai Mitzvah students as well.

Cantor Levine was the first woman chairperson of the Simsbury Clergy Association. She has also been active in Interfaith concerts and activities in the Greater Hartford area. She has facilitated a Jewish Women’s Spirituality groups within the synagogue and in the Jewish community which focused on studying Jewish ritual and holidays through the unique perspective of women. Cantor Levine has taught workshops on Jewish music and prayer and other Judaic topics. She was a 1999 recipient of the Woman of Valor Award presented by the Women’s Branch of the Greater Hartford Jewish Federation. Cantor Levine has also performed extensively in the Greater Hartford area in cantorial concerts, as a guest soloist with area orchestras and choruses as well as on radio and television.