Originally from Montreal, Cantor Ari Isenberg moved to Halifax in 2005 to assume the spiritual leadership of Shaar Shalom Congregation.  In addition to enhancing Shabbat and Holiday services with liturgy and sermons, Cantor Isenberg is also active in the community at large, frequently addressing Halifax’s interfaith organizations and guest lecturing at local universities and high schools.  His contributions include commentary in Halifax’s local newspapers, and guest appearances on radio and television.

One of The Cantor’s Most Memorable Moments

Passover 2006.
On one of the nights of Chol Hamoed, I was invited out to a local bar to celebrate the birthday of a Jewish university student.  I knew that a number of Jewish students would be there that night, and I decided to pursue what I believed to be a hopeless attempt to persuade the bar owner to let me bring kosher for Passover wine into the bar.  To my utter surprise, the bar owner agreed and I was able to supply the Jewish students with kosher for Passover wine and plastic cups – unprecedented ritual in a Halifax bar!

Was this an instance of divine intervention?  Perhaps.  What is certain is that kashrut was observed that night in the most unlikely of places and circumstances.

On Training for the Rabbinate

 A passion for Jewish liturgical music, a strong Jewish education, and a close bond with the clergy of Montreal’s Conservative synagogues as I was growing up are all significant factors that reinforced my desire to become a member of the clergy.  I had always assumed that I would pursue a career as a cantor because of my love of Jewish music.  When I assumed the spiritual leadership of Shaar Shalom in Halifax a few years ago, not only did I discover the rabbinate from an entirely new perspective, but also awakened within me was a sense of the true importance in comforting those in despair, rejoicing with those in celebration, organizing Jewish cultural programming, and educating those with a desire for knowledge.  It was in Halifax that I discovered my true calling – becoming a congregational rabbi.

E-mail the Cantor