Hazzan Barukh Solomon

I was once an ambitious young mathematician who happened to love playing guitar. Until my late 30’s, I would have told you I couldn’t sing.

Then I stumbled into Torah-leyning, and when my voice gave sonic shape to Torah, I felt like I had discovered a long-lost twin brother.

Leyning led to traditional service leading, and then to leading renewal services with voice and guitar both. I grew fascinated with the art of creating sacred space. For many years, I strove on my own — and with my talented beshert, Sue Swartz — trying to make myself a sulam — a ladder — that could lift my community through music and prayer.

After many years — at the end of 2019 — I retired from my professorship.
Within weeks, out of the blue, a friend introduced me to the AOP through Hazzan Jack Kessler of blessed memory, which…hmmm…seemed like it might offer me the chance to rise higher as a musician, as a shaliach, and maybe even as a human being.

Vayehi kein – and so it did.

The amazing people in this program — students and faculty — showed me depths of tradition and heights of being I didn’t even know existed. Without expecting it, I had joined a host of holy creatures who daily don the yoke of heaven and give each other loving permission to sanctify our Creator — with gentle spirit, with clear language, and with holy melody.

I overflow with gratitude to the Holy Blessed One for the health, time, and resources — internal external, material, and human — that have ferried me to this radically amazing moment. I’m especially grateful for the guides and teachers I’ve encountered along the way:

My parents who raised me with loving care and Jewish pride.

My treasured daughters Naima, Lonica, and Leah, who have enriched my life beyond measure.

Rabbi Mira Wasserman, who first noticed and nurtured a hazzan hiding inside a mathematician.

My Bloomington kehilla for accepting my imperfect offerings with love and support these many years.
My late, revered mentor, Hazzan Jack Kessler z”l, who shared his deep mastery of hazzanut with such astounding skill, warmth, generosity, and humor.

Leon Olenick for dragging me to Jack’s door and knocking on it for me.

My spiritual director Lavey Derby for his steady, perceptive, and knowing guidance.

My voice teacher, Peter Volpe, for helping me get (and give) more from my rickety instrument.

Rabbi Marcia Prager, my rebbe, whose deep teaching and amazing example inspire me profoundly.

And…Sue, who has nourished me with her love for almost 30 years now.