We are delighted to share that Daniel Mutlu, one of the foremost cantorial voices in this country, will be joining Central Synagogue’s clergy team as Senior Cantor, effective July 1, 2017. Cantor Mutlu will work with our gifted Cantor Julia Cadrain, and together they will continue to elevate our musical leadership, weekly Shabbat worship, holiday celebrations, and b’nei mitzvah preparation for children and adults.

Cantor Mutlu graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 2001, and after teaching music in the public school system and serving as a cantorial soloist at Temple Emanuel of Worcester, he pursued a Master’s Degree in Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. Upon ordination in 2008 he was honored to serve as Cantor of Community Synagogue of Rye, NY. For the last six years, Cantor Mutlu has served as the senior cantor at Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, Texas, a 1,600 family congregation. We’re thrilled he will be bringing to Central his extraordinary talent, presence, prestige, collegiality, and warmth.

We want to thank the lay leaders who were part of the search team, led by trustee Shonni Silverberg. They included Barbara Fedida Brill, Kenneth Heitner, Alan Herman, LeElle Krompass, Richard Markowitz, Sara Moss, Shelly Palmer, Ed Skloot, Marc Stern, Stephanie Stiefel, and Linda Zaro. Their dedication and thoughtfulness were remarkable and appreciated.

We will find time in the spring for Cantor Mutlu to visit our congregation ahead of his move to New York. In the meantime, I hope you will take a moment to watch the brief video clips below of him singing, including his stirring rendition of Avinu Malkeinu.

We could not be more delighted that Cantor Mutlu will be shepherding the musical vision at Central, in close collaboration with Cantor Cadrain. Please join us in welcoming Dan, his wife Nina, and their kids Saya, Dorie Sue, and Jake to Central, and wishing them all a hearty Mazel Tov!