Cantor Elihu Flax, who directs religious services at Beth Sholom Village, is the new president of the Board of Rabbis and Cantors of Hampton Roads.
The board addresses issues pertaining to the Jewish community as they relate to the area’s Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform synagogues, including reacting to Jewish community concerns and sharing information with other Jewish organizations.
“It means a lot to me,” says Cantor Flax, who has a master’s degree in Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary and graduated from JTS’ cantorial school.
“It represents a continuation of a family legacy. My father was a founder of a New York synagogue, and my mother was president of its Sisterhood,” says Flax. “Additionally, my grandfather was a mohel in the Orthodox movement, and my brother was a professional in the Jewish Federation. I have a love for this Jewish community and the importance of all the movements in Judaism.”
Flax was the cantor at Temple Israel in Norfolk before assuming his current position at Beth Sholom Village in 2003.