Shalom b’Harim Guest Leaders for High Holidays

High Holidays services for Shalom b’Harim, the Jewish community of the North Georgia Mountains, will be led by two experienced guest spiritual leaders from Florida – Rabbi Trienah Anne Meyers and Cantorial Soloist Dr. David Goldblatt.

The congregation is searching for a new spiritual leader following the recent departure of Rabbi Matan Peled, who accepted a pulpit in Massachusetts.

Rabbi Meyers has been deeply involved in synagogue leadership and communal life for more than 40 years. She recently was ordained as a rabbi in a nontraditional program that provided her with exposure and learning regarding diverse Jewish pathways. She serves as co-president of Temple Beth-El in Ormond Beach and previously served as president approximately 10 years ago.

She previously served congregations in New Mexico and Massachusetts. She holds a law degree and spent many years as a felony and death penalty public defender and advocate. She works for a nonprofit recovery community organization as part of its outreach team, primarily serving the unhoused community.

Goldblatt is an adjunct piano instructor at Bethune-Cookman University and an instructor of music and accompanist at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach. He also serves as a cantorial soloist and accompanist at Temple Beth-El in Ormond Beach, as well as the music director and accompanist at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ormond Beach. Goldblatt’s previous High Holiday pulpits include temples in Hattiesburg and Natchez, Miss.; and Gainesville, Fla.; and as well as at Hillel at the University of Florida.

He is a versatile musician with experience as an accompanist, violist, folk guitarist and vocalist.

Shalom b’Harim will offer Rosh Hashanah services at 10 a.m., Sept. 12, a Yom Kippur evening/Kol Nidre service at 7 p.m. Sept. 20, and a Yom Kippur morning/Yizkor service at 10 a.m., Sept. 21. All services take place at Unity of Gainesville, 3415 Stancil Road in Gainesville. Ticket information can be found at shalombharim.org.

The synagogue presents Friday evening and/or Saturday morning services as well as High Holidays services and an annual Passover Seder. It is oriented toward Reform/Conservative worship.

It is committed to Tikkun Olam activities, including an ongoing partnership with Georgia Mountain Food Bank.

More information about Shalom b’Harim is available at shalombharim.org and on its Facebook page.