Rav Hazzan Ken Richmond

After 16 years of service as Temple Israel’s cantor, Rav Hazzan* Ken Richmond became our Co-Senior Rabbi in 2022. In this role, he is delighted to be working closely with Rabbi Weiss, our professional staff, and our dedicated lay leadership in shaping the present and future of the congregation. He hopes that together, we can create opportunities for meaningful Jewish experiences, growth, and connection. Prior to becoming our Co-Senior Rabbi, Rav Hazzan Richmond received Rabbinical Ordination from Hebrew College in 2021.

Rav Hazzan Richmond first joined the Temple Israel family in the summer of 2006, as the community’s cantor. This was two years after he graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary’s H.L. Miller Cantorial School in 2004, a recipient of a Wexner Graduate Fellowship. Ever since, he has enjoyed leading the congregation in participatory prayer, teaching and learning with students of all ages, and working with the staff and lay leaders to build and develop the community. Rav Hazzan Richmond created the “Music of TI” section of the Temple website, from which you can learn to read Torah and Haftarah, browse songs for holidays, and get familiar with some of the melodies we use in our services.

Rav Hazzan Richmond was a member of the Rabbinical Assembly Mahzor Committee, which produced the Lev Shalem Mazhor that we use for High Holiday services. He has founded several klezmer bands, including the Klezmaniacs, Fish Street Klezmer, and the Richmond-Shazeer Family Band. Ken and Shira are raising their children in a Yiddish speaking household and annually attend Yiddish Week. Ken enjoys hiking, biking, and swimming when he gets the chance. In 2015, Rav Hazzan Ken was chosen by the Jewish Daily Forward as one of 21 Jewish Voices That Move Us. Click here to email Rav Hazzan Richmond.

*Rav Hazzan is Hebrew for “Rabbi Cantor” and flows off the tongue a little bit better.