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Rabbi Nicole Luna, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, received her B.A. in Cognitive Science and Jewish Studies from the University of Virginia in 2006. Rabbi Luna received a M.A. in Hebrew Literature in 2010 and ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City in 2011, where she was the recipient of the Bonnie and Daniel Tisch Fellowship, a prestigious fellowship meant to foster future transformational rabbinical leaders.

Rabbi Luna served for five years as solo rabbi at Congregation Bayt Shalom in Greenville, NC. During her time in rabbinical school, Rabbi Luna was greatly enriched by her student pulpit at Temple Beth Israel in Altoona, PA, summer rabbinic residency at Temple Israel in Omaha, NE and chaplaincy internship at New York University Langone Medical Center. She also engaged in interfaith work through Auburn Theological Seminary’s Center for Multifaith Education.

Rabbi Luna is blessed to share her life with her husband Joe Bord and young daughter, Zara Luna-Bord.

Personal Statement from Rabbi Luna

Cantor Richard Bessman, an invested Cantor from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America and members of the Cantors Assembly and of the American Conference of Cantors, begins his tenure at Temple Beth El on October 1st. Many of you heard his beautiful tenor voice at the audition. We anticipate that adding Cantor Bessman to our temple family will be a blessing for many years to come.

Coming to us from Madison, Wisconsin, Cantor Bessman is an experienced cantor, music teacher, religious school teacher, and education director, having served congregations across the United States and in Luxembourg and Israel. he brings his love for Jewish music and lifelong learning to our congregation.