High Holidays: Meet Our Service Leaders
Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman has been Shaarei Shamayim's rabbi for over twenty years. In 2003 she was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and became the congregation’s second rabbi. She will lead all of the congregation’s High Holiday services and stop into the children’s services to tell stories. She is also the director of Gesher, our congregation's children's education program. Throughout the year she leads services and life cycle events, provides pastoral care, and runs our bnei mitzvah program and adult education courses. If you’re new, feel free to her full bio and High Holiday sermons from previous years.
Julia Banchik is thrilled to return this year as our cantorial soloist for High Holiday services. Julia has been a member of Shaarei Shamayim since she was five years old. She frequently leads Shabbat morning services, is a skilled Torah and Haftarah reader, served as a Hebrew school teacher for several years in our Gesher program, and does b'nei mitzvah tutoring. Julia works as an Educational and Behavioral Consultant at a psychotherapy clinic in Madison. In her spare time, Julia enjoys going on walks, reading, studying Jewish history and spirituality, and watching period dramas.
Aviv Kammay has been our community song leader for 14 years. He plays guitar at children’s services and Shabbat and holiday celebrations. This year he will lead Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur children’s services. Born in Tel Aviv, he is a music educator, Beatles scholar, and composer. He has a Master’s of Music Education from Northwestern University and currently works as a music teacher at Wingra School. He was the music director at Olin Sang Ruby Jewish summer camp for many years and founded Madison Mystery Tour, Madison’s Beatles cover band.
Enid Williams is our High Holiday Music Coordinator. She works closely with Rabbi Laurie and Julia in organizing these services. She organizes High Holiday Song and leads their rehearsals. She is also the liaison to our individual soloists, Coordinating Committee, and High Holiday planning team. Enid has been a member of Shaarei Shamayim and High Holiday Song for many years. She loves to sing, play clarinet, and garden. Enid also spins wool into yarn, and works doing clothing alteration.