Cantorial Assistant Sarene Appelbaum

     Sarene Appelbaum was born and raised in Warwick, New York. Her connection to Jewish music began at a very young age with songwriting and solo performances.  Her first award-winning composition, written and performed in 2nd grade for Temple Beth Shalom of Florida, was “Mommy, Mommy, look at me, me and Judah Macabee.” 

     Sarene’s exploration of Jewish music went on a hiatus while she pursued her interest in secular music and completed a degree in music business/vocal performance from William Paterson University in New Jersey.
Sarene performed on stage in New York, New Jersey and South Carolina in many genres including classical, musical theater, and solo singer-songwriter.

      In 2002 Sarene took a position as cantorial soloist for Congregation Beth Yam of Hilton Head, South Carolina and reconnected with the music that has truly captured her heart and soul. While living in South Carolina Sarene studied music education at the University of South Carolina and taught general music in the public school system.  Sarene moved to Maryland in 2006 after marrying her husband Michael, where she continued to teach secular and Jewish music to children for several congregations in the DC metro area as well as serve as cantorial soloist for Congregation Kol Ami in Frederick, Maryland and Congregation Hevrat Shalom of Gaithersburg, Maryland.

     Sarene is thrilled to be joining Congregation B’nai Israel as Cantorial Assistant.  She is excited to be working with our talented clergy and hopes to become an integral part of this warm and vibrant community.