Cantor Ben Ellerin is the cantor and music director of Temple Israel of Northern Westchester in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Formerly serving the pulpits of Park Avenue Synagogue and Congregation Rodeph Sholom in Manhattan, and congregations Darchei Noam and Tzur Hadassah in Israel, he is devoted to the integration of sacred music with Jewish education and community. Cantor Ellerin’s love for Judaism animates his work in the synagogue, whether leading a congregation in High Holy Day prayers or singing folk songs in the sukkah, teaching trope to b’nai mitzvah students or ritual skills to adult learners. Each interaction is an opportunity to share his enthusiasm and pride for Judaism’s rich history and culture.
A diverse background as a musician, composer, and conductor allows Cantor Ellerin to bring versatility to synagogue life on and off the bimah. He brings a fresh perspective to worship services and community events through new compositions, innovative programs, thematic shabbatot, and concerts.
In addition to his work within the synagogue, Cantor Ellerin has appeared as a guest soloist in concerts throughout the wider Jewish community, featuring repertoire spanning a wide array of classical, Israeli, Jewish, Yiddish, American folk, and contemporary music, as well as his own original works. His contributions as a conductor include recording four albums produced by Park Avenue Synagogue which catalogue their contemporary and historical commissions of Jewish music, including his own Ahavah Rabbah and Birkat HaChodesh. His popular Ahavah Rabbah was performed by the URJ Biennial Choir at the 2015 Union for Reform Judaism Biennial convention, in consecutive years at the Hava Nashira Songleading Workshop, and in Jewish communities and camps across North America, Europe, and Israel. His work is published by Transcontinental Music Publishing, where he serves as an active member of their review committee, and contributed to the American Conference of Cantors’ recently published Ruach 5777 Songbook.
Cantor Ellerin was ordained in 2015 by Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion, where he was awarded a Master’s degree in Sacred Music. He completed his undergraduate studies in Vocal Performance at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music with additional focus in Jewish Studies. Inspired by transformative experiences singing in and conducting choirs, he continued his education at Indiana University, earning a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting. During his graduate studies, Cantor Ellerin sought to create a new platform for meaningful Jewish music on campus. He founded and served as music director of Hooshir, Indiana University's first Jewish a cappella group. While music director, he led the group in a performance tour of Washington, D.C., culminating in a concert by invitation at the White House.
Cantor Ellerin and his wife, Lily, live in Tarrytown, NY with their dog, Larry. They enjoy perusing local farmers’ markets and hiking through the beautiful Hudson Valley.