Cantor Joseph Flaxman

Cantor Joseph Flaxman joined the Temple Beth Am family as an associate cantor and Rambam Day School’s Director of Judaic Studies in 2024. He is a passionate and dynamic worship leader dedicated to creating accessible and joyful Jewish experiences through communal music. Cantor Flaxman was ordained by the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, where he was the recipient of the Tisch/Star Fellowship, a program founded and overseen by Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman. He is committed to bringing people together and helping them connect deeply to Jewish life and tradition.

Cantor Flaxman found his musical inspiration as a child in Succasunna, New Jersey. Raised in a home alive with the sounds of classic rock, folk, classical, and Jewish music, he nurtured a love of singing and a dream of merging his faith and artistic talents. Cantor Flaxman received a Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, from SUNY Fredonia and a Master of Music, summa cum laude, from the Manhattan School of Music. Before his cantorial career, he performed in leading and supporting opera roles at venues including the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Munich Philharmonic, and La Palacio del Opera in Spain, among others. He has earned numerous awards and honors from organizations such as the Liederkranz Foundation, the Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition, the Opera Index, the Bel Canto Foundation, and the Competizione dell’Opera. Additionally, he performed at the MacGraw Hill Young Artist Showcase on WQXR and NPR.

During his international opera career, Cantor Flaxman deepened his Jewish identity by visiting and singing at progressive synagogues worldwide. Celebrating Shabbatot and chagim with diverse communities was a meaningful highlight of his travels. Inspired by his experience singing in the choir at Park Avenue Synagogue and guided by Cantors Azi Schwartz and David Lefkowitz, he discovered the modern Reform Cantorate as a pathway to foster profound connections through communal music, personal encounters, and lifelong learning. Cantor Flaxman strongly believes in community-building and inclusive engagement, striving to help others find meaning, comfort, and inspiration in Jewish rituals and songs.

Outside of his professional life, Cantor Flaxman enjoys making gelato, staying active—he ran his first marathon in 2016—and exploring new ways to integrate body, mind, and spirit. He resides with his wife Laura, a mezzo-soprano, and their two energetic sons, Elias and Isaiah. Their home is filled with love, laughter, and music, accompanied by their beloved and delightfully sleepy havapoo, Ziggy.