Religious Committee

Come pray with me, and let us sing Shirat HaYam, the Song of the Sea, together. This is truly my most beloved Torah portion—Parashat B’shalach, from the Book of Exodus (chapter 13). It is a portion filled with drama, faith, fear, music, and miracles, and it invites us not only to remember our story, but to find ourselves within it.

In this parashah, God does not lead our people along the shortest or easiest route to freedom. Instead, we are taken on a winding journey through the wilderness—one that ultimately lasts forty years. Why does it take so long to reach the land flowing with milk and honey? Why doesn’t freedom come quickly or easily for us as a people? Why must liberation be accompanied by uncertainty, struggle, and so many moments of doubt?

These are some of the questions we will explore together on Friday evening. We will reflect on why our path was so long and why God did not make it easier for the Israelites. How did the people endure this long trek through the wilderness? Were there moments of gratitude and trust, or did fear and complaint dominate their experience? And perhaps most importantly—what does this journey teach us about ourselves, our faith, and our own lives today?

Freedom, the Torah teaches us, is not merely about escape—it is about transformation. Leaving Egypt was only the beginning. The wilderness became the place where a group of slaves slowly learned how to become a people, how to trust, how to hope, and how to live with purpose. In that same way, we are always in the midst of change—growing, questioning, and evolving alongside our Judaism. Our beautiful synagogue, too, is experiencing transformation. Growth is happening here. New energy, new voices, and new possibilities are emerging. Hiring me as your rabbi and cantor is part of that sacred transformation, and I feel deeply honored to be walking this journey with you. Together, may we find meaning in the long road, faith in the uncertain moments, and song even as the sea parts before us.

Cantor/Rabbi Rachelle Nelson was born and raised in Miami Beach Florida. She attended the University of Miami on a music scholarship in music education and minored in voice and theory composition. She also served as Cantorial soloist at her future congregation, Temple Israel of Greater Miami. 

Cantor Nelson is a major composer of Jewish music in the world today, and her compositions can be heard in almost every Reform and conservative synagogue (even Chabad), in the U.S. and Europe. She has received numerous rewards and honors for her contributions in music and her volunteerism within the community. 

After graduation from U.M., Rachelle applied to Hebrew Union College, School of Sacred Music in NYC, now known as the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. She was one of the very first women to enter the college to begin a five-year program. 

In her last two years of Cantorial School, Rachelle traveled weekly back and forth, New York to Miami and Miami to New York to serve as the Student Cantor at Temple Israel of Greater Miami. This would become her first long-term pulpit after graduation in 1984 for the next 8 years.

In 1991, Rachelle became the Cantor of Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest, Fla. She served Temple Beth Am for almost 30 years. During that time, Rachelle studied long distance at the Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk, (The Rabbinical Academy), and graduated on June 11, 2015, in New York. 

In the past three years, Cantor Nelson has had the joy and opportunity to serve Temple Israel once again as Cantor in Residence. She has been able to be part of an incredible community of very committed Jewish leaders. As this extraordinary congregation will be closing its doors after 103 years of service to the Jewish community, Rachelle is ready to embark on her next journey as Cantor/Rabbi for Shabbat eve. services at Cuban Hebrew Congregation on Miami Beach.

Cantor Nelson is an extremely proud mother of twin daughters, Dr. Rebecca Yaras (Dr. Reed Yaras and baby Samuel Harrison Yaras), and Leah Goldstein (Jesse Goldstein and baby Sarah Ella. Goldstein). She is also mother of Lyla Nelson, a trained 14-pound service dog whose Hebrew is better than her moms.

Cantor Nelson feels blessed everyday of her life!