Cantor David Bentley, M.Sac.Mus.

Ordained Cantor

Registered Clergy

 David Bentley received "Investiture" (i.e. ordination as a cantor) from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC) in New York in May, 2000 before an invited congregation of 2,000 people. The first Australian to receive such Investiture, he is the only invested cantor working in the Australasian Region.

 Whereas a rabbi's spiritual leadership can be said to stem from his or her thorough knowledge of Torah, Talmud and other sacred texts, the core of a cantor's connection with Jewish spirituality arises more from his/her extensive grounding in our sacred music and the interplay between liturgical text and its accompanying chant.

 David's professional studies were undertaken in Jerusalem and New York at HUC over a 5 year period. Being the major training institute for rabbis, cantors, educators and others wishing to serve the community in professional capacities, David shared many classes with rabbinic students. His comprehensive training as a Spiritual Leader included courses in:

Ø      Pastoral counselling

Ø      Hospital chaplaincy/sick visiting

Ø      Jewish History & Philosophy

Ø      Congregational Management

Ø      Classroom Methods

 After serving as both Cantor and Religious School Director in a 300-family congregation near San Francisco for more than three years, David returned to Australia in early 2004.

 Cantor Bentley’s support to Brisbane Progressive Jewish Congregation includes Shabbat services, educational classes, life-cycle ceremonies and associated spiritual counselling as appropriate. He is also available for individual tuition for Bar / Bat Mitzvah and a wide range of Jewish and Hebraic subjects. He can be contacted through our contact page or 0424 100 473.