View Bella Bogart's resume.

Bella’s lifelong love affair with Jewish liturgy and music began over 40 years ago, in a small Young Israel synagogue in the Bronx. Across the mechitzah, Bella and her father would harmonize for hours each Shabbat and holiday. Her years in Hebrew Day Schools, Upper School and Jewish Camps reinforced Bella’s connection to Judaism and its melodies. While still in High School, she released her first album, filled with original settings for selections from Tehillim (Psalms).

After college at Rutgers University, Bella returned to New York City and spent 2 years focusing on private vocal training. She then married and moved to Broward County Florida. Soon after, Bella was offered her first pulpit position at Ramat Shalom, a Reconstructionist congregation in Plantation, FL. What began as a part-time soloist’s position quickly evolved into the role of full-time cantor.

Bella’s service at Ramat Shalom extended for eighteen years. She created a vibrant, festive musical atmosphere, playing guitar and blending traditional nusach with contemporary song. Under her direction, a forty-member volunteer choir developed, contributing to the joyful experience. Her skill set on the Bimah also includes Torah & Haftarah trope, and blowing Shofar. During her two decades in South Florida, Bella matured as a community leader, learning pastoral and interpersonal skills from her rabbis and developing as a teacher of Hebrew, Torah, Talmud and Jewish Spiritual practice to boht High School students as well as adults.

During this time, Bella’s other musical endeavors included eight years as the lead singer of a Wedding & Bar Mitzvah party band, directing children’s musical theater, as well as directing & performing in adult community theater and teaching voice and drama. She also joined with Cantorial Soloist Debbie Hafetz, to form the duo “Lev Orah.” Together, they released three CD’s (two studio and one live). Bella and Debbie performed together for five years, in communities throughout the country.

In 2000, California beckoned. Since her arrival, Bella has served in several capacities, including three years as the Spiritual Leader of Congregation B’nai Israel, an unaffiliated synagogue in Vallejo and four years as the Cantor and Educator of Congregation Beth Shalom, the Reform synagogue in Napa.

Two additional CDs have emerged, one of original Pop/Folk music and a brand new release of Jewish Meditation Chants, tefillot and psalms.

This spring, Bella took a break from full-time Bimah service and accepted a position as the Educator at Beth Chaim Congregation in Danville. She is looking forward to focusing her energy not only on her new community, but also on her pursuit of ordination as a Jewish Renewal rabbi through the ALEPH program.