One Minute With... Matt Axelrod

By Libby Barsky
July 18, 2008
 

Name: Matt Axelrod

Occupation: Cantor at Congregation Beth Israel, Scotch Plains

Address: Fanwood

Family: Married 17 years to Talli, assistant principal of Mauger Middle School, Middlesex. They have two sons, Judah, 12, and Josh, 10. Brother Howie is a psychologist married to Susan. They have two girls. Brother Rob is an attorney married to Nancy. They have 2 boys. Parents Saul and Muriel Axelrod live in Beverly, Mass.

Community activities: A member of the Scotch Plains -- Fanwood Ministerium and Past President of the Cantors Assembly New Jersey.

Hobbies: Anything aviation related. "I'm a licensed pilot and flight instructor and fly a Piper Cherokee out of Central Jersey Regional Airport in Manville. It's the fulfillment of a dream I've had since I was a child."

Self-portrait: "I love Jewish music and one of the most satisfying parts of my job is being able to share that with kids and adults. As you can imagine, a large portion of my time is spent working with b'nai mitzvah students. It's wonderful watching them progress from a timid beginner into a self assured presence on the bimah. I try very hard to make learning a fun and enjoyable experience for all ages."

Motto: "Life is too short!"

Greatest accomplishment: "Marrying my wife and having my wonderful family."

Bad habits: "I think I can spend too much time online and writing emails. Now I've discovered texting, which is probably bad news."

Favorite TV show: "Since 'The Sopranos' went off the air, I'd have to say '24'."

Best childhood memory: "Our family seders every year when I was a kid. They always included the entire extended family and we would all sing the entire night, and even after the seder was over. It was something to look forward to each year."

People don't know that I... "Dream of one day singing the national anthem at Fenway Park."

Last book I read: "Honestly, I don't remember. I read a ton of books and I particularly enjoy legal and political suspense, techno-thrillers, science fiction, and authors like Tom Clancy."

The biggest asset in the local Jewish communities: "Without a doubt, it's the vast resource of the community itself. We have such a diverse and generous population -- always happy to help out, whether it be through financial donations or volunteering time and energy. Our Jewish community is strong, proud, and committed."

The biggest problem in the local Jewish communities: "It's probably the fact that everyone today is pulled in so many different directions. For the average Jewish family, there is the commitment of religious school, training and preparation for b'nai mitzvah, synagogue attendance, and with secular activities that are important and healthy for kids and adults -- sports, music, and local civic and school affiliations. I think that sometime the demands of being Jewish, either financial, spiritual, or educational are just seen as more competition for a family's time and energy."

If I had more time I would... "write a book for b'nai mitzvah students and their parents on how to get through the whole experience based on everything I've seen and heard over l the 18 years that I've been training kids."