Leadership

 
Maggid (Spiritual Leader)
 
Maggid Jhos Singer has served the Coastside Jewish Community as its head teacher and service leader since January 2000. Jhos received smicha from Rabbi Gershon Winkler in 2002 as a Maggid -- literally "one who tells." The title of Maggid was used in the early Chassidic movement to describe a person of learning who was skilled in storytelling, preaching, counseling, teaching and singing.
 
Jhos holds a degree in music from UCLA, and spent many years working in a variety of occupations: oceanographic researcher, scuba diver, music teacher, fire fighter, symphonic percussionist, and barrista. Jhos's deep and inspirational teaching draws from this wildly diverse background. As a spiritual teacher and guide, Jhos is playful, creative and challenging. As a service leader, Jhos's enthusiasm, energy and reverent irreverence serve to inspire and uplift our community. Jhos is also a trusted and skilled pastoral counselor. In addition to working with CJC, Jhos has served on the faculty of Chochmat HaLev and other Bay Area Jewish institutions, and is an independent Jewish educator, lifecycle facilitator, and spiritual counselor.
 
Sheliach Tzibbur (Service Leader)
 
Julie Batz serves as the Coastside Jewish Community's Sheliach Tzibbur/Service Leader and liturgist. Her love for Jewish song and liturgy is evident in her work and has inspired, uplifted and energized CJC members since she arrived as its Sheliach Tzibbur/service leader in the fall of 2001.
 
Julie's calm and centered spiritual approach has made her a much appreciated presence in our congregation. She has a wonderful voice that is equally at home with traditional chazzanut (cantorial music), contemporary song and Torah chanting. Julie received her training in cantorial music, liturgy, and Jewish ritual practice from Hazzan Marc Dinkin of Congregation B'nai Shalom.
 
In addition to her work with CJC, Julie is the Director of Programs for Jewish Milestones, a non-profit community resource that provides education and referrals for Jewish lifecycle rituals. Julie also tutors traditional age and adult B'nai Mitzvah students, coaches cantorial soloists, and facilitates lifecycle rituals.