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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 2, 2008
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A wonderful match for a musical mom WHERE ARE THEY NOW? by JOAN K. MARCUS In 1998, when it was announced that Cantor Jennifer Blum was coming to Omaha to be the cantor at Temple Israel, members of the search committee said that she was lovely to look at and that she
Omaha as wonderful. She maintains that Temple Israel is the warmest congregation she has ever served. “I still have many friends at Temple and I was welcomed and embraced from the beginning of my service. I have stayed in touch and my colleagues and Rabbi Debbie Stiel and Rabbi Azriel, are still my partners, mentors and friends,� she said. “I deeply cherish the opportunity I had to work with and learn from my clergy
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Kevin Seeger and Cantor Jennifer Blum Seeger hold their two-year-old son, Charlie. “sang like an angel.� They weren’t wrong associates. Larry Roffman was president on either account. Temple was her first of the congregation when I was hired and full time pulpit and she served the con- Paul Epstein succeeded him. They were gregation until 2001. both helpful and supportive.� A search turned her up back in her Leaving Omaha and Temple Israel was Twin Cities hometown. She is now mar- difficult for her. “I was fortunate to begin ried to Kevin Seeger and has an two-year- a pulpit back in my hometown. Mount old son, Charlie. Kevin is principal and Zion Temple in St. Paul was looking for a managing partner for franchised cantor to job share with Cantor Rachel Blockbuster Video Stores and commer- Spilker -- the congregation’s first full cial real estate development projects. time cantor. She had served the congreIn 1994, she received a Bachelor of gation since 1997 and was searching the Arts from Northwestern University in country for a colleague to share cantorial Evanston, IL. Her major was music edu- duties, teaching responsibilities and pascation with a specialization in vocal per- toral care,� she said. formance. She went on to earn a Master’s “It was a dream come true to return Degree in sacred music and was invested home to the Twin Cities. I jumped at the as a cantor at Hebrew Union College- opportunity and served Mount Zion for Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem six years. Just this past June, I have decidand New York. ed to take some time away from the canWhen she heard of the job opening in torate to stay home and be a full time Omaha, she said she was curious because mom to Charlie� she heard that Omaha was a “miniAfter coming back to the Minneapolis Minneapolis.� Since she was very fond of area, someone gave Jennifer’s phone her hometown, she pursued working number to Kevin Seeger, who had just here more seriously. moved into the area. However, his life “While I had heard such wonderful got busy and her phone number was set things about the community in Omaha aside. He later enrolled in a local Jewish and the warmth of the people, it was the dating service where Jennifer was a new fabulous reputation of the congregation’s member. “The matchmakers immediately senior Rabbi, Aryeh Azriel, that made me gave him my number and exclaimed that so eager to accept the position. During we were ‘Perfect for each other!’� the interview process, it just felt like a She added, “We went out several times, wonderful match and I knew that Omaha but at that stage in our lives, timing and was the place for me!� she explained. circumstances were not in our favor. Two “Musically, my time in Omaha was very years later, a second mutual family friend gratifying. The congregation has a rich was introduced to Kevin. Since she was history of and an appreciation for Jewish unaware of our past history, our friend cantorial music. They were open and didn’t waste any time. He called and eager for me to use my recent cantorial strongly suggested that I phone Kevin education and, everything I tried to do and meet him again. The third time was was warmly accepted. I found that it was definitely the charm and we were married a joy to work with both the professional three years after our first date.� and volunteer choirs.� Charlie seems to have inherited some of Cantor Seeger had served student pul- his mother’s musical talent. “The thing pits at Temple Beth El in South Bend, that puts the biggest smile on his face is Indiana, and Temple Shearith Israel in dancing to his ‘Music Together’ CDs Ridgefield, Connecticut. So, for her, the while he claps his hands. Although Kevin transition to Omaha was an easy one. appreciates beautiful music, he is certainShe recalls, “I was eager to get back to ly not a musical person.� the Midwest since I had been on the East Cantor Seeger noted that “Leaving Coast for four years during my cantorial Omaha was very difficult. I always joke to training. I am a Midwest girl at heart and Kevin and tell him if I had met him in it was a pleasure to return to friendly peo- Omaha, we’d still be there today. I will ple and a less frenetic pace.� always have a special place in my heart for She remembers her three years in Omaha and the people!�