TBHBA’s New Rabbi/Cantor

Temple Beth Hillel-Beth Abraham (TBH-BA) in Carmel, Cumberland County, announces that Rabbi-Cantor Rhoda Harrison, Ph.D. is the congregation’s new spiritual leader following the retirements of Rabbi Bradley Bleefeld and Cantor Marlena Taenzer.

Rabbi Harrison was ordained as Cantor by the Hebrew Union College Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. Later, she was ordained as Rabbi while pursuing a Ph.D. in Jewish studies from the former Baltimore Hebrew University, now housed at Towson University. She has worked in Reform synagogues in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Baltimore as both a Rabbi and a Cantor joining TBH-BA in July 2024. Rabbi Harrison has worked as a Spiritual Care provider (chaplain) in Level 1 trauma centers in New York City and Philadelphia. She is also a licensed social worker and currently works in the field of palliative and hospice care at Samaritan in Mt. Laurel, NJ.

Rabbi Harrison holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Trenton State College, now The College of New Jersey, a Master’s degree from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion-New York, a Ph.D. in Judaic & Rabbinic Studies from Baltimore Hebrew University/Towson University, and an MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work in New York City.

Among the professional organizations in which Rabbi Harrison is a member are the Social Work Hospice & Palliative Care Network and National Association of Jewish Chaplains. 

Rabbi Bleefeld, who joined TBH-BA in 2001 officiated his final service on June 28, 2024 and Cantor Taenzer’s was held on November 8, 2024. Cantor Taenzer joined the congregation in 1986. A ceremony, known as “Passing of the Torah” – the Holy Scriptures – was held on September 20, 2024 as a formal Installation of Rabbi Harrison. Rabbi Bleefeld passed away on February 20 after a lengthy illness.