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Columbus, OH

Cantor Jack Chomsky served Congregation Tifereth Israel of Columbus, Ohio for his entire career – from 1982 to 2020. Cantor Chomsky was co-founder and director of KOLEINU, the Jewish Community Chorus of Columbus, and a leading activist in social justice and interfaith programs in central Ohio. He was a founding member of the organization We Believe Ohio, and President of B.R.E.A.D. (Building Responsibility, Equality And Dignity), a local community action organization.

He retired as Cantor Emeritus in 2020 and moved to Tel Aviv, Israel, where he continues to be active in many aspects of Jewish life. A graduate of Brown University and the Cantors Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary, he is Past President of the Cantors Assembly, the world’s largest cantorial organization, where he served as Editor of the Journal of Synagogue Music, the semi‑annual national publication of the Cantors Assembly, from 1988 until 1994, and continues in active leadership in the organization from abroad.

He is an accomplished musician, both as baritone and as pianist, composer and conductor. He was also active in community affairs and interfaith programming throughout his career and continues to be engaged in civic life in Israel. He twice appeared as Tevye in sold-out productions of Fiddler on the Roof in Columbus, including once with his wife, Susan Gellman, appearing as Golde.

Susan is a well-regarded attorney and expert on American Constitutional Law and an accomplished and active actor. Susan and Jack are avid travelers and have been to many different corners of the world.