Jenni Asher, a 37-year-old musician from California, is on the brink of making history. Next spring, she will become the first black woman in the United States to be ordained as a cantor. This milestone comes after a remarkable journey that began in London’s synagogues and led her to embrace Judaism.
From London Synagogues to Jewish Cantorship
Asher’s path to the cantorship started about 15 years ago in London. As a young music student, she frequently attended services at the Central Synagogue. The synagogue’s strong musical tradition captivated her.
“I still remember the men’s choir,” Asher recalls. “Their Avinu Malkeinu was incredible.” This experience sparked her interest in Jewish liturgical music. It set her on a path that would eventually lead to her conversion and career choice.
A Musical Prodigy’s Spiritual Quest
Asher’s musical talents were evident from an early age. She studied at prestigious institutions like the Royal Academy of Music in London. Her skills span classical, jazz, and contemporary genres.
Despite her versatility, Asher chose the cantorship for a deeper reason. “I wanted to surround myself with people who wanted to talk about God,” she explains. Judaism provided the spiritual and emotional fulfillment she sought.
From Christian Roots to Jewish Conversion
Asher grew up in a religious Christian home attached to the Worldwide Church of God. This Adventist community followed some Hebrew Bible practices. However, as a teenager, Asher felt restless and sought “a bigger life.”
Her time in London exposed her to diverse Jewish communities. She attended both Orthodox and Masorti synagogues. These experiences led her to question and ultimately leave her childhood faith.
Embracing Sephardic Heritage
After returning to the US, Asher converted to Judaism. She later underwent a second conversion to Sephardic Orthodox Judaism. This decision was influenced by her husband’s Egyptian-Jewish background.
“My husband is Egyptian-Jewish,” Asher shares. “When we started dating, it became apparent to me that he felt badly about the Ashkenormativity in the United States.” Her embrace of Sephardic traditions includes learning to chant Torah in the Egyptian style.
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