President

As a Home Hospice Chaplain for Kaiser Permanente, Cantor Susan Caro’s experience spans work with youth and adults in a variety of teaching settings, choral opportunities, performances throughout the United States, and creative liturgical and spiritual work.  A 1993 graduate of HUC-JIR School of Sacred Music having served in a variety of congregations, she now devotes much of her time to sacred journeys and spiritual care, exploring the confluence of music and wholeness in the totality of our lives.  With training in spiritual direction, Cantor Caro is a fellow of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and has served on the Faculty for their Lay Retreats.  Having taught at both the Hebrew Union College and the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles in the areas of prayer and liturgy, her work is founded upon the integrity of Jewish leadership. 

Cantor Caro has coordinated the breadth of ACC involvement in a number of URJ Biennial Conventions, organizing and supporting all programs to involve the ACC in a very positive and engaging spirit.  Over the years, she has been an active member of the Executive Board of the ACC since 2000, has guided the process of resolutions brought to our plenum at convention for, chaired a variety of Task Forces for the ACC, served on the URJ’s Commission on Social Action, the National Camp Commission, and the Pacific Southwest Council Executive Board, and is a past chair of the ACC-Pacific Southwest Region.  Drawing upon great support and insight from colleagues, Cantor Caro was at the forefront of the publication of Divrei Shir, the curriculum from the ACC for Adult Education in the area of Jewish music. 

Her striving for excellence and sincerity in the work of Jewish spiritual leadership is also demonstrated by her long track record of work and commitment to the ideals and future of the Reform Cantorate.  As the President of the American Conference of Cantors, Cantor Caro serves on the Executive Board of the Union for Reform Judaism, and is an active member of its Joint Commission on Worship, Music and Religious Living of the URJ, where she has been involved for over 15 years, including as vice-chairperson.  She is committed to providing leadership which strengthens and supports opportunities for the personal and professional growth of the ACC membership, to empower them to best serve the Jewish community. 

Passionate also about reading, hiking, nature, needlework, travel and good wine, what is most important to Susan is the blessing of sharing her life with her husband, John Lertzman and their children Marni, Amanda, Ariel, Josh and Michele with their grandchildren, and their dog, the Australian Labradoodle, Senor Mole (like the sauce)--or Mo for short! Susan and John are members of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood, CA.  

To email Susan, click here.