When Cantor Lenny Mandel joined Congregation B'nai Israel as Hazan (Cantor) for The High Holidays in 1996, he brought not only his rich and engaging voice, but also his strong sense of spirituality, kindness, warmth and joy. Cantor Mandel studied at Yeshiva University's Cantorial School, The Belz School of Jewish Music, and with various renowned Cantors. Cantor Lenny, who was ordained as a rabbi in 2010, leads CBI in prayer as our full time Cantor. Before he became a Cantor and Rabbi, Lenny Mandel was a professional actor, singer, radio host, and director (He also had a few other careers). A member of both actors’ unions, he has played the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof numerous times in venues around the country.​ Having performed all over the world, Cantor Lenny uses his theatrical talents in writing and directing our musical Purim Shpiel, the Hebrew School graduating class play, Yom HaShoah presentations in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, and musical scripts for CBI events. The congregation regularly enjoys our Casual Erev Shabbat programs, for which he adapts the Friday night prayer service by setting traditional liturgy to the melodies of Broadway shows such as Fiddler on the Roof and Les Miz, or popular groups likes The Beatles, and Peter, Paul & Mary to name just a few. Cantor Lenny grew up in Brooklyn, where he attended the Yeshivah of Flatbush until going to Stuyvesant High School. He was part of Oheb Shalom congregation in South Orange, New Jersey and has visited Jewish communities around the world. Cantor Lenny also volunteers and was sworn in by the Livingston, New Jersey Police Department where he serves as a police chaplain, by the New Jersey Department of Corrections where he serves as a chaplain for their officers and civilian staff, and as a chaplain at The Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.