Hazzan Stephen J. Stein has served Beth El Congregation for more than a quarter of a century. In his tenure here – the longest of any hazzan in Beth El’s history – Cantor Stein has brought beautiful music and spirituality to our services. As a member of the congregation, he instills a sense of warmth and humor. Under his guidance, Beth El’s adult choir has emerged as one of the outstanding synagogue ensembles in the country. The choir has produced two recordings for which Cantor Stein was the featured artist. Perhaps his greatest achievements at Beth El have been the creation of the Torah Reader’s society and Junior Choir. These youth programs entice more than 50 percent of the students of Beth El Academy to volunteer an extra day or more and extend their involvement in Judaism.

In 1993, Cantor Stein became the youngest president ever of the Cantors Assembly, which comprises the largest body of hazzanim in the world. Shortly after his presidency, he was chosen for the organization’s highest ranking position, executive vice president. Cantor Stein is also the youngest cantor to be awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Cantor Stein has served our community as a board member of the Akron Jewish Community Federation and the Jerome Lippman Jewish Community Day School. His efforts motivated the recording of “These Lights of Hanukkah”and “Music for Passover,” featuring the Kent State University Chorale, airing on public radio throughout the country. He has inspired three members of Beth El Congregation to enter the Cantorate: Bruce Braun, Adriane Caplowe and James Gloth.

As a youngster in his native Pittsburgh, Cantor Stein sang in the choirs of Hazzanim P. Hillel Brummer and Jacob Lefkowitz. He graduated form Duquesne University and then enrolled in the Cantorial School of Jewish Theological Seminary. Upon graduation from JTS, he accepted the position of cantor at Beth Jacob Synagogue in Norwich, Conn. He came to Beth El in 1980.

Cantor Stein and his wife, Abbe, are the parents of Scott and Deana, who are also preparing for professional careers in music.