T'filah Leaders
DJ Fortine
T'filah Leader on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
​
Daniel ("D.J.") Fortine is our first ever TBS Cantorial Intern. A graduate of the University of Hartford's prestigious Hartt School of Music where he received his BA in Music and Judaic Studies, D.J. is a gifted musician, leader of song, and aspiring Cantor. As Cantorial Intern, D.J. brings the spirit and beauty of Jewish music to us. While attending the Hartt School, D.J.'s primary focus was on music theory, performance, and music education. His musical range is broad, as he has successfully shared song in settings as diverse as the congregational bima, the opera stage, the choir concert hall, a cappella group performances, and Jewish summer camp.
D.J. is skilled as both a guitar player and at the piano. He has served as the Head Song Leader at the Union for Reform Judaism's Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, MA. He has led congregational music at Temple Beth Hillel in South Windsor, CT and Congregation Beth Israel of West Hartford. He has served as Cantorial Soloist on the bima for Shabbat and holidays, led music for children and teens, and worked closely with Bar/Bat Mitzvah students.
D.J. will be joining Rabbi Perlman and Rabbi Markley in creating moving and spirited Shabbat services throughout the year. In addition, DJ creates new pathways for adult singing and opportunities to build upon the already strong musical culture at TBS. So too he creates relationships with our B'nei Mitzvah and their families as well as serving as a key member of our Mayim/Etzim Learning Team as he brings music to our community's children and teens.
​
Stephen Brickman
T'filah Leader on Monday, Thursday
​
Stephen Brickman is a Songleader, Educator, and Songwriter/Producer based in Boston, MA. He is the founder of the Sing-Together Project, a communal singing initiative that focuses on building and empowering communities, and uses music to have a positive impact on the world. Having been influenced by experiences in Jewish summer camps and youth movements, Stephen has been exploring music’s role in spirituality and culture, and how it connects people to each other. He found opportunities to expand these experiences in secular settings at Muhlenberg College and after moving to Boston in 2011. Stephen currently consults and leads music programming for several institutions around Greater Boston, as well as camps, youth movements, and communities across the country. In the summer of 2014, Stephen released his first album of Jewish inspired music, called “Drop By Drop.” He continues to explore songwriting and music production in both Jewish and secular settings, as well as music’s effect on people.