Cantor Deborah L. Hartman

Connect with Cantor Deborah Hartman

Deborah L. Hartman joined The Temple staff in 1987 as a cantorial soloist under the direction of then Music Director, Wally Zimmerman.  She was the fourth to assume that role, following in the footsteps of David Margules (now Cantor), Shelly Cohen, and Nancy Kassel (now Cantor). Cantor Deborah Hartman was the first cantor to have served in our Temple’s long and storied history, having been our spiritual music leader for 25 years and the soloist for a decade before that. The Temple Board voted unanimously to approve the title of Cantor Emerita, and like Rabbi Emeritus Alvin Sugarman, Cantor Hartman keeps an office at The Temple and continues to play a vital role in Temple life.

In 1993, Deborah started on her path to become a certified cantor. Her learning led her to study privately with Cantors Isaac Goodfriend z”l, David Goldstein, and Scott Colbert.  In 1998, Deborah received her certification from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, and joined the clergy team at The Temple.  From that moment on, Deborah has been an active member of the American Conference of Cantors, serving on its executive board, membership and nominations committees, and most recently as co-chair of their annual convention, held in Atlanta in June 2019. 

Cantor Hartman grew up in Livingston, NJ, and graduated from Livingston High School. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Ithaca College. Before her life at The Temple, Deborah taught general music in the public school system of Homer, NY and later became an instructor of vocal studies at Western Kentucky University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Mercer University/Atlanta.

Cantor Hartman married Sanford Hartman in August of 2012. Together they have 5 children and 10 grandchildren.