Testimonials
Cantor Heather was a very passionate and welcoming officiant. She always went above and beyond to educate and guide us on which traditions and practices we wanted to include in our wedding ceremony. She was a very positive contribution to our special day and we would recommend her to friends and family alike.
Thank you very much for preparing Liam for his bar-mitzvah. Throughout all of his preparation, you were kind, fun and inspiring to him—you knew when to push and when to give him some room. You really made our Simcha a memory that will be with us and Liam for the rest of our lives. Thank you again.
Cantor Heather brings a fresh approach to ritual and services. Her natural rapport with the B’nai Mitzvah kids added so much to each Bar/Bat Mitzvah and her special prayer towards the end of the service had a soaring, moving quality that touched us all.
Cantor Heather is a forward thinking individual, and has strong leadership skills. I found her ideas innovative and refreshing, and I truly enjoyed the Rosh Hashanah services she organized.
Cantor Heather is interested in the programs that she is involved with, but even more interested in the people who take part in those programs. Tutoring my children, she was able to work with each of them in the way that they needed, taking into consideration their personalities and learning styles. Whatever she decides to put her energies towards will benefit from her efforts.
At last night’s board meeting, EVERYONE said how you were the perfect spiritual addition to our Rosh Hashana services. You sing like a confident, musical, gift from G-d. After three hours you are as strong as at the beginning. There is no doubt, that one is in a religious service of meaning and conversation with G-d. It was never a performance or a camp sing a long but rather a participatory religious experience. I have NEVER been so delighted with a service leader. Thank you.
It’s true that subjects taught with enthusiasm, knowledge and creativity can be a pleasure! Cantor Batchelor has that gift and with it she engages and encourages the people she teaches (and reaches). I loved learning to chant the torah trope and it’s role in punctuation in one of her classes, and found mind-opening information in her well researched and presented classes on the history of Jews in Poland. Of course, teaching is only one of her facets!
Over the past two plus years, I have benefitted greatly from knowing Cantor Heather Batchelor through her service at Congregation Dorshei Emet. Much more than the beauty of her voice has been the Jewish knowledge and ruach that she brings to all. I especially enjoyed the Kabbalat Shabbat experiences at her home with her family and a unique group of people. Her role in bringing three outstanding Shabbat Shira concerts to our shul was critical. I am appreciative of all she has brought to our community and me.
In tutoring my daughter for her bat mitzvah Cantor Heather made her feel special and capable. In addition to helping her learn the trope and master her parasha, she also gave her insight into the meaning of what she was reading. My daughter gained a sense of confidence from her experience with Cantor Heather that she will carry with her always, as well as an appreciation of reading Torah that she will continue to practice.
Cantor Heather brought enthusiasm, creativity, and an infectious sense of joy to the children’s programs at Dorshei Emet. Our most popular program Kabbalat Shabbat Mishpacha was entirely her creation from the choice of prayers, to the set-up which she tweaked until she managed to achieve a cozy, intimate atmosphere in the large sanctuary. Regardless of the activity: a visit to a farm, skating and Havdalah, or a pajama party movie, Cantor Heather is always fully present and engaged.
I always found Cantor Batchelor to be extremely kind and caring. Her ability to empathize with us helped us work our way through a very difficult time. Her sense of compassion was noted by all of the congregants. We especially liked that she and her family made a point of welcoming all congregants—she was truly concerned about all of us. Additionally, she was most supportive, patient and optimistic in helping some of us brush up on our skills as Torah readers. And her voice is the voice of an angel.