Cantor Neil Abraham Berris has served congregations in both south Florida and New York. Originally from suburban Detroit, he has an extensive background in traditional and contemporary musical styles both Jewish and secular. Cantor Berris has also gained much experience in the fields of Jewish education and administration as a Judaic studies teacher, synagogue religious school director, Jewish program coordinator, and resident clergy at Berkshire Hills-Eisenberg Camps and at Camp Pontiac in Copake, New York.
Cantor Berris literally grew up immersed in synagogue life and is very aware and understanding of the challenges faced by clergy in supporting the needs of diverse Jewish communities. He attended the Ner Israel Rabbinical College outside of Baltimore, and later Yeshiva University and the Belz School of Jewish Music in New York City, completing his formal studies in 1978. Cantor Berris is equally at home on the pulpit, in the classroom, at a camp/retreat setting, and truly in any environment which may benefit from his unique and enthusiastic commitment to assist others in realizing a more fulfilling experience of celebrating Jewish traditions, customs, and life cycle rituals.