Cantor Noa Shaashua

Cantor Noa Shaashua was born in Jerusalem and inherited her love for Judaism from her father, a French Hills Rabbi. Cantor Noa proudly joined the Israel Defense Forces when she came of age, and was assigned to teach underprivileged and academically challenged girls. That experience influenced her to pursue teaching as part of her career when she moved to the United States.

Cantor Noa’s love for music brought her to America to attend the Berklee College of Music (now The Boston Conservatory at Berklee), located in Massachusetts. At the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world, Cantor Noa studied jazz and modern American music, which influenced her love of all music. She also met her husband and fellow musician, Shai Shaashua. Her instrument of choice is the guitar, and she owns several.

The Kol Tikvah family is fortunate to have Cantor Noa serve in many positions: Cantor, Bnai Mitzvah tutor, song leader for our youth, Torah Study leader, and a member of our clergy team. She is a polyglot – able to speak and write in several languages (Hebrew, Yiddish, English and more).

Cantor Noa also sings in and leads Kol Tikvah’s live performance band, Kolplay. Kolplay is comprised of temple members, including her husband. Kolplay performs at many of our Shabbat services, including our well-attended Chanukah and Purim services. Cantor Noa created Kol Tikvah’s extremely popular “Beatles” Shabbat. The band plays favorite Shabbat tunes set to live Beatles music, along with an occasional Beatles tune where everyone sings along.

The Kol Tikvah choir, led by Cantor Noa, brings together congregants of all ages to sing and rejoice in sacred music at our High Holy Day and special services. Cantor Noa combines the beauty of traditional liturgical melodies with contemporary compositions to create a soulful, accessible, and joyous musical experience for our entire congregation.

Cantor Noa has also created a fun and engaging musical group experience for children ages 7-13 through the Kol Tikvah Glee Club. She mixes Katy Perry with Chanukah, rock ‘n roll, sacred prayer Or Zarua, and the blessings of Shabbat. Our Glee Club showcases the best in contemporary Jewish music by combining prayer with an upbeat modern twist. The Glee Club sings at special Shabbats throughout the year.

Contact Cantor Noa if you are interested in joining the choir or Glee Club.

Cantor Noa and Shai have two sons, Lavee and Yair.