Cantor Max Silverstone, a lifelong musician, didn’t start singing until he studied music in college. Now it’s his full-time job. He began his role at Congregation Har Shalom in July, becoming the Potomac synagogue’s first new cantor in 28 years.
Originally from New York City, Silverstone earned his bachelor’s degree in Judaic studies with a minor in music from Brandeis University. He was ordained from the H.L. Cantorial School at the Jewish Theological Seminary and led services at New York City synagogues. Silverstone currently lives in Rockville with his girlfriend.
Tell me about your Jewish upbringing and background.
I’m from New York City; I basically lived there my whole life. I grew up going to Park Avenue Synagogue, going to Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. I grew up a shul kid; my family would go to Shabbat services basically every week. After my bar mitzvah, teen engagement really dropped off at the synagogue [and] there were very few teens, but I was super involved. I was at the Hebrew high school almost every single day of the week.
For college, I went to Brandeis in Waltham, just out of Boston, [and] studied Judaic studies. I was in a Jewish a cappella group, ran a Conservative minyan on campus and continued going back to [Camp] Ramah first as a counselor, then on music staff. I would also annually go to Songleader Boot Camp, a big Jewish music conference in February about Jewish music and leadership, which was very inspiring.
While I was at Brandeis, I decided I wanted to be a cantor. I graduated Brandeis in 2019, went straight to [Jewish Theological Seminary] and COVID hit during my first year. My ride through JTS was a little bumpy because I took classes out of order – my Israel semester was pushed off. I graduated in May and found a job here at Har Shalom.
You’re originally from New York City. What brought you to Maryland?
When I was looking at all the job listings to be a Conservative cantor, I was very drawn to Har Shalom because of the opportunities. I love working with children and we have a huge religious school and huge early childhood [programming]. There are opportunities to lead services, but to teach others how to lead services as well. There’s a lot of community engagement here.
I was only interested in jobs between Boston and D.C. I didn’t want to be too far away from my parents, and I also value being near a large city. I like urban places. Also, my girlfriend is a day school teacher, … so I can really only apply to jobs where she can also get a job.
Have you always been interested in Judaic studies and music?
I grew up very musical, but not as a singer. I took guitar and drum lessons when I was in middle school and high school, but I wasn’t a singer until I got to college. I’ve always been interested in Judaism because my family would always take me to shul when I was younger. I wasn’t interested in studying [Judaic studies] until I got to college and realized it was something I could study. I was enthusiastic about it and the classes seemed cool, so I majored in it and went to cantorial school.
What has it been like so far working at Har Shalom?
It’s been great; I’ve met so many people and I’m still continuing to meet people in the community. Throughout the day, I’ll interact with all sorts of people – we have the regular minyaners that I’ll see in the morning, the staff are all very supportive, collaborative, great to work with. I’ve been doing some b’nai mitzvah tutoring, which has been very rewarding.
Every Friday morning, I do a Tot Shabbat with the early childhood [program] that’s always fun and exciting. I’m usually dancing with the kids, although not so much anymore because I broke my foot.
I also love schmoozing and meeting people. I get to hear what they’re up to, learn about community members and what’s important to them, why Har Shalom is important to them. It’s nice to connect with people in that way.
Why do you go back to Camp Ramah in the summers?
It’s my favorite place to be, there’s really no place like it; it’s really a second home to me. Being at camp is really exciting because of the enthusiasm the kids have for Judaism there and the comfort they can have as Jews, especially this year post-Oct. 7. Within the Conservative movement, Ramah is doing really, really well, so it’s exciting. You hear in the news about Conservative Judaism and the shrinking numbers and the closing and merging shuls, but you go to Camp Ramah and there’s just so many kids bursting at the seams with enthusiasm to be there and to live and do Jewish, so it excites me getting to be part of this.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy biking; I have an electric bike. I don’t have my driver’s license, being the New Yorker I am – I’m working on getting it. But even after I get it, I get around everywhere on my electric bike. I’m a big transit enthusiast and photographer, so I love to photograph trains. I like to go rock climbing.
