Cantor Rockman joined the professional staff of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in July 2001 as its full-time Cantor. He assumed the additional role of Director of Education in 2018, and served that role through June, 2024.
Cantor Rockman considers this appointment as a dream-come true. From his earliest years, he has always been involved in Judaic studies and synagogue life. In fact, the Cantor’s father, Royal Rockman, retired after serving as the Cantor for 36 years at Temple Ohev Shalom in Colonia, NJ. Cantor Rockman attended yeshiva as a young boy and the Jewish Theological Seminary program while in high school. During his college days at Rutgers University, he prepared students for their B’nai Mitzvot and continued to do so at Congregation B’nai Tikvah. He most recently held the position of Assistant Principal of Religious Education at Temple Beth El in Somerset, NJ. To further hone his Cantorial skills, The Cantor now studies with Chazzan Leon Lissek, a retired Cantor from B’nai Amoona, a large St. Louis congregation. Cantor Rockman lives with his wife Stacey, their daughter, Bashe, and son, Rafi, in North Brunswick.
Cantor’s Corner
Shabbat Nachamu
Shabbat Nachamu The Shabbat after Tishah b’Av is called Shabbat Nachamu, meaning the Shabbat of comfort. It is named after the first words of the haftarah from “Comfort, comfort my [...]
Tisha B’Av
Tisha B'Av I searched for resonance, I remembered my mother and my father of blessed memory, and then I knew how it feels to be devastated. All week long I've [...]
Parashat Vayishlach – The Parable of the Tribes
Words of wisdom by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l The overall effect is a story with no irredeemable villains and no stainless heroes. Why then is it told at all? Stories [...]
Seven reasons to observe Shabbat – Reason 7
Because It’s commanded For many Jews, the number one reason to observe Shabbat is simply that God commands us to do so. The Torah prohibits work on the seventh day [...]
Seven reasons to observe Shabbat – Reason 6
Because It’s Challenging Unplugging, eating wonderful meals, connecting with family and community — these things require discipline and preparation. Also, calming one’s mind, choosing to miss out on the hubbub [...]
Seven reasons to observe Shabbat – Reason 5
To Stop Searching for Life’s Purpose For some, Shabbat creates an opportunity to connect to the self and discover one’s life purpose. But it can also do just the opposite [...]