Temple Emanu-El Haverhill Names Broekhuysen New Spiritual Leader

(File photograph.)

Cantor Vera Broekhuysen plans to facilitate religious observances, counseling, education and music programs for the temple. (Courtesy photographs)

A year after the retirement of longtime rabbi Ira Korinow, Haverhill’s Temple Emanu-El has a new spiritual leader. Cantor Vera Broekhuysen, who has served the temple since 2016, assumes her new role on July 1. In her new position, Broekhuysen will oversee religious observances, counseling, education and music programs for the temple.

Cantor Vera Broekhuysen

The North Andover resident was appointed by a search committee who recognized her ability to foster relationships with congregants and the community.

“As the search committee engaged with temple members to understand the characteristics they valued most in a successor to Rabbi Korinow, one thing became abundantly clear,” the search committee’s David Belsky said. “We already had in our midst a talented and beloved leader in Cantor Vera Broekhuysen. Once we recognized that, the rest was easy.”

The temple mainstay is excited to expand her role starting next month.

“Together, we can use our own distinctive voices to praise God, ask questions of our holy texts and of our own lives, and advocate for those whose voices are less easily heard. And we can make some beautiful song while we’re at it,” she said.

Broekhuysen is a member of the Greater Haverhill Clergy Association and helped found the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network, according to Temple Emanu-El. Ordained as a cantor by Hebrew College in June 2016, she is married with two sons.