MARGO WAGNER
EDUCATION
Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion – New York, NY
Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music
Cantorial Ordination (Expected Ordination 2026)
Master of Jewish Sacred Music (May 2025)
Clinical Pastoral Education - Emory University Hospital – Atlanta, GA (Summer 2025)
Completed IA ACPE Summer Intensive Unit at Emory University Hospital
Clinical assignments included Neurological ICU unit, Med/Surg unit, General Med unit, and On Call Rotation
Provided Pastoral care and emotional support to, hospital patients, families, and hospital staff.
Middlebury College Immersive Summer Language Program – Middlebury, VT (Summer 2023)
Certificate of completion for 7-Week Hebrew Immersion program
Indiana University, College of Arts and Sciences - Bloomington, IN (May 2019)
Bachelor of Arts, Jewish Sacred Music, Hebrew Minor
Hebrew University: Rothberg International School – Jerusalem, Israel (Fall 2018)
Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance – Jerusalem, Israel (Fall 2018)
Jerusalem Sounds: Music and Academic Study Abroad Program
EMPLOYMENT
West End Temple – Neponsit, NY (2024 – present)
Student Cantor
Sole cantorial presence for congregation, including leading Shabbat, Festival, and High Holiday services and directing volunteer t’filah band
Officiates/co-officiates lifecycle events including preparing students for b’nai mitzvah
Creates and facilitates music programming, adult programming, and t’filah for Religious school
Central Synagogue, New York, NY (2023 – present)
B’nai Mitzvah Tutor
Teaches and supports students with their Torah and Haftarah portions
Congregation Gates of Heaven – Schenectady, NY (2023 – 2024)
Student Cantor
Sole cantorial presence for congregation, including leading Shabbat, Festival, and High Holiday services and directing volunteer choir
Officiated/co-officiated lifecycle events
Created and facilitated music programming and t’filah for Sunday Religious school
Temple Shalom – Chevy Chase, MD (2022 – 2023)
Cantorial Intern
Sole cantorial presence for congregation, including leading Shabbat, Festival, and High Holiday services and directing youth choir
Officiated/co-officiated lifecycle events
Created and facilitated Torah study programming as well as music programming and t’filah for the congregation’s religious school
Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life – Jackson, MS (2019 – 2021)
Education Fellow
Led Friday evening and Shabbat morning services, havdalah, teacher training workshops, religious school programs, adult education programs, and other community events
Collaborated with education directors from 11 educational partner communities to create unique, original programs to fit each religious school’s vision, incorporating kinesthetic, visual, and auditory learning styles
Published newsletter articles, “Southern and Jewish” blogs, and Taste of Torah (Bimah-ready d’vrei Torah)
Planned and executed annual education conference for over 200 participants, organized all materials needed for the conference, led and wrote experimental minyanim, and adapted one in-person conference into virtual Zoom conference
Tree of Life Congregation – Colombia, SC (2020 – 2021)
Cantorial Soloist
Created and led online High Holiday services for religious school students, led monthly Shabbat services
Congregation Ahavath Rayim - Greenwood, MS (2019)
Cantorial Soloist
Led Yom Kippur services
URJ Greene Family Camp – Bruceville, TX (2018)
Songleader
Led song sessions, organized and led weekday t’filah, Shabbat t’filah, and song sessions
Indiana University Hillel – Bloomington, IN (2017)
Cantorial Soloist
Led High Holiday services
Maurice B. Shwayder Camp – Idaho Springs, CO (2016 & 2017)
Counselor & Songleader
Supervised campers, organized and led weekday t’filah, Shabbat t’filah, and song sessions
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
HUC-JIR Community Soup Kitchen (2024 -2025)
Hava Nashira Songleading Workshop (2015- 2019)
IU Hillel Shabbat Service Leader (2015- 2019)
IU Hillel “Shabbat Rocks” member and leader (2017)
Aish Women’s’ Heritage Retreat (2016)
Aish Maimonides Program (2016)
Birch Creek Music Performance Center Summer Music Festival, Egg Harbor, WI (2014 & 2015)
AWARDS & HONORS
Awards:
Cantor Edward R. Fogel Prize in Vocal Development/Progress (2025)
The Temple Israel Boston Prize for Worthy Student (2025)
The Compassionate Cantor Prize by Reform Cantors of Chicago (2023, 2025)
Atara Merit Scholarship, HUC (2021-2025)
Alumni Association prize (2024)
Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Scholarship (Indiana University), Jeffrey and Ilene New Jewish Studies Presidential Israel Scholarship (Indiana University), Percy Family Israel Scholarship (Indiana University), Henry Fischel, Ph.D. Scholarship (Indiana University)
Honors:
IU National Society of Leadership and Success member; IU National Society of Collegiate Scholars member, IU Aish board member, IU Hillel Engagement board member (Communications Chair)
SKILLS
Vocals
Guitar
Percussion
Creative collaboration
Community building
Cultivating relationships across generations
Youth Engagement
Lesson plan design
Zoom Proficiency
Skilled Mah Jong and Canasta player
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST