Cantorial Leader Ilana Axel

Cantorial Leader

Ilana Axel (she, her, hers)
Ilana.Axel@beth-tikvah.org
847-885-4545 x105

Cantor's Blog

Ilana Axel is very grateful to serve Beth Tikvah’s communal family through the rich fullness of the role of cantor. Ilana believes that our gifts are most meaningful when shared through loving and supporting each other. She is especially proud that this has become the natural culture within all the music groups of our congregation. 

Ilana leads worship and life cycle with Rabbi Tachman and directs the musical content of the community, choir/song leading/instrumental development, B’nei Mitzvah preparation, and Torah reading. In addition, Ilana provides pastoral care in the community. She enjoys sharing her love of Jewish music and civilization, Torah and Israel, the Hebrew language, and challenging ideas great and small. She especially loves shared conversations and “aha!” moments with people of all ages. 

Ilana Axel joined Beth Tikvah Congregation in July 2007 as Cantorial Soloist, and was named Cantorial Leader in 2016. Ilana has a degree in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music, and 40 years experience in Jewish music, worship, choral conducting, and community leadership in both Israel and the United States. She is devoted to building positive relationships, working on social justice, inclusion, and interfaith issues, and contemplating our Jewish role in the 21st century. Ilana is a member of the Guild of Temple Musicians, Women Cantors Network, Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Clergy Association, Women In Search of Peace, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and Rabbinical Fellowship of America, International. She lives in Buffalo Grove with her spouse Mark and their cat Mishmish. Together they have 3 children, Yonatan, Timna and Tahel, who do a lot of good in the world.