Cantor Matan Meital Clean Energy Through a Jewish Lens

Cantor Matan Meital at Temple Har Zion

From Rabbi Glick:

“On the weekend of June 14–15, Israeli born Cantor Matan Meital, who is an engineer and Jewish scholar in environmental sustainability, will both lead services (Cantor Figa will be away that weekend) and teach fascinating classes showing how our ancient texts echo the needs to turn to new sustainable technologies, such as solar power. As a cantor, he is also sure to bring interesting melodies and chanting. I have previewed his classes and they are unique.”

Matan Meital is a professional in the field of clean energy, specializing in solar and energy storage. In his talks, he reveals the intersectionality of Judaism and Sustainability, weaving together traditional Jewish sources & values with modern day sustainability.

The recent passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Paris accords, and the global Climate Change Conferences, have brought these important issues to life. Young generations of every community recognize these as the most urgent issues of our time.

Join our Scholar-in-Residence, Cantor Matan Meital, as he leads us in prayer and thought:

June 14: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Friday, 6:30pm, followed by dinner with Cantor Meital speaking on “Light, Creation, & Solar Energy.”

June 15: Shabbat Morning Service, Saturday, 10am, followed by Shabbat luncheon kiddush. Saturday Morning Drash and Lecture after lunch: “Ezekiel & Energy Storage—Chashmal as the Jewish Bi-directional Inverter.”

Biography:
Born and raised in Israel, Cantor Matan Meital grew up with a strong passion for environmentalism and sustainability from an early age. The scarcity of natural resources, including water, oil, and natural gas, along with the need for sustainable practices instilled within him strong climate values. Matan believes that caring for and preserving the earth should be a basic human value. For this reason, he chose to pursue a career in clean energy, actively promoting sustainability for the next generation as an expert in battery energy storage. Matan has given lectures and presentations on the topic of energy storage and clean energy at various universities and synagogues, including the University of Illinois in Chicago, the University of St. Thomas at St. Paul.

Growing up in Israel, Matan absorbed the multi-ethnic musical traditions of Israeli society. His interests include Sephardic and Ashkenazic music, piano and Arab instruments, as well as opera and show tunes. He studied chazzanut under Ner Tamid Ezra Habonim Cantor Emeritus David Brandhandler, z”l, and is a proud member of the Cantors Assembly, the cantorate association of the Conservative Movement and the largest professional cantorial organization in the world.

Matan also studied music and voice production at Northwestern University where he was a member of ShireiNU, the campus Jewish a cappella group. He holds both an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) from McCormick School of Engineering, both at Northwestern University.

The recent passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Paris accords and the global Climate Change Conferences, have brought these important issues to life. Young generations of every community recognize these as the most urgent issues of our time.

June 14: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Friday, 6:30pm, followed by dinner. “An Introductory Lecture—Sustainability as a Core Jewish Value—Exploring the Biblical and Rabbinic sources on Judaism’s Approach to Nature and Sustainability.” This exploration will also touch on the relationship between creation and light in these texts with Solar Energy.

June 15: Shabbat Morning Service, Saturday, 10am, followed by Shabbat luncheon kiddush. Saturday Morning Drash and Lecture after lunch: “Ezekiel & Energy Storage—Chashmal as the Jewish Bi-directional Inverter.”

Click here to register for the Friday night Shabbat dinner and talk.