Marla Rosenfeld Barugel (born 1956 [1]) is, along with Erica Lippitz, one of the first two female hazzans (also called cantors) ordained in Conservative Judaism, which occurred in 1987.[2] She and Erica were ordained at the same time by the Cantors Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.[2][3] In addition to her cantorial education, Barugel has earned a BA in French and Spanish and an MS in Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania.[3] Prior to her work as a cantor, she worked as a Spanish teacher and a banker.[4] Since 1987 she has been Cantor of Congregation B'nai Israel in Rumson, New Jersey.[3] As a cantor, she was a leading force in the struggle for women to be allowed to join the Cantors Assembly, the professional organization of cantors in Conservative Judaism; women were first allowed to join the Cantors Assembly in 1990.[5] She debuted as a soloist in June 1994 in Milwaukee at the Cantors Assembly Convention, and has been a member of the New Jersey Cantors Concert Ensemble since 1987.[3] She has also served on the Executive Council of the Cantors Assembly.[3] Barugel is a founding member of the Cantors Institute Alumni Association.[3]
In 2000 she released a CD titled "From Darkness to Light." [3]