Associate Clergy Raymond Zachary
Shaliach Tzibbur Raymond Zachary is a classically trained countertenor currently located in Los Angeles. They attended the American Jewish University as a Jewish studies major and has served as a Cantorial Soloist for several years, having the opportunity to sing with some of the most prestigious names in cantorial music. Raymond has sung on more than 35 Bimot around the globe and has also done extensive concert work within the Jewish community. Raymond currently serves on the board of the Guild of Temple Musicians supervising a portfolio focused on Diversity and Inclusion.
Outside of synagogue life, Raymond is an award-winning Musical theatre actor and has performed in numerous symphonic and theatrical productions, Including an annual residency at Disneyland with the Klezmer band Mostly Kosher. With their drag persona, Miss Livinya Karr, Raymond wrote a series of programming called Rainbow Shabbat which has been implemented in synagogues all across the country, and soon will go international! This shabbatone encourages LGBTQIA+ shul goers to not only feel comfortable as a “Jew-in-the-pew” but serves as an outreach program to say that their community encourages them to take leadership positions on their boards, committees, and even as their clergy. It also provides synagogues with tools and resources to create safe and accepting spaces for congregants who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community. With programs ranging from Tot-Shabbat, religious school, teen programs, and adult education Rainbow Shabbat strives to reach every age of Jew.