Our Religious Leadership

Cantor Deborah Martin

Cantor Deborah Martin grew up in New Jersey and began her musical training taking piano lessons, and then later, voice lessons. She trained classically and received a Bachelor’s of Music with honors from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a Master’s of Music from the Boston Conservatory of Music. She has performed in opera throughout the United States and did her debut as Rosina in the Barber of Seville with the Boston Symphony. 

Cantor Martin attended the Hebrew Union College (HUC) School of Sacred Music’s long distance program and studied with mentor Cantor Ron Eichaker (formerly of Temple Emanu-El in Milwaukee), took courses at UW Madison, and studied with Temple Educator Larry Kohn for five years. In 1997, she obtained her degree as a Certified Cantor from the School of Sacred Music at HUC. She served as cantor for 25 years at Temple Beth-El in Madison, Wisconsin, before joining Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha as its first woman Spiritual Leader. Cantor Martin retired from joining Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha in July of 2021 after 6 years of serving as their sole Spiritual Leader.  

As a clergy person, Cantor Martin is able to perform all of the duties that a Rabbi can perform, such as life-cycle events, marriages, Brit Milah, B’nai Mitzvah, funerals, etc. She is certified through the Prepare / Enrich pre-marital program and has done pre-marital counseling for many of the wedding couples for whom she has officiated. Cantor Martin helped develop the B’nai Mitzvah program and has tutored countless B’nai Mitzvah students, as well as, taught in the Hebrew School at Temple Beth El. She loves to help congregants of all ages find joy in their Jewish heritage and to be involved in many ways at temple, whether it is through going to services, classes, participating in the music, programs or social events. She also feels there is a strong need to reach out to the interfaith community to build understanding and friendships with people of all faiths. 

Cantor Martin has two grown children and three grandchildren. Besides her passion for her family and her clergy work, Cantor Martin owns a horse and enjoys horseback riding in her free time. 

Rabbi Emeritus:

Rabbi Dan Danson

Rabbi Dan Danson was the spiritual leader of Mt Sinai from 1988-2017.  He led weekly and holiday worship services, and provided pastoral services and education to Temple members.  He was the glue that held our geographically far-flung Jewish Community together.  Rabbi Dan was often the public representative of our Jewish community to friends and neighbors throughout north central Wisconsin. Usually, it was Rabbi Dan who was interviewed for radio, television, and newspapers concerning local, national, and international news about Judaism and Israel.