Praise for Jodi

A Huge THANK YOU goes out to Jodi, our brilliant cantor!!

If you are looking for a cantor, Jodi truly the best choice. She officiated our daughter’s Bat Mitzvah and did an extraordinary job from start to finish. With her many years of experience working with young people, Jodi brought professionalism, warmth, and a wonderfully organized approach. She provided a thoughtfully designed booklet of lesson plans that made studying for the Bat Mitzvah both easy and enjoyable. Our daughter loved her lessons with Jodi, and we found her incredibly pleasant, patient, and easy to work with.

In addition to the written materials, Jodi also sent voice recordings so our daughter could listen to the chanting and practice with confidence. And the service itself—what can I say? It was beautiful, meaningful, and unforgettable. A sunlit celebration filled with joy, blessings, and deep tradition. Jodi’s singing was incredible; as I looked around the room, I saw guests with their eyes closed in reverence, some even moved to tears. Her powerful, soulful voice created a profound sense of connection to our roots, our ancestors, and our heritage.

We are deeply grateful for Jodi’s hard work, dedication, and heartfelt commitment. She helped make our daughter’s Bat Mitzvah a truly special milestone—a celebration we will cherish forever as she crossed the threshold from adolescence into adulthood.

We cannot thank Jodi enough for everything she has done for our family, she is truly a gem and we recommend her most highly !!!

Incredible heart, talent, and care brought to the service

We are so deeply grateful to Jodi for the incredible heart, talent, and care she brought to Max’s service. From the very beginning, she guided Max with such patience and encouragement as he learned his Torah portion, helping him feel confident and connected every step of the way.

During the service, Jodi’s beautiful voice and singing filled the room with warmth and emotion. She wove in so many thoughtful, personal touches about Max that made the entire experience uniquely his — heartfelt, meaningful, and truly unforgettable.

So many of our family and friends have shared how moved they were by the service, thanks in large part to Jodi’s presence.

Jodi connected beautifully with our child, building trust and comfort right from the start

We are deeply grateful to Jodi Blankstein for stepping in during a stressful and uncertain time for our family as we navigated extenuating circumstances. From the moment we connected, Jodi brought warmth, empathy, and professionalism that immediately put us at ease.

She connected beautifully with our child, building trust and comfort right from the start. As a life long Jewish Educator, I was extremely impressed with the depth and breadth of Jodi’s knowledge regarding cantillation, liturgy, and music. Jodi was flexible, creative, and open-minded—working closely with us to design a pluralist, Likrat Yisrael, camp-style service that reflected our values and community spirit.

Her leadership throughout the service was marked by warmth, joy, inclusivity, and a genuine sense of welcome that resonated across our diverse community. Jodi’s beautiful voice, thoughtful pacing, and seamless timing elevated the entire experience.

Cantor Jodi was available, conscientious, and loving throughout this entire process

Jodi Blankstein is a skilled, compassionate, mensch of a teacher! We were impressed with her from our first conversation. Aside from the "regular" information about what it's like to work together - she immediately asked us about our kids. What do they like to do? How do they like to learn? What is their relationship with Judaism? She was open and engaged with all that we offered. From then and forward, we found Cantor Jodi to be professional, kind, and supportive. She easily came to understand how our twins, with very different learning styles and personalities, each participated best. She spent time getting to know what they needed for a comfortable study relationship that was both serious and fun. She paced them well and they felt ready and confident for the B'nai Mitzvah service, with plenty of time to spare! She reviewed and introduced material in each session. I always heard laughter! She made reasonable requests of their time in between sessions. She was also in regular touch with us about the sessions and progress. Amazingly, Cantor Jodi had them feeling so at ease that they expressed no frustration with the process and almost never had any complaints about practicing - seriously! In the few weeks before the service, she met with them together to decide how the morning service would flow since they both learned the entire service. She didn't just do it - she included them in the discussion! She also talked with us about service flow and honors, including how to best incorporate Spanish into the service for some of the prayers.

The morning B'nai Mitzvah service was beautiful. There was so much love, inclusivity, and joy in the room. Her care of the experience was also evident in her careful planning with the sound team, her accompanist and Ezekiel's Wheels who we asked her to coordinate with for the final song of the service and the hora. Many of our guests had been to innumerable Mitzvahs - and many of our guests had never been to any kind of Jewish service. Yet, everyone commented on how included they felt and how much they enjoyed the service. Many, many people said - that was the best Mitzvah, or religious service, I have ever been to - and her relationship with the kids was so genuine, which made the service that much more meaningful. We revel in their accomplishment and most importantly, they were proud of themselves! Cantor Jodi was available, conscientious, and loving throughout this entire process. It was a very lucky, unexpected shift in plans that led us to such a beautiful, meaningful, and joyous simcha with Cantor Jodi.

Her warmth, brilliance, kindness, and diligence made this day so incredibly special for us!

Jodi was such a wonderful fit for our family and did such an incredible job guiding us through our son's Bar Mitzvah. She very quickly got a sense of Teddy, what his learning style was, and she carefully led him through his entire Bar Mitzvah without a hitch.

He was comfortable, proud, and he never complained about their lessons!! Her warmth, brilliance, kindness, and diligence made this day so incredibly special for us! We are so grateful to Jodi. Thank you, Jodi!!

I connected with being Jewish in a way that felt real and personal to me

Looking back, I feel like I learned so much and connected with being Jewish in a way that felt real and personal to me. I didn’t just memorize things, I actually understood them, and that made everything more meaningful and special. A big part of that was because of Jodi herself. She’s incredibly kind, outgoing, and easy to talk to, which made every session feel relaxed and fun. She always brought so much positive energy and made it easy for me to ask questions, share thoughts, and be curious about things I might not have explored otherwise. I always felt like she genuinely cared, not just about what I was learning, but also about me as a person and making sure I enjoyed what we were doing. Working with her made the whole bat mitzvah process something I truly enjoyed and will always be proud of.

The service was truly beautiful—moving, joyful, and filled with spirit

On behalf of our family, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the guidance, support, and care you provided to Levi in preparation for his Bar Mitzvah. Your dedication and patience in helping him learn the prayers, chants, and Torah portion made a profound impact—not only on his confidence but also on his deepening connection to Judaism and our traditions.

Your warmth and encouragement helped Levi approach the bimah with pride and poise, and your ability to make the learning process both meaningful and enjoyable made all the difference. Watching Levi lead the service so beautifully was an unforgettable moment for our entire family, and we know that your mentorship played a key role in making that possible. The service was truly beautiful—moving, joyful, and filled with spirit.  Additionally, you did a fabulous job making Max feel comfortable and finding ways to include him in the service.  The music, especially with Adam’s wonderful guitar accompaniment, made the service upbeat and fun. 

Thank you for sharing your time, wisdom, and musical gifts with Levi and us. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had your guidance during this important milestone in his life.

With Appreciation and Love, Ali, Josh, Levi, and Max

A Truly Special Wedding with Cantorial Soloist Jodi Blankstein

Our wedding was a deeply meaningful and special occasion, and having Cantorial Soloist Jodi Blankstein as part of it made it even more extraordinary. As an older couple, this moment in our lives was incredibly significant, and from the very beginning, Jodi provided the perfect blend of insight, warmth, and professional guidance to help us create exactly what we envisioned.

Jodi’s gorgeous, moving voice added a profound and emotional depth to our ceremony. Music and vocals were integral to our plans, and she brought them to life beautifully. She seamlessly blended tradition with creativity, making the ceremony both timeless and personal. Guests from all faiths were touched by the beauty and spirit of her performance.

We are beyond grateful to Jodi for helping make our wedding so memorable. If you are looking for a Cantorial Soloist who brings heart, talent, and warmth to every moment, we highly recommend her!

Debbie and Gary Ostrow

Thank you for shepherding our boys through their growth into young men

Honestly, it felt like a hug from beginning to end

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for helping to make August’s bat mitzvah such a deeply meaningful and personal celebration. Your warmth, attention and care were evident every step of the way and helped make this milestone incredibly special, not only for August, but for our entire family and all who attended. From the earliest days working with August, you took time to understand her learning style, recognizing her strengths and thoughtfully addressing her frustrations.

Your empathy and insight, and even the way you infused your personal stories and anecdotes gave her comfort, allowing her to approach the preparation and “day of” with confidence. You guided her with the patience and compassion she, and we, needed, but also made sure that she felt connected to this important tradition and embraced her Jewish heritage. Thank you for making her bat mitzvah an experience we will all treasure forever. With warmest regards and deep appreciation and love.

The Tanguay Family

Jodi quickly became a friend and a mentor

People were raving about how meaningful it was

Jodi created such a warm and inclusive atmosphere

There was not one thing we would have changed!

It was so special and something we will always cherish

Jodi was the tutor and cantor for our daughter’s bat mitzvah in 2021 and we knew that she would do the same for our son this year. Jodi and Jacob worked together beautifully for a year over zoom. Jodi is able to create a safe and nurturing environment that allowed Jacob to learn, grow and build confidence. She was encouraging, kind and thoughtful in the way she approached their sessions and to the needs of Jacob.

Jacob’s service was only one week after the horrific terror attacks in Israel on October 7. Everyone was still in shock, sad and angry about the horror that took place. Jodi created a warm and welcoming environment where we all came together to celebrate the milestone of Jacob becoming a bar mitzvah. Her compassion, beautiful words and songs gave us all such comfort. Many people said that Jacob’s service was the best they have ever been to.

Jodi is truly an extraordinary person. Her genuine heart and enthusiasm are infectious. She is forever a part of our family.

- The Frieze Family

The service was not only beautiful but also a reflection of your exceptional leadership and spiritual insight

Thank you for creating such a beautiful and meaningful Bat Mitzvah ceremony!

Jodi Created a Very Special and Meaningful Atmosphere

Our daughter was recently "Bat Mitzvahed" by Jodi, and the service was nothing short of perfect. Being that it was the day after recent attacks on Israel, Jodi beautifully wove Israel into the service and sang a gorgeous version of Yerushalayim shel Zahav.

Jodi was able to make the service relatable to all who attended the service, whether Jewish or not, and created a very special and meaningful atmosphere for the duration. We are forever grateful for having met Jodi a year before Lexi’s bat mitzvah and for her to have been such an instrumental person in her Jewish education.

- Lisa Tabachnick

Chase Developed a Deeper Understanding and Connection to His Jewish Heritage

Our Kids Were So Proud of Themselves and Thankful to Jodi

We were originally going to have our B’nei Mitzvah service in Israel. When our kids asked to have a traditional service and party in Boston, we didn’t even know where to start. As soon as we met Jodi, we knew we would be okay. With warmth and an infectious energy, she began tutoring the kids in the basic Shabbat service prayers. As their confidence grew, she led them through their Torah portions and writing their d’var Torah. At every step of the way, Jodi helped explain the flow of the service and the meaning of the prayers. As the day got closer and our kids were more nervous, Jodi eased their concerns and built them up to handle the big moment with grace and maturity.

Our service was absolutely beautiful. Jodi and Adam are particularly talented and experienced, so there is an ease and a flow from start to finish. Jodi led an inclusive service, honoring our loved ones and explaining our rituals so everyone could follow. More than anything, she made our Judaism and this rite of passage accessible to everyone in the room. Our kids were so proud of themselves and thankful to Jodi for helping them make the moment so special. We are so grateful to Jodi and thankful for what our family experienced. My cousin sent a note that said ‘We all walked away with hearts full of love, pride in our family and memories that will last a lifetime'.

- Kara and David

The Most Meaningful and Special Day

- Diana Peselman

A Beautiful Bat-Mitzvah Service Far Beyond our Expectations

When we found out that we weren’t going to be able to have our daughter’s bat-mitzvah at our temple due to COVID restrictions we were devastated. We asked around for recommendations and Jodi was one of the many that we interviewed. As soon as we met her, we knew she would be the one. She was warm, caring, genuine and fabulous with my daughter, Riley. She seamlessly took over Riley’s tutoring and made the ceremony planning simple for my husband and I. She made sure everyone was happy and getting what they needed every step of the way.

As for the day of, her voice was beautiful and soothing and her words were personalized just for Riley. Our guests were beyond complimentary of her and our service and many have said it was the most enjoyable bat-mitzvah service they had ever attended. We cannot thank her enough for creating such a beautiful service and experience for our family and friends. We look forward to joining her at services in the future.

Jodi Brings a Sense of Calm and Joy with Her Voice

Wonderful Cantorial Soloist Jodi Blankstein prepared both of my children for their respective Bar and Bat Mitzvah services several years apart. Each event was special, but with Jodi officiating, each was remarkable. Everyone who attended still asks me, “Where can we see and hear Jodi again?”

Jodi is a great teacher, able to understand each individual student’s needs, and she works well with all families. Jodi makes the ceremony understandable for all and brings a sense of calm and joy with her voice. The combination of song and explanation makes the ceremony very meaningful. As a Cantorial Soloist, Jodi is able to bring everything that is needed for an amazing moment in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience, which I know can be difficult. Jodi’s cantorial role was essential in creating our memorable experience. The soulful music added a crucial ingredient for the simcha. Jodi’s is a true gift to the Jewish community of Greater Boston.

The Result was a Magical Moment

From the outset, having a successful Bar Mitzvah for our oldest was going to be a challenge. The classes would be virtual, the ceremony would be virtual with Jodi in Massachusetts and us in Israel, and friends connecting via Zoom in England, Massachusetts and California. Undaunted, in less than 10 months, Jodi was able to teach a boy with little to no formal Hebrew training, his prayers and Torah readings. She was able to connect with and inspire a sports crazed teen to diligently practice his readings every week without prompting. Getting our son ready was one challenge, helping to coordinate and conduct a virtual ceremony without a dry run was even more daunting. With the help of her tech wizard Shana and wonderful guitarist Adam, Jodi and her team helped pull off the perfect ceremony.

The result was a magical moment, overlooking lake Kinneret on a gorgeous Spring afternoon with family and friends across the world watching our boy become a man. We can’t thank you enough Jodi for inspiring Nikolai and helping us make this special event perfect. We look forward to having you help Alek in 2 years time.

We Are So Fortunate That We Found Jodi

She came recommended to us after the tutor and officiant for our other children had retired. Jodi had big shoes to fill! But from the moment we met her, we all knew she was the one to lead Sara, and us, through her Bat Mitzvah preparation and service. Sara’s Bat Mitzvah was not held in a temple, so not only did Jodi prepare Sara, but she also was able to provide and help us with everything we needed to have the service. In fact, as we began to panic about having an event during a pandemic, Jodi put us in touch with colleagues to offer a zoom component so Sara’s Bat Mitzvah could be hybrid.

We have received so many compliments on Sara’s service, from Jodi’s beautiful singing voice (a true highlight) to the inclusive and meaningful prayers she included. Our extended family has been through 7 family Bar and Bat Mitzvahs in as many years, and we heard from many relatives "Sara’s was the best one!".

A Wonderful Experience

From the first moment we met Jodi, our family had an amazing experience preparing for our daughters Bat Mitzvah. Jodi bonded with her immediately and Alexis felt understood, supported and cherished throughout the entire tutoring process. Jodi is a truly gifted educator, who creates a magical and understanding space for your child to grow and learn throughout the months they study together.

We cannot say enough about the thoughtful and beautiful service Jodi created for our daughter. It was incredible to both see and feel the bond between Alexis and Jodi throughout the service. Jodi has an absolutely beautiful voice and is a wonderfully gifted service-leader who fills the room with love and joy. When asked about her Bat Mitzvah, our daughter expresses with gratitude her special relationship with Jodi and how meaningful that was to her. Our guests all commented on how much they loved the service and how engaged they felt even from afar. We feel so blessed that Jodi made the Bat Mitzvah one of the most memorable experiences of our lives.

- The Westerling Family

Thank You For Creating a Beautiful and Inspirational Service

We feel very fortunate that Jodi was our daughter, Olivia's, tutor and led her Bat Mitzvah service. Their weekly lessons were via Zoom and Olivia and Jodi effortlessly formed a special bond. This truly made Olivia look forward to her tutoring sessions each week. Jodi is so caring, warm and a pure delight!

Family and friends continue to comment on the beautiful service because it was extremely meaningful and relevant. Thanks to Jodi's expertise, Olivia was completely comfortable and prepared. In addition to reading the Torah, she led the service with ease, and now has a true understanding of the importance and significance of the service. Jodi's beautiful voice and explanations created an engaging and inclusive environment. In preparation for this special day, Olivia shared her Mitzvah project with Jodi. Some of her volunteer work included collecting and making donations to Ukraine. Jodi then suggested a "Prayer for Ukraine" for us to include. This one prayer touched so many. Thank you, Jodi for creating a beautiful and inspirational service for Olivia's Bat Mitzvah! This was the most memorable and spectacular day and we were blessed to have Jodi guide and teach us!

- Love, Staci, Rob and Olivia

There is Only One Jodi

What can I say about Jodi Stern Blankstein that hasn't already been celebrated by countless others? As a friend and colleague for more than a decade I've seen her work her magic more times than I can count. And as I consider what she does, I realize how extraordinary this woman is. There are a lot of choices for cantorial clergy, but there is only one Jodi. Her intention, heart, and warmth are evident in every service. And every b'nei mitzvah she is a part of is a model to which others can only aspire, - every child, every service, every time - perfection. To say she has been a blessing to me and my family is an understatement.

Her work with my J leading up to his bar mitzvah was such that he looked forward to and embraced every meeting with her. She's the best teacher I've ever known and every kid she helps absolutely adores her. He led the service with poise and confidence and so much of that is the result of preparation and practice which Jodi led him through with grace and love.

Most people who work with Jodi with their oldest child book the rest of their children immediately after the service, as have I. If you need a teacher, officiant, and voice for your child's special day, you'll find exactly everything you could dream of with Jodi Blankstein.

We are So Appreciative and Grateful
We had the most wonderful experience working with Jodi. From the moment we met Jodi, she was warm, caring and put everyone at ease. Talia’s sessions were done entirely on Zoom but Jodi created a comfortable, safe space and a strong connection with her and our family.

Talia had an incredible Bat Mitzvah education and experience. Jodi’s genuine interest in really getting to know Talia and her passion for Jewish education showed throughout this process. Jodi has provided Talia a lifelong positive feeling about her religion and heritage. Talia was so confident due in large measure to Jodi's teaching and appreciation of her ability to lead the service. Watching Talia's joyfulness, her comfort leading the service and reading the Torah, is something our family will always treasure. Jodi made everyone feel included. It was a true partnership from beginning to end.

We are so appreciative and grateful that Jodi provided Talia with such an enriching and fulfilling mitzvah process. We are excited to have Jodi work with our son Jacob in the next year. We look forward to enjoying many life events and celebrations with her guidance and support. Jodi is part of our family forever!

 

- The Frieze Family

We Were Moved by How Beautiful the Service Was

- Diana Peselman

With Much Gratitude and Praise
We cannot express enough gratitude to Jodi for creating such a beautiful service and experience for our family and friends at our son Nathan’s Bar Mitzvah. It was a joyful and deeply moving experience for our family and all who shared the day with us. Many expressed that it was the most beautiful service they had ever attended. We had several parents call us after the event to share that their child had come home and told them that they had enjoyed the service so much that they wanted Jodi for their Mitzvah!

Jodi is a profoundly gifted and talented spiritual leader and teacher. Her beautiful voice, combined with her gentle and wisdom-filled guidance, provides her students with a meaningful and enjoyable experience. Nathan’s time studying with Jodi was thought provoking, educational and fun. Nathan looked forward to his weekly meetings with Jodi and would often share with us how much he enjoyed their time together. Jodi has a terrific talent for engaging her students in a very deep and significant way, while making the process of preparation extremely stimulating.
Jodi has a true gift for making each individual student feel special and genuinely supported in every way. She is someone who will be a partner and guide in helping you create a unique, meaningful and celebratory day. We cannot recommend Jodi highly enough.

- The Korzenik Family

The Service Itself was Nothing Short of Spectacular
We’ve been fortunate to know Jodi for over two decades. Jodi’s voice is mesmerizing and her knowledge and respect for the process, for the tradition, and for Max’s and our family’s needs is readily apparent. As our son Max’s Bar Mitzvah approached and we struggled to determine options given the ensuing pandemic, we turned to Jodi as an alternative to having Max’s Bar Mitzvah in our synagogue and instead having the service and our celebration in the same place. While we were certainly late making this decision, Jodi literally jumped right in. The entire process was personalized to Max. He learned quickly and actually enjoyed working with Jodi throughout the process.

When it was time for the big day, Max was confident and excited because he was prepared. The service itself was nothing short of spectacular. We enjoyed every single minute of it. Jodi’s personalization to Max and to our family was so incredibly apparent.. We were approached by at least a dozen of our guests after the service and every one said it was the best Bar Mitzvah service they had ever attended. We completely agree. For 90+ minutes Jodi captured the moment, and the attention of 100+ guests (including the kids), beautifully. We can also attest to the incredible personalization that Jodi applies to the event. The very next Saturday we were at another Bar Mitzvah that Jodi officiated. It was equally beautiful, but different than Max’s. We were able to witness first-hand how much Jodi personalized Max’s Bar Mitzvah to Max and to our family. We honestly couldn’t be happier. We highly recommend Jodi for your son or daughter’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

- Matt and Wendy Karlyn

Flawless From Start to Finish
Thank you for everything! It’s hard to believe it was almost four years ago you officiated Jake’s Bar Mitzvah. You were amazing then and you were absolutely incredible throughout the entire process with Zach. The main difference between the Bar Mitzvah process for my two kids was that with Zach’s we had to deal with the difficulties of Covid. Zach’s course of study was longer with you due to the fact we had to move his date forward. You managed to keep him excited and engaged each week. He looked forward to his Tuesday lessons with you. You have a unique way to be able to connect with all different types of learners. Before you started with Zach I was concerned because he’s a different type of learner than Jake. You made the process fun for him and kept him engaged. When family and friends heard when Zach’s Bar Mitzvah would be, many asked if you would be doing the service. When I told them yes, they said how beautiful Jake’s service was and how much they were looking forward to Zach’s because you would be officiating. Not only do you have the most beautiful voice, but you also have an incredible way of engaging the congregation. Many people in attendance not from the Jewish faith told me how comfortable they felt and how much they loved the service. I can’t thank you enough for all of your kindness and support throughout the entire process. You helped make what could have been a difficult process seamless. Thank you again for all of your support. I’m looking forward to the next time we can work together!

Love, The Levy Family

Our family is in awe of Jodi
Our family is in awe of Jodi and the experience we have had with her. Our 2 older sons both became Bar Mitzvah at our Temple. That was the plan for our daughter, too, with an original Bat Mitzvah date of April 2020. Due to Covid, the date was moved several times at our Temple, but ultimately the dates offered to us (all in 2020) would mean our daughter would have an entirely virtual service. Even though Emily was fully prepared for her original date, she really wanted to wait as long as possible in the hope that at least her grandparents, or a small group of friends, could be present in person for her Bat Mitzvah. Jodi was compassionate and optimistic and she and Emily practice via Zoom over the year, and their bond grew quickly.

Jodi is warm, loving, caring, and exceptional at teaching and keeping a young person engaged. Emily’s Bat Mitzvah was ultimately held outside at our house on June 19, 2021, 424 days after her original date. Emily embraced her practice with Jodi, and despite the very lengthy delay, she enjoyed the practice of studying with Jodi. She looked forward to every appointment they had, as Jodi arrived enthusiastically and with contagious energy.

Once the day finally arrived, Jodi, Emily and the service were MAGICAL. Our family and friends had no doubt that Jodi knew, understood, and appreciated Emily and her journey to become a Bat Mitzvah. Her service was breathtakingly beautiful. Jodi’s voice is beautiful. Her words, poise and warmth are captivating and meaningful. Many people said it was the best service they had ever experienced. Despite the long wait, and many changes in plans, meeting Jodi and choosing her as the officiant for Emily’s Bat Mitzvah was truly a silver lining for us. I would choose her again in a heartbeat, and I cannot recommend her highly enough.

- The Harmon Family

One of the most memorable experiences of our life
Our entire family can't thank you enough. We are so grateful to have been introduced to you. You quite simply made Andi's Bat Mitzvah one of the most memorable experiences of our life. From the moment we met you, you embraced our family with your warm, knowledgable, and reassuring demeanor. With the voice of an angel and the heart of a mother, you led the most meaningful service that touched every soul in the Shul. Your thoughtful explanations enabled everyone to feel included.

What was so special to our family, in particular, was how personal you made the service, the comments we received after ranged from, " I have never experienced a service so beautiful and inclusive" to "that was the most amazing Bat Mitzvah I have ever been to."

A few of the things that we found most unique and appreciated

• Your warmth and excitement to truly educate Andi in all aspects of the significance of becoming a young woman in G-ds eyes.
• Your ability to listen to our wishes and guide us, the parents so diplomatically.
• The magical way you brought 200 people from a variety of denominations together.
• You allowed Andi to shine and lead the service with grace and confidence.

There are truly no words to describe the magical feeling that you created, you elevated the souls of every single person in the Shul.

- Forever Grateful, XX, Margi and Dan

A moving and inspirational service
I know i briefly said thanks prior to starting the service yesterday- but words cannot do justice to what was delivered. We so appreciate your guidance and support you gave both of our individual children. Both Jay and I heard over and over all night how much our guests loved the service and your approach, voice and demeanor. The length was not even a concern- a true sign of success. You absolutely brought to life the most important aspect of the entire evening. I just wanted to reiterate our gratitude on behalf of all the "J"'s in our family.

When the dust all settles and the party is really over, there is time for quiet reflection. Ultimately, you are left with why you celebrated your children in the first place. What will our guests remember? (Certainly not the chachkas, or even our theme) What they will be left with is what we started with - a moving and inspirational service that not only celebrated Jack and Juliana's accomplishments, but also appreciated how sacred and special this tradition is. Thank you, Jodi, for bonding us all together, both family and friends in a truly amazing and memorable b'nai mitzvah service. We were mesmerized by your incredible cantoral voice and Adam's beautiful guitar playing!

- Love, Juliana, Jack, Jane & Jay Mazur

Truly magical
Thanks to Jodi, the occasion of our son, Ben, becoming a Bar Mitzvah was truly a magical experience. In May 2019, Jodi officiated the most extraordinary service. Our friends and family marveled at her voice, her warmth, the approachability & joyfulness of the service. But most of all, they were awed by the profoundly strong connection that Jodi so obviously had with our son. The relationship Jodi created with Ben was far deeper than we ever expected. She was an incredibly thoughtful, kind and caring teacher who guided Ben as he learned about Judiasm, his torah portion and himself during their sessions. Jodi truly got to know our son & tapped into his curiosity and creativity during their journey together towards Ben becoming a Bar Mitzvah.

We first met Jodi when she lent her beautiful voice as the cantor at the service at which our daughter became a Bat Mitzvah in 2017. Sarah had taken a more traditional path via the program at Temple Beth Elohim. For our son, we knew we wanted more of a 1:1 experience so we were incredibly fortunate to have met Jodi. Working with Jodi was a perfect fit for Ben's learning style and seeing them grow so close filled me with warmth. Our son adored working with Jodi and looked forward to their sessions at which they talked about the meaning of the prayers, discussed ways the words of the Torah can be seen in how we live today and they laughed and shared inside jokes. She is one of the most extraordinary teachers he will ever know. Ben knew when his day arrived, that he was ready and knowing Jodi would be by his side, he felt confident. When he finished his torah portion he looked at Jodi & the pride and love between them was palpable. The service was perfect but it was everything that came during the months of preparation that made it truly magical. I cannot recommend Jodi more highly!


Ah- Maz-ing!
I met Jodi years ago when she started a women's singing group at my temple. The group included anyone who was a singing professional to people who like me who like to sing in the shower! From the beginning Jodi was incslusive and wove her music and magic every week we met. When I was looking for someone to guide our daughter Abby on her journey to become a Bat-Mitzvah, there was no question to who I would ask. Jodi, who had known Abby since she was little , mentored Abby through our weekly meetings. Jodi is a patient, kind, knowledgeable teacher. She made Abby and our family feel special, and made the process easy and comfortable for all.

The day of the service was beautiful! Jodi was able to honor my parents who had passed by weaving them into the service and explaining to the congregation the importance of passing down Jewish teachings from generation to generation. Her explanation of becoming a bat mitzvah to the congregation made everyone see the importance of the day for Abby. Finally, the music with her guitarist Adam was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Jodi's melodic voice transcends through the congregation and makes the experience feel one of a kind. So many of the guests came up to both Jodi and to us to comment on what an incredibly moving and beautiful service it was. We are so blessed to have had Jodi be a part of our journey with Abby and our family.

Thank you Jodi for leading us through this important milestone! We love you!
- Deb Cohen, parent of Bat Mitzvah

I'm lucky and thrilled that Jodi has chosen to lend her gifts to the work in which I'm involved
I know I write on behalf of many when I say that Jodi's contributions are immeasurable. She has offered her truly beautiful voice to a number of community events with a graciousness and generosity that is innately her. Jodi has shared her voice in song for 300 people at an annual sports day for adults with disabilities, Yom Sport, with great passion and thoughtfulness. Jodi has volunteered her time to contribute, in a leadership capacity, to the creation of an Inclusive Haggadah for the Boston Jewish Community. Her insight and knowledge of the prayers and song guided the committee throughout the process and was celebrated with the successful piloting of the Haggadah at a Community Passover Seder for adults with disabilities. Jodi was equally committed and enthusiastic about her role as cantorial soloist for the Seder of more than 200. She helped to create a totally festive atmosphere in which all were welcome and which all could enjoy. I have appreciated that for Jodi, it always seems important that she lends 100% of herself and that the audiences needs are first to be considered - she seems to have a mission to bring joy and meaning to the lives of people that she has the opportunity to touch.
- Jan Klein, Director, Programs for Adults with Disabilities
and Yom Sport Chair, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters

Jodi is Amazing!
"Right from the start Jodi made a lasting connection with our daughter and our family. She has been a wonderful role model and teacher, creating a nurturing environment in which Olivia could study and learn what it means to become a Bat-Mitzvah. It was this connection to our daughter and our family that made Olivia's Bat Mitzvah so special. Moreover, the connection and spirit of inclusiveness that Jodi made with our guests during the service added to the beauty of the moment with many of our guests telling us that Olivia's Bat Mitzvah was one of the most beautiful services that they had ever been to. Combine all of that love and joy with Jodi's GORGEOUS, melodic voice and Olivia's Bat-Mitzvah was truly a special moment for not only Olivia- but for our entire family and all who were there to witness her accomplishment.

Thank you Jodi, from the bottom of our hearts! We love you!"
- Andrea Segal, parent of Bat Mitzvah

Jodi Created a Meaningful, Traditional Jewish Wedding Service
Jodi Blankstein officiated at our daughter's wedding and did a beautiful job. The ceremony was lovely. Jodi was able to incorporate everyone's desires and created a meaningful, traditional Jewish wedding service that satisfied all. That was quite a feat. The beauty of the ceremony was enhanced by Jodi's beautiful singing and her choice of music. Her personal comments were both meaningful and humorous. Following the ceremony, our friends and family, who come from many different Jewish and non-Jewish traditions, universally praised the ceremony as "one of the most beautiful" they have attended.
- Andrea & Mark, 2 Happy Parents

Personalized Content, Deep Judaic Knowledge, Loving, Thoughtful Presence
Jodi connected with my daughter instantly and built an incredible relationship with her: at once productive, enriching, and SO much fun! Without exception, Julia truly looked forward to her weekly tutoring sessions! Jodi tailored the Bat Mitzvah preparation to Julia's particular interests, strengths, and personality, consistently engaging her at both a sophisticated intellectual level and an adolescent one.

Jodi's service -- personalized content, deep Judaic knowledge, loving, thoughtful presence -- and totally amazing voice -- really made the day for all of us. Several of our guests clamored to hire her for their own children's Bat Mitzvah preparation after seeing what Jodi did for Julia. I cannot recommend her highly enough as a cantor, tutor, and teen mentor.
- Deb Offner

A Spiritual Touchstone for Our Whole Family
Jodi worked with us and our sons to prepare a beautiful, meaningful Havdalah service to commemorate our boys' B'Nai Mitzvah in Israel. Her warmth and her beautiful voice made both the process and the event itself a spiritual touchstone for our whole family. We recommend her highly to anyone looking for a creative, lyrical service.
- Marla Wolk

Her Soothing Melodies Tenderly Guide our Congregation in Prayer
"It's as if G-d is singing to us through Jodi Blankstein's voice. Her soothing, embracing, emotive melodies tenderly guide our congregation in prayer as we welcome Shabbat. Either with responsive voices or closed eyes, all are engaged. In the last two years or so that Jodi Blankstein has led our services attendance has markedly increased. We need more prayer books and chairs....what a wonderful problem to have. Temple Habonim is experiencing spiritual growth. The love of G-d and the need to be together as a Jewish community is palpable. You can see it in the faces of the children as well as the elders. Jodi Blankstein brings warmth, hope, peace, and G-d to all of us. So many prayers are wonderful but for me the R'Tzei is nectar for the soul. Come to our services and close your eyes....your heart will open."
- Dr. Jay Schachne, congregant of Temple Habonim

Jodi Blankstein is a wonderful singer of Israel!
"She truly understands the role of Cantorial Soloist and the art of chazzanut and makes meaningful and authentic contributions to worship services and life-cycle events. Jodi has a wonderful repertoire of Jewish music, has a keen awareness of how to select and choose music to fit the occasion, has excellent command of Hebrew, and, most importantly, takes her role as a leader of song and prayer seriously. In whatever she does, Jodi fosters an atmosphere of inclusiveness, emanates warmth, and uses her beautiful voice and her heart to bring just the right sound and quality to her work. Jodi creates a sense of community that lasts long beyond the last note she sings at any event, occasion or service."
- Rabbi Lisa Eiduson


Her Beautiful Voice Adds Depth and Richness to our Services
"Jodi Blankstein has served Temple Habonim as our part time cantorial soloist since January 2009. In the time that she has been with us, Jodi has chanted and sung her way into the heart of our congregation. Jodi feels a deep spiritual connection to Jewish music and liturgy, which is evident in the way she leads us in worship. Jodi plays an integral part in creating a deeply prayerful environment for our community. Her beautiful voice adds depth and richness to our services. Jodi is extremely professional and responsible; her presence and her music are a gift to any service in which she participates."
- Rabbi Andrew Klein, Temple Habonim