Clergy




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Cantor Block


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Rabbi Joseph Angel-Field
Dr. Cantor Harvey Lee Block, Ph.D has for the past 50 years, served as a cantor and a community leader to congregants in The Foothills of the San Fernando Valley.  Since 2000 Congregation Hugat Haverim (Circle of Friends) has been his home, which joins Reform Jews from throughout the San Gabriel and Foothill areas in small weekly services.

Cantor Block’s commitment to Judaism began when he was just 5 years old and was so fascinated by the cantor who sang in the synagogue that he would come home and try his hand at the songs.
“I made up the Hebrew but I knew the melodies,” he recalled.

​​In 1961, Block studied at UCLA and enrolled in rabbinical school at the suggestion of his rabbi. He eventually got work in religious schools that also wanted someone with singing talent, and his gift for leading children was recognized.

​After spending two years living in Israel, Cantor Block returned to California in 1967 where he was hired as the cantor and youth director at Temple Sinai in Glendale. Whenever there was a birth, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, death or other event, Block was called to help perform the service. By the time he left Temple Sinai in 2000, he had logged more than 100 life-cycle services each year for 33 years.

Rabbi Joey Angel-Field was born and raised in and around the San Gabriel Valley. A long-time lay-leader and volunteer, he’s always been drawn to Jewish communal life and leadership, and after ordination at the Academy for Jewish Religion and a variety of studies and life experiences, he is happy to serve as the new rabbi of Hugat Haverim.

Rabbi Angel-Field grew up at nearby Temple Beth David of Temple City with long-time emeritus Rabbi Alan Lachtman and a few wonderful cantors, and that is also where he met his wonderful wife Lauren, a photographer and fellow roommate of their little dog, Cubby.

He has facilitated weddings, funerals and memorials and led a variety of services as well as served as an educator, youth group leader, and much more in several congregations in Southern California. He has spent the last couple of years working in the Adat Chaverim - Congregation for Humanistic Judaism -community.

Joey’s dad, David Angel z”l, was Sephardic so it’s a central aspect to his Judaic portfolio and personal philosophy. Rabbi Angel-Field is very excited to get to know the community, and share all about his experiences, and get to learn and create together.
Services

We meet once a month for Shabbat services. Our Shabbat services are held in a private home, usually in eastern Glendale. We use Gates of Prayer for Shabbat.  Our services are led by our Rabbi, Joey Angel-Field, and our long-time Cantor, Dr. Harvey Lee Block. 

We hold a full set of High Holy Day services in a larger venue. 

We are very proud of our annual Pot Luck Seder.  We provide the chicken and you provide the sides.  It is very popular event so please plan on joining in!

Hanukah O' Hanukah!  Latkes, Latkes and Latkes.  We have so much fun every year at our Hanukah parties.  We light the Hanukia, sing songs and re-connect with people we haven't seen all year.