BIOGRAPHIES

Joel Sussman - Vocals, Piano, Synthesizer and Guitar

Joel began playing professionally in rock bands at the age of 15 while growing up in Edmonton, Canada. After graduation from the University of Alberta, and a year working as a social worker in Israel for Sherut La'am (Israel Peace Corp), he moved to Boston to acquire an MBA from Northeastern University, and now runs his own financial services company. He also has served since 1992 as a High Holiday Cantor at Temple Israel of Natick. As one of the group's two songwriters, Joel composes SAFAM's music from his home in Newton, MA where he lives with his wife Debbie. They have three children - Ari, Jonathan and Mera.

Robbie Solomon - Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin and Flute

Robbie Solomon is internationally known as a composer of Jewish choral works and synagogue repertoire. His stirring anthem “Leaving Mother Russia,” written in 1979, became the rallying cry of the Soviet Jewry movement. He has since authored dozens of songs of Jewish content and is well known as a performer/song writer with the popular Jewish music group Safam. In addition to over ten recordings with Safam, Cantor Solomon’s works have been performed and recorded by numerous cantors and choirs throughout the world. A series of his choral works has been published, and a book of solo pieces and duets for the synagogue is due to be released shortly. His many commissions have included choral pieces written for Zamir Chorale of Boston, and his works have been regularly featured at the annual North American Jewish Choral Festival.

Cantor Robbie Solomon’s full-length original musical, “The Orphan Queen—the story of Esther,” has been produced in several locations since its first run in 1997, including a four-week engagement in the spring of 1999 at the Jewish Theatre of New England, once again to full houses in 2004, and most recently to rave reviews in 2008.

Along with an Orthodox upbringing in Baltimore, Maryland, and rabbinical study at the Hebrew Union College, Cantor Solomon received conservatory training at the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem, Berklee College of Music, and New England Conservatory. He is certified as a cantor with both the Reform and Conservative movements, and he is listed on the faculty of the new cantorial/educator program at Hebrew College.

Cantor Solomon is presently the cantor at Temple Isaiah in Lexington, and lives with his wife, Helen, in Lexington, MA. They have two sons, Byron and Sam.

Alan Nelson - Vocals and Synthesizer

Alan was born and raised in the Boston area where he is Purchasing and Marketing Director of a retail auto parts chain. While studying accordion and piano at the Chaloff School of Music, he directed Temple and youth group choirs, was music director at a Jewish summer camp, and served as Assistant Conductor of the Zamir Chorale of Boston. Alan currently resides in Natick, MA with his wife Debbie and his children Michelle and Adam.

Dan Funk - Vocals

Dan is a native of Highland Park, NJ, attended Rutgers University, and received his law degree from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston. He lives with his wife Marcia, sons Joshua and Aaron and nieces Jessica and Emily in Newton, MA where he has been serving as City Solicitor. Dan's musical career began in high school where he performed in a barbershop quartet, a choir and a rock band. After performing with the Zamir Chorale of Boston where he met Alan and Joel, he helped form SAFAM in 1974. Dan is also a High Holiday Cantor at Temple Beth Torah in Holliston, MA.

Mark Snyder - Bass

Mark has been a fixture on the Boston music scene since 1976. His "sideman" credits include work with the Gary Burton Quartet, The Coasters, the Marvelettes, Little Anthony, Brian Hiland, and the Ink Spots. He has recorded and toured extensively, playing in New York City jazz clubs as well as concerts and nightclubs across the United States and Europe. He is the leader of the Mark Snyder Quartet. Mark holds a degree in Composition from Berklee College of Music. He is a prolific composer with experience in film scoring. He is a member of the faculties of Noble & Greenough School and the South Shore Conservatory.

Bob Weiner - Percussion