By Lindsey Neary
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For Bronwen Mullin, the path to becoming a Jewish clergy member was not what many would consider typical. She didn’t grow up immersed in religious life; in fact, outside of Hebrew school, her childhood was largely secular. But she was always, in her words, “obsessed with the arts.” A self-described theater kid, she spent her early years studying music, auditioning for regional theatre productions, and exploring creative expression. Music was a constant. Judaism, at the time, was not.
That changed in her early 20s. While working as an actor/musician in New York City, Bronwen began teaching Hebrew School at B’nai Jeshurun to help make ends meet. There, at Shabbat services,
she encountered a synagogue experience that was alive with sound, movement, and emotional depth. The melodies were familiar, but the energy was different than anything she’d experienced before, and she felt fully embodied.
That sparked what she describes as a profound Jewish awakening, setting her on a path toward the rabbinate, and eventually the cantorate.
What makes Cantor Bronwen distinctive is how deeply her background shapes her musical approach. She doesn’t just see music as an addition to prayer, she sees it as the mechanism that makes prayer real. Her rabbinic training plays a central role here, as she uses music to translate Jewish text and tradition into something felt, not just understood.
Her philosophy is also rooted in contrast. Influenced by both the dramatic, classical Ashkenazi tradition and the vibrant,
rhythmic energy of Sephardic and Mizrahi music, she doesn’t
choose between them but carries both forward. She often blends traditional liturgy with contemporary arrangements, layering
familiar melodies with new rhythms and emotional textures. The goal isn’t to replace tradition, but to reawaken it.
Cantor Bronwen’s influence is being felt in tangible ways at Congregation Beth Shalom. Music has become more participatory and more central to community life. One example comes from Jeff Schultz, a longtime congregant and musician, who rarely attended services and was drawn in by the opportunity to actively create, not just observe. Now, he’s a consistent weekly presence who people expect to see leading services, just as they would a clergy member.
This reflects Cantor Bronwen’s broader belief that music is about inviting people in, not just listening from a distance. She is proud that this ethos has fueled everything from the growth of the Purim spiel into an intergenerational, communal event to the emergence of new musical groups like Shul House Rock (a rock n’ roll cover band for holidays) and the Shabbos Band that bring new energy and joy.
But her vision for the future expands beyond one building’s walls to making music central and transformative, infusing every aspect of Jewish life. (Can you tell she was influenced by her time at Camp Ramah?)
She envisions a Hebrew school and community programs where music is foundational—where children and adults sing regularly, develop their musical talents, and associate Jewish learning with joy and creativity.
She imagines bringing in guest artists, showcasing local talent, and connecting the Delaware Jewish community to the wider Jewish musical world. Thanks to her time as a Rising Song fellow, Cantor Bronwen is connected to a number of Jewish musicians in the region.
Finally, rather than confining Jewish music to the synagogue building, she hopes to bring it outward into parks, public spaces, and new environments. In her words, the goal is to become a kind of “traveling Mishkan,” meeting people where they are and creating moments of connection beyond traditional walls.
Underlying all of this is a clear belief: When music is done right, it doesn’t just belong to the cantor. It belongs to everyone.
Join in celebrating Cantor Bronwen at Congregation Beth Shalom on May 21 for “Let Our Voices Rise,” a musical, Israel-inspired Tikkun Leil Shavuot event featuring a dairy dessert bar. https://www. cbswilmde.org/let-our-voices-rise
