Many in our community are already familiar with the talents of Cantor Mary Thomas, as she served Temple Beth El for three years as a Cantorial Intern prior to attending Cantorial School. Cantor Thomas will be working part-time leading services, teaching B'nei Mitzvah with Cantor Bernard, working with the Religious School, teaching adult education, creating family programming and sharing with all of us her shining personality, her inspirational vocal abilities and the depths of her Jewish wisdom. Mary was at the top of her Cantorial class and was in great demand for employment. Her desire to settle here with her husband, Matt, who will transfer his job at GMAC Ally Bank from New York to Charlotte, and their joint desire to raise their now seven-month-old daughter, Johannah, in our Queen City, made her the ideal match for Beth El. Throughout her five years of Cantorial School, Charlotte and Beth El have been the home to where Mary regularly returned. Congregants rave about Mary's voice; students feel strong connections to her, and adults and children alike celebrate the wisdom she shares through her teaching.