Opening day at Eisner Camp (2013)
Cantor Vladimir Lapin is the inaugural holder of the Cantor Sarah J. Sager Chair in Music at Congregation Mishkan Or (formerly Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple) in Beachwood, OH. As a member of Mishkan Or’s clergy team, he leads weekly, holiday, and lifecycle services, oversees the b'nei mitzvah program, engages in adult Torah study, and provides pastoral care and support to the community. He is also deeply committed to education, offering continuing lessons for children and adults.
Beyond the sanctuary, Cantor Lapin is actively involved in community outreach, contributing to educational and cultural initiatives throughout Cleveland and beyond. He has been a member of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) Executive Board since 2019 and serves on the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s (HUC-JIR) Alumni Council. In addition, he is currently pursuing a Certificate in Substance Use Disorder Counseling at John Carroll University’s Graduate School of Health.
Cantor Lapin received his cantorial ordination and master’s degree in Sacred Music from HUC-JIR’s Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Temple University and a graduate diploma in Vocal Performance from The Mannes College of Music (New School) in New York City. Before entering the cantorate, he worked as public relations and marketing professional in Philadelphia and New York.
An accomplished vocalist, Cantor Lapin has collaborated with a wide range of artists and has performed in sacred and secular concerts throughout North America, Israel, and Europe. Most recently, he was the featured soloist in Ernest Bloch’s Sacred Service with the Kent State University Orchestra and Choir.
Prior to joining Mishkan Or, Cantor Lapin served as the cantor at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, NY (2016–2020). As a student, he was the cantorial intern at B’nai Jeshurun-Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes, NJ, and the student cantor at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) in New York City. He completed a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) unit at The Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, OH, working in mental health and intensive care. Additionally, he has served on the religious school faculty at Temple Sha’aray Tefila and Congregation Rodeph Sholom in New York City and spent several summers as Director of the Nature Program (Teva) at URJ Camp Eisner in Great Barrington, MA.
Cantor Lapin is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Rabbi Jack Stern & Lawrence Hoffman Prize in Liturgy (2014), the Be Wise Fellowship (2013–2015), the Rabbi Sarah Messinger Prize (2014), the Yiddish Song Prize (2014), the Lutwak Memorial Cantorial Prize (2013), and the Levenstein Prize in Human Relations (2015).
Cantor Lapin was born in Belarus, and grew up in Philadelphia. He is married to Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum, and together they are proud parents of two children.