From left to right: Service Dogs, Inc. Founder and CEO Sheri So ltes; Shalom Austin CEO Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus; Rabbi Cantor Marie Betcher; Jonathan Betcher; Rabbi Neil Blumofe of Congregation Agudas Achim. Credit: Phillip LeConte

By Allison Teegardin 

History was made in Austin, Texas on March 20 as the first female Rabbi Cantor in the country was pinned as Austin Police Department’s senior chaplain. Rabbi Cantor Marie Betcher was pinned by Austin Police Department Chief Joseph Chacon at the main APD station. Shalom Austin Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Rabbi Neil Blumofe of Congregation Agudas Achim were present for the historic pinning ceremony. Rabbi Cantor Betcher’s journey to this role began a decade ago and she says while it’s not the type of work for everyone, it is for her and she serves with great passion and compassion.

“In this role, I have been there for people during the most difficult times,” said Rabbi Cantor Betcher. “This job is difficult, but it’s important to be present and shine a much-needed light during dark times.” As a senior chaplain, Rabbi Cantor Betcher serves as a source of support to provide comfort to officers as well as non-sworn community members. Her role often takes her to hospitals, homes and funerals. However, there’s a lighter side to the job as well such as officiating weddings, participating in community events, and in Rabbi Cantor Betcher’s case, even offering blessings and advocating for animals.

Rabbi Cantor Betcher’s musical talent became evident when she was five years old. She recalls her first piano lessons sitting beside Ray Sinatra who was the conductor for the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas, an opportunity made possible by her father’s work as a custom designer and tailor for the Rat Pack. Rabbi Cantor Betcher followed the music to the University of Indiana School of Music where she studied and eventually switched from piano to vocal performance. Her music studies led her to Austin, Texas, which she says was bashert (meant to be) as it was how she met her husband, Jonathan Betcher.

Rabbi Cantor Betcher and Jonathan, who was a police officer, married in 1978 at Dallas Temple Shalom. The couple joined Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, Texas where she served as cantorial soloist from 1988-1994 before becoming an ordained cantor in 1999 by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. In the years that followed, the Betchers lived in various cities as work took them, ultimately returning to Austin, Texas in 2000. From 2004 to 2012, Rabbi Cantor Betcher served as Congregation Shir Ami’s first clergy, first as spiritual leader and then as rabbi after becoming ordained in 2011.

In 2013, Rabbi Cantor Betcher began the transition from congregation rabbi to chaplain when she joined the Cedar Park Police/Fire Departments before joining the Austin Police Department in 2016. “It’s been a wonderful journey and I’ve been blessed to meet wonderful people from all walks of life,” said Rabbi Cantor Betcher. “I come about things with a positive attitude and always try to keep a smile on my face because I know they are going through a difficult time. I believe as senior chaplain, G-d has put me here to serve the needs of the police officers, their families and everyone else.”

Rabbi Cantor Betcher’s commitment to community service is extensive. She has served on the board for Interfaith Action of Central Texas (IACT) as well as Swan Song-Musical Last Wishes for the Dying. Currently, Rabbi Cantor Betcher serves on the board of Lone Star Social Services, a foster and adoption agency. Rabbi Cantor Betcher was honored to serve on the national board of the American Conference of Cantors, and chair the ACC Caring Committee. She also is involved with several animal-related organizations such as Service Dogs, Inc., a program that rescues shelter dogs, trains and places them as service dogs for free to veterans, first responders and people with disabilities. Rabbi Cantor Betcher also serves ex officio on the Lesbian and Gay Peace Officers Association (LGPOA) board.

Rabbi Cantor Betcher, who pursued her dreams and became a cantor at the age of 40 and a Rabbi some years later, wants all women to know, “There is no age limit –there is nothing you can’t do.” Rabbi Cantor Betcher can be reached at marie.betcher@austintexas.gov.