Clergy & Leadership

Kelly Onickel, cantorial soloist, converted to Judaism in 1988. In 1989 she and her husband Harry became members of Temple Emanu-El. Since then she has been active in the Shir Chadash Choir, sisterhood, membership, religious, and education committees. Prior to Kelly serving as cantorial soloist, she often lead services when Cantor Norman Rose, z”l, Chaplin Ande Teeple, music directors Steve Klaper and Judy Lewis, or Cantor Darcie Sharlien (all who preceded her in this position) were on vacation or on leave. Kelly has a BA in vocal music, and a minor in Judaic Studies from Oakland University. She is currently attending the University of Michigan – Frankel Institution for Judaic Studies, working towards her Masters in Judaic Studies. Working full time from the age of 15 in many different industries, she has developed a very strong and committed work ethic.In 2006 Kelly made the decision to go back to school in pursuit of her passions in music and religion. Although never working in the music or congregational industries prior to Temple Emanu-El, Kelly never stopped singing. She began studying voice with private lessons at the age of five at Eastern Michigan University, continuing her studies throughout her education. She has studied under such opera professionals as Candice DeLattre, and Nadine Washington, and jazz professionals Danny Jordan z”l, Tad Weed, Sean Dobbins, Dr. Miles Brown, Carl Cafagnia, and Scott Gwinell, and Conductors Michael Mitchell and Bradley Bloom. Kelly and Harry have two children; son Kein and daughter Sierra, both graduates of Temple Emanu-El’s religious school. Kelly is and always has been fully committed to the Temple Emanu-El community and looks forward with great joy to the years to come.

Eileen has been Director of the Early Childhood Community since 2007 and has been part of the ECC for most of the past 25 years, as a Nursery Teacher, then as Associate Director of the program, and finally as Director of Student Services, before beng appointed as Director of the ECC. Ms. Brand graduated from Wayne State University with a B.A. in Education, did post graduate work in Early Childhood Education at Madonna College and attended the Jewish Early Education Enrichment Project of the Federation of Metropolitan Detroit in 2002-2004.For Eileen, the memories and experiences with her Temple Emanu-El family continue to be a significant part of her life. Her own children grew up during her Temple career; she witnessed (and enabled) the growth of the pre-school from a Nursery School to an Early Childhood Community and she has seen many children grow up and return to Temple to share their memories.