Leah E. (Holland) Elstein

Obituary Leah E. Elstein March 20, 1976 - February 14, 2016 Cantor Leah Elstein passed away suddenly and unexpectedly early Sunday morning. She grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, where she discovered her love of Jewish music through singing in her home temple's choirs. In college, she continued to hone her voice and guitar skills, earning a BA in Music from Barat College after attending the University of Southern California for the beginning of her studies. After college, Cantor Elstein devoted herself to teaching and social justice as a member of the Teach for America corps in Greenville, Mississippi. She taught high school general music and choir. During that time she also earned a Masters Degree in Music Education from Delta State University. Following Teach for America, Cantor Elstein taught middle school music and choir at a private school in Chicago, where she was also a soloist, music teacher, and youth group advisor at her childhood congregation. She then attended the Hebrew Union College's School of Sacred Music and was installed as a Cantor in 2010. Afterwards, she moved to Tacoma, Washington and served as the Cantor and Education Director of Temple Beth El until her passing. The same year she moved to Tacoma, she met her husband and they soon started a family by adopting two dogs, Lulu and Baxter. In July 2013 they were blessed with the birth of their daughter. She was always so full of joy and life, bringing much passion and feeling to everything she did, especially her music. She was predeceased by her father, Phillip Ingerham. She is survived by her husband, Jacob, and her daughter, Sara, of Tacoma; her mother Susan Ingerham of Loda, Illinois and her sister Mara Ingerham of Chicago. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Home of Peace Cemetery, 5421 Steilacoom Blvd. SW in Lakewood, followed by the meal of condolence at Temple Beth El, 5975 S 12th St. in Tacoma. Please leave condolences online at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.