Jonathan Dimmock Bio

Music Director Jonathan Dimmock first made music in our sanctuary in 2006, starting a relationship that has been transformative both for him and for the Sherith Israel congregation. He brings enormous expertise in four crucial aspects of his role as Music Director: performing at an artistic level that invites listeners into a deeper relationship with the Divine, enthusiastic direction of the volunteer choir (Koleynu) throughout the year, highly professional direction of the High Holy Days Choir which presents our musical face to the world, and a scholastic background in psychology and sociology that helps him administer dozens of personalities with effectiveness and calm. 

Jonathan has made more than 50 CDs, including the Grammy Award winning recording of Mahler's Symphony VIII with the San Francisco Symphony. His recordings can be found on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and well over 100 streaming platforms. As a concert organist, he is one of the few organists in the world to tour, regularly, on six continents. He has held music positions at three American cathedrals (including St. John the Divine, NYC) and Westminster Abbey, where he served as the first American Organ Scholar in the 1980s. He is the Organist for the San Francisco Symphony as well as the Principal Organist at the Legion of Honor Museum, where he presents his unique blend of art and music comparisons 40 times each year.

Jonathan has founded five nonprofit organizations including the highly acclaimed American Bach Soloists, Artists' Vocal Ensemble, and The Resonance Project which uses live music in international conflict resolution. This project was hailed by President Obama for its visionary insights into building world peace. 

Jonathan is native of the East coast but loves the beauty of the Bay Area where he can frequently be found hiking, practicing yoga and Qi Gong outdoors, or building his photography catalog. He loves to cook (especially sourdough bread) and garden, and blogs passionately about the role of beauty in transforming the world. His website is JonathanDimmock.com.