Linda Matorin Sweenie, Interim Spiritual Leader

Beginning August 1, 2025, Temple Beth-El, Las Cruces welcomed Linda Matorin Sweenie as Interim Spiritual Leader. She will serve the congregation full time while the temple Board of Directors conducts a search for a permanent Spiritual Leader. Linda retired in June 2023 after serving for over 25 years in the cantorate, first at Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, KS, and then at Temple B’nai Israel in Oklahoma City, OK. She and her husband, Glenn Philips have been active volunteers at Temple Beth-El since moving to Las Cruces two years ago.

Along with extensive pulpit, education and pastoral care experience, Linda is an accomplished musician and composer and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Women Cantors’ Network, an international organization of cantors from the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements.