Cantor Pavel Roytman, “Ana Dodi”
Wilmette, Illinois
Age: 44 Song: “Ana Dodi”
Cantor Pavel Roytman is a native of Nikolaev, Ukraine. At the age of seven, he was accepted as a piano student to a specialized music school for gifted children. He continued his studies in piano and conducting at the Kaliningrad Rachmaninov Music College in Russia and later at Petrozavodsk Galzunov State Conservatory.
While in Petrozavodsk, Pavel joined the Klezmer Shpil Orchestra as a soloist. Between 1991 and 1994, Pavel and the Klezmer Shpil performed extensively throughout Russia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
In 1994, Cantor Roytman immigrated to the United States, where he obtained his Bachelor of Music in voice performance from Depaul University and Master of Music in musicology from Northwestern University. In 2006, Cantor Roytman was certified as a Cantor through Hebrew Union College and in 2015, completed his certification as a conservative cantor and became a full-fledged member of the Cantor’s Assembly.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
