Cantor Congregation Mishkan Tefila Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Age: 28 Nominated by: Rabbi Jonah Rank Song: “Ruah HaOlam Malkati,” Sarah Myerson Cantor Sarah Myerson is a world traveler and a multi-instrumentalist capable of playing accordion, piano, flute, drums and more. She composes pensive music for the lesser-known parts of tefillah, to help her community become more…
Cantor Temple Beth Abraham Oakland, California Age: 66 Nominated by: Rabbi Marc Bloom Song: “Birkat Kohanim,” Liturgy As a seeker of wisdom and a musician whose main spiritual practice has been Judaism for the past 30 years, Jewish sacred music has been utterly central to my life. This music’s power to create an expanded soulfulness,…
Cantor Temple Beth Torah Sha’aray Tzedek Tamarac, Florida Age: 27 Nominated by: Himself Song: “Chad Gadya,” Moishe Oysher When I was 6 years old I began playing the violin because I saw the musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” My experience with the violin eventually led to me singing in my synagogue’s choir, which eventually led…
Song leader URJ Camp Newman, UCLA student San Rafael, California Age: 21 Nominated by: Rachel Mercer Song: “Lech Lecha,” Jackson Mercer Perhaps it is the ultimate act of a Jewish mother to nominate her own son, but he was song-leading up at Camp Newman with limited Internet access [during this nomination process,] so here goes….
Music coordinator Congregation Havurah Shalom Portland, Oregon Age: 62 Nominated by: Herself Song: “P’tach Lanu Sha’ar,” from Yom Kippur Liturgy, music by Ilene Safyan Jewish music — whether the origins are Eastern European, Israeli, Sephardic or American — has always resonated deeply within me. These melodies express yearning, hope, laugher and life. When I moved…
Cantor Sinai Temple Los Angeles Age: 31 Nominated by: Rabbi David Wolpe Song: “V’al Yedel Avadecha” Zavel Kwartin I didn’t choose to be a cantor, rather I responded to a sacred calling: to touch people’s lives at their most vulnerable moments. to enhance their joy and ease their sorrow. Jewish music is the perfect vehicle…
Cantor Congregation Beth Elohim Brooklyn Age: 33 Nominated by: Rachel Timoner Song: “Da Mei’ayin Bata,” Joshua Breitzer As a classically trained musician, I have experienced art’s power to inspire. As a Jew, nowhere have I felt this more potently than during worship. In my cantorate I hold myself to the highest artistic standards, to use…
Lead cantor Bet Shira Congregation Miami Age: 37 Nominated by: Herself Song: “Lu Yehi,” Naomi Shemer I grew up in Israel, where most music was Jewish music, so it naturally resonates deep within me. My love for Jewish music is at my core, and the desire to share my passion fueled my decision to train…
It is great to hear the variety and range of Jewish music—its many sounds, texts, and languages. Music is a reflection of the soul of a community, and this project reminded me that our Jewish community is diverse and thriving. — Angela Buchdahl Rabbi/Cantor Angela Warnick Buchdahl began her Jewish professional life as a songleader at…
Jewish studies teacher Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan New York City Age: 28 Nominated by: Timna Burston Song: “Yedid Nefesh,” Jonah Rank What I think is unique about Jonah’s approach to Jewish music is his commitment to quality and innovation. He reaches out to others through his music, and creates new and exciting melodies and…
For many of us, Jewish sacred music evokes deeply personal and powerful memories of family, community, and often of those no longer with us. For this reason, many greet deviations from our own experience with Jewish sonic ritual with ire. Yet while some may be nostalgic for a specific music soundscape, Jewish musical practice—never static—constantly…
