March/April 2018

I would like to call your attention to what I know will be a TBE highlight!  I hope that you will hold the Shabbat/Weekend of April 20th-22nd and join us for this special musical event.

As you know, each and every year for the past twenty years, we have had the distinct honor to host the Richard W. Briskin Cantor-in-Residence Shabbat/Weekend.  We are indebted to Henra, and the entire Briskin family for making this program the continuing success that it has been.

Due to the fact that this is, in fact, our twentieth time featuring students of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School, we will be making this year’s concert even more special!

First, a little background information:

John Dellheim (z”l) was a Holocaust survivor who became a pioneer computer programmer at IBM.  The John Leopold and Martha Dellheim Endowment Fund initiative includes an internship program that pairs students with mentors in the field, and expands the school’s opportunities to teach concert planning, enhance repertoire coaching, and present student performances at IBM.  He deeply loved Judaism and Jewish music and endowed the John Leopold and Martha Dellheim Internship Program and Concert Series to bring Western cantorial music around the United States via the mentors, alumni, and students of the H. L. Miller Cantorial School, thereby perpetuating the performance and transmission of Jewish sacred music to future generations.

I will be going to New York to meet and rehearse with our concert participants on April 10th.  Hazzan Nancy Abramson is the director of the cantorial school and will be participating in the weekend.  She and I will be joined by Hazzanim Matt Austerklein, Anna Silverman, Gil Ezring and Josh Kowitz.  I am delighted that Ms. Alla Kuznetsov will, once again be accompanying on the piano.

The Shabbat and weekend will begin with an enhanced presentation of Friday Night Live with our FNL band, followed by dinner.  On Shabbat morning we are looking forward to our guest Hazzanim having the opportunity to be a part of our youth services.  Rabbi Bitran and I have invited Hazzan Abramson to offer the Dvar Torah at our Shabbat Morning service in our Sanctuary.

On Sunday afternoon, we will present a concert of Jewish Music entitled “Chosen Voices: The story of the Cantor through Music”.

As you can see, this has all of the ingredients of a “must-not-miss” event!

Again, the dates are April 20th-22nd.  Please mark your calendar and watch for further information!

Lisa joins with me in wishing you Hag Sameiach!

B’Shalom….

Hazzan Leubitz