Song, prayer, hand in hand

“When one is ready to reach a milestone like 50 years, you acknowledge the past and you look to the future,” said Rabbi Jay Goldstein, Beth Israel?s rabbi. “Music plays a critical component in the spiritual nature of any congregation.”

The concert features past and present cantors, collaborating for one night of religious music.

A cantor, called hazzan in Hebrew, is a Jewish musician trained in vocal arts to help lead the congregation of the synagogue in prayer. Cantors are required to obtain a bachelor?s degree and complete formal training. Their job is not only to sing but to have extensive knowledge of biblical and liturgical literature as well.

“Voices of Gold” features solos and collaborations between Cantor Roger Eisenberg as well as other cantors from around the area. Former Beth Israel cantors Kimberly Komrad, the first female cantor in the Baltimore-Washington area, and Elias Roochverg, the current hazzan at Temple Israel in Charlotte, N.C., will perform, as well as former synagogue members Evette Kaufman Katlin, Arthur Katlin and Rachel Hersh Epstein. The only non-cantor performing at the show is Gabi Levin, a young congregation member who was specially asked to perform by Eisenberg because of her “beautiful voice,” he said. Levin will be the fourth member of the women cantors? quartet performing at the celebration.

“Each cantor is a wonderful artist unto themselves,” Eisenberg said. “And we have a couple of different accompanists coming with them.”

“[This concert] is the culminating event for the 50th anniversary,” Goldstein said. “The cantors have invested themselves in teaching our five generations of children, giving them the confidence and competence to participate in synagogue life. It?s a celebration of those professionals within our congregation.”

Voices of Gold: A Celebration in Song

» Venue: Beth Israel Synagogue, 3706 Crondall Lane, Owings Mills

» Time: 7:30 p.m. Sunday

» Cost: $10 to $12

» More info: 410-654-0800

[email protected]