European Cantors Association
Promoting the love of synagogue music
Our new website is under development - please bear with us.
Our 16th Cantors Convention has been fabulous. We will review it in full over the next few weeks. Thank you to everyone for coming to Budapest
The themes we focused on this time were:
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Connecting the Shaliach with the Tzibbur – the prayer leader with the community
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We also looked at Cantorial training for today and where it is happening around the world
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And we commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust in Hungary. ​
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We also celebrated the life of our late Patron, Cantor Naftali Herstik ז"ל
There were panel sessions related to this, and all sessions addressed these themes in some way.​
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The programme delivered is here.
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We began with an orchestral ensemble backing International Cantors Shmuel Barzilai, Nati Baram and Isidoro Ambramowicz on the Wednesday evening.
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Maestro Max Stern worked with the Hungarian Kecskemet Singing Circle who sang his Prayer for Israel and Holocaust composition on the Sunday evening. The full programme for the Gala Concert is here.
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There were the usual masterclasses, choral workshops, open mics, and concerts and we had a truly wonderful Shabbat.
Reviews and picture to come....
From Our Lips
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Between the middle of January and the middle of April 2024, fifteen synagogue services and five concerts presented a feast of the very best and most interesting liturgical music to London congregations, audiences and guests.
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There were no special requirements other than participants in this festival should reflect the music that their community most loves and responds to best. Some synagogues invited a guest chazan if they did not have a regular one. Many made sure their choirs were in attendance. Other services were led as usual by the rabbi and lay leaders.
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The European Cantors Association was keen to see and celebrate whatever works in each situation. Though it was a national festival, this time only synagogues in and around London participated. All the synagogues made sure their community was well informed and encouraged to attend.
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Read more about the success of this project here.
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The project will next run in 2026 Contact geraldine@cantors.eu if you're interested to join in.
Relive Our Zoom Series from 2021 and 2022 (Under construction - coming soon)
About Us
Our Mission and Vision
The European Cantors Association (ECA) is a prominent platform for cantors, prayer leaders, and Synagogue music enthusiasts.
Our mission is to enrich synagogue services through meaningful dialogue, professional training, and the celebration of Jewish prayer music.
With a commitment to excellence, we offer a range of programmes, events, and services, such as Zoom series, conferences, conventions, and concerts and new for 2024, our 'From Our Lips' series.
At ECA, we are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich traditions of Jewish worship while embracing modern approaches to enhance the spiritual experience for our community members.
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We are an independent organisation, unaffiliated to any branch of Judaism but respectful of all, whether Orthodox or Progressive.
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Join us in our journey to create engaging synagogue environments that resonate with the soul and allow people in Synagogue to fully connect with our Maker.