17th Convention Programme | Euro Cantors Assoc

17th Cantors Convention - Berlin
5th - 10th November 2025

Programme

The programme is subject to change.

The latest version of the programme will always appear here

Wednesday 5th November

1500 – 1630

Registration

1630 – 1645

Welcome and introduction to the programme

1645 – 1745

Session 1
The music of the Latin American Jews
Cantor Elias Rosemberg
From Cantorial Music to Yiddish and Ladino. A multimedia presentation with audio, stories, and music to learn about this unique cultural blend of the Spanish speaking Jewish communities

1745 – 1845

Creative Choral Ensemble- Round 1
Choral Ensemble Leaders : Gayna Kieval and Stuart Izon

1845 – 1945

Dinner
followed by Maariv (1930)

1945 – 2200

Official Opening

The Official Opening of the Convention with introductory remarks
followed by an opening concert by Cantors:

Hashkiveinu, Lewandowski. Cantor Evan Cohen
A Niggun, Weiner. Cantor Brian Mayer
Ani Chavatzelet, Finkelstein. Cantor Barbara Haimowitz
Al Taschlicheinu, Lewandowski. Cantor Aviv Weinberg
Areshet Sefateinu, Cantor Shmuel Barzilai
Shalom Rav, Finkelstein. Cantor Elias Rosemberg
Tal, Glanz. Rabbi Cantor Alina Treiger
Ma Nomar, Pinchik. Cantor Matt Austerklein
Ikh Zing. Cantor Yoav Oved
V'ulai. Cantor Yoav Oved
Shaarei Shamaim P'tach. Cantor Shmuel Barzilai
Shma Israel. Unger. Cantor Aviya Nachshon
Hashir Shehaleviim. Alter/Ganchoff Cantor Aviya Nachshon

followed by Open Mic.

Thursday, 6th November

0730 /0750

Shacharit (plus Egalitarian Option) followed by breakfast

0915 – 1015

Session 2
The Mysterious Origins of Hazzanut Revealed
Cantor Matt Austerklein
A rich, multi-format exploration of cantorial tradition which is a musical journey through centuries of Jewish liturgical artistry

1015 – 1115

Session 3
The Cantor In The Community

Cantor Shmuel Barzilai
Full time cantors don’t just sing, they need to lead their communities along with other Clergy colleagues. What are the opportunities and challenges from such a role and how does one juggle one’s time effectively?

1115 - 1130

Break

1130 - 1230

Session 4
The Remarkable Eric Smith Archive of Rare Cantorial Treasures David Prager with Alex Klein
A presentation of rare, pre-war Polish recordings and post-war concerts by outstanding European cantors

1230 – 1345

Lunch
followed by Mincha (1330)

1400 – 1500 - Option 1

Travel to Synagogue Rykestrasse

1500 – 1700

Rabbinical Ordination Ceremony

1700 - 1745

Return To Jewish Community Centre

1400 - 1745 - Option 2

Free Time In Berlin

1745 – 1845

Creative Choral Ensemble - Round 2

Choral Ensemble Leaders : Gayna Kieval and Stuart Izon

1845 – 1945

Dinner

followed by Maariv (7.30pm)

1945 – 2030

Tribute to Cantor Beny Maissner ז”ל

2030 – 2145

Open Mic

Friday, 7th November

0745

Shacharit (plus Egalitarian Option) followed by breakfast

0915 – 1000

Session 5
Giving Musical Voice To The Bible
Maestro Max Stern
The Bible was the magnet that drew Max to Israel. Walking in its light found inspiration in giving musical voice to biblical text, narrative, and landscape - integrating the worlds of European and Middle Eastern Jewish traditions with the innovations of contemporary music.
(A presentation in 5 examples)

1000 – 1100

Masterclass
Masterclass Leaders : Cantor Isidoro Abramowicz and Gayna Kieval

1100 – 1120

Break

1120 – 1245

Panel # 1
Are We Enriching Or Denuding the Shul Service
by introducing 'Modern' Tunes?
Does bringing contemporary melodies into synagogue services enrich the service, making them more accessible and engaging, or risk weakening their traditional depth? How do we balance innovation with reverence?

Moderator : Russell Grossman
Panellists : Alex Klein, Robert Brody, Ayala Gottleib Alter, Stuart Izon and Aviya Nachshon

1245 – 1345

Lunch
followed by Mincha (1345)

1345 - 1430

Session 6
Between Two Worlds
The Cantorial Traditions of Hungarian Jews

Benjamin Villányi
This presentation will explore how Hungary’s Jewish communities drew on Western-influenced traditions from Moravia and the Chasidic niggunim of Galicia, to create a unique rich musical heritage; and how this diversity nurtured world‑famous cantors and composers, shaping Hungary’s central role in the golden age of cantorial art

1430 – 1730

Free time to prepare for Shabbat

Candle lighting 1610

1605 / 1800

Kabbalat Shabbat at both
Joachimsthaler Straße (Zentrale Orthodoxe Synagoge Berlin)
and Synagoge Pestalozzistraße

1945 - 2130

Friday night dinner

and Shabbat Kumsitz

Shabbat, 8th November : Cheshvan 17th
Torah Portion - וירא - Vayeiro

0830

Breakfast

0915

Shabbat Morning Services at both
Joachimsthaler Straße (Zentrale Orthodoxe Synagoge Berlin)
and Synagoge Pestalozzistraße

1300 – 1500

Shabbat Lunch

1500 – 1615

Free time and שבת שלוף

1615 - 1730

Mincha
Shabbat ends 1722

1730 – 1900

Rehearsals for Gala Concert

1900 - 2200

GALA CONCERT

at Pestalozzi Strasse Synagogue

The programme:

Songs and Psalms of Praise
Max Stern
Children's Choir of the Berlin Jewish Community

Mah Tovu

Finkelstein

Cantor Elias Rosemberg and choir

Essa Einai
Yardeni

Cantor Aviya Nachshon

Yaale
Lewandowski
Cantor Aviv Weinberg

Elegie
Massenet
Cantor Isidoro Abramowitz

In Cheider
Milner

Cantor Brian Mayer

Shnei Shoshanim
Zeira-Orland
Ayala Gottlieb Alter

B'rosh Hashana
Eliyahu Schleifer
Cantor Evan Cohen

Unetane Tokef
Hyman Perras
Julieta Kunik

INTERVAL

Tikanto Shabos
M. Taube
Cantor Laszlo Fekete

Tal
Schlessinger
Rabbi Cantor Barbara Haimowitz

Und der Regen rinnt
Ilse Weber
Benjamin Villiyani

Ani Maamin
Gross

Benjamin Villiyani

Chiribim
Traditional
Benjamin Villiyani, Bence Invanics, Miki Pretz

Adonai Malach
Lewandowski
Hemi Levison

Shalom Rav
Steinberg
Gabriel Löwenheim

Ledor vador
Finkelstein
Miki Pretz

Deutsche Kedduscha
Lewandowski
Cantor Isidoro Abramowicz

Zol shoyn kumen di geule

Shmerke Kaczerginski

The Company

Hatikvah

Naftali Herz Imber / Shmuel Cohen

The Company

Sunday, 9th November

0745

Shacharit followed by breakfast

at the JCC

0845

travel to

Pestalozzi Strasse Synagogue

0930 – 1045
at Pestalozzi Strasse Synagogue

Panel # 2
Is There A Sufficient Market Still For People To Study For The Cantorate?
Can today’s congregations and institutions sustain a new generation of cantorial leaders, weighing the realities of today's communities funding, and evolving synagogue life despite an increasing need for musical and spiritual leadership?
Moderator : Isidoro Abramowicz
Panellists : Elias Rosemberg, Gayna Kieval, Brian Mayer

1045 – 1115

Break

1115 – 1200

Session 7
Dutch Festival Nusach
Rabbi Cantor Barbara Haimowitz
Featuring the Dutch Festival Kedushah, paired with recitatives such as Tefillat Tal and Baruch Habah, alongside selections from the Amsterdam Chazzanoet, the Dutch Torah service and Aleinu, a sample of Torah trope, and a brief history of Dutch Hazzanut.

1200 – 1245

Session 8
Bringing Liturgy to Life – Chazzanut in Motion
Stuart Izon

Stuart shares the inspiration, research, and audience response behind his popular video series, showcasing classic chazzanut and modern melodies from the synagogue and the home. A behind-the-scenes look at how digital creativity combined with human ingenuity helps keep our cherished tradition transmitted for the next generation

1245 – 1345

Lunch
followed by Mincha (1330)

1345 – 1430

Session 9

The Lost Nussach Of Levayos

Cantor Nathan Goldman
In his nine years in the Stuttgart Community, Cantor Goldman has performed 500 Levayos (funerals). He wanted to find out what the real Nussach for the short tehillim were and will share these in a unique presentation

1430 – 1515

Session 10
Discovering/Identifying a New/Old Nusah Mode

Cantor Brian Mayer
The HaMei'ir LaAretz Mode, is the basis for some of Ashkenaz's oldest and most precious chants, e.g. the N'ilah Hatzi Kaddish, P'sukei D'Zimrah for High Holy Days, High Holy Day Torah Trop, and the Three Festival Amidah Mode

1515 – 1545

Break

1545 – 1645

Creative Choral Ensemble - Round 3

1645 – 1800

Presentation of Creative Choral Ensemble

and

Group Photo