Wednesday 5th November 

1500 – 1600

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

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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
followed by Open Mic.

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Thursday, 6th November

0730 /0750

Shacharit (plus Egalitarian Option) followed by breakfast

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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

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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)

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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

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1745 – 1845  

Creative Choral Ensemble - Round 2

Choral Ensemble Leaders : Gayna Kieval and Stuart Izon
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1845 – 1945

Dinner

followed by Maariv (7.30pm) 

 

1945 – 2030 

Tribute to Cantor Beny Maissner ז”ל

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2030 – 2145 

Open Mic

 

Friday, 7th November    

 

0745

Shacharit (plus Egalitarian Option) followed by breakfast

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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)

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1000  – 1100 

Masterclass
Masterclass Leaders : Cantor Isidoro Abramowicz and Gayna Kieval 

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1100 – 1120

Break

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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?

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1245 – 1345

Lunch
followed by Mincha (1345)

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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

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1945 - 2130

Friday night dinner

and Shabbat Kumsitz

 

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

  

0830

Breakfast

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0915

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

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1300 – 1500 

Shabbat Lunch

 

1500 – 1615 

Free time and שבת שלוף

 

1615 - 1730

Mincha
Shabbat ends 1722

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1730 – 1900 

Rehearsals for Gala Concert

​

1900 - 2200

GALA CONCERT

 

 

Sunday, 9th November
 

0800

Shacharit (plus Egalitarian Option) followed by breakfast​

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0915 – 1045

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?

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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.

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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)

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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

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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

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1515 – 1545

Break

 

1545 – 1645 

Creative Choral Ensemble - Round 3

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1645 – 1800

Presentation of Creative Choral Ensemble

and

Group Photo

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1730 – 1830

Dinner
followed by Maariv (1815)

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1900 – 2100

Commemoration of Kristallnacht

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Monday 10th November  

0730 /0750

Shacharit (plus Egalitarian Option) followed by breakfast

 

0930 – 1200 

Jewish Berlin Tour

Details to follow
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1200

Lunch

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1300

END OF CONVENTION