The inspiring festival generated by the European Cantors Association, celebrating the Music of Jewish Prayer, is back! January 31st - June 27th 2026
 

The inspiring festival generated by the European Cantors Association, celebrating the Music of Jewish Prayer, is back from January to June 2026 

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Four synagogues are participating in March
 

7 March: London Central, Richmond United and Leeds United

14 March: New West End Synagogue – a New Blue Book Service

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7 March - 9.15 - Central Synagogue  

The community enjoys the sounds of Chazan Steven Leas and his close association with his choir, conducted by Harry Style. They keep the congregation on the edge of their seats as they sing community favourites and some surprising new arrangements – which soon become favourites.
To attend book in with Craig at administrator@centralsynagogue.org.uk 

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7 March - Richmond Synagogue

Chazan Gedalya Alexander will be the sweet singer and guest cantor this week at Richmond. This Service and its Kiddush after, will be a farewell to Hirsh Cashdan who has been a stalwart of  this small but energetic community for many years as well as a leading member of the European Cantors Association in earlier days.

Hirsh and Gill will shortly be moving to York to be near their son and family. I am sure many of you may want to greet Hirsh that day. To attend the service, book with Keren the administrator on info@rjch.org.uk

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7 March - Leeds United Hebrew Congregation

We welcome the remarkable Rabbi Chazan Alby Chait and his choir and community to ‘From Our Lips’ Alby started there as the cantor but is now also the minister of this large and dynamic congregation.

 

14 March - New West End Synagogue 

Michael Etherton, founder director of Mosaic Voices and Benjamin Till the composer in residence at New West End Synagogue have created a New Blue Book for the 21st century. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original much-loved Blue Book, first published in 1899, also emanated from New West End and was influential for over 100 years! Now Michael and Benjamin have created a new compilation of ancient and modern arrangements. To see and download free the material from the new Blue Book go to the mosaic voices website here: 

To attend the service on 14 March book here nwes@newwestend.org.ukor fill in the visitors information form here.
 

To attend a service if you are not a member, email or telephone the synagogue office in advance. In these difficult days, photo ID will be required. 

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There is still time for synagogues to join with a service or concert.  Contact geraldine@cantors.eu to book your place in the festival.

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The full list of services organised so far (updated 5th March) is:

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​​​​​​To be part of the six-month ECA ‘From Our Lips …’ National Festival of synagogue music which runs to the end of June, just choose a date and book your shul in for your own festival service or even a concert by emailing Geraldine@cantors.eu .
 

There are no special requirements other than that you present what your community loves best for its music of Jewish prayer.  Every shul can take part, large or small, to show you care about the music for your community.

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1. All participating synagogues made sure their congregants knew that there would be a musical service and which composition or traditional tunes they would be singing for which prayers. It was surprising how similar the repertoire was in all strands of Jewish worship.
    

2. The music in Orthodox, Masorti, Independent and Reform synagogues all embraced the big-name 19th century liturgical composers of Lewandowsky (Berlin), Sulzer (Vienna) Mombach (London). The influence of the ubiquitous ‘Blue Book’ a compendium of choral and cantorial music from 1899, was still paramount in all strands, creating a strong sense of belonging and satisfaction. 
    

3. There was also some popular innovation in each synagogue service with particular favourites of more modern music (some composed in-house by their resident choirmasters or composers) that are also enjoyed by the communities.
    

4. It was striking how a good strong and confident voice from the bimah galvanised the congregation and created a real buzz in the synagogue.
    

5. A sensitive choir and choirmaster lea the congregation in song creating a rich atmosphere.
    

6. I was surprised at how attentive the congregation of Mill Hill United Synagogue was – and then realised that they had all been asked to request what their guest cantor and resident choir would sing. There had been many suggestions. They were sitting on the edge of their seats hoping that their choice had made the cut! 
    

7. What was a revelation to congregants, was that often for the very first time, synagogue managements and prayer leaders told their members which tunes were being sung, either in emails in advance, or with a helpful handout for each congregant on the day, or actually telling them from the bimah who composed the music for a particular prayer and when. They had been ignorant before that, and they found this information engaging. 
    

8. Often the prayer leader was invited to the bimah to talk about music and the Rabbi also engaged with the music of Jewish prayer in his sermon, informing the congregation about the music they were singing.  
    

9. I was most surprised that many synagogues seem to think that this is an annual event and are already planning what they will do next year for music in their synagogue, to build on this years’ experience.

Read the full report here

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