For the lucky few who grew up in Borough Park, Brooklyn during the Golden Age of the Cantorate,[1] the voices of their famous “neighborhood” cantors would become an inspiration. For the future generations of cantors, bringing a sense of “hazonishe moyl”[2] (an authentic Jewish sound) became a true mission and aspiration.
A “hazonishe moyl” is more than just a beautiful singing voice. Rav Nachman writes that “the cantor is called a hazzan (sacred musician) from the language of vision (hazon; hazzan and hazon share the same root: h.z.n) that is the language of prophecy, because [the hazzan] snatches the song from the place from where the prophets suckle.[3] In other words, a true hazzan is as inspirational as a prophet; using his or her voice in song to help their congregation connect with the larger questions of existence.
This is no easy feat.
My teacher, Chazzan Jack Mendelson grew up with the teachings, inspiration and voices of Cantors Moshe and David Koussevitzky, and Cantor Moshe Ganchoff. He is one of the most celebrated hazzanim of our time AND HE IS COMING TO TE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT and to BETH TKIVAH SUNDAY AFTERNOON!!! (Click Here to register)
Cantor Mendolson, or “Jackie” brings Jewish a soul and vision that is not taught. I learned from Cantor Mendelson during my time at seminary, and to this day whenever I daven hazonus (mostly over the high holy days, and every now and again during Shabbat) his voice is in my ear, humming along like a bumblebee.
A “bumble bee?” What does that have to do with Jewish music? Join us for this once in a lifetime Shabbat evening @7:30, and Sunday afternoon concert to find out!
[1] Approximately early to mid-20th Century
[2] Authentic sound of Chazzanut/Chazzanim
[3] Likkutei Moharan 1,3;
