JMI 6th European Cantors Convention, Manchester 2011

Report on the JMI 6th Annual European Cantors Convention 

The JMI 6th European Cantors Convention took place in Manchester from 27th-30th June 2011. It commenced with the Julian Klein Memorial Concert on the evening of June 27th at Prestwich Hebrew Congregation, starring world renowned Cantors Sol Zim and Yaakov Motzen together with a number of cantorial delegates to the Convention. Choral selections were provided by the Choir of Leeds United Hebrew Congregation conducted by Phil Cammerman. The concert was very well attended and of a high standard.

Photo: Lawrence Purcell
From left: Cantor Sol Zim, Convention Organiser Alex Klein, Cantor Yaakov Motzen

The lecture programme was absorbing and demonstrated the unique composing power of Cantor Zim, combining sound nussach-based principles with melodies which have become popular all over the world. His natural creativity, energy and background growing up as the son of a Chazan/Mohel/Shochet from E Europe, education at Torah Vodaas  in New York, studying with Moshe Koussevitzky and Joshua Weisser and singing together with Leibele Waldman, Benzion Kapov Kagan and Pierre Pinchik in his youth whilst also studying opera, piano and voice production has made him an impressive teacher.

Chazan Motzen, a long-term student of the highly distinguished Cantor Yitzchak Eshel in Israel with a personal background close to the Modzitz Chasidism plus his natural high level of musicality added a further unique dimension to the lectures.


Photo: Lawrence Purcell
Cantor Sol Zim tuning up with Phil Cammerman and the Leeds United Synagogue Choir

The halachic and Nussach Anglia discourses by Rabbis Eisenberg and Katanka respectively were well prepared and well received. A Yiddish text teach-in on Rumshinsky’s recollection of conducting the Chazonim Farband Choir in 1920s New York which included famous cantors such as Kwartin, Rosenblatt, Hershman, Roitman, Chagy, Katchko and Alter was presented by David Prager.

An analysis of sheylot and teshuvot over the centuries regarding chazanut, delivered by Chazan Yehuda Marx, was carefully researched and well delivered...and particularly enthusiastically received. News of cantorial training in modern Berlin was brought by Cantor M Sheffer. Rabbi Michael Dushinsky spoke on the development of the Prague School of Mattan Shira. The situation of chazanut today in South Africa was presented by Cantors Ezra Sher and Barry Braun. It was gratifying to see how the younger generation from Canada, South Africa, Hungary and the Czech Republic have developed.

During the Convention, a Lifetime Award was presented to Cantor Abraham Hillman, who has served the Higher Crumpsall and Higher Broughton Hebrew Congregation with distinction since succeeding Cantor Solomon Hershman in the 1960s. A tribute and appreciation was also made by JMI to Convention Director Alex Klein for his 40 years of contribution to the knowledge and appreciation of Chazanut in Manchester with a citation read by Cantor Yehuda Marx.

The delegates were given a fascinating guided tour of the Manchester Jewish Museum when sessions were help there on the concluding day.

The Shabbat chazanut, conducted by Cantors Motzen and Zim following the Convention was a further highlight with the visit of the Choir of the Basle Great Synagogue at Prestwich Hebrew Congregation. The synagogue attracted over three times its normal Sabbath attendance, with guests being billeted at local families which added a real feeling of community spirit to the proceedings.

The efficiency of the administration by JMI and local organiser Alex Klein together with the proximity of kosher restaurants and convenient hotels were much appreciated by all.
David Prager