EMANU-EL'S MUSICAL HERITAGE

Congregation Emanu-El has a long and distinguished musical history. Its cantors were well known and respected throughout the world of Jewish world. Daniel Levy, Alexander Weisler (a student of the great Solomon Sulzer) Max Wolff, and Edward Stark laid the foundation for a rich cantorial tradition carried on to this day.

Cantor Stark's musical compositions are still performed throughout Reform Jewish congregations in America. Cantor Reuben Rinder, whose tenure spanned some 50 years, was not only a cantor of renown, but also an impresario, composer and pastoral presence whose memory is still held in high regard by senior members of the Congregation. Cantor Rinder was most noted for the influence he had on the careers of young artists such as Isaac Stern and Yehudi Menuhin, as well as his commitment to the commissioning of such important liturgical works as the Bloch "Sacred Service", the Milhaud "Service Sacre", and the Sacred Services of Marc Lavry and Paul Ben-Haim.

Cantor Joseph Portnoy's years of service were distinguished by his sweet voice, and his pastoral and educational role in our Congregation. He continued the tradition of introducing new and exciting musical works for our synagogue, which included major compositions by Sergiu Natra, Seymour Schifrin and Bonia Shur.