Additional performers will be added to this page throughout the weeks leading up to the Shabbat Chazanut as they get announced. Make sure to check this page regularly for up to date information.

Cantor Yitzchok Meir Helfgot

A great voice, a modest soul....

Cantor Yitzchok Meir Helfgot was born in Tel Aviv, Israel. From the tender age of five, after hearing Moshe Koussevitzky’s recording of “Akavia Ben Mahalalel,” Yitzchok Meir knew what his life's calling would be. At just eight years old, Cantor Helfgot recorded his first works, and then spent much of his childhood and teenage years studying voice and nussach (the art of prayer).

Cantor Helfgot held his first concert at twenty-three years old, performing three great works—Zibert’s “Mimkomcha,” Kwartin’s “Tiher Rabbi Yishmael” and Rosenblatt’s “Ad Hena”—all of which were masterfully executed and admired by those in attendance. It was at this point that the world began to realize the divine gift in Cantor Helfgot, taking us back to the Golden Age of Rosenblatt, Koussevitzky, Kwartin, Sirota and Hershman.

Truly living up to his name, Helfgot (literally translated as someone who helps
G-d) rouses all who hear his golden voice to new spiritual heights.

Leading the way in today's revival of liturgical music, Cantor Helfgot has performed in concerts spanning six continents, where time after time he has left audiences spellbound. From New York to Beijing, from South Africa to Italy, and from Russia to Australia, Cantor Helfgot has drawn record crowds. Concertgoers agree it is almost impossible not to be warmed by the fire of his magnificent, soulful voice. Just when you think he has reached his peak, Helfgot takes you higher.

Cantor Helfgot currently serves as Chief Cantor of the Park East Synagogue in New York City. He appears regularly for Shabbatot around the world, and is currently booked for Shabbatot and concerts through the spring of 2008.

Cantor Helfgot’s recent recording, entitled “Barchi Nafshi – Bless Hashem O My Soul” and his latest album “Avot,” have broken Jewish record sales.

Cantor Moshe Haschel

Cantor Moshe Haschel was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in 1969 emigrated with his family to Israel. There he acquired his Jewish and general education at some of the most distinguished Yeshivot. His love of music and talent for singing was distinctly evident from a young age. He graduated from the Israeli Institute for Cantorial Art in Jerusalem where he studied with Cantor Naftali Herstik, Cantor Moshe Stern, Eli Jaffe, Daniel Ziff and Dan Hendrikson.

In 1985, while still a student, he accepted his first post as chazzan of the Great Synagogue ''Ein Ya'akov'' in Giv'ataim, Israel. Soon after, he conducted services at the Green & Sea Point Hebrew Congregation in Cape Town, South Africa. In 1988 Cantor Haschel accepted a call from the renowned Finchley Synagogue in London and since 1997 he occupies the bimah of the prestigious St. John’s Wood Synagogue in London.

In all positions he filled he has made a great impression with the beautiful singing, uniqueness of style and excitement manifest in his renditions. As an exemplary exponent of the cantorial art, his faithful interpretations of some of the most intricate compositions demonstrate a profound understanding of the various styles of this music, an accomplishment that links him with the great cantors of the past.

Cantor Haschel possesses a tenor voice of outstanding quality. Critics praise the naturally attractive timbre of his voice and his control of dynamics, which are underpinned by his sincerity of expression creating a unique combination of refinement and ardour.

Along with his synagogue responsibilities, Cantor Haschel is renowned as a concert performer, singing to great acclaim in many parts of the world including England, Israel, Europe, The United States, Canada and South Africa, in addition to having made several recordings. Among his numerous appearances on radio and television one can perhaps single out the BBC live broadcast of the first National Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony at Westminster Hall in January 2000 in the presence of HRH Charles Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair and many other dignitaries. In a powerful rendition, of which Prince Charles personally requested a recording, Cantor Haschel together with the Neimah Singers chanted the E-l Male Rachamim prayer for the holocaust martyrs.

Cantor Yechezkel Klang

A tenor of rare quality, flexible, rich and exciting.

An authentic Baal Tefila from the shtetl, and a classic Chazzan, combined.

Cantor Yechezkel Klang, is a Brooklyn born, from the cradle Chazzan and Baal Tefila. His father, Rabbi Eliyahu Klang , composer and Baal Tefila, sang with the great Cantors of his day- Moishe Oisher, Chatzkel Ritter, Sydney Shicoff and more. And the art which was so deeply ingrained in him passed on to Yechezkel and his brothers.

After two decades of serving as Baal Tefila at numerous congregations worldwide, Cantor Moshe Haschel heard his davening and urged him to train formally with Cantor Naftali Herstik, who left an indelible impression on the new/ old student, who gave his first concert appearance after one month in school, and has been sought after ever since, for concerts and Tefilot around the globe. After three years of intensive study, Chazzan Klang remained at TACI as a teacher of Nusach and Cantorial interpretation, where he has been for the past three years.

Yechezkel continues to broaden his Cantorial education under the great Cantor Dr. Mordechai Sobol, and teacher of all teachers- Cantor Noach Schall. Concert appearances aside, his great love is for the Amud Hatefila, the core of Chazzanut and of his childhood. Chazzan Klang's goal is to emulate the davening style of the great Chazzanim of old, using their approach to Nusach, to create your own .

Klang has three releases to date, including "Nusach Beit Abba" on the High Holidays. His latest CD, "Veha'arev Na" with Dr. Mordechai Sobol has been well received among Chazzanut lovers.