Tallahassee native wanted to pursue
Highlighting music from renowned
cantorial studies immediately after grad-
composers, including Kurt Weill, Max
uation, she was advised to get her bach-
Janowski and Maurice Ravel, the
elor's degree in music first and went to
recording captures the tradition of
Rice University. Her master's degree in
American Reform synagogues.
sacred music is from the Hebrew Union
Featuring 16 compositions, the con-
College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
cert was held in the auditorium of the
"I feel equal with male cantors, but I
Centrum Judaicum, housed in the for-
would say that probably many congre-
mer Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue.
gations still aren't very comfortable with
The auditorium was once the women's
the idea of having a female cantor, "
gallery of the former synagogue.
comments Garfein,
"Cantor Garfein's con-
who has appeared
cert recording represents
with the New York
a revival of Progressive
Pro Arte Chamber
Judaism in Berlin, essen-
Orchestra, DiCapo
daily at a standstill for
Sacred Chants
Opera in New York
,of the
over 70 years," Andreas
Contemporary
and the Aspen
Nachama says. "With her
Synagogue
Music Festival.
performance in Berlin,
"But so much
Progressive Judaism is
has changed in such
Cantor Rebecca Garfein
evolving to a new level
a short time that
where women are becom-
some places feel that
ing actively involved in
if they have a male
Jewish religious services."
rabbi, they want a
Garfein, close to West
female cantor to
Rebecca Garfein: "I really
Bloomfield Great-Aunt
hope my CD will go outside
have role models for
and Great-Uncle
synagogue walls and touch
their daughters."
Gertrude and Alfred
people of different backgrounds Strauss, traced her
Karen Franklin,
who wouldn't ordinarily
the wife of the
German heritage during
listen to Jewish music."
Riverdale Temple
her concert travels.
rabbi, made the
"The first year we
connections for Garfein's performances
went to Berlin, I tried to get someone
last year and the year before, in
from the Jewish community to help
Germany. Active in supporting Jewish
me find my great-grandfather's grave,"
museums around the world, Franklin
she recalls. "On my last day there, a
introduced Garfein to Andreas
gentleman came backstage with a big
Nachama, president of the Jewish com-
package, and he said he had my fami-
munity of Berlin and artistic director of
ly's documents. Subsequently, he
the Judishche Kulturage, Berlin's annu-
wrote me and sent more information.
al Jewish Cultural Festival.
"My parents came with me on my
"In 1993, Dr. Nachama was on sab-
last visit, and I called him. We met
batical for the summer and decided to
and went to the cemetery. Because of
come to our services one Friday night,"
him, I found out that my great-grand-
Garfein recalls. "We met and became
mother was deported and died in
friendly, and in 1997, the Berlin com-
Auschwitz. I feel doubly blessed that I
munity seemed ready to have a woman
had the opportunity to go to Berlin
cantor give a concert. They invited me,
and perform my music and finally dis-
and I was thrilled to go. After that con-
cover my family history.
cert was the first time they were per-
The cantor, married last summer to
mitted to have their services with men
former Detroiter and public relations
and women sitting together.
executive Mary Gellman, enjoys
"[During my second] visit, I led a
watching other performers and partici-
service for the egalitarian community. I
pating in outdoor sports.
understand there is a young woman
"I have quite a few concerts coming
considering becoming a cantor [who]
up, and I think that Jewish music is
has started to lead some of their egali-
like an opera or art song in that it
tarian services, so I'm really pleased
speaks for itself," she says. 1-1
there has been an impact."
The cantor's CD is a recording of her
first concert in Germany, where she sang
Rebecca Garfein will perform at
with Cantor Estrongo Nachama, 80,
1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at
associated with the Jewish Congregation
Central
United Church, 3882
of Berlin since 1947. She is accompa-
Highland Road (M-59), Pontiac.
nied by organist Arnold Ostlund Jr. of
$2. (248) 338-6033.
Yonkers, N.Y., and Berlin's nine-voice

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2/5
1999

Detroit Jewish News

83