INVEST IN ISRAEL Varied Talents Shaarey Zedek welcomes renowned cantor to its congregation. H azzan David Propis will begin as Congregation Shaarey Zedek's new cantor on Sept. 1. The Canadian-born hazzan learned the cantorial art at the feet of his father, the late Hazzan Dov Propis, and studied voice with Metropolitan Opera diva Elena Nikolaidi. During his recent 19-year tenure at Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston, he also built an international concert career. Blending popular and cantorial music seamlessly, Propis has shared the stage with numerous luminaries including Dave Brubeck, Julie Budd, Jackie Mason and Hazzan Yaakov Smirnoff, appearing Propis frequently in the major halls of the U.S., Europe and Israel. New York Times columnist Allan Kozin called his performance at Carnegie Hall "stunning ... ebullient" Throughout his career, Propis has had his finger on the pulse of the Jewish music world. His keen ear has led him toward an array of brilliant contemporary and classical compos- ers who offer different and inspired settings of Jewish music. These varied talents have contributed greatly to Propis' extensive repertoire, which he has integrated into both his religious services and concert career. Propis continuously entertains for major Jewish and non-Jewish organi- zations and was in constant demand by his beloved Houston Astros and Rockets for his powerful rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner." He also has sung with the Polish National Symphony Orchestra and was featured in the documentary 100 Voices: A Journey Home. Propis has produced numerous faith-based recordings, including all 11 of The Spirit Series CDs for the Cantors Assembly and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. These albums have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the two organizations. He is also the founder, creative director and managing partner of The 3 Jewish Tenors, a symphonic musical event that has featured the symphony orchestras of Houston, Atlanta and Los Angeles, and conductors such as Marvin Hamlisch, Yoel Levy and Carl St. Clair. At Shaarey Zedek, Propis replaces Hazzan Meir Finkelstein, one of The 3 Jewish Tenors, who now is cantor at Beth Yeshurun in Houston. The 3 Jewish Tenors Kindred Spirits of Los Angeles, and several other Propis productions have raised mil- lions of dollars for synagogues, Jewish Federations and Jewish organizations throughout the United States. Propis has recorded more than a dozen albums. His latest, Power of Forgiveness — In the Spirit of the High Holy Days, features some of the most powerful and memorable pieces of the High Holy Day liturgy as well as the voices of the Yuval Men's Chorus in Israel and the Houston David Chamber Choir. This album, a passion project of Propis', spans the length of his career as both a cantor and a premier vocalist. Among his many honors, Propis is a past president of the Cantors Assembly, the largest body of cantors in the world. He also co-chaired both Cantors Assembly missions to Poland and Germany, and was named to the taskforce to restructure the cantorial school at JTS. He has received the Hiddur Mitzvah Award from Masorti Olami, the Hazzan Moses Silverman Service Award from the Cantors Assembly, and received an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Propis and his wife, Karen Siegel Propis, have two adult children, Dena and Sam. "I met Hazzan Propis 16 years ago when I was interviewing for rabbinic positions around the country as a newly minted graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary:' said Rabbi Joseph Krakoff of Shaarey Zedek. "I interviewed at Shaarey Zedek and also in Houston at Beth Yeshurun where Hazzan Propis was the cantor. I felt a connection with Hazzan Propis immediately and was offered the posi- tion in Houston:' Krakoff said. "Although I was excited to come to Shaarey Zedek, I hoped that one day I would have the opportunity to work with him. Never in a million years did I imagine that the stars would align and that day would come. "What a blessing it is to welcome Hazzan Propis to Shaarey Zedek. I am excited to work together with him to move the shul forward in the days and months ahead." ❑ ISRAEL B INDS NATION UMW :ONFERFNIE 2013.5774 HIGH HOLIDAYS INVEST IN ISRAEL BONDS ISRAELBONDS.COM ISRAELMBONDS Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds Paula Lebowitz, Registered Representative 6600 West Maple Road • West Bloomfield, MI 48322 paula.lebowitz@israelbonds.com • 248.661.3500 This is not an offering, which can be made only by prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing to fully evaluate the risks associated with investing in Israel bonds. Issues subject to availability. 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