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Lois Linden Nelson

Wo m a n ’ s

W o r l d

Final Requirement

congregation shaarey zedek Sisterhood

presents

Cantorial soloists offer concerts
before becoming certified cantors.

Shari S. Cohen | Contributing Writer

AN AFTERNOON WITH

Paula
abdul

and

highlighting
2016
Woman of Valor

Henrietta
Weisberg

join us

Wednesday, May 4, 2016
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

*

Congregation Shaarey Zedek
27375 Bell Road | Southfield | 48034

POP-UP BOUTIQUE SHOPPING

BOUTIQUES ARE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY, NO TICKET REQUIRED

SPEAKERS | LUNCHEON | RAFFLE

For tickets and information:
Phone: 248.357.5544, extension 48
e-mail: sisterhood@shaareyzedek.org
Web: www.llnwomansworld.org

14 March 24 • 2016

T

wo well-respected Detroit
CD of Kabbalat Shabbat music included
cantorial soloists are prepar-
in the Union for Reform Judaism’s 5769
ing individual concerts for
musical collection. Michaels directs the
their congregations, a final requirement
b’nai mitzvot program at Temple Israel,
for graduation as certified cantors from
where he has worked since 2002.
Hebrew Union College (HUC)-Jewish
Classwork and assignments for canto-
Institute of Religion, Reform
rial certification can take up to
Judaism’s seminary.
20 hours a week, Michaels says.
Rachel Gottlieb Kalmowitz
Both Kalmowitz, 44, of West
of Temple Beth El and Neil
Bloomfield, and Michaels, 43, of
Michaels of Temple Israel are
Commerce, have working spouses
members of the first graduating
and young children so the pro-
class of the HUC cantorial cer-
gram adds to an already-demand-
tification program. Created for
ing schedule. They appreciate their
cantorial soloists who want to
temples’ flexibility in work respon-
Rachel
maintain their congregational
sibilities and tuition assistance for
positions while earning canto- Kalmowitz
the program.
rial certification, the four-year
“We were study partners for the
program has demanding entry
Torah class and became very close
and study requirements.
friends,” Michaels says. “We were
Students participate in indi-
so lucky to have each other to go
vidual online study sessions,
through this program.”
homework, Skype classes and
The six-member HUC class
in-person instruction in New
studied Hebrew and biblical his-
York and Israel. “We have indi-
tory for eight weeks in Jerusalem
Neil Michaels
vidual coaches and mentors
during the summer of 2014, a
and weekly musical assign-
time when Israel and Hamas were
ments,” Michaels says.
at war and Israel invaded Gaza. Being in
Class members typically have substan-
Israel then brought an unusual closeness
tial experience with sacred music and
to the group, Kalmowitz recalls.
often hold master’s degrees. Kalmowitz
As a requirement, each cantorial soloist
is a graduate of Eastman School of Music
is required to present a concert for con-
in Rochester, N.Y., and earned a master’s
gregational members and the local com-
degree in voice performance from the
munity. A graduation ceremony follows on
University of Michigan. As an under-
May 4 at Temple Emanuel in New York.
graduate, she was a part-time soloist for
As certified cantors, graduates become
three years at a Rochester temple and later members of the American Conference
moved to New York, where she sang at
of Cantors, the cantors’ union and are
High Holiday services at several congrega- considered full clergy members in Reform
tions and performed as a soprano soloist
Judaism. Kalmowitz and Michaels don’t
in opera, musical theater and concerts.
expect major changes in their roles at
She met Rabbi Daniel Syme, then
their temples, but value the educational
Temple Beth El’s senior rabbi, in 2002
experience.
at her grandfather’s funeral and he
“It has given me a much d eeper, broad-
expressed interested in having her work
er understanding of the role of cantor,”
at the temple. A Grand Rapids native,
Michaels says.
Kalmowitz wanted to return to Michigan
and accepted a full-time cantorial soloist
Cantorial Concerts
position at Temple Beth El in 2004. She
Concerts are free and open to
welcomed the opportunity to be part of a
the public:
community.
Sunday, April 3, 2 p.m., “Sing
Michaels, a Toronto native with several
Your Praise” Laker Concert featur-
well-known cantors in his family, earned
ing Cantorial Soloist Neil Michaels,
a bachelor’s degree at the Juilliard School
Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road,
in New York and a graduate degree at the
West Bloomfield.
Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
Sunday, April 30, 6 p.m., “Sacred
He has performed in opera and musical
Moments in Time” featuring Cantorial
theater around the country and has led
Soloist Rachel Gottlieb Kalmowitz,
services for the American Conference of
Temple Beth El, 7400 Telegraph Road,
Cantors’ convention. He co-produced a
Bloomfield Township.

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