2013

Jewish music in the Ashkenazi Diaspora was flourishing incomparably during the 19th and beginnings of the 20th century; a phenomenon primarily caused by organ building in liberal synagogues in Central Europe.

The first references to a Jewish male choir in Basel may be found at the end of the 19th century and again in 1903.

The Upper Galilee Choir was established in 1978 by Stanley Sperber and under his direction, a year later, performed Mendelssohn’s Oratorio “Elijah” at the Musica Sacra Festival in Jerusalem.

Poland's only synagogal choir, under the direction of Stanisław M. Rybarczyk, was founded in 1996. At the beginning the choir consisted of students and music graduates of the Academy of Music in Wroclaw. Today only professional singers sing there.

The Zimratya choir comprises some 28 members who are Cantors or leaders of the Prayer services in Synagogues close to their homes in Israel.

Belsize Square Synagogue was founded in early 1939 by Jewish refugees based in the Swiss Cottage area of London. With help from the local Liberal Synagogue these founder members were able to hold their first Friday evening Service on 24th March, 1939.

The Synagogal Ensemble Berlin (SEB) was founded in 2002 by Regina Yantian as a concert ensemble. It consists of 8 - 16 professional singers, who work at international opera houses and are also active as freelance concert singers in the choir of the Pestalozzistrasse Synagogue, among others. Choir…