Lewandowski’s compositions reflected the newly awakened self-confidence of German Jews in the 19th century and contributed to the spread and growing popularity of Jewish liturgical music worldwide – even beyond the boundaries of religious movements. With the annihilation of German Jewry during the Shoah, the liberal choir-organ service also disappeared. In the Pestalozzistraße synagogue in Berlin, this tradition was continued. As early as 1947, Cantor Estrongo Nachama began to sing Lewandowski’s music accompanied by the organ on the Sabbath and on holidays. This tradition is continued by the Synagogal Ensemble Berlin to this day. Dr. Gideon Joffe Chairman of the Jewish Community of Berlin I would like to extend a warm welcome to all musicians and guests to the 7th Louis Lewandowski Festival. into focus. Choirs from Jerusalem, Tivon, London and Berlin will bring Louis Lewandowski’s music to churches, synagogues and other exciting venues in Berlin and Potsdam. My thanks go to the Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Synagogal Ensemble Berlin, who have once again put a great deal of effort into organizing the festival. I would also like to thank all partners, sponsors and friends of the festival. The broad support shows: Berlin’s Jewish culture is supported by civic initiative. Everyone involved can be proud of this. With this in mind, I hope all festival guests enjoy the concerts of the 7th Louis Lewandowski Festival. Lewandowski’s compositions reflected the newly awakened self-confidence of German Jews in the 19th century and contributed to the spread and growing popularity of Jewish liturgical music worldwide – even beyond the boundaries of religious movements. With the annihilation of German Jewry during the Shoah, the liberal choir-organ service also disappeared. In the Pestalozzistraße synagogue in Berlin, this tradition was continued. As early as 1947, Cantor Estrongo Nachama began to sing Lewandowski’s music accompanied by the organ on the Sabbath and on holidays. This tradition is continued by the Synagogal Ensemble Berlin to this day. Dr. Gideon Joffe Chairman of the Jewish Community of Berlin I would like to extend a warm welcome to all musicians and guests to the 7th Louis Lewandowski Festival. into focus. Choirs from Jerusalem, Tivon, London and Berlin will bring Louis Lewandowski’s music to churches, synagogues and other exciting venues in Berlin and Potsdam. My thanks go to the Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Synagogal Ensemble Berlin, who have once again put a great deal of effort into organizing the festival. I would also like to thank all partners, sponsors and friends of the festival. The broad support shows: Berlin’s Jewish culture is supported by civic initiative. Everyone involved can be proud of this. With this in mind, I hope all festival guests enjoy the concerts of the 7th Louis Lewandowski Festival. The Louis Lewandowski Festival was founded six years ago to make this cultural asset better known. Since then, listeners beyond the Jewish community have come to know and appreciate the importance and work of this composer. I am delighted that so many musicians from different parts of the world have come to us again this year to bring Lewandowski’s work to life. I wish all participants much joy and every success.