It is with great excitement that I announce to the congregation a year-long exploration into the world of Jewish music with Cantor Vadim Tunitsky. I would like to emphasize from the outset that HCRJ is not employing a full-time cantor, nor are we replacing our current musical program under the direction of our beloved Dr. Jane Becker.
Cantor Tunitsky will serve as a Cantor-In-Residence on a part time basis. In this position, the cantor will be an ongoing musical resource for us to broaden our appreciation for the vast array of Jewish liturgical music that has come to shape our faith and heritage. Once a month, as well as throughout the High Holy Days, Cantor Tunitsky will bless us with his magnificent voice, his kind heart and his glorious smile.
Cantor Tunitsky will work under the direction of Dr. Jane Becker, whose soprano voice will blend magically with the Cantor, who is a tenor. In creating this musical partnership, we are hoping to achieve the following goals:
1. We seek to expose our congregation to a broad range of musical traditions from around the world as well as from the corpus of music referred to as “Classical Reform.” This aspect of our programming is an extension of the remarkable success experienced this past year through got shabbat?.
2. We seek to expand our congregation’s musical repertoire through the expansive resources of a Cantor who has been serving the Jewish Community of Houston for nearly two decades.
3. We seek to provide our soloist, Dr. Jane Becker, a wonderful opportunity to expand her knowledge of Jewish liturgical music.
4. We seek to introduce more people to HCRJ through a number of musical programs augmented by the voice of Cantor Tunitsky, whose numerous fans will appreciate the opportunity to hear him sing throughout the year.
Join us for a special service on Friday night, August 8, as we welcome Cantor Vadim Tunitsky into the HCRJ community.
This year-long program promises to provide all of us with a number of extremely beautiful musical highlights through worship services, concerts and more. It is my hope that through this majestic musical adventure, we will learn and grow as we open ourselves to new dimensions of our cultural heritage.
L’Shalom – Steve