Meet the “Greatest Generation” of Cantors at the 2017 ACC-GTM Convention

ACC-GTM participants will have a chance to reconnect with our “greatest generation” of cantors upon whose shoulders our modern cantorate is built through a panel featuring some of our noted vatikim during the plenary on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.

Moderated by Cantor Sarah Sager, the panel features Cantors Mikhail Manevich, Janice L. Roger, Jay Frailich, and Aviva Rosenbloom.

Cantor Sarah Sager has served the community of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple since 1980. A native of Illinois, she received Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude honors as an undergraduate at Brown University, and a Master’s Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. At the time of her investiture by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, she was one of the first women in the world to hold the title of Cantor. A former member of the Executive Board of the American Conference of Cantors, she was elected to the HUC-JIR’s Board of Governors in 2012.

Cantor Mikhail Manevich has been the cantor of Washington Hebrew Congregation in Washington, DC, since 1989. Born in Leningrad, he received a degree in choral conducting from Leningrad State Conservatory of Music. After immigrating to the United States in1976, he later completed his cantorial studies at the School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College. He has performed at all of the major concert halls of Washington, DC and his voice can be heard on many recordings including, “Simchat Shabbat,” and “Jewish Women in Music.” In 2013 and 2017 he had the great honor of being the first Cantor to participate in a Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service at the National Cathedral for Presidents Obama and Trump.

Cantor Janice L. Roger recently retired from her position of Cantor at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (IHC), where she began serving in 1979 after completing her cantorial studies at the School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College. A native of Chicago, she received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music History from Chicago Musical College. She also did course work in Hebrew and Jewish Studies at the Spertus College of Judaica prior to attending HUC. Janice has worked with IHC's Congregational Choir, 65th Street Klezmorim, Chai Notes Family Choir, and other musical groups. In addition to signing in many local choirs and ensembles, she has coordinated interfaith choral programs, the Jewish Choral Festival, and the Young People's Jewish Music Competition. Janice has also performed with the Raanan Orchestra in Israel and, most recently, at the D-Day Museum in New Orleans.

Cantor Jay Frailich became L.A.’s University Synagogue’s first cantor emeritus when he retired in June 2014 after actively serving the congregation for 40 years. He is a graduate of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion School of Sacred Music in New York. His many accomplishments include commissioning over 30 major liturgical works and dozens of single pieces during his tenure. A gifted teacher, he continues to teach future rabbis and cantors as professor of liturgical studies at the Academy for Jewish Religion, California, and is on the faculty at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles..

Cantor Aviva Rosenbloom was one of only two first full-time female cantors in Los Angeles and one of the first in the country. The daughter of a cantor and a Hebrew teacher who sang in her father’s choir, she graduated from Brandeis University at age 16 in 1968 and later received a second bachelor’s in music education and a teaching credential from Boston University. In 1974, she became the Cantor of Temple Israel of Hollywood, in LA, where she served for 32 years. In addition to her extensive work for her congregation, she also wrote numerous songs that were incorporated into the worship service. Aviva went on to receive a Master’s in music from Cal State Fullerton. She has performed widely in a variety of concerts and she continues to perform lifecycle events and other cantorial duties on occasion. Her recordings include a “Tot Shabbat” cd, a compilation of her own compositions called, “Streams in the Desert / Afikim Banegev,” and more.

"I am proud and excited to share my early experiences as a cantor, particularly my advocacy for women to have a fully equal role on the pulpit and in synagogue life, and my carrying on the legacy of my father Cantor Samuel Kligfeld (z"l),"  -- one of the panelistst, Aviva Rosenbloom, Cantor Emerita, Temple Israel of Hollywood, CA

***Photo: Cantor Sarah Sager who will serve as moderator of the panel.