Showtunes At Synagogue

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Showtunes At Synagogue

Written by Karen Gellender, kgellender@antonnews.com Friday, 08 March 2013 00:00

In year’s past, the annual concert at Temple Or Elohim in Jericho has featured all-Jewish music, but this year, a new Cantor is taking the show in a different direction.

“My background is highly operatic…so I wanted to bring a whole different energy and level of culture and art to the community,” said Cantor David Aaron Katz. Though he only joined the synagogue in July of 2012, Katz is well known as one of the “Three Jewish Tenors,” along with Cantors Alberto Mizrachi and David Propis. He has performed with the Houston Grand Opera Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and The Pacific Symphony orchestra, the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, The Queens Oratorio Society Symphony, The Pan American Orchestra Of New York, The One World Symphony as well as many other prominent orchestras through out the United States.

Cantor David Aaron Katz With his obvious expertise, Katz pitched the idea of changing up the regular formula from a strictly Jewish-themed concert to a Broadway/operatic concert, and synagogue leadership was open to trying something new.

“I wanted it to be a widespread event for everybody, not just those who might be interested in Jewish music,” said Katz.

That’s why this year’s concert will include selections from beloved musical like West Side Story, and one of the world’s most famous operas, La bohème. Joining Katz on stage will be Soprano Michelle Trovato and pianist David Maiullo. Right now, the concert is still an annual event, but if all goes well, Temple Or Elohim members, friends, and the entire community may have more expertly performed opera and showtunes to look forward to.

According to Katz, this initial show is meant to make a statement that at Temple Or Elohim, music fans can enjoy a “top-notch, Manhattan-level concert that they can depend on and look forward to,” right in their veritable backyard in East Birchwood.

“It’s not ostentatious—it’s just a wonderful community-based temple with great people that want to be there for their congregants and for their temple. And that’s just a very rare and beautiful thing to be a part of,” said Katz.

“Opera On Broadway” at Temple Or Elohim will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. A dessert reception will follow. Everyone is welcome.

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BCA Votes on Budgets, Candidates

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During its April and May meetings, the Birchwood Civic Association welcomed Board of Education members and candidates from the Syosset School District, as well as Board of Education members and administrators from the Jericho School District to discuss budget proposals and issues facing the districts. The BCA voted to endorse both the Syosset and Jericho budgets, as well as the Jericho Library budget, acknowledging that all made a strong effort to retain programs while staying below the state tax levy cap. In addition, the BCA voted in support of Jericho's Proposition 2 regarding the establishment of a capital reserve fund. The Syosset Library budget was not reviewed.

Sports

Syosset Boys Lacrosse Defeats Plainview

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Enters Playoffs As Second Seed

The Syosset Braves varsity boys lacrosse team (7-1) were victorious over the Plainview JFK Hawks (5-3) last Friday afternoon, 12-5 in Conference I play. The Braves are the number two seed going into the playoffs, and the Hawks are the number six seed.

Ending the first two periods with a 6-2 lead, the Braves’ defense reduced Plainview’s potential comeback to only one goal, while Syosset scored four.