CT Cantors honored at annual convention

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Several Connecticut cantors played key roles at the 63rd Annual Convention of the Cantors Assembly, held in New York City in May. The theme of the convention was “Tomorrow’s Cantor Today.”

– Cantor Joseph Ness of Beth El Temple in West Hartford, was honored with the Moses Nathanson Award for Conducting. In addition to Ness’s annual series of concerts at Beth El, he has toured the world conducting great classics of Jewish and secular works for orchestra and chorus.
– Cantor Asa Fradkin of Temple Shalom, Greenwich, received his Commission from the Cantors Assembly, recognizing three years of service in the profession.
– Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray of Temple Shearith Israel in Ridgefield led community singing after Wednesday night’s dinner at Park Avenue Synagogue. Her co-chair of the Connecticut Region, Cantor Sanford Cohn of The Emanuel Synagogue of West Hartford, delivered eulogies and the memorial prayer honoring all colleagues who passed away in the last year.

Two other cantors with strong Connecticut connections were also honored. Cantor Faith Steinsnyder, who lived and served here in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, was the first female cantor ever to receive the Saul Meisels Award for Hazzanic Excellence. Cantor Michael Zoosman, who grew up in West Hartford and now serves Congregation Beth Israel in Vancouver, British Columbia, received his Commission.
Next year’s convention is slated to be held in Toronto, Ontario. After the Assembly’s successful Mission to Poland and Israel in 2009, a similar trip to Germany is being planned for 2011.

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