Presents Recital of Classical Songs and Arias at Temple Israel Ner Tamid on May 17 at 4:00 p.m.
A Musical Reflection on the Upsurge in Antisemitism
To reflect on the dramatic rise in antisemitism since October 7, 2023, Cantor Larry Josefovitz will give a recital of classical songs and arias on Sunday, May 17 at 4:00 p.m. at Temple Israel Ner Tamid. The concert will be centered on a cycle of poems by the 19th century German Jewish poet Heinrich Heine, whose poems were so essential to the German reading public that the Nazis – who erased, excluded, and destroyed all Jewish contributions to their culture – could not ban them. Cantor Josefovitz will sing the musical settings of these poems by Robert Schumann in a song cycle called Dichterliebe (Poet’s Love). There will also be arias by Mendelssohn and Handel, songs by Debussy, Faure and de Falla, as well as a Ladino song.
A special feature of this program will be the narration of the entire cycle by former WCLV classical music host Eric Kisch. Adam Whiting will accompany Cantor Josefovitz on the piano.
The concert is free and open to the public, sponsored by the Rabbi Fred Eisenberg Music Fund. Temple Israel Ner Tamid is located at 1732 Lander Road in Mayfield Heights.
“This year I am addressing the upsurge in antisemitism which has been fueled by pundits who ask what Israel and Jews do for the world,” Josefovitz said.
Cantor Larry Josefovitz began his career as alto soloist with the Oscar Julius Choir in New York City. He attended New York’s High School of Music and Art and received his B.A. in music from Yeshiva College. He also attended Teachers College (Columbia Graduate School), Boston University, the Mozarteum in Salzburg in Austria, the Rubin Academy of Music & Dance in Jerusalem, and the Aspen Music Festival & School in Colorado. Josefovitz has performed at Carnegie Hall and on Kol Yisrael Radio Israel. He served prominent pulpits in places such as Park Synagogue in Cleveland, and North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, IL.
Retiring after 30 years as a full-time cantor, he has worked with Temple Israel Ner Tamid as a teacher for over 20 years, is a private b’nai mitzvah tutor and voice teacher, and has served as a High Holyday cantor in Chicago, Columbus, Philadelphia and other east coast cities. Josefovitz has also offered 12 courses at CWRU/Siegal Lifelong Learning.
Cantor Josefovitz, his wife Diane, and children Shira and Micah reside in Beachwood and are affiliated with Green Road Synagogue in Beachwood.
About Temple Israel Ner Tamid
Temple Israel Ner Tamid is a caring, accepting, Reform Jewish congregation providing a welcoming place to gather, pray, learn and engage in acts of kindness and tzedakah (charity). Located in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, the temple serves the eastern suburbs of Cuyahoga County, Lake County, western Geauga County, and northwestern Portage County. Weekly Shabbat (sabbath) services are streamed on the temple’s YouTube channel (@templeisraelnertamid3013) for those unable to attend in person. tintcleveland.org Facebook: Temple Israel Ner Tamid (TINT) Instagram: @templeisrael.nertamid