JTS Honors 20 Cantors for their Dedication and Commitment at 2018 Cantors Cantors Convocation

March 26, 2018
Contact: Beth Mayerowitz | bemayerowitz@jtsa.edu

NEW YORK, NY – The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) awarded honorary doctorates to 20 cantors at a convocation on March 12, 2018, for having served the Jewish community with distinction. All are members of the Cantors Assembly. Through the degrees conferred, JTS celebrated the achievements of these spiritual leaders and voiced appreciation for their manifold contributions to Jewish life.

The ceremony took place at Sutton Place Synagogue in New York City. It was presided over by JTS Executive Vice Chancellor / Chief Operating Officer Marc Gary. Professor Arnold M. Eisen, chancellor of JTS, conferred the degrees and delivered the convocation address. Rabbi Daniel S. Nevins, dean of the Division of Religious Leadership and Pearl Resnick Dean of The Rabbinical School, and Hazzan Nancy Abramson, director of the H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music, sponsored the honorees. Rabbi Rachel Ain of Sutton Place Synagogue welcomed the assembled, and Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro, president of the Cantors Assembly, delivered greetings on behalf of the CA. Hazzan Joel Caplan delivered remarks on behalf of the honorees. There were also several musical performances throughout the program.

This is the first time JTS is awarding honorary degrees to female cantors.

The 2018 honorees are:

Hazzan Nancy Abramson

Hazzan Neil Ben-Isvy

Hazzan Ira Simon Bigeleisen

Hazzan Baruch Blum

Hazzan Bruce D. Braun

Hazzan Norman F. Brody

Hazzan Joel Elliot Caplan

Hazzan Carey Cohen

Hazzan Steven W. Dress

Hazzan Stephen Freedman

Hazzan Bruce Halev

Hazzan Michael Stephen Krausman

Hazzan Mark H. Kula

Hazzan Bradlee Kurland

Hazzan Ivor Yitzchak Lichterman

Hazzan Bernard Lowe

Hazzan Jeffrey Stuart Myers

Hazzan Jeffrey Nadel

Hazzan Elaine Barbara Shapiro

Hazzan Linda Kolkin Shivers 

By conferring these honorary degrees, we publicly acclaimed the long and distinguished careers of a select group of cantors who have left their mark on their communities. Each of the honorees has made an enduring contribution to the Cantors Assembly, the Conservative Movement and the Jewish people. Each has brought unique abilities, resources, and commitment to the sacred task of serving the Jewish community.

About | The Jewish Theological Seminary

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