We are pleased to announce that Temple has hired a Cantor for the High Holy Days, Gabriel Fleischer. Hazzan Fleischer is a third-generation Hazzan from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has previously served as a High Holiday Cantor for other congregations, including five years at an Albany shul. Hazzan Fleischer will arrive in Rochester a few days before the holidays to finalize coordination with Rabbi Berg. Because of the distance he will travel, he will stay in Rochester between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Chazzan Fleischer, like other candidates, provided audio files demonstrating his singing voice. During the interview process it became apparent that he enjoys collaboration with rabbis on and off the bimah and is extremely receptive congregant participation. His style is a lot Ashkenazic and with little bit of Sephardic influence.
Thank you to the Cantorial Search Committee for its diligent and thoughtful work in seeking candidates, conducting reference checks, and holding interviews. The committee used input from the congregational survey to establish criteria for its process to evaluate candidates. Rabbi Berg conducted telephone interviews with each candidate who was selected for an interview by the committee, and then the committee conducted interviews via Skype. This tool served as a great way to connect with candidates … from the US or abroad.
Cantorial Search Committee: Judy Levy, Rabbi Berg, Lisa Klein, Jonathan Papkin, Maxine Manjos, Scott Bauman, Allison Helms, and Annette Shapiro. The committee engaged the Ritual Committee for the interviews and selection. The committee will resume meeting to discuss cantorial needs and options post-High Holidays.