Scholar in Residence 2019

Join us for a weekend of exploration through the eyes of one of Israel’s only Reform Cantors. Cantor Evan Cohen will join us for Kabbalat Shabbat worship on Friday evening focusing on the themes in the Torah portion in Jacob’s encounters with God and for Tefilah & Torah Study on Saturday morning. Then enjoy a special concert titled Chanukah Around the World on Saturday evening, followed by A Family Chanukah Concert on Sunday morning. This weekend of learning and music for all ages is generously supported by the Bill and Norma Brown Fund for Lifelong Learning. Details about each program are listed below.

For a growing number of Israelis in recent years, “this place” is Reform communities in Israel. Cantor Cohen will share personal stories of how Israelis of all walks of life are finding a spiritual home at Kehilat Har-El in Jerusalem.

In our study of this week’s Torah portion, together with Cantor Cohen we’ll study (and then sing!) two Israeli classic songs influenced by Parashat Vayetze. We’ll learn about one of the angels from Jacob’s ladder in Malach Misulam Yaacov and discover who Jacob really was in love with in Ani Ohev Otah Leah.

Cantors Susie Lewis Friedman and Evan Cohen, along with Cantors Rayna Green and Jay O’Brien, take us on a trip around the world to experience the music of Chanukah. Each of the eight candles represents the music of a country around the globe and we will laugh, sing, and dance to each culture’s songs and melodies. We kindly ask that you register for this program here.

Join Cantors Susie Lewis Friedman and Evan Cohen with Don Cagen and Shir Joy, Temple Jeremiah’s Youth Choir, as we sing our most popular Chanukah songs with a few surprises sprinkled in. You’ll be singing along and feeling the light. This multi-generational event is open to the whole family!

CANTOR EVAN COHEN

Cantor, Kehilat Har-El, Jerusalem

Cantor Evan Cohen grew up in Monroe, New York, and graduated from the George Washington University in 1996, magna cum laude. There, as a natural continuation of his music studies, he played the tympani in the Wind Ensemble, the congas in “Los Gringos,” and sang in the University Choir, receiving the prestigious Harmon Choral Award. He then enrolled as a rabbinical student at the Hebrew Union College but only completed one year, having fallen in love with Israel and making aliyah in 1998.

Through the influence of Cantor Eliyahu Schleifer at HUC-JIR and Cantor Naftali Herstik at Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue, he fell in love again, this time with chazzanut (cantorial arts). Cantor Evan is the first Reform graduate of the Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute (an Orthodox institution) studying under Cantors Naftali Herstik, Chaim Feifel, and Maestro Raymond Goldstein. He has served as the cantor of Kehilat Har-El, Temple Jeremiah’s sister synagogue in Israel, since 2001. Representing his congregation and his alma mater, he has performed and taught in Israel, the United States, Holland, Germany, China, Russia, and Indonesia to great acclaim.

Cantor Evan has also served on the cantorial faculty of the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem and has released two albums, “Shabbat Shebalev (The Shabbat of the Heart),” a recording of the music of Kabbalat Shabbat at Kehilat Har-El and “V’samachta B’chagecha (You Shall Rejoice in Your Festival),” a joint recording with Cantor Eliyahu Schleifer of the music for the morning service of the Three Festivals. In addition, Cantor Evan is a professional music engraver, specializing in Jewish liturgical music, and has collaborated with major cantors and conductors around the Jewish world.

Since making aliyah, Cantor Evan resides in Jerusalem and insists on mentioning his third and most important loves, that of his wife, Miri and his two daughters Rina and Hila.