A fresh face – and voice – for High Holidays at Kehilat Shalom
The High Holidays are emotionally and physically rigorous by design, which is a challenging experience for even the most dedicated synagogue-goer. For Cantor Alexandra Weinstein, music is the key ingredient as she strives to help congregants come together to discover a renewed sense of inspiration. “What excites me about the High Holy Days in particular is the theme of renewal. In reflecting upon our past, we can move forward,” says Cantor Weinstein. “The sounds of the Shofar during the High Holy Days are a much needed reminder to be present in order to deepen our awareness of ourselves and our environment: ‘Wake up! Now wake up again!’ Carving out a space for this kind of meditation in our daily lives, let alone during the High Holidays, is such a challenge. But every year we have an opportunity to come together for this common purpose, and in supporting each other, we find strength in ourselves.” This year she joins Calgary’s Kehilat Shalom, to officiate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services alongside Rabbi Leonard Cohen and Calgary’s own Tsepora (Faye Steinberg). Cantor Weinstein – known as “Xan” to her friends – is a classically trained soprano based in New York City, and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Brandeis University in music, theatre, and Hebrew as a second language. Currently in her fifth year as a cantorial soloist, she has travelled nationally (and now, internationally) leading the High Holidays, Shabbat services, and select festivals. Her evolution into the role of cantor came naturally. “From a very young age, I was excited by the capacity of music and ritual to fuse mind, body, and community. The idea of a common spirit that transcends each individual person is miraculous, and to me, and music is a pure expression of that connectedness.” |
This year, we introduce our first-ever “Tekiah Gedolah Family Service" where parents and grandparents can join their young ones for a fun, festive service conducted by the Rabbi, Cantor and friends. Kids will also learn how to blow the shofar, and compete in the “Big Blowout” Shofar Contest. |
Location |
|