Teaneck—The Young Israel of Teaneck will host the Joseph Dresdner, z”l, Memorial Shabbat Chazzanut, March 20-21, featuring the world-renowned Cantor Netanel Hershtik and the Hamptons Synagogue Choir conducted by Izchak Haimov. Cantor Hershtik will lead Kabalat Shabbat services on Friday evening, March 20, and Shabbat morning services, March 21.
People who have attended Shabbat Chazzanut in the past should not feel they’ve already heard it all. According to Hershtik, “Every year we try to surprise a little bit, but we also try to be faithful to what you heard last year. I try to include as many people as I can, so that’s why you’ll hear different styles of song throughout the davening.”
“Shabbat Chazzanut is an experience singular to Teaneck,” Hershtik told the JLNJ. “I bring in the choir because I want the congregants to be able to experience davening the way it really should be. I feel Chazzanut has a bad name. Sometimes the crowd wants to go home and they don’t have the patience. I believe I have a special formula and want to prove that there can be a different type of service that will help with decorum. When davening is led by someone who has mastered the craft, people will pay attention because he knows what to say and how to say it. When there is proper leadership of the amud with a chazzan who prepares, he will deserve our attention and respect and there will be decorum. Shabbat Chazzaanut can prove that when you prepare, you can have a very special Shabbat davening.”
Hershtik’s family is known for their cantors and, in fact, he is a 14th generation cantor. His father, Naftali Hershtik, is the former cantor of the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem, where Netanel’s musical talent quickly became apparent through his regular appearances as a child soloist in the Great Synagogue. In addition to his family education, his musical training includes graduation from the Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute, as well as training under Cantor Chayim Feifel, Raymond Goldstein and other renowned cantors and musicians.
Hershtik has given concerts across the world, including performances with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. Netanel has also performed in concert halls such as Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House and Casino de Paris. He is the first cantor to be invited to perform a cantorial concert at the Kennedy Center. He also holds the distinction of being the first cantor to be invited to perform at the United Nations at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony in 2006.
Hershtik has a new CD coming out in the next few weeks—his first in over 10 years. He recorded the CD, entitled, The Art of Cantor Netanel Hershtik, in English and “Omanut HaTefilah” in Hebrew, with a 45-piece symphonic orchestra and choir. The recording was done at the famed Avatar Studios in New York. Different musical styles are represented including Jewish cantorial music, liturgical music and old-time Chazzanut. Two highlights include a collaboration with the Maccabeats, as well as a duet with Hershtik’s cousin, Srulik Hershtik. They present a beautiful new arrangement of Yossie Greeen’s “Tanya,” made famous by Avraham Fried. “When we were little we used to sing it. Now many years later I thought there was no one better than Srulik to sing it with,” said Hershtik. The CD will be available on iTunes and Amazon and local Judaica stores.
The Young Israel of Teaneck is located at 868 Perry Lane in Teaneck. For more information on Shabbat Chazzanut, email [email protected].
