Cantor Emeritus Benjamin Z. Maissner

Benjamin Z. Maissner is the Cantor Emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple. With degrees from the Hebrew Union College of Sacred Music and Temple University, he is renowned for his knowledge of both secular and liturgical music. Cantor Maissner has mastered a variety of musical styles ranging from Jewish Renaissance and early Hebrew Art Music to contemporary Canadian, American and Israeli compositions. He is also Conductor and Music Director of Lachan, Toronto’s Jewish Chamber Choir.

A versatile performer himself, Cantor Maissner has been a featured soloist in such theatres as the Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv and New York’s Carnegie Hall. He has also served as musical consultant for documentaries including To Mend the World and The Man Who Hid Anne Frank. He currently serves on the executive board of the Cantors’ Assembly (Conservative) and as Vice President of the American Conference of Cantors (Reform). He teaches vocal and cantorial skills and is National Chair of the Certification Program of the American Conference of Cantors.

Cantor Maissner teaches and lectures extensively. He has been Cantor-in-Residence at the Hebrew Union Colleges in New York, Cincinnati and Jerusalem. In March 2001, he was recognized with an honorary doctorate in music from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.

In 2014,  in recognition of Cantor Maissner’s significant contribution to the reconciliation between Christians and Jews as well as Germans and Jews,   Joachim Gauck, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany bestowed the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany on Benjamin Zeev Maissner at a ceremony held at Holy Blossom Temple.