Musical Gems

Musical Gems of the Canadian Reform Synagogue

Celebrating 100 years of Reform Jewish Music in Canada

Wednesday, March 25, 7:30 pm

Holy Blossom in partnership with the Reform Cantors and Cantorial Soloists of Canada will present this special concert. The evening will feature cantors, cantorial soloists, and synagogue choirs from across the country, offering a vibrant tapestry of musical traditions that reflect our shared history and evolving spirit.

Featuring

Cantorial Soloist Tara Abrams, City Shul
Cantorial Soloist Tracey Atin, Congregation Beth El
Cantor Judy Adelman Gershon, Temple Sinai
Cantor Paula Baruch, Temple Anshe Sholom
Cantor Shani Cohen, Temple Sholom
Cantorial Soloist Aron Katz, Temple Kol Ami
Cantor Meara Lebovitz, Temple Sinai
Cantor Rachael Littman, Temple Har Zion
Cantor Charles Osborne, Temple Sinai
Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers, Holy Blossom Temple
Cantor David Rosen, Holy Blossom Temple
Cantor Martin Steinhouse
Cantor Jeff Webber, Temple Emanu-El
Cantor Cheryl Wunch, Congregation Shir Libeynu
Cantor Steve Zeidenberg, Beth Torah

Choirs

City Shul * Holy Blossom Temple *  Temple  Emanu-El * Temple Har Zion * Temple Kol Ami * Temple Sinai

We are honoured to welcome two distinguished guests for this milestone event:

• Cantor Josh Breitzer, President of the American Conference of Cantors and cantor of Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn
• Cantor Jill Abramson, Director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion

Get your tickets here!

In honour of Sara B. Charney for her dedication to and presidency of Women of Reform Judaism, a gift has been made by her sister, Patty Rubin, to Music at Holy Blossom Temple in support of the 2026 Reform Cantors and Reform Cantorial Soloists of Canada Concert.

Background information:
As we celebrate 170 years of Holy Blossom Temple, we honour a remarkable journey from its beginnings as a small Orthodox congregation to its emergence as a leading force in Toronto’s Reform Jewish community. Holy Blossom played a pivotal role in launching many of the city’s prominent Reform congregations, and as these communities flourished, they developed their own musical identities. Together, they have shaped the rich and diverse soundscape of Canadian Reform Jewish music.

In its early Reform years, services reflected the ideals of Classical Reform Judaism, conducted largely in English, with liturgical music drawn from the beloved Union Hymnal. Choral music accompanied by organ was central to worship, and the cantorial voice was first heard from a choir loft high above the bimah.

Following the Second World War, a Golden Age of synagogue music began to flourish. Holy Blossom’s sanctuary became a platform for innovation and musical excellence, hosting the premieres of major liturgical works and attracting Jewish music enthusiasts from around the world.