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Cantor Leslie Friedlander

Cantor Leslie Friedlander was ordained by The Academy for Jewish Religion and subsequently certified and ordained as Cantor by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.  Her congregational experience includes eight years as Cantor of Temple Emanuel in New Hyde Park, 11 years as Cantor of Riverdale Temple in the Bronx and 9 years as Cantor at Temple Isaiah in Great Neck. In that capacity she directed the professional, volunteer, and children’s choirs and co-officiated at services and life cycle events. She also directed the religious school, led Torah study and taught in the lifelong learning programs. In her role as religious school director, Cantor Friedlander was awarded a multi-year fellowship in the Leadership Institute, a joint initiative of The Jewish Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College, underwritten by UJA/Federation of New York.

Cantor Friedlander describes her musical philosophy in these terms: “I believe that for most congregations, it is the sounds and music that hold the synagogue’s soul. Music can recall deep emotional experiences that breathe life into a congregation’s services.  I hope to approach Temple Tikvah’s musical past by preserving melodies and introducing new ones gently. Always mindful of this delicate balance, I will strive to chant a service suffused with the strength of tradition and filled with the variety of innovation.”

In addition to her congregational career, Cantor Friedlander also has a distinguished professional performing history, including programs with the Long Island Cantors Ensemble, the Hebrew Arts Concert Choir and the Park Avenue Synagogue Choir. Outside the cantorial world, she has performed in solo chamber concerts for Hospital Audiences, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, and as an opera and oratorio soloist in a variety of venues including the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Center for Contemporary Opera, Aspen Music Festival, Caramoor Festival, the National Arts Chorale, and the International Choral-Orchestral Festival in Tel Aviv and Galilee.

Cantor Friedlander is delighted to return to New Hyde Park

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784