A family journey continues with a cantor’s cousin reunion By Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray 2006 There are moments in life that seem to transcend time. Growing up I would never have imagined that I would actually meet someone from my family who knew about life before the Holocaust. I have always been interested in my […]
Talented Teens, Our Next Generation!
A recent article I wrote for American Conference of Cantors: Engaging and inspiring our youth has always been a passion of mine. As cantors, we realize there has to be someone after us to continue our love of Jewish music! I’ve heard many wonderful choirs at cantors’ conventions and occasionally, a great youth choir. It […]
Lessons from Professor Wiesel
Don’t identify with all 6,000,000 it is too great. Identify with ONE. If everyone of us could live for one of them, it would be a victory- Your life will be full of meaning- Live a doubly Jewish life for one who could not light candles, say a prayer, sing a Jewish song, hold a […]
Poland
Cantor Debbie’s Personal Account of her 2009 Conference/Experience Poland………………………… Today I’m going to Auschwitz to meet the spirits of my family. All the little flames on my family tree that I’ve meditated on- wondered about- what would their lives had been if not for Hitler? Today I’m going to say Kaddish for them as well […]
Our Patriarch Has Left Us
Our Patriarch has left us- he has left us a lifetime of memories, of kindness, a legacy of education, culture, dedication to health and fitness, a vibrancy and love of life, and a unique gift to all of us here today remembering our beloved Ted, Grandpa, Uncle Ted, Dr. Theodore Zimmerman, Dad, and for me, […]
Sparks of the Divine Again
Sparks of the Divine Again September 30, 2013 Growing up in a cantorial home, it was one of my greatest delights to sit at the kitchen or dining room table with my beloved father of blessed memory, Cantor Theodore Katchko, and listen to him record prayers for me. It was mostly during my first year […]
Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof!
By Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray, Founder of the Women Cantors’ Network, and International Vice Chair, Cantors for Women of the Wall May 12, 2013, 3 Sivan 5773 Justice, justice, we must pursue! It is clear to me that justice means mutual respect and religious pluralism, especially in our holy Jerusalem and at the Kotel, the Western […]
Koch and Moses
Mayor Koch and Moses Recently we read about Yitro, the father in law of Moses and his influence on him. As a leader, Moses looked to Yitro for advice and ideas on how to improve his leadership of the Israelites- Last month we lost a wonderful leader of New York City and a devoted member […]
A Narrow Bridge in Newtown
A Narrow Bridge in Newtown A beloved and well-known rabbi, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov taught “ The whole world is a narrow bridge and the main thing is not to be afraid” The words are used in a popular song called, “ Gesher Tzar Me-od”, meaning “ A Narrow Bridge”. It is often sung with […]
Why I Love Isaac- A lecture by Elie Wiesel
Return to the Akeda-Why I Love Isaac A Lecture by Prof. Elie Wiesel 92nd St Y May 16, 2012 Listening to my teacher and mentor, Elie Wiesel is always a privilege, enlightening, uplifting and moving. Just hearing his voice can put me in a place of learning with an appreciation for his masterful teaching. The words that […]