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Artist Guide » Classical » Contemporary » LISA LEVINE: Gems of the High Holy Days
Biography
The 10 days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur have inspired millions throughout Jewish history to prayer, repentance and charity as they ask God to inscribe them in the Book of Life. These Days of Awe also have inspired composers to write music that has crystallized the thoughts and emotions of people during the holiest period of the Jewish calendar. Gems of the High Holy Days was recorded live on Iowa Public Radio at St. Paul's Cathedral in Des Moines Iowa and bring many of these liturgical gems home to listeners. Listeners will resonate with Cantor Levine's soulful and captivating soprano on Avinu Malkeinu, the confession to God of our collective sins; Kol Nidre, the timeless prayer asking forgiveness that ushers in Yom Kippur and Brosh Hashanah, acknowledging that God judges humanity during these solemn days. Each song features an introduction and explanation of the text and compositional setting. Gems of the High Holy Days is a must have for your worship and prayer recording collection!

Cantor Lisa Levine was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, where she began singing and playing the guitar at the age of 8. She was a UAHC camp song leader and active in the Reform Jewish youth movement. After earning her Bachelors Degree in Music from University California Irvine, she went on to Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, where she completed her Masters Degree in Sacred Music. She was invested Cantor in 1989 and served as Cantor/Music Director of Temple Shalom in Dallas, TX until 1996.
From 1996 until July 2000, Lisa served as the Cantor/Music Director of Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Des Moines, Iowa. She was a co-founder and guest conductor of the "Des Moines Diversity Chorus," an interfaith community choir dedicated to promoting diversity and understanding. Her solo CD "Gems of the High Holy Days" was recorded live for Iowa Public Radio at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Des Moines. From 2000 to 2003 Lisa served as Cantor of Temple B'nai Jehudah in Kansas City.

Lisa has recorded two CD's of original music entitled "Keep The Spirit" and "In The Light." She recently published her self titled songbook which contains 22 original songs for healing, prayer and unity. Her original musical compositions are published by Transcontinental Music and appear in "The Complete Shireinu", "The Complete Chanukah Songbook," Synagogue 2000's "Songs of Healing" the CCAR's "Open Door Haggadah," "American Conference of Cantors Lifecycle Manual, "Soundswrites' "Sounds of Torah" as well as Complete Jewish Songbook II and Shabbat Anthology II. Lisa's songs were featured and performed at the URJ Biennial in Boston and Minneapolis. Her long anticipated solo album titled "Reaching For Peace" is soon to be released.
In July of 2003 Lisa was elected the fifth Cantor of historic Temple Oheb Shalom in Baltimore, Maryland. She shares her life with her husband Andy and their two children, Emily & Louis and a very feisty West Highland Terrier named Duncan.

Check out the artist's website:
http://www.cantorlisalevine.com

Track List:
1. Introduction
2. Hin'ni
3. Shehecheyanu
4. Avinu Malkeinu
5. Ma Tovu
6. Unetane tokef
7. Sim Shalom
8. Kol Nidre
9. Al Cheit
10. B'rosh Hashana
11. Y'hiyu L'ratzon
12. Chassidic Kaddish
13. Modim Anachnu Lach

Suggested CDs:
  • David Chevan with Frank London and the Afro-Semitic Experience
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