High Holiday Nusach

A Letter From

Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky

Dear Listeners,

It is with a sense of trepidation and excitement that I present to you this recording. allow me to share with you a little of the background and sources used in putting this together.

Over the years I have heard many great chazzonim and equally outstanding ballei tefila. I have always believed that the ultimate synthesis should be that of chazzonus and ballei tefila. I am not presenting this CD as an authority on Nusach but rather as a Talmid of so very many Ballei tefila. I have put together what I believe are some unique ideas in the presentation of the Nusach. however, of all the great chazzonim I have heard, none have had a greater impact than the one and only master of Nusach Hatefila, Chazzan Noach Schaul. the vast majority of the nusach presented here is derived from ideas I learned with this great teacher.

While I have spent much effort on perfecting the sound of this CD, I was more concerned with the authenticity of the Nusach and the attempt to share some new ideas that will help you, the chazzan and Baal tefila in your community.

I hope that in some way, this CD will be a source of enhancement in your Tefila and I would always be happy to hear from you with questions or comments. Ultimately, I would leave you with a thought I heard the great chazzan Yossele Rosenblatt used to say "before you go to the amud make sure you understand what you are saying." Nusach is only the spice that adds color to the delicacy; at its core we must know what we are saying.

Finally, remember that nothing can be more powerful than Tefila B'regesh. When you put your heart and feeling into the Tefilos it will be sensed by the Kehila and will inspire not only the listener, but the ba'alla tefila himself.

May all our tefilos be heard and answered.

- Benny

About

Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky

Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky was born in Liverpool, England, but spent his early schooling in the Netherlands and Johannesburg. At the age of nine his liturgical talents were discovered by world-renowned Cantor Johnny Gluck, and he subsequently joined his choir as a child soloist. At age sixteen, Cantor Rogosnitzky returned to England, where he was invited to lead High Holiday Services at the prestigious Brighton and hove Synagogue. At the same time, he furthered his Jewish Studies at the Manchester School of Music and Art, where he earned his Maters Degree in Music Theory.

Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky has since lectured widely onmusic and its application to prayer and served as a guest lecturer at the Yale Conservatory of Music in the USA. Affectionately known as "Cantor Benny," he also gives classes and maintains a rigorous regime of study and practice of traditional and modern liturgy and music. He has produced several concerts, performing worldwide in new york, london, tel Aviv, South Africa and Warsaw. cantor Rogosnitzky's interests and talents are not limited to the sphere of music.

He worked closely with the late international financier, Edmund Safra, and has been instrumental in the organization of a myriad of successful charitable functions. he is also actively involved in Jewish outreach, both in the USA and Israel. He is passionately committed to making a meaningful difference in people's lives.

In 1996 he was appointed as the Cantor of the Jewish Center on New York City's Upper Wist Side, where he served for 13 years. In 2009, he assumed the postion as cantor at the prestigious Park East Synagogue, New York, alongside the world renowned Chief cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot.