The Cantor
Cantor Larry I. Brandspiegel has blessed Beth El Synagogue with his voice, educational guidance, and leadership since joining the community in August 2000.
Cantor Brandspiegel always had a love for synagogue and Jewish music. Inspired by his grandfather, Harry Puter, and Chazzan Gabriel Berkowitz, who taught him for his Bar Mitzvah, Cantor Brandspiegel developed the ability to reach the hearts of the congregation in prayer. Recently he has drawn great inspiration from the guidance and mentorship of Chazzan Daniel Gildar.
Cantor Brandspiegel's melodic voice and musical interpretation has brought unity and a sense of spiritual high to the services, moving toward a feeling of closeness to God. While music itself is an important aspect of the liturgy, Cantor Brandspiegel's grasp of the Nusach (melody) enables him to articulate the meaning of the words through the music, and place just the right amount of kavanah (emotion) behind it. He has written a number of melodies that have been used by others during services, both at Beth El and other congregations.
Cantor Brandspiegel has been instrumental in the growth of the Shabbat service, which includes the addition of a Junior Choir. Participation of lay congregants leading services has grown, along with an increased interest in the reading of Torah by adults and teenagers. Cantor Brandspiegel's classes on Torah trope, rituals, and learning how to lead a service continue to benefit all those wishing to participate as leaders, rather than just participate as congregants.
Cantor Brandspiegel's reaching out to people extends even greater to the education of Beth El's children. Along with his Cantorial duties, he serves as the Education Director of the Religious School. His renewed vision and pride in his personal connection to Judaism allow him to inspire and guide the younger generation.
One of the greatest satisfactions he gets from the school and the future generation is watching the number of growing teenagers who lead services and read Torah on Shabbat and holidays. He is particularly grateful to see the participation in the Hebrew High School program rise more than 110% since he started at Beth El.
Cantor Brandspiegel is a member of The Jewish Ministers Cantors Association of America, a National Board Member of the Jewish Educators Assembly, an honorary Board Member of Sharim V'Sharot, Central New Jersey's Select Jewish Choir, and a Board Member and the Treasurer of the Windsor Hightstown Area Ministerium, NJ. Cantor Brandspiegel has also volunteered his voice and educational expertise at area nursing/rehabilitation homes, including the Greenwood House in Trenton, NJ, the Elms of Cranbury in Cranbury, NJ, the Pavilions at Forrestal Village, NJ, and the Cranbury Care Center in Cranbury, NJ. He has also performed for the Kosher Café in Trenton, NJ under the auspices of Jewish Family and Children's Service.
Before coming to Beth El Synagogue, Cantor Brandspiegel served as Cantor and Director of Education for Temple Sholom in Philadelphia, PA for five years. During his tenure, the congregation grew and flourished.
Cantor Brandspiegel's love and passion for Judaism continues to influence many congregants. His warmth in welcoming Beth El congregants and their families is a reflection of the "haimishness" (Jewish warmth) that the clergy has brought to Beth El Synagogue.
Cantor Brandspiegel, his wife, Laura, and his three children, Samantha, Heather, and Jeremy, have found a home in East Windsor, and an extended family at Beth El Synagogue.
You can e-mail the cantor at cantor@bethel.net.
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