FOSTERING A VIBRANT RENEWAL OF JUDAISM IN POLAND
09-05-21
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Cantor David S. Wisnia has a remarkable voice, and he uses it to tell his remarkable story. He is fluent in multiple languages and received his vocal training in his native Poland as a student of renown Cantors Sirota and Koussevitsky. He served as Cantor of Temple Shalom in Levittown, PA for 28 years, and recently retired after 23 years as Cantor of Har Sinai Congregation of Trenton, NJ. David Wisnia is a member of the American Conference of Cantors within the UAHC, and continues to be an active vocalist, educator, and congregational community leader.
During World War II, when he was just a teenager, David became a prisoner of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where he was held for nearly 3 years. After surviving several horrors in Auschwitz, David discovered that his singing voice would ultimately save his life. A daring escape lead him into the path of U.S. soldiers from the 101st Airborne who adopted “Little Davey,” taking him with them on their campaign of liberation through Europe. With their help, David Wisnia was able to immigrate to the United States. David’s story is unique: he is both a Holocaust Survivor and a WWII Liberator. (Abbreviated bio from David Wisnia’s blog)
WEBINAR PANELISTS:
Avi Wisnia is an award-winning singer, songwriter, storyteller, and educator. He performs in venues around the world including the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York and The Kennedy Center in DC, with concert tours in Japan, Poland, and Brazil. He has given a TED Talk and performed with The Moth storytellers, and he currently leads the Philly Songwriters Circle in his hometown of Philadelphia. His new album of original jazz/pop compositions will be released later this year. Avi also continues to share the stories and songs of his grandfather, Cantor and Holocaust survivor David S. Wisnia, with the multi-media project “My Polish Wisnia.” (www.aviwisnia.com)
Neal Brostoff taught courses in Jewish and Israeli music history and Jewish music performance in UCLA’s Ethonomusicology and Musicology Depts. from 2011-16. Mr. Brostoff has also served as the Music Programs Coordinator for the Mickey Katz Endowed Chair in Jewish Music at UCLA. He has taught Jewish music courses at Loyola Marymount University and at American Jewish University in Los Angeles. In his professional career, Mr. Brostoff has produced Jewish music concerts and festivals and has lectured on Jewish music topics. He has also served as Cultural Affairs Director for the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles and as Music Specialist at the Skirball Cultural Center. Active as a cantorial accompanist and choir director, Mr. Brostoff served congregations Adat Ari El and Temple Aliyah in Los Angeles from 1971 till 2007 He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from Mount St. Mary’s College and California State University at Fullerton.
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