Welcome Back, Hinda

Varied program to show Cantor’s full range

If you’ve been missing Hinda Eisen’s beautiful voice in the sanctuary of Temple Emanu-El, you’re in luck. Hinda Eisen, former Ritual Director and guest cantor for the High Holy Days at Temple Emanu-El, will be back at the temple on Saturday, Nov. 23, to present a solo concert sponsored by Arts Emanu–El, entitled “Journeys in Prayer.” The public is invited to attend. “Journeys in Prayer” will also serve as Eisen’s graduation concert from Hebrew College where, in June 2014, she will be ordained as a cantor and will be granted a master’s degree in Judaic Studies.

Eisen grew up in West Caldwell, New Jersey, and graduated from Boston University in 2009 with a major in religion and a minor in special education for children with severe disabilities. While at BU, she joined the Zamir Chorale of Boston under the direction of its founder Joshua Jacobson, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Northeastern University. She served as Conducting Fellow to Professor Jacobson during the 2008-2009 academic year and since then has, in addition to singing in the chorale, been on its staff as Assistant to the Conductor.

Eisen became Ritual Director at Temple Emanu-El soon after graduation from college. She began her cantorial studies on a part-time basis while serving as Ritual Director at Emanu-El; she left her position at Emanu-El in July 2012 to devote herself full time to her cantorial studies.

“Journeys in Prayer” is a varied program that reflects her range both as a musician and as a person. She will sing in six languages including English, Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino (the language of Sephardic Jewry). While all the selections are spiritual, some are religious – cantorial music from the golden age of cantorial music (1890 - 1930) and some secular – e.g., lullabies and love songs.

The cantorial program at Hebrew College envisions the cantor as more than a musician. The program prepares its students to be pastors, spiritual leaders, teachers and representatives of the community. Even before ordination, Eisen’s voice carries all that and more in its tones.

“Journey in Prayer – a concert by Hinda Eisen” will be performed at Temple-Emanu-El, Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, and include a post-concert reception with Hinda Eisen.

Purchase tickets at Temple Emanu-El website, teprov.org, or by check to Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, RI 02906; with note: “Hinda Eisen Concert.”