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Musical galaxy at Ohr Shalom

By Eileen Wingard
San Diego Jewish Times, December 22, 2005

Cantor David Propis, hazzan of Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston, TX, was on the bimah of Ohr Shalom Synagogue to introduce and participate in "A Musical Galaxy." Performing with Propis on the Nov. 20 program were Cantors Alisa Pomerantz-Boro of Congregation Beth El in Cherry Hill, NJ and Mauricio Bogomolny of Ohr Shalom. These were three stars that sang, cantilated, made us laugh and cry in a program that ranged from cantorial gems and Yiddish favorites to operatic bel canto and Broadway hits.

Propis’ voice is as big as his persona, and his first solo, V’al yeday Avadecha by Zavel Kvartin showcased his vocal power, his wonderful melic gift and his heartfelt passion. The composer, Ukrainian-born Kvartin, was one of the great cantors of the 20^th century and Propis is undoubtedly one of the great cantors of the 21^st century.

In addition to solos, Propis performed several duets with Pomerantz-Boro, including a delightful rendition of Shlomo Secunda’s “Bei Mir Bist Du Shayn.”

Pomerantz-Boro shone in her own composition created after the birth of her daughter Rebecca. Modim is a heartfelt prayer of thanks alternating between a chorus and an improvisatory section inspired by cantorial tradition. A large contingent of the enthusiastic audience were from Tifereth Israel, where Pomerantz-Boro had served as cantor for 13 years.

Pomerantz-Boro displayed her showmanship with contemporary material as she sang the song “Popular” from the Broadway hit musical Wicked.

Both Propis and Pomerantz-Boro were accompanied at the piano by Tova Morcos. She played beautifully, although the piano amplification was unnecessary.

Bogomolny opened with “V’hu Rachum” by Josef Rosenblatt, the most famous cantor of the last century. Bogomolny’s operatic-trained voice sounded impressively open and free as he sang with inspiring warmth. His rendition of Rossini’s La Danza brought the house down with its intensity and rhythmic verve. His accompanist was Elena Galitskaya, who matched his exciting temperament. There too, the piano amplification was superfluous.

The finale was a medley of Israeli tunes such as “Bashana Haba’ah,” “Hakol Eyleh,” “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav,” “Sisu Et Yerushalayim,” and “Y’varech’cha.” The medley concluded with a spirited “Hatikvah” in which the entire audience joined in.

Congregants Muriel and Leonard Warren served as impresarios for this memorable event, which included a pre-concert patron gathering in the chapel and a post concert reception in the social hall. Rabbi Scott Meltzer, the personable young spiritual leader of Ohr Shalom, introduced the program.