Welcome

Jeff Warschauer is a cantor, educator and highly accomplished musician with a sweet, soulful voice and a friendly, engaging presence.

Jeff leads exciting participatory services with a creative mix of contemporary and traditional melodies. He teaches kids and adults about all facets of Jewish music, prayer and Torah reading.

He leads multigenerational choruses and instrumental ensembles that enliven synagogue events, draw in potential new members and strengthen bonds among the membership and with the community at large.

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Biography

Jeff Warschauer, of Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown, PA, is a cantor, educator and highly accomplished musician with a sweet, soulful voice and a friendly, engaging presence.

Cantor Warschauer leads exciting participatory services with a creative mix of contemporary and traditional melodies. He teaches kids and adults about all facets of Jewish music, prayer and Torah reading, and leads multi-generational choruses and ensembles that enliven synagogue events, draw in potential new members and strengthen bonds among the membership and with the community at large.

A graduate of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Cantor Warschauer has served congregations in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine and Vermont.

In the Yiddish and klezmer scene, Cantor Jeff Warschauer is internationally renowned as one of the foremost klezmer mandolinists, as an innovator in the development of a klezmer guitar style, as an expressive Yiddish singer and as a skillful and inspirational educator. One half of the Strauss/Warschauer Duo, he was a long-time member of the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and has been featured in concert and on recordings with Itzhak Perlman, Joel Grey and the late Theodore Bikel. He is on the faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University, and is a Founding Artistic Director and Senior Artistic Advisor of KlezKanada.

Cantor Warschauer speaks Yiddish, and has researched and collected Yiddish and Hebrew songs and instrumental melodies since the mid-1980s. He received a Bachelor of Music at the New England Conservatory, and has studied Jewish culture, languages, and religion at the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Conservative Yeshiva, Oxford University, Columbia University, the University of Haifa and Tufts University. He has received numerous awards in Music, Community Activities, Judaica and Musicology, as well as the Amalgamated Bank Prize in Yiddish, a Massachusetts Folk Arts Fellowship, and the KlezKanada Distinguished Service Award.

Resume

EDUCATION

Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, NY
Masters in Sacred Music and Cantorial Investiture, 2015

New England Conservatory, Boston, MA
Bachelor of Music

Hebrew Studies at the Conservative Yeshiva Summer Program, the University of Haifa Summer Ulpan (Israel), and at JTS.

Yiddish Studies at Tufts University, Oxford Summer Programme in Yiddish and the Columbia/YIVO Summer Program (Advanced Level)

EXPERIENCE

CANTOR, CANTORIAL SOLOIST, AND SYNAGOGUE MUSICIAN

Cantor at Congregation Brothers of Israel, Newtown, PA (2022-present)

Cantor-in-Residence at Temple Beth-El, Jersey City, NJ (2022-2023)

Cantor at The Jewish Center of Princeton, NJ (2018-2022)

Cantor at Congregation Keneseth Israel, Allentown, PA (2017-2018)

Cantor-in-Residence at Israel Congregation of Manchester (Vermont) (2016-2017)

Cantor at Temple Sinai, Massapequa, NY (2015-2017)

Student Cantor at Temple Beth El, Portland, ME (2014-2015)

Student Cantor at Congregation Beth El, New London, CT (2013-2014)

Cantorial Intern at Park Slope Jewish Center, Brooklyn, NY (2011-2012)

In twelve years of cantorial positions has functioned as clergy in a wide range of skill areas: leading services, leyening, acting as gabbai, delivering sermons, providing pastoral care, leading and co-leading lifecycle events and shiva minyanim, restructuring and directing a large b’nai mitzvah program, as well as teaching b’nai mitzvah, religious school students and adults, introducing new, participatory repertoire in a wide range of styles, designing and teaching special classes and highly participatory vocal and instrumental ensembles for all ages, creating holiday programs for the entire community, and serving as a member of a bet-din.

High Holiday Spiritual Leader (Kol Bo) and Cantor, Beth Israel Congregation, Bath, ME, 2015 and 2016
Along with co-leader Deborah Strauss, filled all clergy roles, including leading or overseeing all services, reading Torah and delivering sermons.

Cantor for High Holidays, Temple El Emeth, Youngstown, OH, 2012-2014

Co-leader, Vocal and Instrumental Soloist, Congregation Beth Elohim, Brooklyn, NY, 2004-2011
In eight years of High Holiday experience created (with rabbis) participatory family services and special events. Led (with rabbis) evening, Torah and Musaf services on Rosh Hashana, plus Kol Nidre/Maariv, Torah, Yizkor, Musaf and Neila services on Yom Kippur. Also co-led, with Deborah Strauss, family services and special musical programming for Slichot.

Guest Cantor, Artist-in-Residence, Music Director, Music Educator, Vocalist and Instrumentalist, 1986-present
In collaboration with Deborah Strauss, leads services and artist residencies throughout North America and Europe. Serves as guest cantor, band and choir leader, arranger, composer, and vocal and instrumental soloist. Works with congregational singers and instrumentalists on new, innovative repertoire for services, and teaches classes for all ages on synagogue chant and song, klezmer music, Yiddish song and Yiddish dance.

EDUCATOR AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Jewish Theological Seminary, Adjunct Lecturer in Guitar, 2023-present

Columbia University, Associate in Music (Faculty Coach of the Columbia Klezmer Band), 2002-present
As instructor and coach of the ensemble (a for-credit course) has overall responsibility for the group. Mentors the student leader, leads the audition process, coaches all aspects of instrumental and vocal performance, provides arrangement ideas, supplies audio and printed resources, evaluates student participation and supervises the organization of two concerts per year.

KlezKanada Institute for Jewish/Yiddish Arts and Culture, Montreal and Lantier, Quebec, Canada
Coordinator, Program Director, Co-Artistic Director and Sole Artistic Director, 1996-2009
Created ground-breaking initiatives, led and/or oversaw all programming of a major, internationally-acclaimed Yiddish and Jewish arts and culture festival. In collaboration with a world-class team of artists and scholars, produced concerts, hands-on workshops and lectures on multiple aspects of Jewish, especially Ashkenazic, arts, culture and academic inquiry. Collaborated with and reported to Board on all aspects of summer and year-round programming. Moved to an advisory role in 2009 in order to pursue full-time graduate studies. Currently Senior Artistic Advisor and Founding Artistic Director.

Jewish Music Educator, 1986-present
Designs and teaches classes in cantorial modality and improvisation, Yiddish song, Hasidic melodies and klezmer music throughout North America and Europe, including at the Jewish Culture Festival in Cracow, the Oxford Yiddish Summer Programme, KlezFest London, KlezKanada, KlezKamp, Yiddish Summer Weimar, and the Workmen’s Circle.

PERFORMER, MUSICAL DIRECTOR, AND COMPOSER

The Klezmer Conservatory Band, 1990-2003
Featured as instrumentalist and singer throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and on multiple recordings. Featured in concerts, recordings and film with Itzhak Perlman and Joel Grey.

The Strauss/Warschauer Duo, 1995-present
Performs and teaches throughout North America, Eastern and Western Europe, including the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Jewish Culture Festival in Cracow, The Folksbiene Yiddish Theater, KlezFest St. Petersburg (Russia). Featured in performances with legendary actor and singer Theodore Bikel.

Theater Music Director and Composer, 1986-1996
The American Jewish Theater (New York City) and the Jewish Theater of New England (numerous productions).

Recordings
Featured on CDs with Itzhak Perlman, The Klezmer Conservatory Band, The Strauss/Warschauer Duo, and a solo klezmer guitar and mandolin CD, among many others.

Ethnographic Fieldwork, 1986-present
Collects Yiddish songs and klezmer instrumental music from older Yiddish-speaking singers and instrumentalists in North America, Eastern and Western Europe and Israel.

AWARDS

Kogen Community Activities Award (JTS) 2014, Cantors Assembly Prize (JTS) 2013, Prize for Excellence in a Musicological Project (JTS) 2012, Field Prize in Music (JTS) 2011, KlezKanada Distinguished Service Award 2009, Massachusetts Folk Arts Fellowship 1990, Amalgamated Bank Prize in Yiddish 1986

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Member of the National Executive Board of the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, 2004-2007
Member of  Board of the JCC of the Lehigh Valley, 2017-2018

LANGUAGES

Yiddish (fluent), Hebrew, some French and German

Rabbi Carolyn Braun Writes About Cantor Jeff Warschauer

I am delighted to write this letter of reference for Cantor Jeff Warschauer.

First, some background.  We are a congregation of approximately 300 families in Southern Maine.  Like many congregations, we do not have the financial ability to support both a rabbi and a cantor; but we love music, lay participation and team work. In 2014, I created an internship program that would enable us to hire a cantorial or rabbinical student in their last year.  Jeff was the best candidate by far and we offered him a position.  His task was to come 18 times from October to May, to help build community, to bring innovation into our services, to teach, to participate in any lifecycle events that occurred on his visits, to learn aspects of the Cantorate that were not covered in cantorial school, and to be a team member of our staff.

Jeff met and exceeded our expectations.  His warmth, excitement, talent and passion had a positive impact on people of all ages. Our older members, in particular, enjoyed speaking Yiddish with him and loved his easy and inclusive, welcoming nature.  Kids and families were attracted and responsive to this funny, sensitive and talented cantor.

It is not easy to come into a community such as ours and make an impression on such a diverse group of people.  Yet Jeff has mastered the art of bringing people of all ages, religions, levels of observance and levels of musical knowledge, together to learn, to pray and to make music.  On Sundays, after Hebrew School, he would lead a “Jewish Music Jam.”  Among the 25 – 40 people participating, there were infants crawling on the floor, their slightly older siblings keeping time on sticks and drums, professional level musicians playing their instruments, and middle school and high school students playing their violins, flutes, clarinets and trumpets.  Also in the circle were singers – some who could hold a note and others who could not.  Jeff arranged the music so that all his musicians could succeed and after a couple of false starts, the room exploded with really beautiful sounds.

I especially remember the 94-year-old woman who would push her walker across the street to the Jam, open the seat of her walker, take out her tambourine and play along.  She also once stunned the group when, with Jeff’s encouragement, she sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as Jeff accompanied her on guitar. It was a moment when the Divinity touched each one of us, and I believe it was Jeff’s musical talent, intuition and soul that helped the moment to happen.  Jeff has a tremendous talent of bringing people together.

We do not use musical instruments on Shabbat, but he was able to create a similar feeling on Shabbat.  I particularly recall a Shabbat/Rosh Chodesh where he and his musical partner and spouse, Deborah Strauss, had us rocking in four-part harmony to the Hallel Psalms.  I know we could not have achieved that spiritual high without Jeff.

As a teacher, Jeff’s passion, knowledge and ability to articulate his lessons are impressive.  We threw him in with kindergartners, and he was very successful.  In terms of Divrei Torah, Jeff was so convincing (I don’t remember which Parasha), that a couple of members in the congregation decided to step up their involvement and join the Board of Directors so that they would have a bigger impact on our Jewish community!

Jeff also has a pastoral side to his personality that makes him a sensitive and compassionate listener and responder. I often noticed the ease and sincerity that he displayed to each individual, allowing them their dignity and a path for success, even when he was approached “on the fly.”

Had our financial situation been different, we would have retained Jeff as a valued member of our staff and the community.   We were fortunate to have him for the year.  I highly recommend Cantor Jeff Warschauer to your community.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Very Truly Yours,

Rabbi Carolyn Braun
Temple Beth El, Portland, Maine

A Letter from the President of the Jewish Center of Princeton

Congregants Write About Cantor Jeff Warschauer

Our family is in unanimous agreement that you have done an outstanding job at the Jewish Center. Our kids love and trust you. They’ve enjoyed the various musical activities that you’ve led, the childrens’ choir especially. In fact, your presence and projects have been, and continue to be, a big part of our family’s, and in particular, our childrens’, connection to TJC. O.M.

You are an inspiring musician and teacher. We are very grateful and fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from and celebrate… with you as our cantor. S.L.

You have been so wonderful, and such a steady, calm, warm presence during these very challenging past 2 years. I will miss your music, singing, and warmth. A.R.

You really stepped in and helped everything run as smoothly as possible in the midst of the unexpected death of Rabbi Feldman and all the problems with the Covid pandemic. Most importantly from my perspective, my grandchildren love you and your music and nothing is more critical to me than that. C.C.

I absolutely loved your singing and the way you involved everyone… 100% joy!! N.T.

You have been absolutely great and have saved us through these tough times. M.V.

You have given us hours of joy with your songs. Jeff, we needed you when [Rabbi Feldman] died and the pandemic arrived 4 months later. You were there! F.Z.

I wanted to thank you so much for helping to make last weekend so special. We are so grateful to know you and we admire you so much. We are so proud of A… He did so great. S.L.

I wanted to reach out and say thank you for all you have done for my family personally… You were instrumental in helping our kids become bar and bat mitzvah, and we will always be grateful for that. You made that day (and the time preceding) memorable, and special. Without you, it would not have been special and certainly it would not have been the success it was. You were our congregational leader throughout an unprecedented pandemic and were a source of guidance for our community. I wanted you to know that when I told Z and E that you were leaving at the end of the year they were truly sad and asked if there was anything they could do to convince you to stay. It filled my heart with pride when I heard their words, and I wanted to share with you so you knew how important and special you are to them. J.E.

His musicianship is incredible and his warmth and sense of humor make both kids and adults feel comfortable. His Friday evening services are beautiful, relaxed and inspiring. S.L.

I find Cantor Jeff to be both accessible and wonderfully engaging. I love his unique experience, his background and sense of humor. He was a rock during our B’nai Mitzvah prep and has become a beloved “go-to” for our whole family. Cantor Jeff brings warmth and a sense of celebration to services. Though I’m a fan of the traditional tunes, I love it when he introduces something new. I also find his Jewish knowledge – both religious and cultural – to be a breath of fresh air…

We faced a slew of Bat Mitzvah challenges, from Covid, to a last minute date change, to learning weekday tunes, to home technology. Throughout it all, Cantor Jeff was a calming and seasoned expert in all things normal and unexpected, and in many ways our shelter from the storm. For our older child (who is also very involved in the shul), Cantor Jeff nurtured his unique perspective on his religion and culture and inspired him to lean in to his Judaism… to the benefit of both our son and the shul. Cantor Jeff is not your standard run-of-the-mill hazzan, but the mix of creativity, humanity, empathy and modesty he injects is exactly what TJC needs, and has glued our family more tightly to the shul. D.N.

We want to thank you for supporting our entire family and for creating the environment that lead to a wonderful Bar Mitzvah. We had many touching moments throughout the service. We enjoyed ourselves, and we enjoyed seeing J reach this mountaintop with great spirit and maturity. Afterward, the feeling we all had was exactly what one would hope for: a joyous bliss, a feeling that a great leap had been made, and a new connection to our Jewish roots and Jewish community. To add to that, in the days since, all of our extended family has reached out overflowing with “naches,” claiming the event was simply the “best” bar mitzvah ever. Even an elderly relative who could not attend (no internet), called us yesterday to say that she received so many calls from relatives who were overflowing with awe, themselves blissed-out by the event, that, in her mind, it must have been the most extraordinary b’nei mitzvah. The atmosphere you created as cantor has transcended the physical realm, and can be felt by people who were not even there! Once again, our sincerest thanks. C.W.

Just wanted to let you know how much we were touched by L’s Bat Mitzvah service yesterday. It’s the first online Bat Mitzvah we watched and you helped to make it such a magical and special occasion for her and her family. S.L.

You guided us through a rocky, mountain path during a snow storm and a solar eclipse, and you brought us through to blessings the likes of which we never imagined. We’re forever grateful for that gift, Cantor Jeff, and especially for having you in our lives. Z will feel you near, inspiring her for the rest of her life. J, V and I will too. D.N.

I like coming here. I like Cantor Jeff. G. (age 5 1/2)

I like the Jewish Center because I like singing with Cantor Jeff. M. (age 5)

I like Cantor Jeff because he is the funniest person in the school. B. (age 5)

Z. (age 8): “Is Cantor Jeff here today?”
Teacher: “I do not believe he is here today. Why? Did you want to say hi?”
Z.: “Yeah. Cantor is my best friend. I just wanted to say hello.” 

We thoroughly enjoy the spirit and spirituality that you bring to our congregation through your music and singing at our services. Your musical talents, and your efforts to make the music accessible to all who are in attendance are very much appreciated. Our Shabbat afternoon jam sessions are joyous events, with you leading us in making music. You extend our knowledge by offering many new melodies, as well as responding to requests from the group for their favorite selections and styles of music. S.W.

Your contributions to our services are outstanding, and we thank you most strongly for the wonderful experiences we have under your cantorial leadership. We have found your versatility in bringing new melodies to Congregation Beth El, and your ability to cheerfully adapt to any type of congregants’ musical wishes, most impressive. We feel emotionally uplifted during the services you lead, and believe that is due in large part to your special ability not only to put prayers in spiritually moving context, but perhaps most significantly to provide congregants with the motivation and capability to participate. Your talents in all aspects of cantorial responsibilities are unique and extraordinary, and it is our great good fortune to have them at our synagogue on Shabbat. R.W.

I find Jeff to be very energetic and enthusiastic about teaching new melodies to many of our traditional prayers. He is the type of person who would attract a new young membership. S.G.

Downloads

Cantor_Jeff_Warschauer_Resume_2023
Cantor Jeff Warschauer Bio 2023

Letter from TJC President Randy Brett
Rabbi Carolyn Braun Writes about Cantor Jeff Warschauer 
Congregants Write About Cantor Jeff Warschauer
Seven Things a Cantor Can Do to Help a Congregation
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