Orit Perlman, Cantorial soloist, singer of Jewish music and composer.

Studied at U of Minnesota, Tel-Aviv Music Academy and Haifa University.

Graduated HUC Jerusalem program for Israeli cantorial soloists directed by Cantor Professor Eliyahu Schleifer.

Specialized in cantorial singing with Hazzanit Michal Schiff-Matar and Hazzan Chayim Pfeifel.

Coaches vocal training since 2000, including in in Afula conservatory.

Orit has been serving families and congregations in Israel and the United States since 1995 as prayer leader of Shabbat, High Holidays, and life cycle ceremonies, particularly as officiator of bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah ceremonies as well as weddings and funerals.

These include HUC Jerusalem, Moreshet Yisrael, Mevakshei Derekh , Kol Haneshama ,Tsur Hadasa (Jerusalem), Yedid Nefesh (Carmiel), Ohel Avraham, Or Hadash, Moriah Congregation in Haifa, Rodef Shalom (Waco Texas).

Since 2002 officiating ceremonies at Sulam Yaakov (Zichron) as well as creative ceremonies for Israelis and Americans coming to celebrate in Israel, and since 2010 serves as a High Holiday cantor in Beth Hillel Temple in Kenosha Wisconsin.

Music publication and awards

She is a published award winning composer of new Jewish music. Rosh Chodesh Song, published in anthology A Season of Singing by Sarah M. Ross, Brandeis University Press 2016

Six time recipient of Shalshelet 2007, 2010 festival awards.

Published in Transcontinental Music 4th and 5th Shabbat Anthologies.

Her composition “Bli Kol“, text by poet Dana Amir, for violin, viola, cello and voice received Honorary mention for 2012-2013 Itai Weiner Composition award through Haifa University.

Soon to be published in WCN‘s Kol Isha anthology.

Workshops

Created workshop: Shalom Aleichem and My Angel, writing creative prayer and poetry influenced by Jewish melodies and modern Hebrew texts, at times with Juditta Ben-David.

Created workshop and “Tfilotai” cd in collaboration with HUC Jerusalem for educators and families on the topic of prayer. This workshop was given to childhood educators through BJE of greater Houston

Performs and gives workshops on the topic of prayer and congregational Jewish melodies in Israel and in the United States, was given at CAJE 2003.

Performance

From 2001, traditions of Jewish music .

Created “Shirat Hamamot”, collection of women’s song and story, performs with singer Idit Eshel.

Performs with ladino musicologist Dr. Susana Weich Shahak, at Bar-Ilan University, and Teatron Inbal, Mercaz Gaon, Cervantes Institute and other venues connected to the Autoridad Nasionala del Ladino i su Kultura.

Ladino performances at Rappaport Auditorium, Hecht Auditorium, Studio theater, National Library.

Accompanying musicians have been Ariel Qassis, Idan Toledano, Yaniv Rabba

currently are Yarden Erez, Zeev Yaniv.

Performs Yiddish and created Ot Azoi! Cd with arranger, sound recorder and pianist Itay Alter, at Beit Leyvik, Yung Yiddish, Beit Avi Chai they were on national television and radio.

Performs favorite songs from the 70’s with Boaz Sternberg.

Performs with poet Yehonadav Perlman.

As well as composed and performed original music for poetry of Navit Barel, Smadar Imor, Dana Amir, Rachel Asharov, Ilana Tsimchoni, and Binyamin Alkobi at various venues and at Metullah poetry festival.

Wrote and performed stories interspersed with cantorial singing “Sipura shel Chazanit”

Classical singing

Soloist for choirs “Gitit” and “Zamarei Hamadregal”.

Forest Song – German Lieder, with Tavor Gochman.

Choir: In 2006 directed choir of “Moriah” conservative synagogue.

Lecture/performances: Ladino Life Cycle Song, and Yiddish and Chazanut – Mutual Influences.

Original and new renditions of traditional Jewish music with Boaz Sterenberg and Yair Smoilov,

Haviva Ziv on Santur and Tabla in the duo Zimrat Ya, with Udi Kazmirsky in jazz band Niggun Atik.

Academic and creative writing

Article: Yechiel Mechel Perlman: The Enterprise of a Musician, published by Haifa University, 2017.

Lyrics for composition Travel Song of a Moth, edited libretto and wrote aria lyrics for the modern opera Esther by Rachel Yazkan.

Poetry won prizes, 1st, 3rd and honorary mentions at Reuben Rose Poetry Competition, and honorary mention Chester H. Jones Foundation,

Wrote, composed and performed 20 minute solo perfomance”Bereishit” at Hakhel festival.

Discography

Upcoming: “Songs of Tetuan” – project of Dr. Susanna Weich-Shahak

2015 – Haifa Awakens from a Dream –project of Haifa University, songs about Haifa: Ir Yalduti (words and music) Shabbat Yoredet al ha’Ir Haifa (music, words Yehonadav Perlman)

2011 – “M’ayin Yavo” – original music for Jewish spirituality

2011 – Ventanas Altas de Saloniki – western and eastern traditions, a double disk, under the musical direction of Dr. Suzanna Weich-Shahak, project of Haifa University,

2010 – “Ot Azoi” – Yiddish folk music with a new interpretation, in partnership with Itay Alter

2008 – Tfila shebaLev, Kabbalat Shabbat of “Ohel Avraham” together with other congregants, led by Rabbi Ofek Meir

2006 – “Tfilotai” – Hebrew prayer for family, in collaboration with HUC Jerusalem, with Boaz Sterenberg and Yaniv Smoilov

2004- “Zimrat Ya” with Haviva Ziv

2002- “Niggun Atik” with Udi Kazmirsky

Photo Credit: Janet Bayliss