Congregation Reaches Milestone In Song

By Daniel J. McCue

The Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation, began the celebration of their 50th year together, with a very special concert held on Nov. 9 at the synagogue located at 21 Old Westbury Road.

Featured were some of the finest voices the Metropolitan area has to offer - the Cantors from a number of local temples. The director, conductor and musical arranger for the entire concert was Dr. Marvin Antosofky, cantor of Eloheem, in Jericho.

Featured musicians included piano accompaniment Estelle Landsman, and Ken Maltz and his talented Kapelye Klezmer band (Sy Kushner on accordian, Martin Confurius on bass fiddle, Shelley Horn on drums, and Maltz himself, on the clarinet.)

The cantoral singers included Cantor Doreen Gamell, soprano, of Temple Sholom in Floral Park; Cantor Morris Dubinsky, tenor, of Midway Jewish Center, Syosset, Cantor David Shiff, tenor, Midchester Jewish Center, Yonkers, Cantor Sandra Sherry Pilatsky, mezzo-soprano, of Temple Beth-El, Huntington, Cantor Richard Pilatsky, baritone, of Congregation Mt. Sinai, Brooklyn, and Cantor Jacob Merlis, baritone, of the Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation.

"The program was superb and received a standing ovation from the entire audience," said Bernie Mark, one of the attendees.

The concert included a broad repertoire of music and songs, ranging from traditional Hebrew compositions, Jewish folk songs, and classical material.

Photos and information courtesy Bernie Mark