Over 200 adults and children will celebrate
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, in concert, 3 P.M., Sunday, December
9, 2007 as Congregation Rodeph Sholom of Manhattan hosts its unique,
multigenerational Festival of Choirs. The eighth annual concert will
feature cantors and their volunteer adult and children’s choirs from all
over the New York metropolitan area. This year, the first night of
Chanukah is Friday, December 4, 2007.

A Festival of Choirs is free of charge and open to the entire community.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom is located at 7 West 83rd Street off of
Central Park West in Manhattan. For more information about this
concert, please call (212) 362-8800, ext. 1337.

“Chanukah is a wonderful time to bring together in song the young and
young-at-heart,” according to Congregation Rodeph Sholom’s Senior
Cantor, Rebecca Garfein. “We are proud to present the eighth annual
Festival of Choirs to the New York community.”

Highlights of the concert will include a 100-voiced combined children’s
choir singing Peter Yarrow’s song (of Peter Paul and Mary fame),”Light
One Candle,” and “Raise up the Menorah” written by Rodeph Sholom
congregant, Eliot Bailen and students from the Rodeph Sholom Day School
and Religious School. For the first time in the festival’s history,
HaZamir, the International High School Choir, will participate. Another
highpoint will be the concert’s finale, “Bring on the Light,” a piece by
composer, singer and actor, Danny Maseng, that was commissioned by
Congregation Rodeph Sholom for the Festival of Choirs in 2001.

Cantor Garfein will be joined in concert by Rodeph Sholom’s Assistant
Cantor, Shayna Peavey and Cantorial-Intern Jennifer Strauss-Klein. Also
participating in the concert will be Cantor Todd Kipnis and
Cantorial-Intern, Donna Mashadi, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Manhattan;
Cantor Daniel Singer, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, Manhattan; Cantor
Janet Leuchter and Music Director, Rose Moskowitz, Congregation Beth
Elohim, Brooklyn, NY;

Accompanying the cantors and choirs will be acclaimed pianist, composer
and arranger, Jonathan Faiman. Joining Mr. Faiman will be the “Festival
of Choirs” combo: John Hadfield, percussion, Dror Ben-Gur, winds, and
Daniel Freeman, bass guitar.