DuDu Fisher, Saturday Jan. 27th

I returned to the New York Synagogue, where services were conducted by Rabbi Marc Schneier, with whom I had traveled to Berlin a number of years ago, under the auspices of the National Board of Rabbis. The cantor was Dudu Fisher, a well known Israeli cantor who is especially known for his performance in Les Mis and other musicals. He did something very interesting, that not many could get away with. In addition to the traditional melodies of the Shabbat service, he introduced Broadway tunes. The kedusha, for example, began with the refrain from Phantom of the Opera, and included parts from Les Mis, as well as Sound of Music. The service concluded with a rousing rendition of Adon Olam, where he was accompanied, as he was throughout the service by an adult male choir, to the tune of “New York, New York.”