Park East Synagogue Selichos preview with Cantor Benny on today's JM in the AM

here at JM in the AM. Well, it's no secret that it's one of my favorite conversations of the entire year when the great caner Benny Rogaznitzki joins me. There are a lot of SLA services. A lot. Some people depending on the schedule can go to multiple services this coming Saturday night, this coming mat shabas. I even noticed that the Sparta community who've been saying slit for almost three weeks, they also have a big deal going on this coming Saturday night. And in Israel, where I didn't know if people would adhere to the um restrictions suggested by some of the rabbis not to have musical instruments on Roesh and during I didn't know if they would follow that or not. And it seems like uh some are not and they're having a similar sle service uh in Israel in many places um comparable to those with musical instruments that happen around the world. But with all that having been said and all the different SLA services being acknowledged, I don't think it's disputable that the centerpiece of the world's sle night is Park Synagogue. And I say it because I think they were the first to make a big deal about the first night of Slehus. I think they were the first to feature an amazing internationally renowned caner the first night of Sleus. And they were probably the first frankly although maybe some of the folks in Burough Park will argue uh they were probably the first to sell out in a large synagogue venue um which happened decades ago. They're doing this a long time. Anyway, Caner Benny Orgasitzki, one of our favorite guests. He's with us live via telephone to discuss and the high holidays. Caner Benny, what a pleasure to welcome you back to JM in the A.M. >> Thank you so much. It's wonderful to be with you and all the listeners. >> Do you uh do you disagree with me on any of my assessments in my opening? [laughter] >> Not not at all. In fact, I want to add something. I think in North America and maybe in the United States in general, Parks was the first to actually sell seats >> for Right. Right. to reserve to reserve a seat, you actually had to put down some money, right? >> That's correct. Wow. Interesting. And you know what I meant by our friends in Burough Park because obviously there's a kentorial tradition there that's like none other. Uh but I still park I still think Park East is the centerpiece of every and you see what's happened. you see what's happened around the entire world. Sleus is like a very very big deal. Uh but I still think Park East is the nucleus of the whole operation. >> I I agree and I do want to give credit to our friends in Bora Park because ironically in many ways that's where it started with Kusitzki in the 50s and 60s in Bethl. So we got to remember you know what the source is but I think we we're now giving them a run for their money, >> right? 100% totally agreed. All right, Caner Benny. We haven't spoken in a while. Uh, and since we last spoke on the air, we lost a dear friend. Of course, I'm referring to Charlie Burnhhat, who's still with us, quote unquote, on Wednesday nights here at the Nom Seagull Network since we're still playing his uh Hour of Jewish Soul, historial selections that he chose. And it's obvious from the reaction to his passing from people like me and you and many others. It's obvious that he was a beloved person and very few knew him the way you did. So, how about a minute before we start on our high holiday journey? How about something about Charlie Burnernhard and your thoughts now that Schlloam has passed uh and he left us in the middle of the month of Avim. You're right. Charlie was first of all a dear friend to me for close to 30 years. He was just an outstanding human being, a sweet, sweet, sweet mench. And he loved Fela. He loved cantoral music. He always used to say, "I'm not a maven in cantoral music, but I'm a maven in the shama in soul." >> And uh Charlie just just loved this trade. He loved what Hazanus did to people and how it brought people together. Um he and uh he he dedicated his entire life to really two causes. One was Israel and his love for Israel that was beyond what I could describe in words as you know and second was Kazanus that he just lived by lived for and I have no doubt that this Saturday night he'll be sitting in heaven listening to Park from Bethl from around the world because that's what he lived for. >> By the way, that's not a joke. You know he'll be dialed in. He'll be dialed into Selus this coming Saturday night and Sunday morning. And what did his describe what his face looked like when he stood there in Park East and took in the entire Sle scene. >> I mean ecstasy. First of all, you couldn't talk to him. You could not disturb him. You know how people have to be reminded not to talk during >> probably didn't need to be reminded because you could not speak to him even if you tried. It's like he was transformed to a different place and he he just really really lived for this and he loved it. >> You know what I I got to add a couple of things to what you're saying and again no one knew him the way you did. Um the number one is he knew that there could be a serious revival of interest in cantoral music and in the whole canal space. But he never ever brought up the fact that there were naysayers, including myself, who thought that the whole pursuit was a little bit crazy. And he was not the type of person to rub it in your face or to give you the old I told you so. He just simply enjoyed the success, which was, you know, you unique in some ways. And I just I remember that about him. Also, one other thing that I'm sure you agree with. Um, he had an uncanny ability to revel in other people's success. He was always happy, always glad when something, even if he wasn't responsible for it, if something went well and if something succeeded. And I bet you, I mean, again, with your partnership with him for 30 years, I'm sure you felt that very often. >> Yes. He had, you know, in Yiddish there's a word to forgin, >> right? to just enjoy and to find space in your heart for other people's success. And that was very much Charlie. It was not about him. It was about the cause. And I'll tell you a story that you most probably don't even know, but it relates to you. If you recall, in 2006, >> Charlie and I invited you to attend what at the time was a historic event at the Metropolitan Opera, right? We still sold out the opera. We beamed [clears throat] the event to to Brooklyn. And when Charlie knew that you were coming to the concert and that you would sit through it, which itself, by the way, was miraculous to go into the, you know, [laughter] world record, he was so happy. And I always thought to myself, there were 5,800 people there, but he cared that Nah Seagull [laughter] should sit at this this concert and enjoy >> because that was his way because that was his way of saying I told you so. [laughter] >> Exactly. Exactly. Were there almost 6,000 people there that night? >> Yes, we sold every tier. We sold standing room. There were people scouting tickets outside and then we still beamed the concert to to Bethl in Brooklyn. >> Unbelievable. The whole thing is unbelievable. Caner Benny's with us everybody talking about Charlie Burnernhard and his role in the revival of uh the cantoral music scene. And you know I always tell you this Caner Benny. You know what I remember most about that night? And my wife makes fun of me cuz when we go to concerts of all types, if I'm at a Jewish concert, obviously working, if I'm at a secular concert in the audience, my wife always makes fun of the fact that I love analyzing the behindthescenes stuff that's going on. And if you remember that night, do you remember that night? Well, >> oh, very well. >> If you remember that night, what was the diff? Do you remember what the difference was according to Caner Healthcott? What was the difference between the first and second half of the concert? Do you remember this? >> Well, I don't remember what the difference was, but I'll tell you this. I remember that there was a huge difference. The first part, I think it was really just a warm-up, right? >> And look, it's very intimidating to >> But what did he attribute it to? And by the way, as somebody sitting where I sat that night, I think he was right. >> He attributed to too strong of an air conditioning system in the room. And apparently, and I think this was obvious to anybody sitting in the audience, it got much warmer. Apparently, they made an adjustment to the air conditioning at halftime and his second half ended up being 10 times better. Do you remember any of this? >> Wow. Now, now that you say [laughter] it, I remember it. I actually remember having discussions backstage. Yep. >> Wow. That's incredible. And I say this because especially this time of year, you know how sensitive the Kazanam are, including yourself, in preparing for the high holidays and you worry about everything. I woke up this morning, the air conditioner was on last night. I woke up with a slight cold this morning and I'm already, you know, sleepless. This is Saturday night, can't Betty. So, I was already in a total panic. I used to hope I'm doing this 44 years. I used to hope and I think I've mentioned this to you before that I would get a cold like toward the end of August because then I knew I wouldn't get another one when it came time for Yam like I got rid of that you know [laughter] that that period. So those of you who think those of you who think that it's a convenient excuse and Caner Healthcott was simply not on his game during the first half which by the way nobody could tell anyway. It was still Helfot. You know anyone who thinks that it's legit. It's legit. These little things make such a difference when someone is trying to perform. So anyway, >> by the way, you're so you're so right. And the only thing I can compare this to and and you'll know this as someone who leads dominating for so many years is you know during co when you used to cough next to someone just a regular cough someone who would look at you like you were going to kill them right >> for waking up in this month and you have the slightest you're thinking you're going to emergency room. [laughter] Oh gosh. What is the I think I mean I know ex probably everything we're discussing this morning we've discussed before so I better stop saying that. But what's the rule of thumb? you and other and maybe you know there's different degrees depending on who it is will not din for the how close to y in other words everybody will bend right if they're asked to because I know during the summer a lot of them are off but everyone once shows up are they not saying a word until >> so by the way that's an excellent question there actually two schools of thought about this some say >> just you know keep your mouth shut months say nothing and get ready for domining. Others say and by the way the great kavarati believed this that you should warm up before the weeks before the days before you should have full warm up. >> So I can't say that I am in the camp of yes domining before maybe not the day before but yes warming up in the days and weeks before so that you come ready to run the marathon. >> Well I'll tell you something and again it takes decades of experience to learn this lesson. My and I think I've said this to you before. There I go again. I believe my second day Rashashan is better than my first day for one reason. I had the first day, >> right? And it also means, by the way, if you feel that way, it also means that you're using your voice the right way. Because if you're overstraining on day one, there's no way that you can produce well on day two. Interesting. If you're singing correctly and you know, the nerves go down a little bit already in the second day. It's it's like the second sader. But if you're feeling good on the second day, which I can't say for 3000, you're doing well, which is why you obviously have a lifetime contract in your shoe. [laughter] >> It'll be it'll be a longer second day this year because of chauffeur, but um it still may may match the same timing as the first day because the first day obviously uh is more u is more full when it comes to what we say during law. Caner Benny's with us live via telephone. And by the way, that feeling lasts till Yam Kipper. I think my own kipper goes well because 10 days or nine days before I had the experience of dominating you know for the Ahmed Rashana. So it la it's not just lasting day to day. It actually could last for a week at a time, >> right? And by the way, it's it's a general rule. I always wondered like you know before I would get up to Davin even in a small sh I would always be somewhat nervous and I once asked the great Kazna of blessed memory what he thought about that and he said if you go up to the and you have no nerves right you're not nervous at all there's something wrong there has to be a certain element of your nerves and then as you get into it you know your nerves dissipate and you're you're into it so I think there is something healthy about having some level of anxiety just not anxiety that actually kills you. Yeah. I always tell my kids if I wasn't nervous, I'd be nervous. And my family will tell you, my family will tell you on a day when I'm hosting an event at 7 o'clock at night, you can't talk to me for the 10 hours beforehand. But from from the moment I hit the stage the first time, all of a sudden everything's gone. All the nerves finally, you know, have disappeared. And the other thing, by the way, on the subject of, you know, Rashashana day two being better than day one. I would never dive in this shabas for the I would always use the, you know, primidana approach. No, no, no, no. I'm doing sleas tonight. I can't doin. And now it's the exact opposite. If you told me to d for, which they likely will this coming Shabas, I would d for without a problem. And and again, much of Shabas will be a little easier. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I agree. I I think I would say that if you took the majority of people, they would say the domining the day before, even the day of likely that is, you know, not giving a full concert uh gets you primed for sleep or whatever you got. >> So I shouldn't do a piece this coming shop as you're saying. I shouldn't do one of my favorite You should cut back a little bit on the rose and black pieces that you're planning to do. Leave them for >> the the brickme is going to have to be normal time this shabas. You're saying >> correct. limit that a little. >> And you know why I said brme? Because one of the greatest moments I told you this, one of the greatest moments I had in the in the space of Kazanas was spending Shabas with you and Charlie Burnernhard and we heard one of the most amazing bricks and I've been told that that Khazen, that young Khazen is very well known these days. I don't remember his name. Maybe you do. >> What do you remember his name? >> Yes, it's I I believe it I believe it was Monty Boyer if it was Boyer, right? He's in Israel, they say. He's in Israel and he has a voice very much akin to Yela Rosenblad. His look is like Yasler Rosenlat and his voice is like Rosenblad. >> Yeah, they actually have the to say he sounds like Rosenblat. But uh I I remember as a regular regular guy who doesn't know much about Kazanis. I remember that brme and it was simply remarkable and it was a big topic of conversation between me, you Charlie during that whole shabas. Everyone felt you're going to hear something you've never heard before and sure enough that's exactly what happened. By the way, I am sure you're follow Well, you have to follow it because it involves healthc god. I'm sure you're following the uh the canther's row situation on raov king George in Jerusalem because um if I'm not mistaken now the kazin rashium kipper in the great synagogue is going to be Saul, right? Caner Saul, >> correct? >> And the caner and Yeshurin up the block is going to be caner healthcot. Am I right about that? >> You're right. And by the way, that too dates back to the great competition if we'll call that between the Kusovitzki brothers. Correct. That that happened in the 50s and 60s where one was in Bethl and I think one was on 14th Avenue and some would go for Shak to one for Musv to the other. And I think there are people that are planning to do that this year for Kipper in Israel. >> People who if you're not familiar with the geography of Jerusalem, they are really really close by. And if healthcott's with you and we'll discuss it obviously this coming matzah shabis someone told me that schulum lemur is being brought into your for this coming Saturday night. >> That is true there's a rotation of kazanis and kazan going all over the world and the only thing I hope is that there's no storm this week or next so that they can get to their appropriate destination >> 100%. Boy Caner Benny's with us live via telephone. We'll get to our gold watcher. I apologize. Obviously, we're going to uh uh push off morning uh for a few minutes this morning. Caner Benny will let me know when he has to leave if it's before we end. Um so, the most beautiful reimagined Bill Gins by Arthur Schneider Schneider's in his 90s. He is somebody who certainly can address the state of world jury. He'll speak at 10:00 this coming Saturday night. You are planning on starting with Kent, Mayor Hulk at 10:30. I would assume it's going to be a soldout crowd. Are you asking for reservations this year or not? >> We are. We are. And I would say right now we're at about 80% capacity. What happens is >> Yeah. Yeah. It's really the response is just tremendous. And what happens is between now and Miy Shabas, every seat is filled. >> Right. Wow. Yasi Schwarz will conduct the Parky Synagogue choir. I'm assuming you've heard them practicing all week, right? >> Absolutely. The the voices, the music in the building, it's just beautiful. >> I would imagine so. And it's all happening at Parky Synagogue on East 67th Street in New York City. Be in your seat before 10 p.m. And again, get ready for Ashray at around 10:30. You can get all the information by going to the website park east synagogue.org. park east synagogue.org. And here's your chance. And by the way, Caner Benny, not not that you would know the schedule by heart, but this is going to be one of those rare opportunities uh with the upcoming brand new year to hear Caner Health in New York. Would that be accurate? Is he only going to be in a couple of times during the next few months? >> Yes, for for this coming year, this will be one of the only opportunities to hear. I'm sure we'll have him back for a few shapes during the year, but this is going to be the masterpiece. >> Uh, and one thing you did not do, unless I uh unless I um saw the wrong advertisement, usually you will print some of the guaranteed pieces, right? Those who are keeping score are able to check off as Caner Hulk goes through if in fact he's kept his word about which pieces from which famous hazanim he's going to do. It looks like and again correct me if I'm wrong. It looks like you have not released any information about this coming Saturday night. >> You are 100% correct and it's deliberate. We decided this year to not list the pieces a in order to generate a certain level of excitement but also to give healthc a little bit of flexibility that if he decides to do something else at at anu or maybe let me not say anu because that's too touchy a subject but he will have the flexibility on the spot to bring in whatever music he wants to but I can assure people they're going to get at least the same canal menu they did before if not a lot more. >> But here's the push back from Nah Seagull. Caner Healthcott knows that the choir is preparing certain pieces. The ability to actually change something on Saturday night seems very very limited. Am I right about that? >> So, so you're right. But the caveat is, and this goes to a lot of credit to the choir conductor Yussi Schwarz, who really, by the way, it's for another subject, but he's a another day. He's a tremendous talent. Y Schwarz has the ability to on the spot lead the choir in whatever piece the caner will decide to sing and that flexibility allows Hellcat to kind of pick and choose. Yes, the menu will largely be what you saw last year, but I can assure you there are going to be some pieces that are just decided on the spot and the choir will go with it. >> And your reference to Anenu is because it's guaranteed or because there are a lot of people who will be upset if it's not done or both. Well, well, a little bit of both. We had one year where we decided that maybe we shouldn't do our name. We skipped it and and [laughter] we got so much uh love, let me just say by email and phone call that we're not repeating that mistake. >> So, the list that you have published, and I know it's a little bit different each year, that you have published in the past, chances are 90% of those lists will be done Saturday night. Yes, I first of all, chances are the 90% will be done. And I think if you notice in in the the advertisements we've written re-imagined and part of that is we want to kind of hear the the the times and the call the people which asks for more communal participation and I think what you're going to see this year that perhaps you've seen less before at this kind of host is a lot more songs in the in the domy. Yes, you'll hear a canoral, but you'll also hear a lot more music where the people can actually sing with and feel that it's a particular >> So so we might hear a Joey Nukem song to Schmakolenu. [laughter] >> Well, let's let's not take let's not take it to an extreme. I love Joey. I'm not sure that that's going to be the repertoire, but you could hear some Carl, some Mudgets, some Leonard Cohen. I mean, we shall see, >> right? If you uh if you hear um if you hear thank you Hashem to Maknim, you know they've gone overboard. [laughter] >> Correct. >> That would be a problem. That would be a problem. Parky synagogue.org everybody. Parky synagogue.org. And by the way, because again you you are the first to encourage people to get whatever spiritual lift they need this coming Saturday night. Your schedule does allow for people to go and hear can their health god completely and then move on to you know the sleas that take place in the middle of the night of which there are many. So this is a for a lot of people this would be a good starting point you know to begin their evening. Yes, and that's true whether you're going to green or whether you're going to Brooklyn or whatever you choose. Most that I know start around 12:30, 1:00, right? So, you will have a chance to hear Sneakos here, get the best of health and then go here whatever meets your pleasure. Right. >> You have that opportunity. >> And even if they start at 1:00, sometimes they don't really get revved up till 2:30. So, you got plenty of time. >> Correct. So, all I could say is sleep well this afternoon. By the way, I think I I I said to my wife, this is I remind you. I said to her, "This is the only shabas of the year that I actually get back into bed sham this afternoon because Saturday night is at is crazy." And I like being at the 6:00 a.m. Shakur. So, you know, you got, as you just recommended, you got to get some extra sleep if you're involved in sleepless this coming Saturday night. Can we ask what the Caner Benny schedule is for 5787? It's obvious from what I said that Caner Healthcott's going to be spending a lot of the time in Jerusalem. Are you going to be taking a larger role in the synagogue? >> I am. I am. I'll be leaving Davening for Shashan Kipper. Wow. >> Uh I don't want to say replacing Kelpa because I honestly think that going into his shoes, but I have my own style. >> You're correct. I'm That's it. And I'm proud to do that. And that means who's going to be dominating chakras or is that not public information yet? >> No. So we have there there's Rabbi Einstein there for a team here. >> You're totally you're totally covered people that will step in >> and nobody has to but but let me just say that if for some reason on the second day of you want to lead Domin here [laughter] we will find a spot for you. >> But you'd have to move over. I only know how to do mus on rash. You'd have to move back to shakus. [laughter] Well, okay. That may be too much to ask. >> And you and you'd also have to get used to leaving Shaw at about 12:30, but that's a separate topic. [laughter] >> That would be the only issue with the catering the Kdish would be an issue there. >> What time What time is the Kdish start on the second day of Russia shut? Approximately when do you think it'll start in Park East? >> So, so we starting about 8 and I think Kdish would be at about 1:30. >> Wow. Yeah. And people can't believe that we're like 9 to 12:30, especially Shabas because there's no chauffeur. >> So it's going to be >> right. Well, all right. Look, hey, to each his own, as you've said, Kerbenny, over the years, you know, take in the service that that suits you best. If you want to dive in from 8:00 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon, and that uh strikes your fancy, go right ahead. You want everyone just to have the most spiritually uplifting Russashana possible. Simple as that. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> All right. Canther Halgot Saturday night 10:30. Rabbi Schneider speaks at 10. Enjoy everybody. Parky synagogue.org. Parkies synagogue.org. Park East is located on East 67th Street in New York City. And I don't have to tell you this, Benny. You'll do it anyway, but I'll say it. Think of Charlie during Schmakolena. >> Absolutely. We miss him terribly. And I know that he is one of our greatest advocates in heaven. >> No question about it. No question about it. Uh shhat my friend. Good luck over mate Shabbat and of course good luck next week. >> Thank you so much a good shirt to you and all the listeners. >> Amaz thank you so much Caner Benny Ruggaznitzki everybody. One of my favorite conversations of the year. Could you tell? COULD YOU TELL IT'S ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE conversations of the year? Amazing. That's right. I have to wait a whole year till the end of the year. I have to wait till the end of the year to have one of my favorite conversations. Amazing.