Cantor Aryeh Finklestein

Cantor@mishkantefila.org

ARYEH FINKLESTEIN was born in Israel, but grew up in England. From an early age, he sang with his father, Cantor Zvi Finkelstein, and younger brother Meir on the concert stage, radio and BBC television. The family produced two albums of Israeli and cantorial songs.

Aryeh studied at the Gateshead Talmudical College and The Royal Northern College of Music. Recognized as a leading interpreter of the liturgical compositions of his brother Cantor Meir Finkelstein, he is at home equally in the hazzanic and operatic repetoires. Finklestein has been a tenor soloist with the major choruses on three continents.

A prolific writer, Finklestein has published widely on a variety of literary and historical subjects. He translated 'Recent Archaeology in the Land of Israel' ( for The Biblical Archaeology Society ), and has contributed articles and essays to numerous scholarly journals. His research is cited in the Anchor Bible Commentary; and the Cantors Assembly commissioned him to translate Prof. Akiva Zimmerman's study of Jewish musicology, 'Gates of Song.'

Cantor Finklestein has written the libretti for three full-scale oratorios ( collaborations with composer Charles Osborne ), two of which - SOULS ON FIRE and KINGS & FISHERMEN - were performed at Alice Tully Hall in Lincon Center. He is currently working with noted composer Charles Davidson on a cantata about the life of World War II hero, Raoul Wallenberg.

Finklestein has served as hazzan of Temple Beth El in Highland Park, Illinois. He has been cantor of Congregation Mishkan Tefila since 1986. He and wife Rachael have three children - Roni, C.G and Zvi.