On Saturday evening, May 18 at 7:30pm Congregation Mishkan Israel will come together to celebrate our Annual Cantor’s Concert Fundraiser! This year Cantor G. brings Broadway to CMI Our performers include Michael Bernardi who starred as Tevye in the Broadway production of Fidder on the Roof. Our other headliner is Cantor Deborah Jacobson an amazing, dynamic, and wonderful performer who always brings audiences to their feet. And our second Cantor is going to be our one and only Cantor G. Together they will entertain us with a swath of songs, duets, and trios from many different genres. They will be supported by the amazing music of pianist Mike Stapleton; Nathan See on woodwinds; and our own David Chevan and Jesse Chevan on bass and percussion respectively.
This fabulous evening will begin with a pre-concert prosecco and light desert reception at 6:30pm. Since this is our major fundraising event of the year, we count all our members for its financial success to support our vibrant spiritual, educational and community programming. For more information and interest in volunteering, contact sarahbgreenblatt@gmail.com
Michael Bernardi made his Broadway debut in the 2015 Revival of Fiddler on the Roof where he became the youngest person ever to play the role of Tevye on a Broadway stage. Since then, he’s acted in several films, directed several workshops, married the love of his life, Caitlin and is now the father of their beloved two-year-old son, Simon. TV credits include Monk, Days of Our Lives, Law & Order: SVU. Film: Marshall, The House Bunny, Born to Be a Star! Upcoming projects: The Pleasure of Your Presence starring Alicia Silverstone.
Cantor Deborah Jacobson is a celebrated Cantor, Performer, and accomplished Author. Cantor Jacobson has led her signature ‘Shabbat Unplugged’ service as well as her concerts: ‘Bima to Broadway’ and ‘Broadway to Jerusalem’ in venues across the U.S., Australia and Singapore. She also has performed outside the synagogue world, including at the Van Wezel in Sarasota, FL, Palace Theater in Stamford, CT, Holocaust Museum in Tampa, Fl and at many Cabaret venues. Her 5 albums and performance selections are available on her website; www.cantordeborahjacobson.com and downloadable on streaming services. Her greatest honor is being mother to Maya and Shira Jacobson…and two cats, Oscar and Felix.
Our Very Own Cantor Arthur Giglio is a graduate of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School at The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) with a Master of Sacred Music and Diploma of Hazzan. He also holds a Bachelor in Voice and a Master in Music Education from Manhattan School of Music. Prior to coming to CMI, Cantor Giglio served as Interim Cantor at the Conservative Synagogue of Fifth Avenue, High Holiday Hazzan at Heichal Baoranim in Flagstaff, AZ and Temple Beth Israel at Plattsburgh, NY, and Assistant Cantor/Cantorial Soloist at Congregation Emanu-el of the City of New York.
Mike Stapleton is a pianist, arranger and award-winning music director based in New York, NY. Currently, Mike holds the piano chair for Adam Guettel’s DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES, on Broadway, at Studio 54. Prior to this, Mike has played keyboards in the pit for the Broadway productions of BEETLEJUICE and WICKED. Throughout his career, as both music director and pianist, Mike has collaborated with Kelli O’Hara, Capathia Jenkins, Brian d’Arcy James, Natalie Weiss, Tom Kitt, Karen Mason and Tovah Feldshuh, to name a few. He is currently music directing / arranging for artists in the pop/folk genre, and orchestrating for various ensembles around the country.
Nathan See is a sought-after saxophonist and educator based in New York City. He has performed across the US in renowned venues and festivals, and internationally in Belize, South Korea, and Switzerland. See earned a B.M. in saxophone performance from Berklee College of Music and a M.M. in jazz studies from The Juilliard School. In 2021, he joined the faculty at Juilliard Extension where he teaches courses in Ear Training and Music Theory.
Dr. David Chevan is a bassist who splits his time between teaching, composing, arranging, and performing music professionally. As a composer, Chevan explores the intersection between vernacular cultural music practice and jazz. His compositions and arrangements include music for the Afro-Semitic Experience, the Nu Haven Kapelye, and writing for voice. With the Afro-Semitic Experience he has brought people together to experience the nexus of music, spirituality, and culture in worship spaces, clubs, colleges and at jazz festivals across the United States. He is proud to have served on the board of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation for over 25 years.
Jesse Chevan is a NYC-based drummer, percussionist, and ethnomusicologist. He has been exploring new musical experiences and combinations since his earliest performing experiences playing with his father, David Chevan, and the Afro-Semitic Experience. Since then, he has had the good fortune to play around the US and internationally, most recently with Lucky Chops, Glen David Andrews, Cantor Jack Mendelson, Laolu Senbanjo, Nava Tehila Band, Yoni Battat, and Taktouka Band. Jesse is currently completing his PhD in ethnomusicology at Columbia University, writing his dissertation on the trombone shout band tradition of the United House of Prayer for All People.