I have been a chazzan for almost 40 years and a rabbi for the better part of the last decade. Over those years, I have been associated with a variety of congregations, including Lindenhurst Jewish Center (my first), Bayside Oaks Jewish Center in Queens, NY, Northeast Jewish Center in Yonkers, NY, Monsey Jewish Center in Monsey, NY, and Congregation Adas Israel in Duluth, MN. For over 10 years, I served as the full-time cantor, and for several years as the interim rabbi, of Congregation Shaarey Israel of Montebello, NY.

I like to think of my cantorial style as “traditional.” I truly love singing with my congregation and trying to add meaning to the prayers through the cantorial art. My favorite service during the year (i.e., excepting the High Holidays which are in a class all by themselves) is the Hallel service during which I revel in leading my congregation in singing almost the entire Hallel. If you have not experienced a musical Hallel, you are missing something.

I was born into a cantorial family. My father, the late Cantor Moshe Bazian was a world-class cantor. He was a contemporary of great cantors and was respected by them all. If I know anything about the cantorial arts, I learned it from my dad and he has always been my muse. If you’re interested in experiencing a true cantorial master can see many examples on YouTube.

My brother, Cantor Benjamin Bazian, serves as a cantor in Silver Spring, MD.

As for my rabbinical style, I believe that Torah presents us with a blueprint for a better life and I love plumbing its depths for the lessons I need to live my everyday life. I have rarely found a day where Torah wisdom did not play a part. I love learning and teaching. I lead a weekly Talmud learning group, designed for learners of all levels, via Zoom and you are invited if you want to join. Just send me a request via my contact page.

I married the former Chana Silberman in 1986. We have been blessed with three sons. Our eldest two are twin sons, Baruch and Shmuel, who are married with six children between them. Our youngest son, Yitzchak, is a doctoral candidate.

I love to write and I love Torah. I have merged these two passions with a new weekly blog which I invite you to read, share, and send me comments on. It’s called A Touch of Torah. I hope you enjoy it.

I have written three technical books on database programming, am working on a book of Divrei Torah, and a book on leadership.

You can email me at njChazzan@gmail.com and follow me on Twitter @njChazzan.