Yaakov Lemmer

Yaakov Lemmer is an internationally performing Jewish cantor, singer, and concert artist born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is often recognized for his smooth tenor voice, his dramatic tone, and his ability to sing in several languages and styles. Trained by top cantors from a young age, Lemmer had years of practice to perfect his technique. Training and education through various teachers and educational institutes has given "Yanky" his own personal style and influence.^[1] Lemmer is in demand as part of the international music and Jewish communities alike. From concerts in the United States to events and performances throughout Europe and Israel, Yaakov Lemmer is described as a positive and powerful stage presence.

In September 2013 it was announced that he would follow the current cantor of Lincoln Square Synagogue, a Modern Orthodox congregation in New York City. Lemmer is due to start full-time Head Cantor duties in 2014.^[2] The current Cantor, Sherwood Goffin, has been serving in the synagogue since its founding in 1965.^[3]

Early life

Borough Park

Yaakov Lemmer was born on November 6, 1983, in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, to parents of Jewish descent. Borough Park is known for being a prominently Orthodox neighborhood. This was where the young singer grew and developed. When asked about what inspired him to train in and become involved with religious music, Lemmer responded that it was his father's passion for music. Every Sunday night, for two hours, Jewish radio persona Bernhaut helped to spark Lemmer's interest.^[2]

Listening to well-known Jewish music and radio in his early life fueled a fire for music and liturgy. Lemmer recalls some of his biggest inspirations to be the greats of the Golden Age of cantorial music such as: Hershman, Rosenblatt, and Kwartin.^[3] Additionally, cantor Moshe Stern had a tremendous influence on his cantorial style. Lemmer's father would walk many miles to listen to Cantor Stern on his visiting Shabbat services.^[4]

The young Lemmer received his first formal cantorial training at Young Israel of Beth El, a local shul in Borough Park. Here he functioned as the main soloist in the choir, under the training of Cantors Benzion Miller and Azi Schwartz. As a result of his performance and skill, Lemmer received a scholarship to the Belz School of Jewish Music at Yeshiva University. He studied and practiced with cantors Joseph Malovany and Bernard Beer.^[3] Lemmer graduated with a masters degree in special education. His passion drove Lemmer to pursue his musical and cantorial career in addition to a job in education.^[4]

Career

Yaakov Lemmer's career spans several continents and countries. He has been invited to sing at numerous events and has also performed at large synagogues and concert halls around the world.

Young Israel- Ft. Lee, New Jersey

Cantorial positions

Yaakov Lemmer has held the position of Chazzan at four different synagogues since the start of his career. He currently holds the position of head Cantor at Lincoln Square Synagogue. In chronological order:

• Young Israel of Fort Lee, New Jersey
• Congregation Anshe Sholom of New Rochelle, New York^[2]
• Congregation Ahavath Torah of Englewood, New Jersey^[4]
• Lincoln Square Synagogue, New York, New York^[3]

Lemmer's big break

In early 2007, while participating as guest Cantor in a post Tu Bishvat concert at Young Israel of Beth El, Lemmer was recorded singing "Misratze B'rachmim." This video was uploaded to Youtube and quickly gained attention.^[5] Shortly after this event, Lemmer was invited to sing at the Jewish Culture Festival in Budapest, Hungary. At the event, he sang for a packed audience along with other cantors including Benzion Miller. This combination of these two nights elevated him to a high status within Jewish music circles. Lemmer himself describes YouTube as "the springboard" to his career.^[4]

Traveling the world

Since being elevated quickly to a position of high visibility, Yaakov Lemmer has been in demand. Performances have included concerts and ceremonies in Poland, England, Israel, Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, and throughout the United States.

Boston Jewish Music Festival

The Boston Jewish Music Festival holds concerts, lectures, and other educational events to promote Jewish culture. Events are held throughout the year. On March 12, 2011, a concert was held featuring "Yanky," among other Cantors and musicians. The concert, "Divine Sparks – Music to Ignite Your Soul: A Concert of Kavanah," received positive reviews from most in attendance. Kavanah is a Hebrew word that refers to a certain state of mind, often linked to prayer or other Jewish rituals. The word may also be understood to mean "concentration" or "intention."^[6] Bill Marx editor of The Arts Fuse, a Boston based online art magazine, had this to say about the concert:

"All of the judges found the concert ambitious and fascinating, a valuable step in expanding the creative and cultural boundaries of "Jewish music." The cantors were generally admired, with the recognition that they sang with great devotion, spiritual power, and a proud exuberance."^[6]

Lighting of the national menorah

Every year in Washington D.C., the national menorah is lit on the first night of Hanukkah. Lemmer was invited to sing at the event on December 20, 2011. Lemmer joined two other well-known cantors, Yaakov Motzen and Jeffrey Nadel, to sing traditional Hanukkah songs. Music for the event was played by the United States Marine Band. Since then, "Yanky" has been invited back twice more to sing at the event.^[7]

70th anniversary of Warsaw Ghetto uprising

April 19, 2013, marked the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. A large event was held at the site of the old Warsaw Ghetto on the anniversary. Musicians included the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Metah, as well as several soloists, and cantor Yaakov Lemmer.^{[8] [9] [10]} Lemmer has been to Poland several times. Lemmer's grandparents were Polish citizens.^[4]

Personal life

Despite traveling the world and performing in front of thousands, Yaakov Lemmer still prefers to keep his personal life out of the public eye. He was born and raised in the Borough Park Neighborhood of New York City in 1983. He attended school, learned, and trained here. The scholarship earned by his vocal abilities enabled him to attend college in the city as well. Lemmer has several degrees including a Masters of Special Education. He currently resides in New York City with his wife and works as a Special Education Therapist.

Significant works

"Rainbow in the Night"

Debuting in December 2011, the song and the video was written by New York-based filmmaker Cecelia Margules, a daughter of Holocaust survivors. Margules collaborated with producer and director Danny Finkelman. Yaakov Lemmer partnered with the others to contribute to the project vocally and through acting. Lemmer's vocals tie the video together with emotional lyrics and a powerful voice.^[11] "Rainbow in the Night" was described by Margules as the "first ever music video depicting the Holocaust." The video was created in order to raise awareness about the Holocaust. It follows the experiences of a Jewish family in Poland before World War II. Through the video, the dirty reality of life in the Krakow Ghetto is shown. The grim conditions become unimaginably worse when the family ends up being sent to a concentration camp. The video was filmed on location in Krakow, Poland and Majdanek concentration camp, also in Poland. The videos creators have expressed wishes that the video become "viral" in order to educate others, especially the current "fast-paced" contemporary generation.^[12] The video can be freely accessed on YouTube^[13]

Discography

Bkoil

Bkoil is a compilation album featuring Lemmer. It was released February 19, 2008, by Mizmor Music. The album features seven singles, the sixth single is performed by cantor Lemmer. It is entitled "Halben Chato'einu"^[14]

Vimaleh Mshaloseinu

Vimaleh Mshaloseinu is "Yanky's" debut studio album. Released January 27, 2010, it features eleven songs:^[15]

1. Ato Nigleiso
2. Lo Tachmod
3. Shema Yisroel
4. Mein Zeiden's Chulem
5. Misratze B'rachamim 
6. Av Harachamim
7. Ma Godlu Ma'asecho 
8. Habeit Mishomayim
9. Umipnei Chatoeinu  
10. Zol Shoyn Kumen Di Geulah
11. Lemmer 1928 version

Unity for Justice

"Unity for Justice" is a single released by Aderet Music Corporation featuring over 40 singers. It was put together as a charity project to help collect donations for a Jewish business owner. Yaakov Lemmer was one of the cantors invited to sing on the album.^[16]

Rainbow in the Night

The audio-only single from the "Rainbow in the Night" video. Lemmer partnered with main producer Danny Finkelman to create the single. It as released on January 25, 2012. The single was labeled by Sparks Production and distributed by Aderet Music Corporation^[17]

References