Cantor Gastón's Classroom

Shalom! You've been asked to take an aliyah or you just want to perfect your pronunciation of some of our prayers. Here is where you can practice. Click on the musical notes below to hear me chant the blessings. Then try yourself. Soon you will be confident enough to join us on the bimah! Take time, too, to visit our Music page to hear other prayers from our Shabbat service. Cantor Gastón Bogomolni

Taking an Aliyah

When called for an aliyah, come forward and stand to the Torah reader's right.

Take a corner of your tallit or the Torah tie and touch it to the place in the scroll the Torah reader shows you. Kiss the tallit or Torah tie.

Grasp both atzei hayim (Torah handles), roll the scroll closed and recite the blessings (also found on a card on the Torah reading table) as follows.

Begin by saying:

(Click the notes below to listen to Cantor chant the blessing)

Barekhu et adonai ha-mevorakh.

Wait for the congregation to respond.

Barukh adonai ha-mevorakh le’olam va’ed.

You then repeat their response.

Barukh adonai ha-mevorakh le’olam va’ed.

Continue with the brakha:

Barukh ata adonai eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher bahar banu me-kol ha’amim ve’natan lanu et torato. Barukh ata adonai notane ha’torah

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Roll the scroll open, hold the right atz hayim (handle) in your left hand and follow as the aliyah is read.

Take a corner of your tallit or the Torah tie and touch it to the place in the scroll the Torah reader shows you. Kiss the tallit or Torah tie.

Grasp both atzei hayim (Torah handles), roll the scroll closed and recite the blessing:

(Click the notes below to listen to Cantor chant the blessing)

Barukh ata adonai eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher natan lanu torat emet ve’ha-yay olam natah betokhaynu. Barukh ata adonai notane ha’torah.

Step to your right and remain on the bimah through the end of the next aliyah.

Yasher koach! I hope to see you soon on the bimah!

Gastón

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"Spirit of Passover" CD to Feature Cantor Bogomolni

Mazel tov to Cantor Bogomolni for having his lullaby-style rendition of Ki Lo Na’e selected to be included on the upcoming CD "The Spirit of Passover," released through the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) and the Cantors Assembly. The recording originally appeared on his "Passover Songs" CD, which was produced in 1999 in the Dominican Republic.

"It is a real honor for me to be selected among other great hazzanim for a CD that will last forever," Cantor Bogomolni said. He also noted that this is the second time that an Argentinean cantor’s song has been chosen to be included in a "Spirit" CD. The "Spirit of Passover" is part of the Spirit Series CDs; its release is scheduled for March, and will be available for purchase through our Judaica shop or by special order.