Kehilath Israel Synagogue’s Grand Givers fundraiser presentation, “Around the World in Song, An Afternoon Musicale,” will feature six musicians who are traveling from Paris to provide an afternoon of music at K.I.
The concert will start at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12. This year, 10% of the proceeds will be sent to provide support for victims of terror in Israel.
K.I.’s Hazzan Aron Hayoun has invited six members of his former choir at the Grande Synagogue de la Victoire in Paris to be part of the annual Grand Givers event that benefits K.I.
“These singers also perform in concerts and at festivals throughout France and Europe,” Hazzan Hayoun said. “They are well known professionals, and they all have beautiful voices.”
For more than 13 years, Hazzan Hayoun sang with these accomplished vocalists: José Canales, Maxime Cohen, Francois-Nicolas Geslot, Benoit Riou, David Schavelzon and Ping Zhang. Accompanying them is pianist and composer Emmanuelle Souffran. Souffran is also choir director and organist for the Grande Synagogue de la Victoire.
“These singers and Madame Souffran are my friends, and they are coming as a gift to me,” Hazzan Hayoun said. “They are like my family. I am very thankful to all of them.”
During the 90 minute concert, they will present songs in English, Italian, Spanish, French, Hebrew and Yiddish, including selections from musical theater, contemporary music, hazzanut (cantorial music) and opera. Although many of them have never performed in English before this event, they have included English in their repertoire for this performance.
The opportunity to see performers from the Grande Synagogue de la Victoire locally is unique. The Grande Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Paris and has been the center of Jewish life there for more than 135 years. It is the base for the chief rabbi of France and a destination for visiting dignitaries and others.
Both standard and “Grand Giver” tickets are available — the latter includes admission for up to 10 people, a private pre-concert reception and preferential seating. All ticket holders will be entered in raffles for exciting prizes to be drawn at the event.
Tickets can be purchased at kisyn.org/events/grand-givers-2023.
More information or other ticket purchasing options are available by contacting Elizabeth Peden at or (912) 642-1880 x203.
