Kehilath Israel Synagogue has announced Hazzan Aron Hayoun will soon join the clergy staff as the Traditional congregation’s full-time cantor.
K.I. President Marty Gorin said the congregation was impressed with everything about Cantor Hayoun when he visited late last spring.
“Those of you who were at K.I. on May 30-June 2 of this year got a chance to hear and meet the cantor. He was universally loved for his ability to lead services, his tremendous voice, and his humble but warm and friendly personality,” Gorin said.
Rabbi Moshe Grussgott agreed.
“Cantor Hayoun impressed us all in his interview Shabbat, not only with his exceptional voice and charisma, but also with his kind-hearted and humble character. I have no doubt that he’ll be a great addition to our team here at K.I.,” Rabbi Grussgott said.
Cantor Hayoun is currently chief cantor at La Grande Synagogue de la Victoire in Paris, France, where he has been since 2009. La Grande Synagogue, built in 1874, is the largest synagogue in France.
Prior to this position, he served as cantor at Beth Emeth Congregation of Toronto, Canada; chief cantor at The Grand Synagogue of Metz in Metz, France; and chief cantor of The Synagogue of Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
What brings Cantor Hayoun to Overland Park, Kansas? Besides escaping an anti-Semitic environment, the cantor said he and his wife Vera are looking forward to a quieter, less hectic life than they currently have. Cantor Hayoun was raised in a small town, and he would like to get back to that more relaxed way of life. They will also be closer to his wife’s family who live in Canada.
Cantor Hayoun is looking forward to sharing his joy of music with the members of K.I.