Cantor David Lefkowitz

David Lefkowitz has been Senior Cantor at Park Avenue Synagogue since 1976, when he succeeded Hazzan David J. Putterman.  He is a contemporary and traditional cantor, concert artist, composer, and music researcher.  His recent honors include the David Putterman Award from the Cantor’s Assembly (May ’03) for Lifetime Achievement in the Cantorate, and a 2003-04 appointment to the Rabbinical Assembly Law Committee.

 In 2001, The Goethe Institute featured Cantor Lefkowitz in St. Petersburg, Russia, in a presentation of Kurt Weill’s Jewish lieder at the International Film Festival’s premiere of a Kurt Weill documentary film.  In 2002, Lefkowitz participated in the 10^th Anniversary Music Festival at the Europaisches Zentrum fur Judische Musik in Hanover, Germany – both as cantorial concert artist and academic scholar.  In honor of his 25^th Anniversary at PAS Celebration in 2001, a compilation CD entitled “Song and Celebration” was released, highlighting his diverse repertoire. 

Cantor Lefkowitz has composed prolifically and has rescued and edited rare synagogue works from many periods and styles.  He received his professional training at the University of Pittsburgh, The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and the Julliard School.  He is a Past President of the American Society for Jewish Music, Vice-President and Music Director of the David Nowakowsky Foundation, and faculty member of the School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College.

Last updated: April 25, 2007.