All That Glitters: A Night of Opera and Song with Cantor Katie Kaplan, Cantor Talya Smilowitz and Pianist Violetta Zabbi

Cantor Katie Kaplan and Cantor Talya Smilowitz became friends at a Cantors convention in Los Angeles two years ago. They discovered similar passions and experiences in performing arias and songs from the classical repertoire. Both women, having studied and majored in vocal performance in two prestigious New York City schools, led them from the classical world to the world of traditional Jewish music.  The idea of this concert came about this past summer at the North American Choral Festival and they have enjoyed singing beloved songs from their past to share with concert goers.

Cantor Katie Kaplan brings an open heart to her calling as a cantor. She creates sacred space through music, inviting connection with the divine spark in every person. Her voice has been described by congregants as “angelic,” “deeply spiritual,” and “a balm for the soul.” She weaves chant, meditation, and traditional melodies, along with new and original compositions to create engaging prayer and meaningful lifecycle experiences for all. Cantor Kaplan’s passion for music and Judaism began in her childhood home in Rutland, Vermont. Her love of singing led her to pursue vocal performance at New York University. She sang numerous roles with regional opera companies and as a soloist before discovering her love of teaching. After earning an MS in Education she embarked on a fifteen year career as a voice teacher, music educator, and choral director. Her passion for teaching and learning continued to grow along with her love of Judaism, inspiring her to pursue cantorial studies. She earned her certification as Cantor through the Cantorial Intern of the Cantors Assembly (CICA) in 2021. Cantor Kaplan currently serves as the Cantor at Temple Beth El in Stamford, CT.

 A native of Odessa, Ukraine, Violetta Zabbi (Conductor/Musical Director) is an accomplished pianist, conductor and coach. Dr. Zabbi has been involved in over one hundred different opera projects while living in New York for the past twenty four years. She is currently on the faculties of Adelphi University and Brooklyn College. She is the music director and conductor with Vocal Productions NYC, New York Opera Studio and the Delaware Valley Opera. She appears as a pianist and coach with Regina Opera, Hofstra University and Opera Manhattan Repertoire, Oyster Bay Festival. For the past ten seasons she has performed with DCINY International at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and more. Dr. Zabbi also teaches piano at Prep College at Brooklyn College and privately. 

The Oyster Bay Main Street Association hosts their Holiday Stroll by the Bay to ring in the holiday season. Enjoy a day of ice skating, hay rides, holiday shopping, delicious food, tree & menorah lightings and a visit from Santa. Visit the website link for a full day schedule!

Saturday, December 14th starting at 1pm in downtown Oyster Bay. Menorah lighting around 4pm.

Rabbi Moskowitz invites 8th to 12th graders for an informal get together including pizza and conversation about contemporary events on Sunday, December 8 at 6 pm. Students are encouraged to bring their questions about Israel, antisemitism and anything else that is on their minds.

RSVP to the office with your 8th-12th grader's cell number so that the rabbi can stay in touch with his students. Pick up is at 7 pm.



Share your gift with our community and bring your instruments or voice for an open mic afternoon in our beautiful sanctuary.  This event is open to all ages, instruments and talents. 

Please email Cantor Talya at tsmilowitz@gmail.com to let her know if you plan on participating so she is able to coordinate the event. If you will be playing an electrical instrument, please inform her of your needs as well.

Join two former members of Congress from Long Island for a behind the scenes discussion about what has led to the current climate on Capitol Hill and what can be done to restore civility and consensus. This program is sponsored by Congregation L’Dor V’Dor and the Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at Cornell University.

Former Congressman Peter T. King (R-Seaford) served fourteen terms in Congress from 1993-2021. During his years in Congress, Rep. King earned the reputation of being an independent leader who always fought for his constituents even if it meant bucking his own party. Congressman King served as Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and served on the Financial Services Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Steve Israel, U.S. Congressman 2001–2017, directs the nonpartisan Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at Cornell University. As a member of Congress, Rep. Israel served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (2011–2015). Israel is a regular political commentator on MSNBC, and his insights appear regularly in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal.

This program is open to the community. Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors. This program will also be streamed to our synagogue's website

Bible class Monday, December 2 at 7 pm on Zoom (Meeting ID: 864 7167 5189; Passcode: bible).

This year Rabbi will be discussing the Book of Psalms. We will look at how the Jewish tradition turns to poetry and song for comfort and inspiration. Psalms and contemporary poems are found throughout our prayerbook. We will focus on Psalms 26-30 in this class.

Although you can read the psalms online at sefaria.org, he recommends purchasing Robert Alter's The Book of Psalms: A Translation and Commentary.

Please join Rabbi Moskowitz, Tuesday, November 26 at 1 pm on Zoom.

We will be studying the Torah portion Toldot, which can be found on sefaria.org.