Hazzan Mordechai Schram

West End Synagogue’s hazzan, Mordechai Schram, is a graduate of the Sacred Music program at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Prior to joining us, Mordechai led services at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun for 8 years, and he has been music director of StorahtellingTM for the past 3 years. (For more information, see www.storahtelling.org.)

After earning his BA in philosophy from Brandeis University in 1987, Mordechai began a successful 12-year advertising career as a media director. By 1995, however, he began feeling the call to become a hazzan (cantor), and started studying music, voice and nussah (Jewish ritual melodies).

He is the grandson of a 3-generation cantor, Reverend Samuel Eliyahu Manchester (z"l). Growing up in New York City, his family belonged to B’nai Jeshurun and The Society for the Advancement of Judaism (SAJ). Since graduating from Brandeis, Mordechai has again made his home in Manhattan and has enjoyed being an active member in the Upper West Side Jewish community.

Drawing upon his knowledge of both Ashkenazi and Sephardic musical traditions, Mordechai integrates many styles into his davening, helping create a unique and rich experience of Jewish music and prayer. Mordechai is also an accomplished student of Middle Eastern percussion.