There are moments when music does more than entertain: it connects us across continents, traditions, and generations. This is one of those moments.
We invite you to an extraordinary evening that brings the spirit, sound, and soul of Jerusalem directly to Toronto. At the heart of this special event is acclaimed Cantor Chaim Stern, whose voice has moved audiences around the world and whose artistic and personal roots are deeply intertwined with Jerusalem’s rich cultural and spiritual fabric. This is not simply a concert—it is a journey.
A living musical tradition
Jerusalem has always been a city of layers: ancient and modern, sacred and artistic, deeply traditional yet constantly evolving. Its musical heritage reflects that same complexity. Cantorial music carries centuries of emotion, prayer, and storytelling, blending historical influences with contemporary expression. Cantor Stern embodies this intersection, weaving classical cantorial compositions with broader musical traditions in a way that feels both timeless and immediate.
“I love cantorial music, and when it’s sung by a lyric tenor—with a beautiful voice, and especially with an Israeli accent—it gives it special meaning for me,” says Elliott Eisen, a Jerusalem Foundation of Canada Board Member, a long-time Beth Tzedec Member and Event Co-Chair. This concert also celebrates Cantor Stern’s first year as The Hennick Family Senior Cantor at Beth Tzedec.
“I think Chaim Stern has the talent and ability—and he also happens to be a very nice young person—to strengthen the synagogue and the community and draw people. The concert will feature a range of genres and professionals, including two highly regarded cantors from Montreal and Chicago. It’s a natural fit for the Jerusalem Foundation to be involved as a lead organizational sponsor, especially since the title has always been ‘From Jerusalem to Toronto.’ As a seventh-generation Jerusalemite now in Toronto, Chaim embodies that connection.”
A rare musical experience
Audiences will experience an elegant blend of traditional cantorial masterpieces, beloved Broadway showstoppers, and international classics—performed with 28 musicians from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The evening promises a level of musical excellence rarely experienced in a single program.
As Cantor Stern reflects: “My journey started in Jerusalem, between studying in Yeshiva and spending Shabbat at the Great Synagogue. I’d go with my friends to hear Cantor Chaim Adler and the choir conducted by Elli Jaffe—who later became my mentor. That’s where I was first exposed to the polished European cantorial style and the power of a professional choir. Mixing that formal harmonic precision with the raw, soulful singing I did leading prayers in Yeshiva is what defines my voice today.”
“I believe that showing openness to other genres is the best way to connect a modern audience to Jewish music. When people hear a cantor sing Broadway, opera, or even Elvis, it opens their hearts. That connection makes traditional prayers feel more personal. I am truly looking forward to the moment it all comes together on stage.”
Voices across North America
Adding to the evening are two exceptional guest artists: Cantor Rachel Brook of Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago and Cantor Gideon Zelermyer of Montreal’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. Together, these voices represent a cross-section of North American Jewish musical leadership, each bringing their own artistry to a shared tradition rooted in Jerusalem.
For Cantor Stern, that connection is deeply personal: “My family arrived from Eastern Europe in the 1850s and 60s and helped build the city’s first neighborhoods. Many of my ancestors served as community rabbis and philanthropists. My late grandfather… was an amazing Baal Tefillah. Walking with him to shul on Shabbat mornings while he shared stories about the legendary cantors was my true school for this art.”
Why this night matters
This evening is more than a performance—it is a meaningful connection between Jerusalem and Toronto, brought to life through music, history, and shared identity.
If you’d like a preview of the artistry, you can listen to Cantor Stern here
At a time when connection feels more important than ever, this is a rare opportunity to gather, listen, and be transported.
Reserve your tickets here and be part of this unforgettable evening.
