Cantorial Department

Cantor Udi Spielman

Cantor Spielman was born in Tel Aviv, Israel .  He is the great grandson of Rabbi Zerach Barnet, who was one of the key founders of Tel Aviv.  Both of Udi’s grandfathers were Cantors.  Listening to them chant services throughout his childhood profoundly influenced his love for Cantorial music (Hazzanut).

Udi is a graduate of Hakafar Hayarok, agricultural high school, in Israel .  Upon graduation Udi went into the Israeli Air Force where he performed with his orchestra.  Upon being honorably discharged from the armed services, Udi established many musical groups in Israel which performed at special occasions including weddings and bar mitzvahs.  His musical groups were extremely successful, and as a result of this popularity, the musical groups were invited to play around the world in the Far East, Europe and the United States.

In 2000,Udi decided to retire his performing groups in order to study Hazzanut.  Cantor Spielman enrolled at the Cantorial Institute of Tel Aviv, administered by Cantor Naftali Hershtik, the Chief Cantor of the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem .  Cantor Hershtik exposed Udi to the deeper elements of Judaic learning and the art of chanting.  Cantor Chaim Feifel and composer Raymond Goldstein added much to Udi’s education as well.  Udi believes that it is the seed his grandfathers planted within him which drove him to pursue his education in Hazzanut. Cantor Spielman graduated from the Cantorial Institute of Tel Aviv and enthusiastically embarked on his new found career.  Besides his Cantorial services as a Hazzan, Udi has also performed in Cantorial concerts with the most highly regarded Hazzanim of our time. Udi performs Hazzanut as he fulfills his dream of perpetuating the legacy of his grandfathers.

Cantor Steven Hevenstone

Cantor Steven Hevenstone has always been drawn to music, learning to play piano, guitar, and trumpet at an early age.  His parents exposed him to many types of music but his favorite styles are Broadway, Symphonies, and Cantorial.  As a young child in Bridgeport, CT and through college Steven enjoyed singing in his Synagogue choir and also as a Baal T’fillah.

Steven has a strong theatrical resume’ which includes such roles as Joseph in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”; Tony in “West Side Story”; Dr. Neville Craven in “Secret Garden”, amongst many others.  As a writer, Steven has composed/arranged choral and solo pieces for Cantors, a variety of Choirs, Schools, Theatrical Productions, and Orchestras.  He enjoys writing short stories, skits, and plays.

Steven graduated Suma Cum Laude with Bachelor’s Degree in Business and a Master’s Degree in Education from American Intercontinental University in Dunwoody, GA.

In 2001 he accepted a position as Cantorial Soloist and Education Director at Temple Shir Shalom in Duluth, GA.  During this time he contacted the Cantors Assembly (CA) and started their training program called C.I.C.A. (Cantorial Interns of the Cantors Assembly).  Through this program Steven had the privilege to train under Hazzanim Y’Shaya Grama z”l; Samuel Fordis, and Steve Berke.

Steven is the co-founder of the Jewish rock band, The Moody Jews which is based out of Atlanta, GA.  He is also the founder and President of HMPP (Hevenstone Music Productions/Publications).  Many of his original pieces can be heard in Synagogues and on stage through the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Steven and his wife Kathy have 2 sons, Nathan and Aaron.

Steven is very pleased to be a part of the B’nai Torah family.