Shabbat Shalom,
My name is Joshua Kowitz and I am finishing up my time as Cantor at Temple Sinai in Middletown, New York. I graduate from the H.L. Miller Cantorial School at JTS this coming May. Prior to working in Middletown, I was also the student Cantor at White Meadow Temple, in White Meadow Lake, New Jersey, from 2014-2016. During my schooling at JTS I had the opportunity to spend the 2016 spring semester in Israel. There, I learned about the history of Jewish music as well as the history of Israeli pop music. I took many trips and learned a great deal about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I also had the opportunity to study with famed Cantor Naftali Herstik. After spending my spring semester in Israel, I returned to my childhood summer camp and worked at Ramah in Wisconsin. I directed the oldest age groups musical, taught piano and saxophone lessons and was a B’nai Mitzvah tutor.
I have always surrounded myself with music and grew up in a musical household; I am the son of Cantor Mitchell Kowitz, who recently retired in 2013 from Temple of Aaron in St. Paul, Minnesota with 25 years of service. I received my bachelor of music in vocal performance from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 2012. Prior to coming to JTS, I sang in the chorus of the Minnesota Opera and performed in amateur and professional musical theater productions in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I love playing jazz piano and saxophone.
This week’s Torah portion is Shemini, our parsha opens by saying, “On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel.” Why did Moses call them on the eighth day? It was most likely because during this time there was a seven day period in which the Mishkan was built each morning and then disassembled in the evening. Aaron and his sons were initiated into becoming priests. Our sages describe this day as having many “firsts”. Number one, it was a Sunday, the first day of the week. Number two, it was the first of Nissan which is the beginning of a new year, it was also the first time the divine spirit of God came and dwelled in the Sanctuary, not to mention it was the first day of the Priesthood. So with all of these “firsts” What is so significant about the number eight? Well, the covenant of circumcision, which binds the Jew to G‑d in a bond that supersedes all nature and convention even as it pervades every nook and cranny of life, is entered into on the eighth day of life. The Mishkan which was inaugurated on the eighth day was built to give God a place to dwell with God’s people. The festival of Shemini Atzeret (“Eighth Day of Assembly”), occurs on the eighth day that follows Sukkot’s seven days. Seven Shemittah cycles are followed by a Jubilee year characterized by liberty (i.e., freedom from all bounds) rather than just “suspension.”
I look forward to spending Shabbat with your community and meeting as many people as I can. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Wishing everyone a freilech restful Shabbat.
Cantor Joshua Kowitz
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism