July 14, 2009 / 22 Tammuz 5769

As part of their Historic Mission from Poland to Israel, a delegation of 40 hazzanim (cantors) from the Cantors Assembly, the largest body of Hazzanim in the world with offices at the Jewish Theological Seminary and affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, recently paid a visit to the Jewish Agency's Mevasseret Zion Absorption Center.

Titled "A Journey through Time", the historic mission first toured and performed in Poland as part of their exploration of 1,000 years of Jewish history. During their week-long visit, performances by the hazzanim included: an evening concert at the National Opera House in Warsaw sponsored by the Office of the Prime Minister of Poland, where they joined the Opera Orchestra and children's chorus in a concert of "Friendship, Brotherhood and Unity"; a special program at Aushwitz-Birkenau; and "A Concert of Remembrance and Healing" in Krakow.

The second week of the Cantors Assembly Historic Mission explored "the 4,000 years of history in our ancestral homeland." Amid tours to Israel's leading historic sites, including Masada and Yad Vashem, the group visited the Jewish Agency's Mevasseret Zion Absorption Center to learn more about Ethiopian immigration and absorption. After listening to the history of Ethiopian aliyah, they toured facilities, including a Hebrew ulpan course for adults and the children's kindergarten. The visit culminated in a performance of Israeli and children's songs by the hazzanim for residents and staff of the absorption center.

Members of the delegation expressed great satisfaction with their visit and were very impressed by the new immigrants' advancements in Hebrew and the children's acculturation in the kindergarten.

The Jewish Agency is grateful for the support of the Cantors Assembly to improving the lives of Ethiopian new immigrants living at the Mevasseret Absorption Center.

To learn more about the Cantors Assembly visit their website.