Cantor Chayim Frenkel
Co-Host of Kehillat Israel Podcasts
Since joining KI in 1985, Cantor Chayim Frenkel has built an impressive career marked by a series of exceptional musical accomplishments. Blessed with a rich, warm tenor voice and an ability to nurture others’ talents, Chayim has become a driving force in the world of modern Jewish music and cantorial practice, following in the very large footsteps of his late father, Hazzan Uri Frenkel.
Cantor Frenkel has commissioned and produced numerous recordings, including “Nishmat Tzedek – A Righteous Soul,” an orchestral and choral suite in honor of his brother Tzvi, of blessed memory. Chayim’s dear friend, the acclaimed Cantor Meir Finkelstein, composed the work. The composition had its world premier at KI in 1994. Cantor Frenkel and Meir expanded their recording into a book and compact disc package as a gift of healing to those who have lost loved ones in the ongoing terrorism that plagues our world.
In 1995, Cantor Frenkel served as executive director of Cantor Finkelstein’s moving oratorio, “Liberation,” commemorating the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps and in loving memory of his beloved mother, Shari Frenkel, who survived the Shoa.
In 1998, Cantor Frenkel served as co-chair of the Cantors Assembly’s celebration in honor of the State of Israel’s 50th anniversary. As part of these festivities, he performed at Carnegie Hall and produced a concert in New York’s Central Park, attended by over 10,000 people.
Cantor Frenkel has commissioned and produced numerous recordings and, in 2009, he launched KI tunes (kitunes.org), which offers free downloads of all the music of KI that he has produced. Chayim loves to travel, especially when leading KI family trips to Israel.
Cantor Frenkel lives in Pacific Palisades with his beloved wife, Marsi and daughter Molli, while his older daughter Mandi lives in Israel.
Cantor Chayim Frenkel has hosted one Episode.
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Understanding and Responding to Antisemitism
November 29th, 2022 | 1 hr 5 mins
In trhis capitvating talk, Rick Hirschhaut, Los Angeles Director of the American Jewish Committee, discusses the challenge of antisemitism in today's world. The session was presented by Kehillat Israel via Zoom on November 28, 2022. Hirschhaut is a longtime civil rights advocate and Jewish communal leader who has served in senior executive roles with the Anti-Defamation League, Illinois Holocaust Museum, and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. He has worked to advance human rights and democratic values and promote the security and well-being of Jews and other vulnerable communities in the United States, Israel and around the world.
Rick Hirschhaut is introduced by Cantor Chayim Frenkel and Rabbi Daniel Sher.