Blog
Writings, sermons, memories, thoughts...Speaking Our Minds
I'm a political junkie. As soon as CNN goes to commercial, it’s MSNBC, the occasional peek at FOX news, and then back to CNN. I go to the CNN website several times a day. I’m looking at tracking polls, listening to political analysis, reading commentaries... and this...
The Spiritual Journey
As long as I've lived here, I have been impressed with this community of New Rochelle. In an era of urban sprawl, people moving into Manhattan, out of Manhattan, over to Brooklyn, up into Connecticut... the New Rochelle residents have by and large remained constant,...
My vision of the Modern Reform Cantorate
Recently, I traveled with our synagogue’s Confirmation Class to Washington D.C. for our annual trip to the Religious Action Center (R.A.C.). During the trip, there were three interesting experiences I had: The first came during a welcome speech given by one of the...
A Plea for Peace
The following speech was delivered at a peace rally in New Rochelle: I stand here before you not as the voice of my synagogue, nor as the voice of any movement, organization, or branch of Judaism. Rather, I am here to join the voice of Judaism to the other...
How to choose a good voice teacher or vocal coach
I have been studying voice for almost twenty years. Fortunately, I've been blessed with some good, strong voice teachers. I've also studied with some not so good ones who held me back from my full potential. Along the way, I have worked with about ten voice teachers,...
Is Autism really an epidemic?
I am a proud father of an autistic son. You probably wouldn't know it to look at him: He's healthy, has a lovely disposition, talks a mile a minute, and at his six and a half years of age, he will tell you almost everything there is to know about dinosaurs. Doesn't...
Torah Corps–Torah, Technology and Tutoring
Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah in the 21st century has its benefits. Students can make compact discs or rip MP3s (music via computer file), purchase trope training software, or even have a computerized voice chant Torah! But with all this technology, it is important...
The German Rite and the Modern Synagogue
Something that is "classic" is considered to have lasting significance or worth--in other words, it is enduring. I have therefore always found it ironic that the Sacred Music Press should publish something it calls Out of Print Classics. For one thing, if the material...
The Future of American Synagogue Music
When our ancestors came to the shores of America some 350 years ago, the new frontier was pristine, practically untouched, and wide open. The possibilities opened to us as a Jewish people were many, and we’ve certainly been blessed to see a time and live in a place...
The Inside Joke
I love turning on the T.V. and going “Jew surfing.” I’ll flip channels and see Ben Stiller as a Rabbi in, “Keeping the Faith,” or spot Jerry Seinfeld accusing a so-called friend of becoming a Jew just for the jokes. There’s Adam Sandler singing his “Hanukkah Song”...
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Erik Contzius
503 W. Sumnerr Ave.
Spokane, WA 99204
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