Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah presents its annual Chanukah celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom. The festivities feature the musical talents of “The Piano Lady” Carol Stein and Cantor Jackie Rawiszer, who will perform a concert containing traditional songs of the season as well as contemporary music and compositions of their own creation.

These two fine musicians, who bring their talents to the Orlando community, have received worldwide acclaim in their chosen careers.

Music is Carol Stein’s way of changing the world, one note at a time!

Stein’s travels as a musician have spanned the globe from Carnegie Hall in New York, to the Montreux Palace in Switzerland, The Oasis Lounge in Hong Kong and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Her CDs are available at http://www.carolstein.com. 

Stein, a life member of Hadassah has performed for over 25 years with the Walt Disney Company in various shows. She is currently the resident musician at the world famous Rose and Crown Pub at the United Kingdom Pavilion in EPCOT. Stein has been the guest solo artist with the Space Coast Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Richard Hayman, performing her own compositions and orchestral arrangements. She was the pianist with the Jacksonville Symphony performing the works of Marvin Hamlisch. 

The Carol Stein Quintet has been together for over 20 years. They will be performing on Dec. 1, at the Altamonte Chapel Jazz holiday program from 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. and a special Valentine Concert at the Space Coast Jazz Society on Feb. 14, 2016 from 2 p.m. -4:30 p.m.

Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer, who makes her home in Central Florida, grew up in the spotlight.

The native of Long Island, N.Y., was singing in school musicals and performing semi-professionally by age 9. She was on the fast track to a successful career performing on stage in London, when she stepped into a synagogue during Rosh Hashanah and heard a traditional prayer sung in Hebrew while the Torah was being returned to the arc. In that instant she knew that she wanted to reconnect with her Jewish roots and it changed the course of her life.

Today Rawiszer is a member of the clergy team at the Congregation of Reform Judaism. Since 2002, Cantor Jacki, as she is affectionately known, has strived to combine her two greatest passions, Judaism and music, to help create vibrant and warm worship, educational, and life cycle experiences. Cantor Jacki is an active member of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) and currently serves as secretary. She is a member of the Guild of Temple Musicians, the Florida Association of Cantors, Associates and Soloists (FOCAS), and the Women Cantors’ Network. Cantor Jacki is a graduate of the 2010 cohort of the Kellogg School of Management’s Program for Jewish leaders.

Cantor Jacki feels strongly about the importance of Jewish music and arts education for both adults and young people. She strives to develop new ways to approach Judaism’s rich and diverse cultural heritage with all members of the community.

The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah invites the community to attend the celebration. A special Chanukah lunch will be served prior to the concert.

Following the program, Hadassah will continue their long-held tradition of filling gift bags for distribution by Jewish Family Services to those in need. Personal care items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand lotion, shampoo, etc. are needed. Also needed are pens, pads of paper, decks of playing cards and other similar items. Help assembling the bags after the meeting is greatly appreciated.

Reservations are required. Please RSVP to Nancy Greenfield, at nancyg357@yahoo.com or call 407-333-0204. The couvert is $12.