Lawrence Eliezer Kepecs is a Synagogue Cantor (Hazzan), Educator, actor, fine artist, inventor, and Motivational Speaker. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Yeshiva College, a Bachelor of Science in Jewish History, & a Hebrew Teacher's Diploma from Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies at Yeshiva University in 1992, while studying to be a Hazzan at the Belz School of Jewish Music of Yeshiva University. He completed his Rabbinic Semichah studies at The American Seminary for Contemporary Judaism in 2006, & in 2007 was awarded Orthodox Semicha Ordination (Yoreh Yoreh) from Tifereth Yisroel Yeshiva.
Cantor Eliezer Kepecs has performed in concerts worldwide as an operatic tenor, with a repertoire that includes Classical Cantorial, Yiddish, Israeli, Neapolitan & Spanish Folk songs, as well as Italian, French, American, & German opera.
Eliezer Kepecs has served as Cantor & Educator, teaching B'nai Mitzvah & Judaic classes, & running adult education programs. In addition to freelancing as a Hazzan, he has served as Cantor of Brooklyn New York's Kingsway Jewish Center, and Yonkers' Orthodox Community of Colonial Heights.
He helped train and sang with the Russian Evocans Chorale, the Yeshiva Mizrachi L'banim boys choir, & the HAFTR Boys Choir. He led High Holy Day services with the Beth T'filoh Choral Ensemble of Baltimore, Maryland, B'nei Israel Congregation, & sang in Montreal, with the Shaar Hashomayim Choral Society.
He has sung at New York's Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, The Colden Center Auditorium, & Lefrack Hall of Queens College, in a Passover musical entitled, "A Seder in a Flat," & appeared in the movie "A Stranger Among Us."
In 2005, Cantor Kepecs sang in the Great Synagogue of Rome in a cantorial concert that was televised throughout Italy, designed to help build bridges of understanding with other religions. He has sung before dignitaries and Heads of State. In 2004, Cantor Kepecs was appointed "Professor of Cantorial Studies" at The American Seminary for Contemporary Judaism, & served on its Board of Directors. He served for many years as Vice President of the Jewish Ministers Cantors Association of America, also known as the Chazzanim Farband. He helped organize, produce, and perform in concerts for Meir Panim soup kitchens in Israel, in campaigns for "Feed the Hungry Children" as well as other fund raising events. He has sung in concerts at Merkin Hall in New York City to raise money for the plight of Gush Katif refugees in Israel. In October 2006, Cantor Eliezer Kepecs toured Israel with The JMCA, singing in concerts in Haifa, & Jerusalem, which were sponsored by The Jerusalem Municipality, & Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
Cantor Eliezer Kepecs' singing credits include "The CCA: In Concert," "The JMCA: 2003 Cantors Concert," & the opera, The Eglantine, where he played the lead tenor role of Gershon in its World Premiere performances. The album, "introducing... Eliezer Kepecs' Greatest Hits," featuring Opera and Neapolitan Art Songs, marks Cantor Kepecs' solo album debut.
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