Cantor Pilatsky
 926 Round Swamp Road Old Bethpage, New York 11804
(516) 694-4544 - Phone

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Cantor Richard Pilatsky joined Temple Beth Elohim in 1999, serving as its first cantor. Cantor Pilatsky’s previous pulpits included Congregation Mt. Sinai in Brooklyn Heights, Congregation B'nai Israel in Freeport, and Temple B’nai Abraham in Hartford, CT. In addition, Cantor Pilatsky has taught at Temple Or Elohim in Jericho, and at North Shore Synagogue in Syosset. Cantor Pilatsky is a graduate of the Jewish Family Educators Training Institute at SAJES (Suffolk Association for Jewish Educational Services). He also serves on the staff of SAJES as an educator in the Marasha Program, a program that prepares people to function as religious school teachers.

Prior to entering the cantorate, Cantor Pilatsky taught instrumental and vocal music in the New York City public schools and at Solomon Schechter Day School of Suffolk County. He has also lectured and given seminars on Jewish music. Cantor Pilatsky, along with his wife Cantor Sandra Sherry of Temple Beth El of Huntington, has performed throughout the metropolitan area.  He currently serves as President of the Long Island Cantors Association.

Cantor Rich’s eclectic musical tastes are evident in the musical offerings at weekly and holiday services.  Family services feature our Youth Choir accompanied by the cantor on guitar.  Our Adult Choir enhances the regular Shabbat and Holiday services with some of the great choral masterpieces which define the Reform Movement, as well as many liturgical offerings which are easily accessible to the entire congregation.

Our cantor is very active in the congregation, teaching the b’nei mitzvah candidates, the Pre-Confirmation class, and music in the religious school.  He also teaches the Gimel Class (6th grade) how to chant Torah, a skill necessary to prepare the students for their b’nei mitzvah.  Cantor Rich and Rabbi Astrachan team up to offer the congregation a variety of special programming during the year, including special Havdallah services, a gala Purim spiel each year, and programs designed to enhance the culture of our congregation and community.

Cantor Rich is also active outside the congregation.  Besides his affiliation with SAJES, he sings with, and is Assistant Musical Director of, the Long Island Cantors Ensemble, he and his wife often appear in concerts together.  In addition, Cantor Rich has composed music for the synagogue.  His most recent work is a Chassidic Friday Evening Service.

“I believe music is the vehicle by which our prayers reach God’s ear.  Music can, among other things,  soothe, excite, energize, comfort, raise the spirit and relive history.  I use an eclectic repertoire to tap into every possible emotion.  Every one comes to the synagogue for a different purpose.  My expectation is that every one leaves satisfied. Only then have can I call my efforts successful.”

Link to Prayers for B'nei Mitzvah students


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Last modified: 04/25/08