What People Say:

Rabbi Frankel sings simple zemirot and Friday evening prayers with a purity of tone and a clarity of devotion and expression that personifies the true spirit of "ne-ima."
The Cantors Voice, review

From the very first number, a feeling of Shabbat menuchah descends upon you, and the whole is done with excellent taste. His voice: supple and resonant.
Hazzan Louis Klein

The terms "tasteful" and "neshama," along with high musicianship, characterize not only the performances, but also the range of selections which includes music from a variety of sourcs and traditions. This is Jewish music for all time.
Morton Gold, Jewish Post and Opinion

I expected refinement, elegance,authenticity and thoughtfulness, and was not disappointed.
Hazzan Samuel Rosenbaum

An exquisite summation of the joy and delight of the Sabbath, beautifully sung by Reuven Frankel and exceptionally accompanied by Gerald Rizzer... A sensitive and extremely refined musicality is always in evidence here. The arrangements by Mr. Rizzer are striking. They elevate these zermirot to the level of the art song.
Hazzan Charles Davidson

Reuven Frankel merits our gratitude for sharing his dual talents, vocal and creative, through the vehicle of his marvelous tape. As a teaching tool, it is invaluable; as artistry it is wholly satisfying.
The Cantors Voice, review

Family Shabbat is delightful.
Hazzan Max Wholberg


Biography:

    The unusual quality and rare warmth of Reuven Frankel's voice and the sensitive interpretation of a wide variety of Yiddish, Hebrew and liturgical music, as well as a keen understanding of the art of songs of the masters of Western music, have made Reuven Frankel a favorite concert performer in may parts of this country. He has also appeared on radio, television and at universities as a singer and lecturer, performing Yiddish songs and Hebrew songs for Jewish holidays and other occasions.

    Reuven Frankel arrived from Israel in 1939 and received most of his Jewish, general and musical training in the United States. In addition to his Rabbinical training and ordination, he holds an A.B. and a Masters of Music degree from Wayne State University. He served as Assistant Cantor of Congregation Shaarey Tzedek in Southfield, Michigan from 1957 - 1967, as Cantor of Temple Israel, in Albany, New York for two years, and as Cantor of Congregation Beth El, in Highland Park, Illinois, from 1970 - 1978. After his Rabbinical Ordination, he served as Rabbi of Congregation B'nai Tikvah in Deerfield, Illinois, from 1979 until his retirement in 1999.

Reuven Frankel's collections of Jewish holiday songs and Jewish children's songs are now, for the first time, available in CD and digital format for enjoyment in your home. His interpretations of traditional cantorial music, as well as several original Jewish songs, are a delight for anyone of or interested in the Jewish faith and culture.

Recordings:

Out of the Silence: Songs of Russian Jewry
Reuven Frankel, Baritone
Lazar Weiner, Piano
click here to listen
or buy this album

(Link will open in a new window; please allow pop-ups for ReuvenFrankel.com.)

A collection of Russian Jewry songs performed by Reuven Frankel. Originally released on vinyl in 1968, Reuven Frankel's Out of the Silence is now available in convenient CD and MP3 format.

TZU EINS TZVEI DRAI
Words: L. Rosenthal
Music Arranged by: Lazar Weiner

SHIR HAMAALOS (A Song of Ascents)
Setting: Herbert Fromm

SHLOF MAIN KIND (Sleep My Child)
Words: Sholom Aleichem
Based upon a melody by: D. Kovanovski

IN CHEDER (In the Classroom)
Music: Moses Mimer

DER FILOSOF (The Philosopher)
Arrangement: M, Steinberg

AHIN! AHIN! (Yonder! Yonder!)
Words: S. Frug
Setting: A. W. Binder

EL HATZIPOR (To The Bird)
Words: Chayim N. Bialik
Music: Moses Milner

OMAR ADOSHEM L'YAAKOV (G-d Spoke To Jacob)
Hebrew-Yiddish-Russian text based on Sabbath Hymn
Setting: Abraham Ellstein

SHIR HASHIRIM (Song of Songs)
Text: Song of Songs
Setting: Lazar Saminsky of a Georgian-Jewish Chant

ZOG MARAN (Tell Me, Morrano)
Words: Abraham Reisen
Music: Samuei Bugatch

TZUR YISROEL (Rock of Israel)
Words: Liturgy
Music: Z. Kwartin-Lazar Weiner


Family Delight: Songs for Shabbat and Festivals
Reuven Frankel, Baritone
Gerald Rizzer, Piano
click here to listen
or buy this album

(Link will open in a new window; please allow pop-ups for ReuvenFrankel.com.)

A collection of Jewish holiday songs, shabbat songs, and Jewish children's songs.

Shabbat Hamalka

Neirot Shabbat

Shabbat Shalom

Shalom Aleichem

Eishet Chayil

Kiddush

Kol Mekadesh

Menucha V'simcha

Ma Yedidut

Ya Ribon

Tzur Mishelo

And more...


A Sing-Along Seder
Reuven Frankel, Baritone
click here to listen
or buy this album

(Link will open in a new window; please allow pop-ups for ReuvenFrankel.com.)

The Sing-A-Long Seder is a collection of passover songs, perfect for a family sing-a-long!

Ma Nishtana

K'neged Arba-a Vanim

Barukh Shomer

Dayenu

B'khol Do Vador

Ani Maamin

And more...


Yom Kippur Service - Musaf
Reuven Frankel, Baritone
with choir conducted by Gerald Rizzer
Congregation Beth El, 1975

click here to listen
or buy this album

A recording of the Yom Kippur service in its entirety, featuring Cantor Reuven Frankel and choir conducted by Gerald Rizzer.

Hineni

Kaddish

Avot and Gevurot

Untane Tokef

Berosh Hashana

Kedusha

Vechol Ma'aminim

Vitimloch

Kadosh Atah

Aleinu

Ochila La'el

Vechach Haya Omer

Vehakohanim

Vechach Haya Moneh

Emet Ma Ne'dar

El Melech Yoshev

Shema Koleinu

Ki Anu Amecha

Ashamnu

and more...