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.   Gerald Rizzer, Accompanist Gerald Rizzer is a highly respected and gifted pianist, condusctor and composer. Mr Rizzer is the Music Director of the Chicago Chamber Music Alliance and the Chicago Ensemble, both of which are often heard in public performance and on the air. Mr. Rizzer is the Music Director of Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago.

Recordings: Out of the Silence: Songs of Russian Jewry Reuven Frankel, Baritone Lazar Weiner, Piano click here to listen or buy this album (Music player 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 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... Available September 1, 2009! Family Delight: Songs for Shabbat and Festivals Reuven Frankel, Baritone Gerald Rizzer, Piano click here to listen or buy this album (Music player and link to buy CD 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. "An exquisite summation of the joy and delight of the Sabath... The arrangements by Mr. Rizzer are striking. Rabbi Frankel sings simple zemirot and Friday evening prayers with a purity of tone and a clarity of devotional expression that personifies the true spirit of meimah (liturgical chant)." -- Hazzan Charles Davidson "Family Shabbat is delightful!" -- Dr. Max wholberg, "Dean of Cantors" "I expected refinement, elegance, authenticity and thoughtfulness... and was not disappointed." -- Hazzan Samuel Rosenbaum, Executive Vice-President, Cantors Assembly "I was delighted to hear the rich baritone voice and excellent melodies... a real contribution." -- Dr. Jack Shechter, Director of Adult Education, University of Judaism 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 (Music player and link to buy CD 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 Banim Barukh Shomer Dayenu B'khol Do Vador Ani Maamin And more... Yiddish Song in Dialogue Cantor Reuven Frankel, Baritone click here to listen or buy this album (Music player and link to buy CD will open in a new window; please allow pop-ups for ReuvenFrankel.com.) Traditional Jewish music sung by baritone Reuven Frankel. Recorded live at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago, Illinois on August 6, 2002. The Lullaby of Yankele Motl Boruch Ato (Praised Are You) Hobn Mir A Nigundl (We Have a Little Song) Tanchum Moshele Mayn Fraynd (Moshele My Friend) Zog Maran (Tell Me Marrano) A Letter from the Hand of the Rebbe Margaritkes Zol Shion Kumen Di G'ulo (Let Our Salvation Come)