[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO CANTOR BARRY REICH

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2004

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to honor and pay tribute to 
Barry Reich, the Cantor at Peninsula Temple Shalom of Burlingame, 
California, located in my Congressional District. Cantor Reich, who 
received his Hazzan Minister Commission in 1979 from the Cantor's 
Assembly of the Jewish Theological Seminary, is not merely a Cantor, 
but a multi-talented musician who has used his talents to affect the 
lives of thousands of people.
   Cantor Barry Reich was born in 1948 in the Boyle Heights 
neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, where he came from a long line 
of cantors. His father was a renowned cantor, and at the time of 
Barry's birth was the Cantor at the legendary Breed Street Synagogue. 
As one would imagine, Barry was immersed in world of music and religion 
as cantorial music from record players and music books could be heard 
and seen throughout the Reich home.
   From a very young age it was obvious that Barry possessed 
extraordinary talents. In fact, Mr. Speaker, at the young age of five, 
Barry sang a solo during the High Holiday service of Slichot with such 
mastery that when he was finished the entire congregation congratulated 
him. This wonderful performance had the unintended consequence of Barry 
upstaging his celebrated father, who had to wait out the hosannas 
before he could continue the service which was supposed to begin 
immediately afterwards. Another indicator of his magnificent musical 
talents was shown when Barry, then only 8 years old, joined the Breed 
Street Synagogue Choir as its youngest member. He was aided by the fact 
that his father, the Cantor was in desperate need for a soprano 
vocalist and Barry was a wonderful soprano.
   When the Reich family moved to Florida when Cantor Reich was offered 
an important position at Temple Emanuel of Miami Beach, Barry continued 
his musical education on the East coast where he attended the Frost 
Conservatory of Music. It was in Florida that Barry met Harry Volpe, a 
widely renowned guitarist, who Barry credits with being the single 
biggest influence on his musical direction.
   By the time Barry was ready to attend high school his family, which 
had expanded to include his brother Brian, had returned to Los Angeles. 
After graduating from Lincoln High School, Barry Reich went on to study 
at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and San Francisco State 
College, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Degree.
   Mr. Speaker, it was while he was in college that Cantor Reich's 
future employer, Peninsula Temple Shalom's Rabbi Gerald Raiskin first 
heard Barry Reich. When the then future cantor was performing at an 
Israel Bonds rally. Rabbi Raiskin, who knew Barry's father, was so 
impressed with the eighteen year old Barry that he called Barry's 
father to request that Barry audition to be the cantor at Peninsula 
Temple Shalom. Since that fateful day, thirty-six years ago, Barry 
Reich has been the Cantor of Peninsula Temple Shalom and has become 
part of the fabric of the synagogue. By his own estimates he has 
prepared over 1500 youth for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah with his 
trademark passion and innovative approach to music and education.
   Mr. Speaker, Cantor Barry Reich has poured his heart into to his 
cantorial work and has generously shared his talents with many, passing 
on his passion of music onto numerous persons. He is most deserving of 
this tribute and our praise, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me 
in honoring a great man, an excellent musician, and an extraordinary 
Cantor.

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