[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 63 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF CANTOR ERIK CONTZIUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2012

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, the Cantor fills a special role within the 
Jewish community; leading worship, officiating at lifecycle events, 
teaching adults and children, conducting synagogue music programs, and 
offering pastoral care.
  Ten years ago Cantor Erik Contzius brought his talent, his commitment 
to Reform Judaism and unique personality to Temple Israel of New 
Rochelle. All the congregants have been touched by him, from the 
training of children to become B'nai Mitzhvahs, to making the High 
Holidays alive with sound, to entertaining us with song. He holds a 
special place at Temple Israel of New Rochelle.
  Cantor Contzius founded Kol Simkha, the Temple's youth choir, as soon 
as he arrived in New Rochelle. A decade and hundreds of students later, 
Kol Simkha is going strong, singing the beloved prayers at Family 
Services. Cantor Contzius has cultivated many young voices in the 
congregation, giving them a chance to be heard during special services 
and on his own album, Teach My Lips a Blessing.
  Cantor Contzius has given many distinguished solo presentations, most 
recently with the Westchester Chorale, singing the Darius Milhaud 
Service Sacre. Within the synagogue, he performed with its own jazz 
band, Yidlock, as part of the annual Follies show, and with the 
Chordsmen, a barbershop quartet.
  In November of 2010, the Cantor's original composition, ``Ma Ashiv 
Ladonai,'' was premiered at the Vatican--a true honor.
  He was raised in Parsippany, N.J., received his B.A. in Psychology 
from Rutgers College and went on to study abroad at the University of 
York, England. He received his Master of Sacred Music degree from the 
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, School of Sacred 
Music, studying in Israel and New York.
  Before becoming a part of the Temple Israel family, along with his 
wife Monica and son Jacob, he served as Cantor at Reform Congregation 
Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA, and Temple Israel of Omaha.
  I enthusiastically join with Temple Israel of New Rochelle in 
honoring Cantor Erik Contzius for the joy, guidance and leadership he 
has provided over the past decade and wish him many more years among 
us.

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