A Shreveport synagogue that can be traced back to the late 1880s will install a new spiritual leader Sunday.
Cantor Neil Schwartz comes to Congregation Agudath Achim after serving Jewish communities in five states and Saskatchewan, Canada. Cantor Schwartz is an expert in Jewish chanting. He developed teaching software for Hebrew chanting, "Trope Trainer" and "Tefillah Trainer.”
Schwartz’s library of Jewish music spans dozens of genres with more than 1,000 songbooks. While not a rabbi, he is clergy and holds an honorary doctorate of music from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
“A rabbi specializes in Jewish religious law. A cantor specializes in Jewish music. We both teach and carry out pastoral care and interfaith work,” Schwartz said.
The 62-year-old says he’s happy to settle in a small community reminiscent of where he grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota. Agudath Achim is one of two synagogues in Shreveport. It has 50 families.
“It’s an advantage of a small synagogue like this to get to be able to get to know people very well and to meet them where they’re at. Those who want to learn skills that I can teach, I can do that very individually,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz also teaches online courses in Hebrew chanting through Hebrew College in Boston.
The ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at Congregation Agudath Achim, 9401 Village Green Drive. Cantor Schwartz takes over for Rabbi Foster Kawaler who retired about two years ago.
