| Cantor
Deborah Katchko Gray
Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray
grew up in a distinguished family of cantors. She is a
fourth generation cantor and the second woman to serve a
Conservative congregation.
A graduate of Boston
University, her studies with Elie Wiesel convinced her
that continuing in this family tradition was the best
response for Jewish survival. Elie Wiesel said of her,
''If a teacher had but one student, you- it would be
Dayenu!''
Since 1999 Deborah has
served Temple Shearith Israel and is active in the
national and international community. She teaches and
shares through Scholar in Residence programs, Limmud
International, The European Academy of Jewish Liturgy,
and the Clergy Task Force of Jewish Women International.
Her recordings include
Kindersongs, Jewish Soul, A Sacred Spirit, TSI Music
Shabbat, Katchko-3 Generations of Cantorial Art and
Passover Seder Songs. The Cantors Assembly Spirit Series
has used her recordings in the Spirit of Israel,
Hanukkah, Children's Music, and Jewish Weddings. The TSI
Adult Choir singing '' Shalom Rav'' was chosen for the
Spirit of Shalom in the series. Deborah's ''
Yerushalayim Shel Zahav'' was chosen for The
International Jewish Songbook by Tara Publications.
Her book, Katchko 3 Generations of Cantorial Art is part
of Hebrew Union College's cantorial school curriculum.
Cantor Katchko-Gray is
member of the Cantors Assembly and Founder and Past
President of the Women Cantors' Network. She is chair of
the CT Region of the Cantors Assembly, co-founder of CT
Cantors Connect, and Associate Member of the American
Conference of Cantors as well as the Ridgefield Clergy
Association.
Deborah's story is
included in the book, The Invisible Thread- A Portrait
of American Jewish Women. Her archives are housed in the
American Jewish Archives as well as the National Museum
of American Jewish History where two items are part of
the permanent collection.
She is an amateur
cellist with the Danbury Community Orchestra and voice
student of Margaret Astrup, chair of voice at Western
Connecticut State University. She loves to do huck
embroidery and teach others how to make an heirloom
tallit using Swedish Weaving. The temple published a
book of her work in honor of her 10th anniversary at
temple, ''Jewish Huck Embroidery.''
Deborah is the mother
of four sons. She is married to Dr. F. Scott Gray of CT
Family Orthopedics and the Danbury Foot and Ankle
Center.
Elie Wiesel said of
her, ''Listen to her. Debbie will enable you to hear and
feel the exquisite yet melancholy beauty of Jewish
melodies that must never be forgotten.''
http://www.oysongs.com/deborahkatchkogray
www.cantordebbie.com
To contact Cantor Katchko-Gray:
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