For over a century, Young Israel Beth El of Borough Park has been a pivotal hub for cantorial music in the U.S., famous for hosting renowned cantors. Particularly flourishing during the golden age of cantorial music in the first half of the 20th century, it attracted crowds drawn to its inspiring performances. With its sanctuary designed for optimal acoustics and capacity for 1,300, the synagogue has been likened to the 'Carnegie Hall of Brooklyn.' Amidst efforts to revive this musical tradition, the synagogue remains a significant cultural landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.
"Beth El is a place where people came to hear the most accomplished and inspiring cantors for over a hundred years," said Hankus Netsky, a professor at the New England Conservatory.
"What cantors do is they take Jewish liturgy and interpret it. They 'word paint' with the text," explaining how the music enhances the prayers.
The synagogue came to be known in the Jewish world as the 'Carnegie Hall of Brooklyn,' due to the virtuosity of its cantors.
The three-story synagogue, with a sanctuary seating 1,300, is noted for its concert hall acoustics and was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
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