[Yom Kippur]

Avinu malkeinu,
honenu va’anenu ki ein banu ma’asim
Aseih imanu tzedakah va-hesed
v’hoshi∙einu.

Our God, our King, have mercy on us,
answer us, for our deeds are insufficient;
deal with us charitably and lovingly, and
redeem us.

Avinu Malkeinu

A relatively modern addition to our liturgy, the words of Miriam HaNivia (Miriam the Prophetess) accompany the traditional text of Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet), whom we invoke as we end shabbat and enter the week with the ritual of Havdalah. This spirited new musical setting by Beth Styles, commissioned by the PAS Music Center as part of the Family Siddur Project, recalls the moment in our collective history when Miriam took a timbrel in her hand and led the Israelites in music and dance. We hope that this new premiere will bring more song and dance to your life, both inside and outside of the synagogue walls!

Miriam Han'via

Cantor Azi Schwartz is the Senior Cantor of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, and is a world-renowned vocal performer and recording artist whose music reaches Jewish and interfaith audiences internationally. His craft of Jewish liturgical music has been described as emotionally moving, spiritually uplifting, and artistically dynamic.

Azi grew up in a traditional community in Israel. His grandfather, also a cantor, inspired Azi to pursue his passion and inclination for singing and music. After graduating from Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute and studying under the top cantors in the world, Azi continued studying music with a Masters in Classical Singing and Conducting from Mannes School of Music.

This journey brought Azi to New York, where he leads Park Avenue Synagogue (PAS), the largest Conservative community in NYC and the flagship of Jewish liturgical music in North America. As PAS Music Center's Director, Cantor Schwartz creates, records, and publishes new liturgical music, as well as hosts world-class guest artists for concerts and worship.

Passionate about bringing Jewish liturgy to the broader world, Azi has performed at Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, Madison Square Garden, the US Capitol Rotunda, and the Israeli Knesset. In 2018, Azi was featured in a PBS special entitled, The New York Cantors, which brought cantorial music to millions of viewers across the US and in Europe. During Pope Francis’ visit to New York in October 2015, Cantor Schwartz represented the Jewish people at the multi-religious service at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. He plays the cantor’s role in Richard Gere's movie Norman, and performs in concerts and interfaith missions around the world. Azi has an astounding online following. He has released nine studio albums containing traditional and newly commissioned Jewish liturgical music.

Dedicated to cultivating the next generation of cantors, Azi serves on faculty of all major cantorial schools, and serves as Treasurer for the Cantors’ Assembly, the largest professional organization for cantors. Azi is married to Dr. Noa Schwartz, and they have four children.

Miriam Han'via

Cantor Azi Schwartz

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