Shabbat weekend celebration planned for March 6–8

A musical Shabbat service at 6 p.m., Friday, March 6, followed by a Shabbat dinner, and a 4–5:15 p.m. concert on Sunday, March 8, both at Congregation Anshai Torah, will celebrate the installation of the congregation’s first cantor, Hazzan Matt Austerklein. The weekend of revelry is chaired by Marissa Kaufman together with Rabbi Elyssa Joy Austerklein, Andrea Epstein, Ari Kopmar, Dafna Rubinstein and Matthew Zucker.

“Hazzan Matt has brought us his incredible love of music, of people and a spirit that has everyone wanting to become more engaged in tefillah,” said Rabbi Michael Kushnick. “It’s a true honor to share the pulpit with him and to see up close the hazzan, teacher and mensch that he is.”

Kabbalat Shabbat services will include Anshai’s a cappella group, Kol Rina. Sunday’s “Shiru L’Adonai, Shir Chadash – A New Song, A Shared Journey” concert will feature performances again by Kol Rina, as well as the Plano Clarinet Choir, UT Dallas Chamber Singers, local cantors and a gathering of community musicians, including the debut of the Anshai Torah Youth Choir.

Since arriving seven months ago, Austerklein has shared in life cycle occasions, services and learning events. Those include the January and February “Jewish Guide to the Orchestra” series and singing as a member of Kol Rina. He and his wife, Rabbi Elyssa Joy Austerklein, are parents of Beatrice and Georgie.

He has connected with the congregation’s young people as they prepare for b’nai mitzvah and with participants in the synagogue’s post-b’nai mitzvah Yad Squad Torah readers. He serves as director of Anshai’s first youth choir and is helping develop Kolenu, a new teen-centric monthly Shabbat service.

From music time with Anshai Torah’s preschool students to preparing third graders for their consecration and leading his “Hazzwarts School of Prayercraft and Musical Wizardry” course for fifth and sixth graders, he is beloved. For ninth graders, he teaches Hebrew Bible. For young musicians in the greater Jewish community, he created a “Jewish Music for All” program, curating customized pieces of Jewish music for any instrument and technical level.

“My weeks are filled from four-month-old infants to our most senior shul-goers, and it’s all precious,” said Austerklein. “Being here is a blessing and the sky’s the limit.”

It has been a fulfilling nearly 220 days and nights as Anshai’s first hazzan — fulfilling in all the ways.

“Our family loves being here. This shul, this community, has so many strengths. There are beautiful people who have embraced each of us,” said Austerklein, the son of Barbara Elkin and Paul Klein and the brother of Sarah (Isaac Hoft) Klein, who was raised at Agudas Achim Congregation in Alexandria, Virginia.

“It is min hashamayim, from the heavens,” added Austerklein. “Here, I am able to share my natural faith and to bring the ‘there is G-d’ moments and I absolutely feel those around me pulling in the same kavana, intention.”

Cantor Neil Newman, now cantor emeritus at Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, who will help install Austerklein, will be joined by his wife, Saranee. With a doctorate in educational administration, he spent 10 years chairing the American Conference of Cantors’ Cantorial Certification Committee. Newman built a long and respected career as an educator, community builder and clergyman at Beth El, where he still returns for the High Holidays.

Now retired in Sarasota, Florida, Newman met Austerklein at Temple Beth Sholom, where Austerklein was serving while completing his Ph.D. dissertation in Jewish Studies from the University of Halle-Wittenberg; his defense is expected this spring. In synagogue, and during a 13-day sacred music history and Jewish cultural tour of Great Britain organized by Austerklein, a mutual admiration was formed.

“We worked together over the course of many Shabbatot and it was a pleasure. Really very special,” said Newman, whom Austerklein calls “a precious mentor.” “Matt represents the best qualities. When he davens, it’s with such great intention, and you know that he’s connected and expressing the text. You absolutely feel it.

“His spirit is connective and his knowledge is all-together incredible,” he continued. “Saranee and I are honored to share in this moment.”

Austerklein believes he has inherited much responsibility in his role — one he honors every day.

“In following Rabbi Weinberg as shaliach-tzibbur, as prayer leader,” he said, “in partnering as clergy with Rabbi Kushnick and Rabbi (Helene) Kornsgold, and in making sure, as did Jack Molad of blessed memory, that our young people are excited about Yiddishkeit.”

To celebrate Hazzan Matt Austerklein’s installation weekend, visit tinyurl.com/CAT-Hazzan-Installation.

—Submitted by Deb Silverthorn