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The Cantors of Oak Park Temple invite you to a very special evening:
The Music We Love featuring Cantors Julie Yugend-Green, Richard Cohn and Lanie Katzew along with Oak Park Temple's choirs and instrumentalists:
manage our seating requirements. Join us for a fantastic evening of music and celebration! a few memories...Richard Cohn (Cantor at Oak Park Temple 1981-1987)
My tenure as the Cantor of Oak Park Temple stretched from 1981-1987, although I sang in the choir from 1980 through 1981. My favorite memories are of all the wonderful people I encountered during those years: volunteers and professionals in the choir, our music team as a whole, B'nai Mitzvah and their families, congregants of all ages and backgrounds who so generously included me in their lives, and our stellar professional team. Many specific images come to mind: organist Hans Wurman beneficently gazing down from the choir loft as we essayed some kind of improvisation; choral conductor David Schrader presiding with nobility in the choir loft during High Holy Days; my fifth-grade class tolerating with no small amusement unscripted educational forays (I still have my commemorative sweatshirt!); the laypeople in our choir relishing their solos during "Hayom T'amsteinu;" the list goes on and on. I am so looking forward to standing on the Oak Park Temple bima again! Lanie Katzew (Cantor at Oak Park Temple 1991-1997) The view from 18 years later is astounding! My recollections of time spent at OPT are strong and positive. The people and relationships formed over the years are enduring. While Kolot (the children's choir) was ongoing, Zimrei Haam (the adult volunteer choir) was formed during my tenure. Several of my choristers continue to study and teach music. Two have gone on to pursue rabbinic studies! I have particularly fond memories of the adult B'nai Mitzvah class who composed a thank you message to me with Torah Trope. The text of this message, along with a picture of the class remain a prized possession. The gift of a Tallit with the OPT OSRUI logos embroidered on its raw silk fabric remind me of OPT each time I don it on my shoulders. Sarit became Bat Mitzvah in this community, Cara fell asleep on these pews nearly every Shabbat - and together with Jan we made this congregation our Jewish home. So many of you helped teach me how to be not only the Cantor, but also a strong parent. I can't wait to see you! 
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Julie Yugend-Green
Richard Cohn
Lanie Katzew
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