Shalom Jacobs Renews The Legendary Tefillah: “Kol Nidrei”
Kol Nidrei is one of the most moving and iconic prayers of the Jewish calendar. Sung at the opening of Yom Kippur, it carries centuries of emotion, history, and longing. Its haunting melody has touched countless souls, setting the tone for the holiest day of the year.
This arrangement was originally crafted by the renowned Raymond Goldstein in the 1980s, and now newly arranged for me by the gifted Shimmy Miller, whose artistry brought new depth to its timeless beauty.
My personal connection to Kol Nidrei began in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1990, when at the young age of 13-year-old I first heard Chazan Naftali Hershtik, his son Netanel, together with Raymond Goldstein, and choir conducted by Eli Jaffe perform during their European concert tour. That night sparked my love for cantorial music. Just a few years later, during my yeshiva years in Israel (1994–1997), both Cantor Hershtik and Maestro Jaffe became my teachers, profoundly shaping my path, shaping my path for the love of chazanut and Jewish music is something I am honored to do weekly to this day.
It is in honor of my teacher and mentor, Chazan Naftali Hershtik, that I bring this piece to life once more.
After many years standing before the amud (cantor’s podium), I cannot think of a more meaningful way to prepare for Yom Kippur than to share Kol Nidrei. It is more than a melody—it is a tefillah that unites the Jewish people in awe, honesty, and connection.
My hope is that this rendition brings you into Yom Kippur with reflection, sincerity, and inspiration.
Credits:
Performed by: Shalom Jacobs
Original Arrangement:
Raymond Goldstein & Chazan Naftali Hershtik
Choral Arrangements Written by: Maestro Raymond Goldstein
Arrangement: Shimmy Miller
Vocal Arrangement: Shimmy Miller & Yossi Schwartz
Choir Conducted & Arranged by: Shimmy Miller
Producer: Shalom Jacobs
Video Producer: Zvika Bornstein
Choir Recording Session – Zingers Choir Members
• Tenor 1: Joseph Klebanoff, Michael Portacio
• Tenor 2: Alex Guerrero, Eric Freeman
• Baritone: Ty Mankiewicz, Muir Inglis
• Bass: Nate Mattingly, Paul Holmes
Recorded & Engineered by:
Vince Chiarito @ Vincent Chiarito Recording Inc.
Yossi Fromowitz @ Yufeh Studio
Choir for Filming – Zingers Choir Members
• Tenor 1: Joseph Klebanoff
• Tenor 2: Alex Guerrero
• Baritone: Muir Inglis, Eliyahu Morgenstern
• Bass: Paul Holmes, Sruly Federman
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