B’nai Israel to Honor Cantor Daniel Green for 50 Years of Service
Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI), 1488 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, N.J., is hosting a gala event and dessert reception on April 7, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., to honor Cantor Daniel Green for his 50 years of continuing and devoted service to the congregation. The event will include tribute speeches, musical presentations, and recollections. The cost is $18.00 per person.
Cantor Green, who is now the Cantor Emeritus of CBI, came to B’nai Israel as its Cantor in 1973 and served until his retirement in 2008. During those 35 years at B’nai Israel, he prepared 670 boys and girls for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah. Of special note was his development of the Year-In-Advance Bar & Bat Mitzvah ceremony. He also developed a music enrichment program for all classes from nursery school through fifth grade of Talmud Torah, as well as more intensive instruction with Kitah Vav, the sixth grade.
His accomplishments also included working with the B’nai Israel Choir, made up of men, women, and teen volunteers. The choir, under his direction, sang in 2-part to 4-part harmony at services on the High Holy Days and on special occasions. A second musical group, the Junior Zamarim, “a friendly singing club” for boys and girls, presented cantatas and sang upbeat songs on Shabbat, festivals, and community events.
Cantor Green also instructed adults in the chanting of Torah portions, Haftarot, and various prayers. He produced many major programs and concerts of Jewish music, which attracted large audiences from a wide area.
Although he has retired, Cantor Green and his wife Ruth, also a retired cantor, have remained part of the Toms River Jewish community, volunteering for the congregation by davening religious services and chanting from the Torah whenever they are needed. In addition, Cantor Green serves as archivist of the congregation’s cemetery.
Cantor Green earned his B.A. degree in music and education at Queens College. He studied Jewish prayer and music at what is now the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion, where in 1965 he was ordained as Cantor and earned the Bachelor of Sacred Music degree. Before coming to Toms River, he served as the cantor at synagogues in Natick, Massachusetts; and New York City. He is the recipient of two honorary Doctor of Music degrees and numerous awards during his years of service.
Cantor Green is a member of both the Cantors Assembly and the American Conference of Cantors, and served three terms as chairman of the Cantors Assembly NJ Region. For decades he has participated with the New Jersey Cantors Concert Ensemble, performing in hundreds of concerts all over New Jersey and beyond. He was also a member of the faculty for 21 years at Solomon Schechter Academy in Howell, NJ.
Cantor Green also volunteers outside the Jewish world. He is the corresponding secretary and mapper for the Jackson Pathfinders, an environmental group that maintains nature trails. He serves with Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey by transporting elderly patients to medical appointments. As a longtime advocate for public transportation, Cantor Green also volunteered for many years with the Ocean County Transportation Advisory Board and the Central Jersey Rail Coalition.
Born and raised in New York City, Cantor Green has three grown children from his marriage to his late wife, Evelyn. Cantor Ruth Green and Cantor Daniel Green are celebrating his 50 years with B’nai Israel and their own 30 years of marriage.
To make reservations, call B’nai Israel at 732-349-1244.