Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray

Residence : Ridgefield, CT

Biographical information

Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray, who grew up in a distinguished family of cantors, is a fourth generation cantor and the second to serve in a Conservative congregation. Deborah founded the Women Cantors' Network in l982 to help share the love of cantorial music with which she grew up. At Boston University, her studies with Prof. Elie Wiesel inspired her to maintain this family tradition, while also doing her part for Jewish survival. Since 1999, Deborah has served Temple Shearith Israel in Ridgefield, CT and is active in the greater community. She has developed musical and educational programs for National Hadassah, UJC Speakers Bureau, CAJE, Chautauqua Institution, and the Wexner Foundation. She was selected as a Teaching Artist for the Connecticut Commission on the Arts.

Her recordings include Kindersongs, Jewish Soul and A Sacred Spirit. The Cantors' Assembly included her recordings in the Spirit of Israel, Spirit of Hanukkah, and Spirit of the Jewish Wedding CD series. Her rendition of Jerusalem of Gold was selected for The International Jewish Songbook recording. Her CDs are played on Jewish radio stations throughout the country and are available at cdbaby.com

Deborah has been asked to return and sing at the Tzipora Children's Music Festival in County Kildare, Ireland . It is particularly meaningful as the music festival reaches several hundred children and is in memory of Elie Wiesel's youngest sister, Tzipora.

Cantor Katchko-Gray is a member of the Cantors Assembly and is the co-chair of the Connecticut Region of the Cantors Assembly. She is an Associate Member of the American Conference of Cantors, and served on the Liturgy Task Force. Deborah's story is included in The Invisible Thread- A Portrait of American Jewish Women. Mother of four sons, she also teaches huck embroidery for making tallitot, and is married to Dr. F. Scott Gray, of Connecticut Family Orthopedics and the Danbury Foot and Ankle Center. Together they have seven sons.

Discussion topics

• Israel in Song - 60 years of beautiful music in honor of Israel's milestone anniversary. Pioneer, Chassidic Festival and Songs of Peace connect us to Israel's history and culture in a moving and uplifting way.
• Jewish Soul - Traditional synagogue music tweaked for modern ears- guitar and nusach together creating a new sound. New synagogue music that helps elevate the meaning of prayer will have you singing along.
• The Good Old Days - Jewish Nostalgic Music -Gershwin and Yiddish together at last! The sentimental music of Gershwin and wonderful Yiddish theater and folk songs will have you singing and tapping your toes!
• The Lighter Side of Jewish Music - Parodies and Singalong! Some of the most wonderful music put to clever Jewish words for holidays - enjoy an array of Israeli and Yiddish singalongs to get in the mood for any holiday!
• The Evolving Role of Women in Judaism - As founder of the Women Cantors' Network, Deborah is a pioneer female cantor whose organization is now 300 strong from 5 countries and 34 states. What is the history of women in Judaism? How did the issue of Kol Isha evolve? What new traditions are being created? What has been the impact of so many women rabbis and cantors in the United States?

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