Shir Chadash, which in Hebrew means "a new song", embraces Cantor Gail P. Hirschenfang as our Cantor. Nationally recognized as one of the finest cantorial voices singing today, she is greatly admired for her seamless integration of an extensive repertoire of traditional and modern Jewish music into worship. The purity of her voice lifts the spirit. In the words of a local composer and musician, who was moved to write an original piece for her, "I could listen to her sing all day!"

Cantor Hirschenfang was invested in 1981 by the Hebrew Union College School of Sacred Music, as one of the first women cantors. She received her Master of Sacred Music degree from Hebrew Union College in 1988.

Cantor Hirschenfang, a soprano, has performed widely throughout the United States and Canada. In 1989, she was the first Reform cantor to give a concert at the newly opened Jewish Cultural Center in Moscow. Closer to home, Cantor Hirschenfang was a finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions in 1985. She has also been a soprano soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performing with conductor Julius Rudel and with the Detroit Symphony with conductor Semyon Bychkov.  She was one of the founder members and performers in the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival.

Active on a national level, Cantor Hirschenfang served three years as cantorial chair for the Music Commission of the Union for Reform Judaism.  In 1999, she published the article, "Jewish Music - Setting the Course" in the Centennial publication of the American Conference of Cantors and Guild of Temple Musicians. Cantor Hirschenfang currently holds a national position as Director of Member Support for the American Conference of Cantors, the professional arm of the Reform cantorate in North America. In this capacity she assists cantors and congregations in their professional relations and mutual covenants.  She is also the Chair of the Endowment of the American Conference of Cantors.

In addition to her appointment at Shir Chadash, Cantor Hirschenfang has served on the pulpit as a full time cantor and music director of large congregations in Baltimore, Buffalo and Detroit.

Cantor Hirschenfang is thrilled to be Cantor and Educational Director of Congregation Shir Chadash.

Cantor Hirschenfang is married to Rabbi Daniel F. Polish. They take great joy in being the proud parents of Leah Yonina.

Director Of Organizational Partnerships For The American Conference Of Cantors