Greetings from Cantor Samuel Asher

Cantor Samuel Asher incorporates melodies from Jewish communities around the world, conveying the excitement, passion and devotion that are the core of our prayers.

His spiritual training comes from his father, Nissim, z'l, who taught him in the age-old Sephardic tradition, word by word. He received his formal musical training at the Eastman School of Music, performing in musicals, jazz, country, folk and Sephardic groups, singing, fiddling, playing guitar, bass, piano or just drumming on a handy noisemaker.

He measures his success as a cantor by the congregation's enthusiastic participation. Sam's goal is to express the meaning of the prayers with music. His happiest moments come every Shabbat, when the children join him on the bimah for a rousing rendition of Adon Olam.

In 1991, Sam founded the Rochester Jewish Chorale, a community-wide singing group. When not involved with Temple Beth David, Sam is at home with his family or running a software development company that bears his name.