 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
Hazzan Isaac Azose is one of the most well known Sephardic Hazzanim in North
America. His rich baritone voice, prolific contributions to the preservation of Sephardic
minhagim and gentle kindness have all contributed to his ever growing popularity and
renown.
Born in Seattle (WA), Hazzan Azose was raised in a prominent family of Turkish
extraction. Employed in 1966 at Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, Hazzan Azose was their
first new Hazzan in almost 50 years. Under the tutelage of the prior Hazzan, Haham
David J. Behar, Hazzan Azose immersed himself in the unique Rhodesli traditions that
are the custom at Ezra Bessaroth. After having served in a stellar fashion at Ezra
Bessaroth for nearly 35 years, Hazzan Azose continued full force his life's work of
preserving the distinctive melodies and liturgy of the Rhodesli tradition.
In 1999 Hazzan Azose stepped into the recording studio at the urging of Ezra Bessaroth
member, Steven Baral. While there he recorded for posterity a priceless sampling of the
unique liturgy that is so beloved to him. His first CD "The Liturgy of Ezra Bessaroth"
was released to immediate critical acclaim and stands today as one of the best recorded
examples of the Mediterranean Sephardic tradition.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Hazzan Azose initiated what would become an exhausting
but satisfying effort to create a new siddur that would reflect in exactitude the traditions
of the (Rhodesli & Turkish) Seattle Sephardic Community. Working to unprecedented
standards of perfection in dikduk (grammar), minhag and aesthetics, the "Seattle
Sephardic Siddur" (Zehut Yosef) was completed in 2002 and overnight became the
standard prayer book for both Seattle Sephardic Congregations. Individuals and
synagogues worldwide have sought out this magnificent new contribution to our liturgy.
Today Hazzan Azose remains as devoted as ever to the future of our Sephardic
community. He spends his daylight hours patiently passing on the traditions of
yesteryear to the leaders of tomorrow. He is a teacher at the Seattle Hebrew
Academy's Sephardic Studies Program, The Sephardic Religious School and at the
Sephardic Bikur Holim in Seattle. Hazzan Azose is currently putting the finishing
touches on the next contribution to his already impressive body of work with the soon to
be released "Seattle Sephardic Mahzor for the Shalosh Regalim".
Visit this site frequently for updates on the many projects of Hazzan Azose.
America. His rich baritone voice, prolific contributions to the preservation of Sephardic
minhagim and gentle kindness have all contributed to his ever growing popularity and
renown.
Born in Seattle (WA), Hazzan Azose was raised in a prominent family of Turkish
extraction. Employed in 1966 at Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, Hazzan Azose was their
first new Hazzan in almost 50 years. Under the tutelage of the prior Hazzan, Haham
David J. Behar, Hazzan Azose immersed himself in the unique Rhodesli traditions that
are the custom at Ezra Bessaroth. After having served in a stellar fashion at Ezra
Bessaroth for nearly 35 years, Hazzan Azose continued full force his life's work of
preserving the distinctive melodies and liturgy of the Rhodesli tradition.
In 1999 Hazzan Azose stepped into the recording studio at the urging of Ezra Bessaroth
member, Steven Baral. While there he recorded for posterity a priceless sampling of the
unique liturgy that is so beloved to him. His first CD "The Liturgy of Ezra Bessaroth"
was released to immediate critical acclaim and stands today as one of the best recorded
examples of the Mediterranean Sephardic tradition.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Hazzan Azose initiated what would become an exhausting
but satisfying effort to create a new siddur that would reflect in exactitude the traditions
of the (Rhodesli & Turkish) Seattle Sephardic Community. Working to unprecedented
standards of perfection in dikduk (grammar), minhag and aesthetics, the "Seattle
Sephardic Siddur" (Zehut Yosef) was completed in 2002 and overnight became the
standard prayer book for both Seattle Sephardic Congregations. Individuals and
synagogues worldwide have sought out this magnificent new contribution to our liturgy.
Today Hazzan Azose remains as devoted as ever to the future of our Sephardic
community. He spends his daylight hours patiently passing on the traditions of
yesteryear to the leaders of tomorrow. He is a teacher at the Seattle Hebrew
Academy's Sephardic Studies Program, The Sephardic Religious School and at the
Sephardic Bikur Holim in Seattle. Hazzan Azose is currently putting the finishing
touches on the next contribution to his already impressive body of work with the soon to
be released "Seattle Sephardic Mahzor for the Shalosh Regalim".
Visit this site frequently for updates on the many projects of Hazzan Azose.