About

We spend majority of our lives learning and discovering new things. Each of us have talents and with those talents we can choose to do one of two things. Either we keep the secret to ourselves or we teach others so they get the opportunity to learn.

I feel blessed to be given the opportunity to use my voice to inspire others, both inside the synagogue and out. Working as official Hazan (cantor) in a Sephardic/Moroccan synagogue in Thornhill (just north of Toronto) for over 10 years, I've had countless opportunities to teach my community the beauty of our Sephardic melodies, more specifically those from Morocco Andalusian liturgy.

I'll be honest, this is the third blog I've started in the last 2 years. As you can imagine, the first two didn't work out too well. But I have a feeling this one is different. Mainly because I'm blogging about something I love --- music, and rule #1 about blogging is that if it's not about something you adore and care for then better not to even start. Rule #2, keep on blogging no matter what.

So why am I doing this?

Over the years, I've been approached by many to record piyutim (songs) and tefilot (prayers) so that people can learn. A lot is already available on the Darkeabotenou YouTube page. But this I feel will be different in respect that I can teach and explain through my posts why certain songs and piyutim work in various scenarios; or why Song A fits with Song B; or why sing this piyut in this Tefila. In essence, if you follow this blog, you can learn to BECOME A HAZAN!

My family originates from Tangiers, a city in Northern Morocco mainly comprised of a Spanish speaking population. The music and liturgy from Tangiers (and Tetouan) were similar to those from the French metropolitan cities in the south but they certainly had their variations. Whenever applicable I will make note of those variations.

All in all, this website is meant for those who wish to learn about the beautiful tunes we have but can also simply be for your listening pleasure.

I recommend that to stay updated with the posts you subscribe to my YouTube channel (which can be found HERE) and make sure to enable notifications. I hope to publish regularly. Also, make sure to share this page with your friends.

Last but not least, I dedicate this website to my late dear grandfather nz"y David Kadoch z"l. He was one of the most well known Shaliah Tzibur/Hazanim in Tangiers. His powerful voice pierced the hearts of many both in Morocco and in Montreal, Canada where he moved to in 1970. He inspired me to sing and sing some more; to never stop learning about our traditions and ethnicity. "Hashmi'ini et Kolech - let me hear your voice" (Shir HaShirim - Song of Songs) were the words he would always tell me when he wanted to hear something new that I learned. So I kept on learning more.

Today, October 15th 2017 would have been his 91st birthday.

Today, 25th of Tishre 5777 is the 3rd anniversary of his passing.

May his Neshama rest eternally in Gan Eden.

השמיעני את קולך