

Its first major venture into inter-religious dialogue was only 50 years ago, at the Second Vatican Council. This kind of pluralism is relatively new to the Roman Catholic Church. But it’s also clearly a sentiment specific to our time, when religion is sometimes associated with beheadings and terrorist attacks and extreme violence. This is directed inwardly as much as outwardly Francis has warned Christians against being “rigid” in their beliefs. “Nationalistic or falsely universalist ideologies … capable of perpetrating tremendous atrocities,” he said during his speech to the United Nations on Friday.

“No religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism,” he said during his speech to the U.S. Opposition to “fundamentalism” and “ideology” has been a consistent Francis theme, both during his trip to the United States and before. And it was all the more fascinating because of its pluralism: religious leaders who are deeply committed to their version of metaphysical truth, but who have found a common enemy in extremism. “It is the silent cry of those who were victims of a mindset which knows only violence, hatred, and revenge, a mindset which can only cause pain, suffering, destruction, and tears.” This was a memorial gathering, but it was also a protest against religious extremism. “Here, the grief is palpable,” Francis said. Loss was a clear theme for the service, but there seemed to be a deeper argument behind the gathering. It was at this moment, when he was flanked by peers who hold different beliefs, that Francis chose to fade into the background a bit. At all other times during his trip to the United States, Francis has been front and center. Though the pope’s visit clearly served as the impetus for the gathering, he wasn’t really the star he listened solemnly as roughly a dozen Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian leaders offered prayers and reflections in commemoration of the September 11 attacks. Cantor Azi Schwartz’s tracks Bridge Over Troubled Water (feat.This was striking moment, and not because the singing sounded like a Gregorian chant, as one Catholic News Agency commentator clumsily observed several times. Noa Schwartz, and they have four children.
Cantor azi schwartz with pope francis professional#
He has released nine studio albums containing traditional and newly commissioned Jewish liturgical music.ĭedicated to cultivating the next generation of cantors, Azi serves on faculty of all major cantorial schools, and serves as Treasurer for the Cantors’ Assembly, the largest professional organization for cantors.
Cantor azi schwartz with pope francis movie#
He plays the cantor’s role in Richard Gere's movie Norman, and performs in concerts and interfaith missions around the world. During Pope Francis’ visit to New York in October 2015, Cantor Schwartz represented the Jewish people at the multi-religious service at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. In 2018, Azi was featured in a PBS special entitled, The New York Cantors, which brought cantorial music to millions of viewers across the US and in Europe. Passionate about bringing Jewish liturgy to the broader world, Azi has performed at Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, Madison Square Garden, the US Capitol Rotunda, and the Israeli Knesset. As PAS Music Center's Director, Cantor Schwartz creates, records, and publishes new liturgical music, as well as hosts world-class guest artists for concerts and worship. This journey brought Azi to New York, where he leads Park Avenue Synagogue (PAS), the largest Conservative community in NYC and the flagship of Jewish liturgical music in North America. After graduating from Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute and studying under the top cantors in the world, Azi continued studying music with a Masters in Classical Singing and Conducting from Mannes School of Music. His grandfather, also a cantor, inspired Azi to pursue his passion and inclination for singing and music. His craft of Jewish liturgical music has been described as emotionally moving, spiritually uplifting, and artistically dynamic.Īzi grew up in a traditional community in Israel. Cantor Azi Schwartz is the Senior Cantor of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, and is a world-renowned vocal performer and recording artist whose music reaches Jewish and interfaith audiences internationally.
