Obituary for Cantor Robert Kieval
Hazzan Robert Kieval has served the Jewish Community since his late teens. During his formative years, he came under the influence and tutelage of Hazzan Charles B. Bloch, who urged him to pursue the study of Hebrew and Hazzanut. It soon became evident that his voice was developing a mature richness; thus, he began the study of vocal technique with Professor Mario Rubini-Reichlin, prominent voice teacher and formerly professor at the Vienna Conservatory. A few years later, also at the urging of Hazzan Bloch, he entered Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, School of Sacred Music, where he studied Hazzanut under such great masters as Hazzan Israel Alter, Hazzan Lawrence Avery and Moshe Ganchoff. Subsequently, he studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary–Cantors Institute under Professor/Hazzan Max Wohlberg and later advanced Hazzanic studies with Hazzan Moshe Ganchoff. He continued studying voice with Mario Rubini–Reichlin until his death, after which he studied with Jerome LoMonaco, formerly leading tenor with the New York City Opera Company.
Hazzan Kieval has served as Sheliach Tzibur of Congregation Ahavath Achim, Brooklyn, New York; Jamaica Estates Hebrew Center, Jamaica Estates, New York; Marathon Jewish Community Center, Douglaston, New York; and for twenty–five years, as the Hazzan Rishon of B’nai Israel Congregation, Rockville, Maryland. During his tenure as Hazzan of B’nai Israel Congregation he also chaired a monthly Lunch and Learn program for the students and faculty of the Cantors Institute of JTS (now the H.L. Miller Cantorial School). In 2001 upon his retirement from B’nai Israel he was awarded the title of Hazzan Emeritus.
His career has also extended to the Concert and Lecture field, appearing throughout the United States in programs of Jewish Music.
Hazzan Kieval has been active for many years in the affairs of the Cantors Assembly, largest organization of Hazzanim in the world, serving variously as Treasurer, Vice–President and ultimately as President. During his Presidency Women were admitted as members of the Cantors Assembly. In 1994, Hazzan Kieval was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music honoris causa by The Jewish Theological Seminary of America for his devotion and tireless efforts on behalf of Hazzanut in America. He has also served on the board of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and was the first Hazzan to serve on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Movement and on the boards of a number of other Jewish Organizations.
Since 2001 he has served on the Adjunct Faculty of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary and as Co-Ordinator of the Beit Shirah (music study library center). During the 2011-2012 academic year he served as the Interim Director of the School.
He has been married for forty–six years to the pre-eminent singer and musician Gayna Sauler Kieval. They are blessed with two sons Moshe Zev Kieval, his wife Eden and their nine children Ora Tzvia, Chayala, Yosef, Sara’le, Devora, Bracha, Judah Aryeh, Michoel and Levi; and his second son Joshua Hanan and his wife Maria.
Hazzan Kieval has served as Sheliach Tzibur of Congregation Ahavath Achim, Brooklyn, New York; Jamaica Estates Hebrew Center, Jamaica Estates, New York; Marathon Jewish Community Center, Douglaston, New York; and for twenty–five years, as the Hazzan Rishon of B’nai Israel Congregation, Rockville, Maryland. During his tenure as Hazzan of B’nai Israel Congregation he also chaired a monthly Lunch and Learn program for the students and faculty of the Cantors Institute of JTS (now the H.L. Miller Cantorial School). In 2001 upon his retirement from B’nai Israel he was awarded the title of Hazzan Emeritus.
His career has also extended to the Concert and Lecture field, appearing throughout the United States in programs of Jewish Music.
Hazzan Kieval has been active for many years in the affairs of the Cantors Assembly, largest organization of Hazzanim in the world, serving variously as Treasurer, Vice–President and ultimately as President. During his Presidency Women were admitted as members of the Cantors Assembly. In 1994, Hazzan Kieval was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music honoris causa by The Jewish Theological Seminary of America for his devotion and tireless efforts on behalf of Hazzanut in America. He has also served on the board of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and was the first Hazzan to serve on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Movement and on the boards of a number of other Jewish Organizations.
Since 2001 he has served on the Adjunct Faculty of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary and as Co-Ordinator of the Beit Shirah (music study library center). During the 2011-2012 academic year he served as the Interim Director of the School.
He has been married for forty–six years to the pre-eminent singer and musician Gayna Sauler Kieval. They are blessed with two sons Moshe Zev Kieval, his wife Eden and their nine children Ora Tzvia, Chayala, Yosef, Sara’le, Devora, Bracha, Judah Aryeh, Michoel and Levi; and his second son Joshua Hanan and his wife Maria.