Tizmoret is in its seventeenth year as Queens College Hillel’s professional Jewish a cappella group. Tizmoret draws singers from colleges throughout New York City and has taken Jewish collegiate a cappella to the next level, performing classic Jewish melodies, American pop music and contemporary Israeli tunes. They have produced five CDs, with their most recent release, “Transitory,” receiving critical acclaim in contemporary Jewish and secular a cappella circles.

Tizmoret has performed for college campuses, countless b’nei-mitzvah and synagogues, and various music festivals across the Eastern United States. They recently toured the east coast, won the 5th annual Long Island College A Cappella Challenge, won Kol HaOlam, the first National College Jewish A Cappella Competition, and performed in Italy at a New Year’s party!

Our A Cappella Director: Daniel Henkin

For over twenty years, Daniel Henkin has conducted Jewish and secular choirs for children, teenagers, and adults, and has produced more than a dozen albums of Jewish and secular choral music.  He has directed ensembles at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher and Merkin Halls.

As an arranger and conductor, Daniel has helped pioneer the contemporary Jewish a cappella movement today.  His choral arrangements are performed by ensembles throughout North America, and have shaped the sound and style of this generation’s Jewish a cappella choirs.

Daniel Henkin received his BA in Music and Philosophy from Columbia University, and his Masters degree in Music Composition from Indiana University’s School of Music. He is currently working towards a Doctorate from Columbia University’s Teachers College in Music Education with a specialty in the college teaching of music.

Daniel is Director of Music at the Ramaz Upper School in Manhattan. He has taught music at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union and at the Yeshivah of Flatbush.

The Sopranos:

Nurita Abramowitz, no longer a new addition to Tizmoret, is a soprano from Brooklyn. She had the privilege of working with Sir Daniel Henkin in Chamber Choir throughout her high school years at Yeshivah of Flatbush. Some of Nurita’s favorite singers include Alicia Keys, Guns ‘n Roses and Evanescence. She is honored to be a part of Tizmoret’s a cappella group.

Shosh Balk, Tizmoret’s newest sweet, sanguine soprano, sailed from Cincinnati to sing some solid songs. She is no stranger to farms or flying, and she sure does love pop-up books. Having sung some (in)famous tunes, Shosh is well-known in MMY and Stern and hopes to be well-known in Tizmoret as well. She also hopes to, one day, compose and play her own all-female-country music.

Kayla Kirshenbaum, a returning soprano from the Windy City of Chicago, is honored to be a part of Tizmoret. A few of her favorite singers include Michael Buble, Carol King, and Norah Jones. Kayla loves to Latin dance, loves nature, and loves the color yellow.

Debbie Nehmad is a returning soprano in Tizmoret. A former Chamber Choir member at the Yeshivah of Flatbush, her history with Daniel traces back quite a few years prior to joining the group. Debbie loves a cappella and hopes to continue her career in Tizmoret for years to come.

Emily Sellinger, a third-year soprano, has loved performing ever since her high school musical theatre days. When not singing in Tizmoret or in the rain, you can find her playing the piano, listening to Jason Mraz, changing the oil of her car, or watching “Back to the Future.”

The Altos:

Daniella Rosenblatt, another new addition to Team T, is a budding Sleeping major who wishes she could fly while eating tons of ice cream. An “uninteresting” member of the alto section, Daniella hopes to give all she’s got to Tizmoret, whether that means providing the group with birds or with great musicality.

Marissa Rosenfeld, a third-year alto, went to Yeshivah of Flatbush (go figure).  She is a student at Hunter College and resides in the Upper West Side.  She thoroughly enjoys ice cream and Urban Outfitters.

Lauren Rosenthal is an NYU graduate who studied voice, psychology, and creative writing.  She recently played Mrs. Potts in a production of Beauty and the Beast and she brings a lot of soul to Tizmoret.

Darya Rubenstein, a proud Torontonian, is a sophomore at Queens College. When not building igloos or hunting polar bears, Darya enjoys singing, acting, and dancing. After seven intense summers of Tizmoret preparation in Camp Nesher Choir, only time will tell if this high alto has what it takes.

The Tenors:

Joshua (Shuki) Jacobi, rejected from Kochav Nolad (Israeli Idol) is giving Tizmoret’s Tenor section a fifth go. Bilingual in both Hebrew and English, Shuki brings an Israeli edge to the group. Shuki enjoys listening to Israeli music, AC/DC and Josh Groban. When not at a Tizmoret event, he can be found doing absolutely nothing…

Hillel Landman, another Flatbush addition to Tizmoret, has finally returned to the land of Tenor, where he first began. Bringing some more YU pride to Queens College, Hillel enjoys remembering to eat dinner, listening to a Peter Hollens rendition of anything, and getting/singing some sleepy time. He’s totally st-t-t-toked to be in Tizmo!

Jacob Spadaro, a Queens College freshman, is a new member of Tizmoret. A Tenor reigning from Dix Hills, Long Island, Jacob is bringing his many years of performance experience and enthusiasm to Team T! (These are mostly resulting from his parents owning a DJ company and forcing him into being a singing monkey). When not at Tizmoret, Jacob can be found eating, practicing opera arias, eating, using Adobe After Effects, eating, playing gigs, eating, watching Glee or jamming on as many instruments as possible. While eating.

The Basses:

Benjy Garber, first-year bass, is having an awesome time singing with Tizmo and plans on staying for as long as possible. After dropping out of high school, Benjy spent one semester at YU before transferring to Queens College (though he’s not quite sure how he got into either school). He spends an incredible amount of time playing guitar, snowboarding, and golfing when the weather’s nice.

Phil Kaplan, no longer a new member to Tizmoret, is a senior at Queens College.  He loves all genres of music, and when not singing a cappella, he can be found playing guitar, slapping da bass and singing opera and acoustic rock. Phil is very excited to be in Tizmoret and, specifically, the (in)famous bass section.

Last and least, Mordy Weinstein, acting Señor Presidenté of Tizmoret, is a booming, manly bass, but a gentle, loving sweetheart all the same. He’s a super senior at Yeshiva University, and is double-majoring in Psychology and Glee.  Mordy loves designing shoes, smiling, being happy, and spreading the holiday cheer, whenever. He’s got range, game, smokin’ good looks, and a killer falsetto.  Tizmoret would be forever lost without him.