Tizmoret is in its fifteenth 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 four CDs, with their most recent release – Sounds in My Head – receiving critical acclaim in contemporary Jewish and secular a cappella circles.
Tizmoret has performed for college campuses, b’nei-mitzvah, synagogues, and various music festivals across the Eastern United States. They recently participated in the Cantor’s Assembly Convention, performed the opening act for renowned a cappella group, The Bobs, and auditioned for NBC’s Sing-off.
Our A Cappella Director: Daniel Henkin
For 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. Daniel also directs Tizmoret, Queens College Hillel’s Professional Jewish a cappella ensemble.
Alex Weissman, President Emeritus of Tizmoret, gave a few of us a little scare by saying he will be leaving Tizmoret, but most of us knew better than that as he came crawling back. Coming from Kushner where he was never able to show his true talent, he was thrown into a new world of singing (other than his routinely radio sing alongs or shower concert). Alex has been a dedicated member of Tizmoret for the past 3 years..and counting. His amazing talent and humor is a great asset to Tizmoret. We love having him around and wouldn’t be the same without him.
Ariana Weissman is new to the group, but you’d never know it by listening to her speak. When her voice isn’t being used to be loud and opinionated, it is a powerful and soulful alto voice (still loud). Hailing all the way from Staten Island NY, she joined the group after her older, dashing, brother Alex (former president and member for four years, and author of this very bio hard as it is to believe) convinced her it would be the best singing outlet possible. He was right.
Belinda Amouyal is a senior at queens college majoring in psychology. She is originally from Merrick, Long Island, and went to Hebrew Academy of Nassau County. She is small and crazy and likes a good quinoa.
Debbie Nehmad sings 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 new addition to the soprano section, 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.
Eyal Dagan has been singing for most of his life. From choirs in Camp Nesher, to Chamber Choir in the Yeshiva of Flatbush. Growing up on the mean streets of Brooklyn everyone needs a secret weapon of some sort and a great voice is Eyal’s. His talents are not just limited to singing. He loves basketball and has been known to hit a mean tether ball. When hanging with his avid sushi lover, hold onto your sides, because Eyal’s blunt tell it like it is humor will crack you up. You could not ask for a more devoted friend. All of these qualities are why we love having Eyal as a part of Tizmoret.
Kayla Kirshenbaum, a 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.
Lisa Kasdan is the president of Tizmoret this year and is loving every moment of it. She is a 25 year old singer songwriter who considers singing the number one in her life, but is also a first year at New York Law School. If singing doesn’t work out, being a singing attorney is always another option!
Marissa Rosenfeld went to Yeshivah of Flatbush, go figure.
She is a student at Hunter College and resides in the upper west side. She loves ice cream and urban outfitters.
Mordy Weinstein is a booming, manly bass, but a gentle, loving sweetheart all the same. He’s a junior 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 lost without him.
Nathaniel Jaret, or Nate, as he is commonly called by his acquaintances, is a bright young lass (we mean bass) hailing all the way from Boston. Though new to the Jewish A Cappella scene, Nate has burst into Tizmoret as a powerful bass and strong soloist. Also, he makes a mean quinoa. Also, he didn’t write this.
Joshua (Shuki) Jacobi, rejected from Kochav Nolad (Israeli Idol) stayed for a third year in Tizmorets tenor section. Bilingual in both Hebrew and English, Shuki brings an israeli edge to the group. Shuki enjoys listening to israeli music, ACDC and Josh Groban. When not at a Tizmoret event he can be found doing absolutely nothing…
Stefan Marcus generally goes by his Hebrew nickname, Shimi. Shimi graduated from the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School in 2007 and was part of the Mr. Daniel Henkin-led choir for all four years. He was a tenor for the first three years but became a bass and a choral arranger as a senior. He joined Tizmoret as a bass in September 2009 after Mordy Weinstein, a fellow classmate, fellow rock band and current Tizmoret member, insisted that he try out. Shimi has played guitar for 6 years.
Zahava Last
Went to Flatbush, obviously.
Wishes she were Miley , but don’t we all?
Loves music so much she even does it in NYU!
