Sylvia Turner-Yanofsky

Unbelievably, I’ve arrived, realizing decades of dreaming; becoming a cantor.  

I was 7 when I first heard hazzanut, and I knew! It was my music. Growing up in a Civil Rights  activist, musical family, with diverse religious affiliations, surrounded by music, I inherently  understood. Music channels hope, sustaining our souls, enlivening liturgy, the opener of hearts  and souls, giving voice and sustenance when there are no words. It called me.  

I’m dedicating this to my mom, Joyce Moore Turner (z”l) my first teacher, who, at 101, shared  her family’s links to Jewish history. I asked if she recognized a photograph in Jacob Dorman’s  book, Chosen People, from the 1920’s, of Rabbi Mordecai Herman and the Moorish Zionist  Temple of the Moorish Jews on W. 134th St in Harlem, NY. Mom grew up virtually around the  corner from that Temple. She remembered her father, a friend of Herman, may have given  speeches at the Temple. Speaking no Yiddish, she attended a Socialist Yiddish camp as a teen,  the only African American.  

Until her 104th birthday, ever the educator, Mom read my papers, books, and expanded my  horizons. She assumed she’d attend my ordination. She knew I was a ground breaker, though I  didn’t know. I’m sure her spirit hovers nearby. She would’ve loved knowing I’m joining the 2  other African American ordained cantors in the United States, which I learned after she died. 

Among my many mentors; Rabbi Deborah Robbins suggested Mifgash Musicale. Hazzan Alaine  Katzew encouraged me to learn more. Dallas’s Temple Emanu-El opened gates. I helped form a  quintet, Shirat HaLev, who, for 18 years, was the monthly shaliach tzibor. We chanted Esther  and the HHD liturgy for guest services. I co-taught 8th grade Sunday School. As Jewish lay leader at Fort Sill, I shepherded Jews of Color through conversion, advocated for basic trainee soldiers  and taught beginning Hebrew. I continued as Jewish lay leader; leading Rosh Hashanah services on a USS Boxer Tiger Cruise, as cantorial soloist at Ft Hood, and meeting Army Chaplain (CPT)  Karyn Berger (Ret.) who introduced me to Renewal Judaism and AOP. 

2019, the AOP door opened. H’ Jack Kessler (z”l) taught me about transmission; how to reach  deeper, trust the tortoises beneath my feet, to expand upward and outwards, from earth’s core to  the heavens. H’ Diana Brewer and H’ Abbe Lyons assured I understood weaving music and text. 

Applause for my family’s patience; Mom, husband – Alan, my children, siblings and cousins.  With their songs the wind at my back, I knew this dream was attainable.  

Blessings for all my teachers, advisors, spirit buddies and fellow students enriching my learning,  supporting me along the way, especially R’ Shulamit Fagan, R’ Marcia Prager, R’ Tivona Reith,  R’ Shulamit Theide, R’ Natan Margalit, H’ Leah Frey-Rabine, and Chuck Silverstein, all of  whom enriched my life.  

I have a dream. I woke up this morning with my mind set on Freedom. Hallelu-Yah!