Mordechai Sobol, who popularized cantorial music in Israel, dies in NY

Cantor Mordechai Sobol, 67, who was well known in Israel for his choral concerts featuring some of the best soloist cantors in the Jewish world, has died in New York following a severe stroke. Sobol, as was his annual habit, went to America to conduct High Holy Day services during Rosh Hashanah. He gave no sign of ill health, according to an Arutz Sheva report prior to his death. However, he fainted after the service and religious news outlets, upon being notified of his condition, asked the public to pray for him.Sobol, who was born in Hadera in 1951 to Polish Holocaust survivor parents, became a cantor at a very young age. In addition, he was also a composer, orchestrator and arranger for cantorial works for soloists and choirs.As the director of the Yuval Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, he raised Jewish liturgical music to new heights. Many of Israel’s promising young cantors studied under him.He recorded several albums, and his concerts in Israel and abroad were always sold out. He was frequently heard on religious radio stations.Sobol was the recipient of several awards, including the Jerusalem Prize and the President’s Prize for Education.