For generations, the cantorate was passed from father to son, rarely questioned within Jewish communities. But what happens when a daughter feels that same calling?
Our second installment of “Voices of Change: 50 Years of Women in the Cantorate” features Deborah Katchko-Gray, a fourth-generation cantor who carved her own path in a field once closed to women. Inspired by her grandfather, a beloved hazzan, supported by her father, and encouraged by mentor and friend Elie Wiesel, Deborah embraced the cantorate as both a calling and a responsibility.
From preserving the sacred melodies of her ancestors to building new traditions for future generations, Deborah’s life’s work has been to strengthen and uplift the American cantorate for women and men alike.
Explore the interview and discover a journey of tradition, mentorship, and resilience that helped change the face and sound of American Jewish music.
An Interview with Deborah Katchko-Gray
The world of Jewish music has lost a towering figure, and the Milken Archive has lost one of its dear friends. Cantor Benzion Miller, himself a fourth-generation cantor, passed away on February 3, 2025 at the age of 77.
Born in a displaced persons camp after the Holocaust, Cantor Miller’s voice carried the weight of history and the beauty of tradition. A master of nusaḥ and hazzanut, he dedicated his life to preserving and elevating cantorial music. His recordings for the Milken Archive capture his extraordinary gift, ensuring that his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Watch our short documentary celebrating the life, artistry and legacy of Cantor Benzion Miller.
Millie Baran survived European ghettos, labor and displaced person camps before she landed in New York. A Spanish-born, New York musician and school teacher recently paid Baran homage through a collaboration that turned her testimony into music.
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