A hazzan (/ ˈ h ɑː z ən /; [1] Hebrew:, lit. Hazan) or chazzan (Hebrew: חַזָּן, romanized: ḥazzān, plural ḥazzānim; Yiddish: חזן, romanized: khazn; Ladino: חזן, romanized: hasan) is a Jewish musician or precentor trained in the vocal arts who leads the congregation in songful prayer. [2]

A cantor — hazzan (חזן) in Hebrew — is the person who chants worship services in the synagogue. Though the word is sometimes applied in a general way to anyone who leads services, it is more commonly used to denote someone who has completed professional musical training and been ordained as a cantor.

The cantor, or chazan (hazzan) in Hebrew, leads the prayers in synagogue. In ancient times, the term chazzan actually referred to a person with authority over communal affairs. However, today it refers exclusively to a prayer leader.

A hazzan, also known as a cantor, is a Jewish prayer leader responsible for chanting liturgical music and leading congregational prayers in a synagogue. This role is central to the worship experience, as the hazzan enhances the spiritual atmosphere and guides the community through prayer services, often using traditional melodies and techniques.

The term hazzan occurs frequently in Talmudic literature, where it refers to various types of officials, or "overseers." The hazzan ha-knesset (overseer of the synagogue) was the forerunner of the cantor, though he primarily functioned as synagogue caretaker rather than service leader.

What is a cantor? The Jewish prayer leader, also known as a hazzan or chazan, isn’t just a singer–the hazzan is the central figure who conducts weekday, Shabbat, and holiday services in a synagogue. Jeremiah Lockwood of the band The Sway Machinery explains.

Whether you are a seasoned hazzan or entering the field of hazzanut and the leadrship of Jewish prayer, you can grow your capacity vocally and explore the nuances of tefillah even more deeply. Hazzan Jack coaches by private appointment.

CHAZZAN or hazzan (pl. Chazzanim, Heb, cantor officiating in a synagogue; used in this specific sense since the Middle Ages. The word frequently occurs in talmudic sources, where it denotes various types of communal officials, most prominently the hazzan ha-kneset .

This site is dedicated to the Art of the Hazzan. It was developed by Hazzan David Presler in 2020 during the Corona, and ever since, he has developed over 100 videos to help Hazzanim learn Nusach as well as Cantorial compositions at the highest levels.

Welcome to the official website of Isaac Azose, a Seattle-born Sephardic hazzan (cantor) dedicated to preserving the rich traditions of the Sephardic Jews from Rhodes and Turkey.