Assaf Levitin

Assaf Levitin currently serves as the Chazzan (cantor) at the Reform Synagogue in Hamburg, Germany. Originally from Israel, Assaf’s musical journey began with the drums, saxophone, and clarinet. During his military service with the IDF weekly magazine „Bamachane,“ he joined the Rinat National Choir of Israel, marking the start of his professional singing career.
Beyond singing, Assaf is involved in various aspects of music, including composing, arranging, choir directing, and teaching. He completed his cantor training at the Abraham Geiger Kolleg of Potsdam University in 2016, writing his Master’s thesis on Alberto Hemsi’s liturgical music. Notably, he released the first comprehensive recording of Hemsi’s vocal music on a triple CD.
Since 2014, Assaf Levitin has been part of the official cultural program sponsored by the Central Committee of Jews in Germany with his ensemble „Die Drei Kantoren.“ In 2017, he founded the Kolot Vocal Quintet, focusing on Jewish and Israeli music with arrangements by Assaf.
His recording of the Mainz Nusach (Schott, Mainz 2004) is recognized as the benchmark for the South German liturgical tradition and is frequently cited by experts. Assaf’s diverse CD recordings include synagogal music with organ, a Sabbath Evening Service by Samuel Lampel, an Israeli jazz album, liturgical compositions by Assaf Levitin, and more.
In 2016, Assaf performed at various old synagogues in Germany and Poland as part of the „Mekomot“ (Orte) project, debuting five works and presenting classical Chazzanut. In 2021, he toured Germany with the Deutscher Kammerchor, showcasing liturgical music by German Jewish composers, much of which had not been performed since the Shoah.