Cantor Giora Sharon was born in Hungary as the child of two Holocaust survivors. He is a fourth generation Cantor in his family. He began his musical studies at an early age, playing the cello, learning solfege and music theory, singing in children choirs and performing in children’s theater. Along with these activities, he was singing in various synagogues, with his Father and other Cantors.  At the age 14 he has received a rabbinical approval for serving as a Shaliach Tzibur  in any synagogue.  Sharon immigrated to Israel in 1964, and continued his studies in Haifa. At the age of 18 he began intensive vocal training, and won the scholarship of the America – Israel Culture Fund, co-chaired by Isaac Stern and Leonard Bernstein.   

He served in the Israel Defense forces, and actively participated in two wars. After his military service, Sharon became a baritone soloist of the Israel National Opera, performing a long line of roles. He also performed in other opera companies and festivals, and continued his operatic training under the tutelage of Tito Gobbi in Florence, and Hermann Prey in Salzburg . Simultaneously, he continued his formal Cantorial training in Tel Aviv with such  Masters as Shlomo Rawitz, Benyamin Unger, and Yirmiyahu Ben Dor.  

Cantor Sharon’s first permanent pulpit was in the Natanyah Progressive Synagogue, where he served for 9 years. In 1984 Sharon came to the U.S. and assumed the position of Cantor at Temple Isaiah in Palm Springs, California, serving there for 13 years, being active in his temple’s educational program, and in various chaplaincy programs in the community at large. 

After a one year service at Cleveland’s Park Synagogue, he was elected Cantor of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck.

Cantor Sharon has performed in opera houses and concertized all over Europe and the U.S. He is a frequent lecturer in the Jewish Theological Seminary in Budapest, where he was awarded with the title “MASTER OF THE CANTORIAL  ART”.  He also was granted a LIFE ACHEEVEMENT AWARD by the Counsel of Eastern European Jewish Communities, recognizing his decades of dedicated service in the field of Cantorate and Jewish education.  Sharon holds a diploma in Vocal Performance, and is a long time member of the Cantors Assembly,  holding the title HAZZAN – MINISTER.

Cantor Sharon’s wife Clara, a former opera singer is working as a teacher at B.E.Z. Early Childhood Center. They have two adult children, Anat and Yuval.

Send Cantor Sharon an Email: gsharon {at} bez613(.)org

Cantor Robert Zalkin (1961 – 1989) and Cantor Ray Edgar (1989 – 1997) are Cantors Emeriti.