Judaism, as a religion, appeals to the senses.

We behold the beauty of the Menorah with its shimmering candles.

We delight in the fragrant spices of the Havdalah service.

We sip from the Kiddush cup and taste the challah.

So, too, with music, our senses become engaged. The grandeur and splendor of choral and organ music are irreplaceable. The soaring sound lifts us to new heights even as the rumbling bass of the organ shakes our very selves. At Sinai, it is our aspiration that our music renews us, affirms us, transforms us, appeals to our intellect as well as our emotions, and gives us strength as we go on our way.

We are committed to preserving and strengthening the beautiful tradition of Jewish choral and organ music, while at the same time adding new pieces to our ever-broadening repertoire. Members of our professional vocal quartet accompany every worship service. During the High Holy Days, Chanukah, Purim, and the Annual Spring Choral Program, they join forces with the dedicated members of our Volunteer Choir.

Meet Sinai’s Music Staff 

Esther Fishbein,
Songleader

Esther grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and is a graduate of University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign, where she studied Theatre and is now an actor in Chicago. In addition to her acting, Esther has been playing guitar since she was two years old. In the beginning of her training, she started learning classical guitar and then learned how to sing along with her instrument and instantly fell in love. 

As Esther’s love for the arts grew through theatre and music,  her passion for Judaism did as well. Esther was a long-time camper turned songleader at OSRUI which is where her love and passion for songleading blossomed. Post college, Esther started her career as a Jewish Educator and Songleader at B’nai Jenoshua Beth Elohim in Deerfield. She’s also held positions as the Youth Engagement Coordinator at Temple Sholom and Lead Teacher at the preschool JCYS. 

Esther is continuing her acting career as well as being a Jewish Educator and Songleader in Chicago! 

Dr. Klaus Georg,
High Holy Days Music Director

Dr. Georg is an active educator, singer, and conductor, well known in the Chicago area and beyond. A native of Germany, Dr. Georg grew up speaking Italian and German in the home. Eventually, he moved to Colorado and studied at Washington University. In 2014, Klaus received his Doctor of Musical Arts from Northwestern University, which included writing a dissertation on the Italian-Jewish composer, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Moreover, he served as Chorus Director of Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel in Clayton, Missouri, before moving to Chicago and being the Choir Director at Beth Emet in Evanston for 14 years. An active singer, Klaus has appeared as Soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Music of the Baroque, and the Grant Park Music Festival, and many choral organizations throughout the Chicagoland area. He is also an active member of many of the area’s most prestigious choruses, including the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. As an educator, he is a Lecturer in Music at Loyola University of Chicago, having previously held teaching positions at UIC and Carthage College.

Maia Surace,
Interim Music Director

Maia Surace is a Mezzo-soprano and Pianist, teaching and performing in the Chicago area for over 27 years. She began singing for High Holy Days services while still a piano student at Northwestern University, and ultimately joined Sinai Congregation in 2009 as part of the professional quartet. The same year she accepted a position as chorister for Lyric Opera of Chicago. At Sinai Congregation, she has assisted with and directed the children’s choir. Leading worship for family services and High Holy Days, Surace learned guitar and prepared the children to sing. She has coached songleaders to help develop their musical skills. Outside of Sinai, she has sung with the Grant Park Symphony Chorus and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. She is currently Cantor and Sub-organist at Saint Luke’s Congregation. She has served as Music Director and Organist at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, Evanston; Winnetka Bible Church, Winnetka; First United Methodist Church, Waukegan and Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Chicago. Maia has earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Roosevelt University/Chicago Musical College, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.

Did you participate in choir in high school, college, or in your community? Have you taken a long break from these choirs and want to participate again?

Interested? Contact Interim Music Director, Maia Surace, either by email msurace@chicagosinai.org or by calling (312) 867-7000.