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On Friday, Aug. 22, congregants will gather for Shabbat services at Compo Beach. It will be a chance for TCS and the wider community to welcome Cattan and his family to the area. The Cattans recently moved from Miami.
This move opens an exciting new chapter in his life, both professionally and personally, Cattan said.
“We feel blessed for the opportunity,” he said. “We fell in love with the people we have met and we are looking forward to meeting more people in the synagogue. We hope to be part of this community, to be able to help others find their place, their roles, and their participation as well.”
Cattan joined TCS after serving, most recently, at Miami’s Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus. There, he created musical programs, recorded two CDs, one with the religious and day school students, and innovated a program for older teenagers as well.
"TCS is blessed to have Cantor Luis Cattan joining our synagogue family. His presence brings spirit-filled 'electricity' to our sanctuary, genuine love for Jewish music and prayer, and profound humility for his role as cantor,” said Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn. “We have a shared view of the rabbi-cantor relationship as a sacred partnership in which we have the privilege to touch lives during moments of joy and sadness."
A native of Montevideo, Uruguay, Cattan moved to Miami in 2003, where he joined the Cuban Hebrew Congregation of Miami. Most of his congregants were Cuban immigrants to the United States.
“These stories of success, sacrifice and gratitude were an inspiration for my family and me,” said Cattan, a father of four. He said he was inspired to become an active member in his congregation and community; something he is excited about continuing in Westport.
During his years in Miami, Cattan also led teens on many trips, including the March of the Living in Poland and the AIPAC policy conference in Washington, D.C.
Cattan is involved with the Cantors Assembly, the largest organization of cantors in the world. He looks forward to participating in TCS's high level of philanthropic outreach, which includes Share the Pie, a program run in conjunction with Homes with Hope, and Mitzvah Day, a day of social action designed to help less fortunate families of Fairfield County.
“Cantor Cattan has a beautiful voice that will bring warmth and creativity to our services, and a diverse breadth of programming ideas that will engage our entire Congregation,” said Ilene Frost, co-president.
The multi-lingual cantor – he speaks, reads and writes English, Spanish, Hebrew, French, Italian and Portuguese – looks forward to introducing TCS congregants to innovative programming. In the past he’s created programs such as ‘Tapas, Wine and Jewish Jazz” and “Music and Art.”
“We are thrilled to have Cantor Cattan join TCS! We have no doubt that he will be an asset to the entire Westport Jewish community,” said Margie Labarre, co-president.
The Conservative Synagogue of Westport, Weston and Wilton is at 30 Hillspoint Road in Westport. Call 203-454-4673 or visit the website for more information.
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