Drop-in: Hebrew cantillation in the Sephardi tradition

Hebrew Psalms and Bible are chanted using cantillation signs called tropes or te’amim. Join Dr Vanessa Paloma Elbaz and others to learn cantillation in the Sephardi tradition. 

The drop-in group meets for an hour per week to learn how to cantillate Psalms, Torah and Prophets and medieval Hebrew piyyutim (liturgical poems) with a traditional transmission methodology. Meetings are on Monday afternoons in termtime from 3:30-4:30, from 27 October 2025. 

No previous knowledge of music, Hebrew or cantillation signs are required. People of any or no religious background are very welcome to come along & learn about this ancient musical tradition. Moroccan cantillation is the primary focus. 

This activity is organised by Dr Vanessa Paloma Elbaz, an active member of the Cambridge Interfaith Research Forum, Research Associate in the Faculty of Music, and Senior Research Associate at Peterhouse, Cambridge.